NAMIBIA FLORA, FAUNA & AVIFAUNA

FLORA
The country is divided into 14 vegetation zones, ranging from variations of desert to semi-desert, shrub and forest savannahs, and woodlands of the Northeast. A world-wide botanist interest is the living fossil, Welwitschia Mirabilis, which is endemic to the Namib Desert and one of the oldest plants known to man.

Over 120 species of trees grow in Namibia ranging from the umbrella-shaped camel thorn, Acacia eroloba, to the valuable ana tree, Faidherbia albida, with its white flowers and nutritious pods, which is an important source of food for the animals of the desert. Typical trees found in the north are mopane, terminalia, marula, giant figs, baobabs, Makalani palms and timber species such as kiaat, tamboti and Transvaal teak. Common to the arid central and southern region is the distinctive kokerboom or quiver tree, Aloe dichotoma. There are approximately 200 endemic plant species in Namibia that include lithops that are popularly referred to as "flowering stones", and the Aloe asperifolia of the desert regions. Other noteworthy plants are the curious elephants foot, Adenia pecuelii, and the "halfmens", Pachypodium namaquanum, which is found in the far south near the Orange River.

FAUNA
Large game species found in Namibia include elephant, rhino, giraffe and buffalo, as well as lion, leopard and cheetah. There are eight endemic mammal species - the black faced impala, gerbils and bats - while the Namib Desert is well known for endemic dune-dwellers, of which there are 30 endemic species. Endangered mammals are wild dog, black rhino, lion, puku, oribi and waterbuck. There are over 20 species of antelope ranging from the largest, the eland, to the smallest the Damara dik-dik. A wealth of small mammals, including mongoose and jackal, occur throughout the country, as well as the less common Antbear and honey badger.

AVIFAUNA
Over 630 of the 887 bird species listed for southern Africa have been recorded in Namibia. Of these, about 500 species breed locally, while the others are migrants. Eleven species are endemic, meaning that over 75% of their total world populations are found in Namibia.

Special endemics are the Herero chat, Rockrunner, Monteiro's hornbill and Damara tern (99%). The African Fish eagle is also featured on the Namibian coat of arms. Of keen interest to visitors is the sociable weaver, which builds communal nests in which several hundreds of birds live together.

Namibia | Coastal Region | Fauna, Flora & Avifauna | Stamps

NAMA


HERERO


HIMBA


SAN

HIMBA