In the world’s oldest desert, the Namib, relict flora dates back to the Jurassic period, plants have evolved to survive in desiccated landscapes (where rainfall may be years or decades apart), beetles extract water from fog, antelopes have adapted to breathe 45-degree air, hyaenas hunt seals, and miniature ecosystems exist where scorpions and lizards are the apex predators.
The vast, seemingly empty spaces of this desert define Namibia in the minds of most visitors, yet the Namib covers only a small part of the country’s surface area. Namibia has much more to offer wildlife enthusiasts: marine mammals, seabirds, aquatic mammals and birds in the floodplains and swamps of the Caprivi, game concentrations to rival any in southern Africa (including the Big Five), the only rhinos on the continent that roam in fence-free wilderness, a globally important floral biodiversity hotspot, and a wealth of endemic species for those with specialised interests.
This book is a compact guide to the rich biodiversity of Namibia, presenting those common mammals, birds, reptiles, invertebrates and plants most likely to be seen on safari by the general visitor to national parks, nature reserves and other wildlife-rich places in the country. It presents over 540 species and includes:
- An informative introduction to the country’s geography, climate and vegetation.
- Photographs of all species accompanied by accounts describing each species’ appearance, habits, size and conservation status, as well as information on habitat and best viewing localities.
- Full-colour photographs of each species, along with distribution maps to show their range.