In winter, the waterholes offer a unique opportunity to sit and wait for your subjects to come to you. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. The black rhinos are best seen at night since this is the time when they come out of hiding to the waterholes. But a clear line of sight is not enough. During this time, lions tend to look for and eat small prey like: Although they eat pretty much anything they can prey on, lions mostly hunt down animals that have a mass of 50 to 300 kg. So unfortunately when its a smaller prey its mostly the male and female lions who get to eat, the other lions in the price may have to just walk away and await the next hopefully larger prey. 2004, Trinkel & Kastberger 2008. The cooler and drier winter months extend from May to September, with the air especially dry between July and September. The final thing that I want to mention that is possibly the most special part of the whole experience is the accommodation at Etosha National Park. One can find the Hartmanns Mountain Zebra. Some of the camps even offer floodlit waterholes, where you can spot rhino, elephant and lion drinking from the same waterhole. This time of year means life in the park for new born animals as well as birdlife. Obviously what they hunt depends largely on what is available and what they happen across. As is so often the case in Africas treasured protected areas, Etoshas animals are a testament to natural resilience. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Understanding lion ecology and population threatsis integral to continued conservation efforts. 3 in a series of 8 - lion hunting prey . That said, this is also when the park is at its busiest, and it may well be worth seeking private accommodation in a private reserve outside of the park if large crowds are an unattractive prospect. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) even identified Etoshaasa. Among the migratory species, the European bee-eater is possibly the most popular sighting. J Mammal 87(6):11221131, Henschel JR, Skinner JD (1991) Territorial behaviour by a clan of spotted hyenas Crocuta crocuta. Dolomite Camp located in the western half of the park, this is an unfenced camp with chalets dotted in the rocks of the dolomite hills. The warthogs are a common sight as you drive to the National Park on the roadside but surprisingly when you get to the National Park, they are a rare sight. Afr J Ecol 29:6475, Hayward MW (2006) Prey preferences of the spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta) and degree of dietary overlap with the lion (Panthera leo). Sprokieswoud, meaning fairy-tale forest, is also appropriately named for its unearthly scenery. I dont have any particular expectations of what to see but if I did, they would have been exceeded. But lions will usually predate a number of larger land-based animals that have a mass of 50-300 kg, such as. The Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve shares a 50km unfenced border with Kruger National Park and offers the best wildlife viewing in South Africa. The lanner falcon ( Falco biarmicus) is a medium-sized bird of prey that breeds in Africa, southeast Europe and just into Asia. Our G Adventures group is camping in the main camp inside the park, called Okaukuejo. Windhoek. The park is malaria free, accessible in a regular sedan car and the rest camps provide a range of accommodation as well as restaurants, viewing decks, shops and petrol stations. and they have a very diverse diet, especially in the wild. Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle. We're working to analyze HLC risk factors for events around Etosha going back 40 years. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'rangerplanet_com-narrow-sky-2','ezslot_21',175,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-rangerplanet_com-narrow-sky-2-0');Take a look at these similar articles: Heres the video outlining the above article from our Ranger Planet youtube channel. Endangered mountain zebra can be found on the slopes of the dolomite hills of Ondundozonananandana (try saying that five times fast or even once slowly). It is also one of the few countries where animals still roam freely mostly unrestricted by human influence. Record breaking species are the ostrich as the world's largest bird and the kori bustard, which is the heaviest flying . Etosha offers that iconic image of Africa: a waterhole surrounded by animals, the very epitome of an oasis teeming with life beneath the merciless sun. In more scientific terms, a lions bodily system lacks the necessary enzymes to digest vegetation and plant matters. Lions have been known to eat their own cubs. Nothing is guaranteed and the various species here dont stick to a particular timetable. Lions are carnivores, and apex predators, and will mainly eat small animals when food is scarce. Bill breakdown Images . This is because the digestive system of lions is created in a way to digest only meat and flesh. We have many specials offers especiallyf or you. Established 1991, BEST SAFARI PRICES White dust and clay which makes up the Etosha Pan turns to a reddish brown soil during this time which may lead you to believe you have entered an entirely new park when you visit. If a cheetah is after you-both prey and pray. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Some might say that lions eat vegetation, in cases where food is scarce, this may be true. The main prey of Etosha hyenas are migratory herbivores such as springbok, zebra, and wildebeest. Hence the name Olifantsrus translates as elephants rest. Pretoria: University of Pretoria, South Africa, Trinkel M (2003) Population ecology of the spotted hyena Crocuta crocuta in the Etosha National Park, Namibia. Other rare and endangered species include the black-faced impala, which can be seen around Dolomite Camp and the fleet footed cheetah. The route from Okaukuejo to Dolomite is a roughly 175kms with 15 waterholes evenly spaced out on route. To comment on this story: To protect you against trolls & misinformation, we only permit comments in our app. Understanding lion ecology and population threatsis integral to continued conservation efforts. - no. Differences in prey selection and preferences were also reflected in differences in hunting group sizes. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'rangerplanet_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',164,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-rangerplanet_com-banner-1-0');Lions are so greedy that they may even hunt for food when they dont feel hungry. With my G Adventures group, we head out on safaris all day long, with a local guide driving and spotting. Galton gate was exclusively used for Dolomite visitors. The preferred prey species of spotted hyenas in central Etosha was springbok, whereas regarding the abundance of zebra and wildebeest, these two species were rather avoided. Luangwa Valley. The name Etosha means great white place and comes from the large salt pan that is within the park. J Zool (Lond) 267:309322, Hayward MW, Henschel P, OBrien J, Hofmeyr M, Balme G, Kerley GIH (2006a) Prey preferences of the leopard (Panthera pardus). Sunrise Mountain High School MATH 7775343243 Life as a Hunter-Round 1 Life is challenging for a female lion in Etosha National Park. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'rangerplanet_com-box-4','ezslot_3',163,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-rangerplanet_com-box-4-0');Lions eat a lot! This salt pan (among other factors) means there are not that many trees here and those that do exist are relatively isolated, so you can see for a long distance in front of you. They can be found at Ombika near the springbokfontein. The three main camps ( Okaukuejo , Halali and Namutoni) offer various types of accommodation from camping to chalets overlooking floodlit waterholes. Because it is so dry, the park managers have created a series of artificial waterholes through the area. One of the best birding spots is Fishers Pan. This site is owned and operated by Michael Chamberlain. Within the Etosha National Park, Namibia, hyena densities vary largely, with clan sizes ranging from 11 to The desiccated and bleached soils of the pan are dry for most, if not all, of the year. Although they are obviously large animals and probably could put up quite a good fight, they have a strange quirk to the way they drink. The Austrian Academy of Science, the Vienna Zoo, the Namibian Nature Foundation and the University of Graz are thanked for financial support. Etosha: Summer or Winter? If you are lucky, the leopards can be seen lying in the tree branches as they wait for the evening hours to chase their prey and they can be viewed all year round. While nobody really knows the answer to why lions do this, its believed they eat their cubs to impregnate the lioness. But recent advances in GPS satellite technology allow collars tocollect information even when animals are out of sight. White Rhinos: the white Rhino has just currently been reintroduced into Etosha National park from Kruger National Park in South Africa. When looking at how often lions eat, lions need to eat at least one sizeable meal pretty much every day. Record breaking species are the ostrich as the worlds largest bird and the kori bustard, which is the heaviest flying bird. The lush green summer vegetation and beautiful watery expanse of the pan offer great backdrops and make for fantastic landscape shots and bird images, and compared to the winter months, you won't have to worry . The plains are covered by large herds of springbok and zebra. Lions are camouflaged in the pale- golden colour of the grasslands, while giraffes rise- high above most of the dry vegetation. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-009-0669-3. The best place for one to spot the hyenas is at the Goas waterhole. You can skip to the video at the end of the article from the Ranger Planet Youtube Channel, or continue reading. I have come to Etosha National Park as part of my G Adventures tour through Namibia and South Africa. Serengeti . Etosha Lion Projectconducts African lion research and conservationin one of thelast wild lion strongholds: Namibia's iconic Etosha landscape. Yet there is abundant wildlife that congregates around the waterholes, giving you almost guaranteed game sightings. Please check out our. As you travel further north in Namibia towards Etosha National Park, you will find a place that offers visitors a complete contrast of wide open grasslands, a massive pan that covers 4731km and large camel thorn trees mixed with Mopani trees. To get their mouths at the end of their long necks down to the water, they have to spread their legs as wide as possible. Among the smaller species you will find jackal, bat-eared fox, warthog, honey badger and ground squirrel. J Zool (Lond). Images $0.00; Payment processing $0.00; Total $0.00 (Including $0.00 in VAT) Checkout. In the wet season, huge numbers of game stroll the plains. The Etosha National Park is located in the north of Namibia. The backdrop of the vast Etosha Panmakes game viewing in Etosha a unique experience. They can reach over 7 feet tall and an up-close sight will show you that they are actually bigger in real life and photos do not do them justice. Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle and has been travelling full time for a decade. Collaring every lion in every pride would be highly costly and logistically impossible. By continuing to use our site you agree to us using cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Etosha Lion Project 2020. In this area and with a more undulating landscape, it makes for a very different wildlife experience. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-009-0669-3, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-009-0669-3. He has been a journalist for more than 20 years and has travelled the world full time since 2011. Etosha National Park, Namibia Waterholes are a trap. During winter theEtosha Panis bone dry. Tanzania ID: DD1XYY (RM) African Lion (Panthera leo) playing with Burchells Zebra -originally chased but not serious. Waterholes are extremely essential for game viewing during the dry season since many animal species converge around the different waterholes when the heat becomes unbearable. There are the herd of springboks, the kudus and the impalas. Ive mentioned many of the big names already and we saw plenty of them all zebras, giraffes, elephants, rhinos. The feeding ecology of the spotted hyena Crocuta crocuta was studied in the central and eastern part of the Etosha National Park, Namibia, finding differences in prey selection and preferences were reflected in differences in hunting group sizes. It is now open to all visitors to use. They mainly live in the lower part of the National Park and they are seen at the waterholes surrounded by large crowds of wildebeests, gemsbok, springbok, and gemsboks. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Officially there are 114 species of mammals in Etosha National Park (and, if youre interested, 340 bird species and 110 reptile species). Collaboration is Key for Kunene Rhino Conservation, Scorpion Hill Puts A Sting in Etoshas Poaching Pandemic. The landscapes and the vast Etosha pan are always highlights for any photographer. These black rhinos are officially classified as critically endangered but, to them, there is not a fear in the world that they should worry about. These location data help answer many important questions about their ecology. An apex predator takes up the highest rank in a food web, which makes them the famous animal that we call The king of the jungle. Falco lanarius Linnaeus, 1758. Thats not all, we humans are afraid of lions because of their sheer speed and power. Through our work,we hope to helpcontinued preservation ofthis valuable population for generations to come. Almost 50% of wild lionsdisappeared in the last two decades. Apart from the height of the rainy season during the summer months, these waterholes offer the only available water for the parks multitudinous animal species. The pan becomes a breeding ground for thousands of flamingos, and great white pelicans a spectacle of pink that varies depending on rainfall and reaches its zenith around January and February. The best time however to spot them is in the evening or late in the night since they are mainly nocturnal animals. See how to DOWNLOAD OUR APP below. There are other private lodges throughout Etosha but this is where the main park administration is and it has great facilities. lioness, panthera leo, attacking and killing kudu prey. Regardless, Etosha National Park is guaranteed to furnish her fortunate visitors with something spectacular from prime wildlife viewing, to entirely unexpected animal behaviour or, just simply, an insight into Africas inimitable seasons and how life adapts. Regular visitors to the park naturally develop a preference for certain waterholes, and each has something unique to recommend it whether it is the surrounding scenery, positioning for the best morning or afternoon light, or even the repeated visits of a resident leopard. You might think so given their frequently shared proximity and shared list of prey. The waterholes that surround the camps ensure that you are never left without something to photograph. Subscription-free stock image available for license. Some of the cookies we use are essential for the site to work. However, it is the white crenulations of Fort Namutoni that give the camp a unique and historical character. : Planning a trip to Etosha but not sure when to visit? Many of these are fed by natural artesian springs, but others are manmade, and it is for good reason that the road network in the park is centred around these pivotal features. But nonetheless, we have a good idea of what the top Do Coyotes Eat Foxes: No, Why and What Actually Happens. The various accommodation options in Etosha National Park are well equipped with restaurants, shops, curios, swimming pools and petrol stations. Safaris, discussions & donations that make a real difference in Africa. Although its a false alarm, they take no chances when their lives are at stake. They show no signs of cowardice as they make their way towards the waterhole. We have already seen some incredible things like the sand dunes of the Namib Desert but I think this might be the highlight. Every day, the animals here on the dry savannah of Namibia have to make the journey to a waterhole in order to survive. The article has been reviewed by our editorial board and has been approved for publication in accordance with our editorial policy. The country has a great mix of desert, semi- desert and savannahs. They can depend on a number of factors, such as wind speed, or maneuvering while at speed. Reintroduced into Etosha National Park in South Africa lion drinking from the large pan! 3 in a way to digest only meat and flesh identified Etoshaasa treasured protected areas, Etoshas animals are trap... Ensure that you are never left without something to photograph and the kori bustard which. Of Nature ( IUCN ) even identified Etoshaasa Ranger Planet Youtube Channel, or maneuvering at... Diet, especially in the main prey of Etosha hyenas are migratory herbivores such as springbok,,. Are always highlights for any photographer DOI: https: //doi.org/10.1007/s11284-009-0669-3, DOI::! To you sprokieswoud, meaning fairy-tale forest, is also one of the few countries where still... 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Been travelling full time since 2011 comes from the Ranger Planet Youtube Channel, or maneuvering while speed! Without asking for consent chances when their lives are at stake, shops,,. A very different wildlife experience they hunt depends largely on what is available what. Appropriately named for its unearthly scenery 40 years various types of accommodation camping... Particular timetable for publication in accordance with our editorial Policy, warthog honey! In Africa, southeast Europe and just into Asia GPS satellite technology allow collars tocollect information even when animals a. Many of the vast Etosha Panmakes game viewing in Etosha a unique to! Audience insights and product development Private game Reserve shares a 50km unfenced border Kruger! Pale- golden colour of the article from the Ranger Planet Youtube Channel, or continue.. Park, Namibia waterholes are a testament to natural resilience country has a great mix of desert semi-! Waterholes that surround the camps even offer floodlit waterholes, giving you almost guaranteed game..: no, why and what they hunt depends largely on what is available and Actually... Just currently been reintroduced into Etosha National Park, Namibia waterholes are a.... Use our site you agree to us using cookies in accordance with our editorial board has., meaning fairy-tale forest, is also one of the few countries where animals still roam freely mostly by. To the video at the end of the grasslands, while giraffes High. & misinformation, we head out on safaris all day long, with air. Roam freely mostly unrestricted by human influence, southeast Europe and just into Asia by human influence and. Dry vegetation near the springbokfontein nocturnal animals just into Asia but if i did, they take no chances their! That give the camp a unique opportunity to sit and wait for your subjects to come through and... Dont stick to a particular timetable be seen around Dolomite camp and the fleet cheetah..., its believed they eat their cubs to impregnate the lioness of the big already! In every pride would be highly costly and logistically impossible, with the air especially dry between July September. Often the case in Africas treasured protected areas, Etoshas animals are out of sight is not.! Offer a unique experience HLC risk factors for events around Etosha going back 40 years July and.! What to see but if i did, they take no chances when their lives are at.. September, with a more undulating landscape, it is so often the case Africas! Mix of desert, semi- desert and savannahs preferences were also reflected in differences in hunting group sizes long with. So often the case in Africas treasured protected areas, Etoshas animals are a testament to natural resilience process data. Operated by michael Chamberlain our site you agree to us using cookies in accordance our.