Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
INSECTS & SPIDERS
Although Namibia doesn't enjoy the profusion of bug life found in countries further north,
a few interesting specimens buzz, creep and crawl around the place. Over 500 species of
colourful butterflies - including the African monarch, the commodore and the citrus swal-
lowtail - are resident, as well as many fly-by-night moths.
Interesting buggy types include the large and rarely noticed stick insects, the similarly
large (and frighteningly hairy) baboon spider, and the ubiquitous and leggy shongololo
(millipede), which can be up to 30cm long.
The Namib Desert has several wonderful species of spider. The tarantula-like 'white
lady of the dunes' is a white hairy affair that is attracted to light. There's also a rare false
spider known as a
solifluge
(sun spider). You can see its circulatory system through its
light-coloured translucent outer skeleton. The dunes are also known for their extraordin-
ary variety of
tenebrionid
(known as
toktokkie
) beetles.
Common insects such as ants, stink bugs, grasshoppers, mopane worms and locusts
sometimes find their way into frying pans for snacks. For travellers, it takes something of
a culinary daredevil to dive into a newspaper-wrapped ball of fried bugs, though for loc-
als, the practice provides essential protein supplements.
BIRDS
Namibia's desert landscape is too harsh and inhospitable to support a great variety of bird-
life. The exception to this is the lush green Caprivi Strip, which borders the Okavango
Delta. Here, in the Mahango Game Reserve, you'll find the same exotic range of species
as in Botswana, including the gorgeous lilac-breasted roller, pygmy goose (actually a
duck) and white-fronted, carmine and little bee-eater. Other wetland species include the
African jacana, snakebird, ibis, stork, egret, shrike, kingfisher, great white heron, and
purple and green-backed heron. Birds of prey include Pel's fishing owl, goshawk, several
species of vulture, and both bateleur and African fish eagle.
The coastal wildfowl reserves support an especially wide range of birdlife: white pelic-
ans, flamingos, cormorants and hundreds of other wetland birds. Further south, around
Walvis Bay and Lüderitz, flamingos and jackass penguins share the same desert shoreline.
Situated on a key migration route, Namibia also hosts a range of migratory birds, espe-
cially raptors, who arrive around September and October, and remain until April. The
canyons and riverbeds slicing across the central Namib Desert are home to nine species of
raptor, as well as the hoopoe, the unusual red-eyed bulbul and a small bird known as the
familiar chat. Throughout the desert regions, you'll also see the intriguing social weaver,
which builds an enormous nest that's the avian equivalent of a 10-storey block of flats.
