Dorob National Park

Birds

Dorob National Park is a haven for avian diversity, hosting a wide range of bird species adapted to its diverse habitats and unique ecosystems.

Lappet-faced Vulture: Majestic scavenger with a massive wingspan, often seen soaring high above the park’s expansive landscapes. Lappet-faced vultures play a crucial role in cleaning up carcasses.

Namaqua Sandgrouse: Desert-dwelling bird with intricate plumage patterns, perfectly camouflaged against sandy surroundings. Sandgrouse rely on waterholes for survival, exhibiting remarkable flying abilities.

Tractrac Chat: Small, insectivorous bird with a distinctive black-and-white plumage, often found foraging among coastal dunes. Tractrac chats are adapted to desert life, capable of surviving in harsh conditions.

Cape Cormorant: Colonial seabird species with glossy black plumage and bright orange facial skin. Cormorants are skilled divers, hunting fish in coastal waters and nesting on offshore islands.

Burchell’s Courser: Ground-dwelling bird with cryptic plumage, blending seamlessly into sandy habitats. Courser’s well-camouflaged appearance helps them evade predators while foraging for insects and seeds.

Gray’s Lark: Small, cryptically colored lark species adapted to arid environments, often seen perched atop shrubs or on the ground. Gray’s larks are known for their melodious songs during breeding season.

Hartlaub’s Gull: Coastal gull species with distinctive black hood and red bill, commonly observed along the shores of Dorob’s coastline. Hartlaub’s gulls feed on fish, crustaceans, and scavenged carrion.

Rüppell’s Korhaan: Elusive bird of prey with mottled plumage, blending into rocky habitats. Korhaans are masters of camouflage, relying on stealth and agility to hunt insects and small vertebrates.

Crowned Cormorant: Seabird species with striking black-and-white plumage and ornate crests during the breeding season. Crowned cormorants are skilled divers, foraging for fish in coastal waters.

White-backed Mousebird: Arboreal bird species with long tails and distinctive red eyes, often found in acacia woodlands and scrub habitats. Mousebirds feed on fruits, leaves, and insects, moving in family groups.

Predators

Dorob National Park is home to a variety of predator species, essential for maintaining the park’s ecological balance. These predators play a crucial role in regulating prey populations and ensuring ecosystem health.

African Leopard: Stealthy and elusive, the African leopard is a skilled hunter, capable of taking down prey much larger than itself. Its spotted coat provides excellent camouflage in Dorob’s varied landscapes.

Brown Hyaena: Solitary and nocturnal, the brown hyaena is a scavenger and opportunist, feeding on carrion and small prey. Its shaggy coat and distinctive sloping back make it easily recognizable.

Cape Fox: Small and agile, the Cape fox is a skilled hunter, preying on rodents, birds, and insects. Its bushy tail and large ears help dissipate heat in Dorob’s arid environment.

Popular

Dorob National Park boasts a diverse array of wildlife beyond its predators, captivating visitors with unique sightings and experiences.

Oryx: Iconic desert antelope with long, straight horns adapted to harsh environments. Their resilience and striking appearance make them a symbol of Namibia’s wilderness.

Springbok: Agile and graceful antelope known for their distinctive jumping behavior, a display of territoriality and vitality. They thrive in Dorob’s arid landscapes, often forming large herds.

Meerkat: Small, social mongoose species characterized by their upright posture and keen lookout duties. Meerkats inhabit arid regions, forming close-knit family groups for protection and foraging.

Ostrich: Earth’s largest and fastest bird, with long legs and neck adapted for running. Ostriches inhabit open plains, where they feed on vegetation and evade predators with remarkable speed.

Cape Ground Squirrel: Diurnal rodent species with bushy tails and distinctive stripes. Ground squirrels are vital prey for predators and contribute to the park’s ecosystem dynamics.

Klipspringer: Small antelope with specialized hooves for rocky terrain, enabling agile movement along cliffs and rocky outcrops. Klipspringers are elusive and well adapted to Dorob’s rugged landscapes.

Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra: Endemic to Namibia, these zebras have unique stripe patterns and inhabit mountainous terrain. They are resilient grazers, adapted to harsh conditions, and play a vital ecological role.

Rock Hyrax: Small, furry mammals with stout bodies and short legs, well adapted to climbing rocky slopes. Despite their rodent-like appearance, hyraxes are more closely related to elephants.

African Elephant: Largest terrestrial mammal, vital to Dorob’s ecosystem dynamics as seed dispersers and ecosystem engineers. Elephants traverse vast distances in search of water and food, shaping the landscape.

Gemsbok: Sturdy antelope with long, straight horns and striking facial markings. Gemsbok are well adapted to arid conditions, capable of surviving without water for extended periods.

Birds

Dorob National Park is a haven for avian diversity, hosting a wide range of bird species adapted to its diverse habitats and unique ecosystems.

Lappet-faced Vulture: Majestic scavenger with a massive wingspan, often seen soaring high above the park’s expansive landscapes. Lappet-faced vultures play a crucial role in cleaning up carcasses.

Namaqua Sandgrouse: Desert-dwelling bird with intricate plumage patterns, perfectly camouflaged against sandy surroundings. Sandgrouse rely on waterholes for survival, exhibiting remarkable flying abilities.

Tractrac Chat: Small, insectivorous bird with a distinctive black-and-white plumage, often found foraging among coastal dunes. Tractrac chats are adapted to desert life, capable of surviving in harsh conditions.

Cape Cormorant: Colonial seabird species with glossy black plumage and bright orange facial skin. Cormorants are skilled divers, hunting fish in coastal waters and nesting on offshore islands.

Burchell’s Courser: Ground-dwelling bird with cryptic plumage, blending seamlessly into sandy habitats. Courser’s well-camouflaged appearance helps them evade predators while foraging for insects and seeds.

Gray’s Lark: Small, cryptically colored lark species adapted to arid environments, often seen perched atop shrubs or on the ground. Gray’s larks are known for their melodious songs during breeding season.

Hartlaub’s Gull: Coastal gull species with distinctive black hood and red bill, commonly observed along the shores of Dorob’s coastline. Hartlaub’s gulls feed on fish, crustaceans, and scavenged carrion.

Rüppell’s Korhaan: Elusive bird of prey with mottled plumage, blending into rocky habitats. Korhaans are masters of camouflage, relying on stealth and agility to hunt insects and small vertebrates.

Crowned Cormorant: Seabird species with striking black-and-white plumage and ornate crests during the breeding season. Crowned cormorants are skilled divers, foraging for fish in coastal waters.

White-backed Mousebird: Arboreal bird species with long tails and distinctive red eyes, often found in acacia woodlands and scrub habitats. Mousebirds feed on fruits, leaves, and insects, moving in family groups.