Game Watching
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Living on Mount Melsetter are 10 species of Antelope – Gemsbok, Black Wildebeest, Kudu, Red Hartebeest, Blesbok, Mountain Reedbuck, Common and Black Springbok, Common Duiker, Steenbok, and European Fallow Deer. Of these all were endemic to the area, with the exception of the Gemsbok, which were not generally found south of the Orange River, Kudu, which have only recently been coming in to the area, and the totally exotic Fallow Deer, which were introduced some 4 human generations ago, and have since thriven. Also occurring are Caracal, Small-spotted Cat, Black-Backed Jackal, Bat-eared Fox, Cape Fox, Aardwolf, Antbear, Honey Badger, Small-Spotted Genet, Cape Clawless Otter, Porcupine, Vervet Monkey, Chacma Baboon, Suricate, Grey Mongoose, Yellow Mongoose, Ground Squirrel, Striped Polecat, Smith’s Rock Rabbit, Scrub Hare, Springhare, Rock Dassie, Golden Mole, Striped Mouse, and the tiny Round Eared Elephant Shrew.

Many of these species are easily seen on foot, from horseback, or on Game Drives either during the day, or at night. Horseback viewing is probably the most rewarding, as the added height from the saddle gives the rider an excellent vantage point, while the approach of a horse is less alarming to the wildlife than either a vehicle or a person on foot.


Our Library provides a comprehensive selection of literature on the mammals of Southern Africa, including illustrations, their habits and their signs.