Field guide
Wildlife field guide
What lives on the reserve, where to look and your chance of seeing it. Tick species off as you go; your list stays on this phone.
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Mammals
Kob antelope
Herds of 10 to 40 graze the open plain at dawn.
- Where
- Open plain
- Best
- Dawn
90% chance on a two-night stay
Mammals
Forest buffalo
Small red buffalo, usually at the salt lick.
- Where
- Salt lick
- Best
- Dawn
55% chance on a two-night stay
Mammals
Red river hog
Noisy family groups at the forest edge.
- Where
- Forest edge
- Best
- Dusk
35% chance on a two-night stay
Mammals
Mona monkey
Troops in the riverine trees by the treehouses.
- Where
- Riverine forest
- Best
- Morning
85% chance on a two-night stay
Mammals
Bushbuck
Shy and striped, often alone in thickets.
- Where
- Thicket
- Best
- Dusk
50% chance on a two-night stay
Mammals
African civet
Seen on night drives along the river track.
- Where
- River track
- Best
- Night
40% chance on a two-night stay
Birds
Black-casqued hornbill
Loud wingbeats over the treehouses.
- Where
- Forest canopy
- Best
- Morning
80% chance on a two-night stay
Birds
Malachite kingfisher
A jewel on the reeds at the oxbow.
- Where
- Oxbow lake
- Best
- Morning
75% chance on a two-night stay
Birds
Grey parrot
Flocks cross at sunrise and sunset.
- Where
- Sky over plain
- Best
- Sunrise
60% chance on a two-night stay
Birds
Splendid sunbird
Feeds on the flame trees by the pool.
- Where
- Lodge gardens
- Best
- All day
95% chance on a two-night stay
Birds
African fish eagle
Calls from the dead tree on the river bend.
- Where
- River bend
- Best
- Morning
50% chance on a two-night stay
Birds
Western plantain-eater
Grey and noisy, laughs from the treetops.
- Where
- Woodland
- Best
- All day
90% chance on a two-night stay
Reptiles
Nile monitor
Basks on the riverbank rocks.
- Where
- Riverbank
- Best
- Midday
65% chance on a two-night stay
Reptiles
Dwarf crocodile
Rare, in the quiet creek. Guides only.
- Where
- Creek
- Best
- Night
15% chance on a two-night stay
Reptiles
Rainbow lizard
Orange-headed males on every warm wall.
- Where
- Lodge walls
- Best
- Midday
99% chance on a two-night stay
Logbook
Latest sightings
From the rangers' radio log this week.
Kob herd of 32, open plain north
Black-casqued hornbill pair, Treehouse 2
Red river hogs, forest edge track
Five forest buffalo at the salt lick
African civet on the river track, night drive
Updated from the COVORN apps (example data).
When to come
Seasons
| Months | Weather | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| November to February | Dry, harmattan haze, cool mornings | Big herds on the plain, easy walking |
| March to May | Hot, first storms | Nesting hornbills, green flush |
| June to September | Rainy, lush | Birds, frogs, quiet rates |
| October | Rains easing | Migrant birds arrive |
Our rules
Respect the reserve
- Stay in the vehicle unless your ranger says otherwise
- No feeding the monkeys, however they ask
- Quiet voices near animals
- Drones only with permission from the head ranger
Are there dangerous animals?
Buffalo deserve respect and the dwarf crocodile stays shy. Rangers brief every group and keep a safe distance.
Can I share my sightings?
Yes. Tell the ranger and it goes into the logbook you see here.