Lesotho Wildlife Guide

Lesotho is a country with a rich environment and a prolific birdlife. The high grassland and mountain landscapes of this tiny country are home to Cape alpine flowers, high-altitude birdlife and some of southern Africa's smaller mammals.

Lesotho's wildlife does not include the bigger mammals of other southern African countries, and is more known for its mountain-adapted animals like hyraxes, meercats and mongoose.

However, large antelope like eland, rhebok and mountain reedbuck are all found in the mountains of Lesotho, as well as the rare berg adder - virtually endemic to Lesotho.

The wide clear skies are home to a number of raptors, including the black eagle, bateleur and the bearded vulture. Bird-watching is a must in Lesotho - home to about 300 species - most which are montane rarities.

Although conservation efforts continue, overgrazing and soil erosion by livestock remain serious environmental concerns.