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IIn the arid Karoo region and Kalahari Desert of South Africa, you may spot what looks like meerkat – until you notice the fluffy tail and the racing stripe down their cinnamon-coloured fur.
Those 2 features are the giveaway that you’re looking at a ground squirrel. It’s easy to confuse them with meerkats, in part because they have so much in common – both are roughly the same size, like the same terrain, sit upright to look around, live in groups and are mad-keen burrowers. In fact, sometimes meerkats and ground squirrels actually live together.
Where they differ physically is that ground squirrels have very fluffy tails compared to meerkats, pale bellies, no visible ears, and that distinctive stripe. Unlike meerkats (which feed mainly on insects and small vertebrates), ground squirrels are also largely vegetarian. They eat seeds, soft leaves, flowers, tsamma melons (which are similar to watermelons and grow wild in the Kalahari) and the odd passing termite.
Their fluffy tails aren’t just for decoration. They use them during the heat of the day as parasols. By shading themselves from the sun, they’re able to save 5% on their energy needs.
Another trick they use to dodge the heat is to lie flat on their stomachs in the shade, legs and arms outstretched like a hearth rug, occasionally flicking sand onto their backs.
If it’s cold, they simply retire to their burrows.
Compared to the precocious and amusing meerkats, ground squirrels can come across as a little country-bumpkinish.
But watching them from the comfort of your chalet or tent is one of the enduring delights of a visit to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Here, as at some other park campsites and picnic spots, they have become used to humans.
They forage on all fours, regularly sitting back on their haunches holding seeds or leaves in their clawed hands, watching you with shy, confiding eyes. You might also see high-spirited youngsters chasing each other around, leaping high in the air and jinking their fluffed-up tails.
Did You Know?
TTravel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
South African National Parks Central Reservations (Pretoria):
Tel: +27 (0)12 428 9111
Office hours (GMT+2):
Monday to Friday: 07:30 - 17:00
Saturday: 08:00 - 13:00
Luxury Lodges Reservations
Tel +27 (0)12 426 5084/5
Office hours (GMT+2):
Monday to Friday: 07:30 - 16:00
Email: reservations@sanparks.org
How to get here
Ground squirrels are widespread across nearly 50% of the country, in the Karoo and Kalahari Desert. You’re quite likely to see them at the side of the road at times. But arguably the best place to see them is at the rest camps of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Spend time in the late afternoon watching them and their sometimes-burrow mates, the yellow mongooses, going about their business.
Best time to visit
Ground squirrels can be seen throughout the year – they don’t hibernate. But on very cold or overcast days, they’ll rise late and retire early.
What to pack
Bring along a camera with a medium-length lens and a pair of binoculars. If you're going to the Kalahari, it is scorching hot during the day in summer (October to March) and very cold, especially at night, in winter (May to August). Pack very light clothes for the summer months, though something warm for night time, and pack very warm clothes for night times in winter. Winter days are usually warm and sunny, so you’ll need light clothes in winter, too. A hat and sunscreen are advised year-round.
Where to stay
In the Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park, any of the major rest camps (Twee Rivieren, Mata Mata or Nossob) will offer excellent squirrel-frontage.
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