Angolan giraffe

The Angolan giraffe (Giraffa giraffa angolensis), also known as the Namibian giraffe or smokey giraffe, is a special type of giraffe. It belongs to the Southern Giraffe family and lives in parts of northern Namibia, south-western Zambia, Botswana, western Zimbabwe, and Angola.

This giraffe was brought back to Iona National Park in Angola in mid-2023 after being absent for some time. Its unique coat pattern makes it different from other giraffes, helping scientists and nature lovers identify it easily.

Giraffes like this one are important to the environment because they eat leaves high up in trees, helping to keep the forests healthy. They are also a wonderful sight for people who visit these areas, bringing joy and excitement to everyone who sees them.

Taxonomy

In August 2025, experts reviewed the science and decided there are four kinds of giraffes: the Northern Giraffe, Reticulated Giraffe, Masai Giraffe, and Southern Giraffe. The Angolan giraffe is now known as one of two types of the Southern Giraffe. Some older studies from 2009 thought there might be two types in the northern Namib Desert and Etosha National Park, but newer studies do not agree with this. These newer studies also suggest that giraffes in southern Zimbabwe might be Angolan giraffes, meaning they live farther east than we thought.

Description

The Angolan giraffe has large brown spots with edges that may look a bit jagged or have sharp points. These spots cover its legs but stop before reaching the top of its face. The patches on its neck and rump are usually quite small, and it also has a white patch near its ear.

Habitat

The Angolan giraffe lives in places where there is less food, like the Namib Desert, and in places where there is more food, like Lake Manyara National Park. The area where they live can change because of weather, how much food is available, and how many people live nearby.

Seasonal movement

Giraffes in this area don’t move around as much with the seasons like giraffes in other places. Males travel farther than females, covering about 5.64 km each day during the hot-dry season, while females move around 1.87 km each day in the same period.

Foraged activity

The Angolan giraffe often goes into the mountains to find food during the cold-dry and early hot-dry seasons. Its main food during this time is a plant called Commiphora.

Conservation

There are about 13,000 Angolan giraffes left in the wild, with around 20 living in zoos. These giraffes can be seen doing many things in places like Etosha National Park and Chobe National Park, such as running, drinking, and eating from trees.