The Angolan giraffe (Giraffa giraffa angolensis), formerly (Giraffa camelopardalis angolensis) also known as the Namibian giraffe or smokey giraffe, is a subspecies of the Southern Giraffe that is found in northern Namibia, south-western Zambia, Botswana, western Zimbabwe and since mid-2023 again in Angola, after its reintroduction to Iona National Park.
In August 2025 after reviewing the scientific evidence the IUCN's Giraffe and Okapi Specialist Group recognised four distinct species of giraffe, the Northern Giraffe, Reticulated Giraffe, Masai Giraffe and Southern Giraffe. The Angolan Giraffe is now one of two subspecies of the Southern Giraffe. A previous 2009 genetic study on this subspecies suggests the northern Namib Desert and Etosha National Park populations each form a separate subspecies.
However, genetic studies based on mitochondrial DNA do not support the division into two subspecies., but could identify giraffes in southern Zimbabwe as the Angolan giraffe, suggesting a further eastward distribution than expected.
This subspecies has large brown blotches with edges that are either somewhat notched or have angular extensions. The spotting pattern extends throughout the legs but not the upper part of the face. The neck and rump patches tend to be fairly small. The subspecies also has a white ear patch.
Home range size of giraffes was found to be larger in unproductive areas such as the Namib Desert and much smaller in more productive areas such as Lake Manyara National Park. However, that home range size could be affected by abiotic(e.g climate), biotic(e.g forage availability, predator densities) and human influence(e.g population growth).
As far as seasonal movements of giraffes were concerned, they were not as distinctive as those in other giraffe populations around the world. Male giraffe moves longer than female giraffe and also it has longer average daily movement (5.64 km compared to 1.87 km in 180 days during hot-dry season).
Angolan Giraffe tends to forage into the mountain during the cold-dry and early hot-dry season. It mainly eats Commiphora for living.
Approximately 13,000 animals are estimated to remain in the wild; and about 20 are kept in zoos.
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