Surveys of the vegetation in rock hyrax habitat in the Karas Mountains, southern South West Africa, were conducted to approximate the relative availability of herbage for use in a food habits study. The survey technique ( bad on plant dimensions) and its shortcomings are descriptionbed. It was found that sampling was inadequate for infrequently encountered species but consistently reflected the relative proportions of the common trees, shrubs and grasses. Rock hyrax habitat is suitable for browsers. Keywords: Feeding ecology, Karoo shrubs, Perennial species, Phenology of vegetation, Phytosociological parameters, Preferred food species, Ridge-top vegetation, Riparian vegetation, Scree community, Stipagrostis.