These are sturdy animals and the males weigh between 200-260 kg. When attacked by predators they jump into water and escape using their excellent swimming skills. Waterbuck are common across Western, Eastern, Central and Southern Africa, found grazing close to rivers, lakes and waterholes. Waterbuck look a little like domestic cows, with shabby brown fur and a generally sedentary nature.Īs their name suggests, you’ll usually see them at the water. There are 13 subspecies of this widespread large antelope. Slightly larger than the more common sable, these giants are the national symbol of Angola, the only country where they can still be seen in the wild. Less than a thousand of the “giant sable” antelope remain in the wild.
The best sightings are found around the Zambezi River, where some 235 kg of rumbustious fur is seen along the banks.įemales are almost as big as the males but brownish in colour. Sable antelope have a strange tendency to fight while kneeling down, using their horns from a prone position.īoth males and females have these horns and they are a dramatic sight, best witnessed on the open savannah of northern Botswana or Zambia. Shimmering black fur and dramatic spiralling horns are the standout features of Africa’s sixth largest antelope. The best place to see these antelope is in the Kruger, South Africa, or most of the safari destinations in Zambia. In comparison to the sable antelope, roan have shorter horns and are lighter in colour. However, the roan antelope females are almost the same size as the males and are larger than kudu cows. Mature bulls weigh a little less than kudu, more like 240-300 kg rather than 270-310 kg. Roan is a chestnut colour and is how this antelope got its name. Their appearance is mostly unremarkable, other than a striking face of black and white features. Looking more like horses than antelope, roan could be considered to be larger than kudu. Males are easy to recognise while the females are harder they have no horns and are about half the size. You’ll see them around the woodlands of East and Southern Africa, with great populations in Botswana and Namibia. Bulls can weigh over 300 kg and their horns are over a metre in length! Greater Kuduīeautiful long horns make greater kudu a spellbinding safari sight. Females are slender but the big bulls get pretty fat, with some weighing over 400 kg. Search for them in Aberdares in Kenya, or in the tropical jungles of Central and West Africa.īoth males and females can be over three metres in length. Living in dense forests they have striking markings and stripes, which help them blend into the landscape.Īnd the bongo is nocturnal, so you really need to be on a nighttime drive to see them. They are one of the hardest animals to spot in Africa. BongoĪ strange name and a beautiful mahogany striped coat put the bongo near the top of most safari connoisseur’s tick lists. Incredibly, common eland can snap their hooves together in a special form of communication with their herd. Other than their size and spiralled horns, this large antelope species does look quite common. The males weigh up to 900 kg!ĭrive across the Karoo in South Africa and you’ll see common eland by the side of the road. It can live just about anywhere, from savannah to woodland and grasslands. Common ElandĪ little smaller than its cousin, the common eland is widespread and a regular sighting on almost any East or Southern African safari. They are classified as vulnerable and reside in the forests of West Africa, notably in Cameroon.įor such big giants these animals can really move, hitting speeds of 70 km/h. The giant eland is very difficult to see in the wild. Most mature bulls weigh as much as a small car! They have short red coats and can weigh up to one ton. Spiral-horned and standing 1 m 80 tall, these beautiful creatures are also one of the rarest African antelope. To get you started, here are the top ten largest antelope species in Africa and the best places to view them.
ANGRY GIANT SABLE HOW TO
Sometimes you’ll see antelope by the side of a road or even near a beach, such as springbok in South Africa.Īfter a few days on safari you’ll learn how to recognise a kudu from a hartebeest from an eland. Usually you encounter many thousands, from gemsbok skipping across the dusty savannah to hartebeest with their bashful behaviour. On an African safari you don’t see a few antelope. The largest antelope species are a wonderful highlight of any safari.
There are over 20 species and each has its preferred habitat and way of life. Antelope are beautiful symbols of Africa’s abundance and diversity.
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