Our Animals
At its core, South Africa is an antelope destination. The following are the most common animals available on our safaris.
Black Wildebeest, a.k.a. White-Tailed Gnu
Average size 365 lbs; shoulder height: 47 inches. Both sexes have horns that sweep down off the forehead and then back upwards. The male horns are much heavier and longer. Coat is dark gray. Mane is light sand-colored with black tips.
Blue Wildebeest, a.k.a. Brindled Gnu
Average size: 535 lbs; shoulder height: 47 inches. Often called the poor man's buffalo. Both sexes have cattlelike horns, and as usual, the males' horns are much heavier. Coat is blue-black with brindled striping.
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Bontebok
Bontebok typically stand 31 to 39 inches high at the shoulder. Body mass can vary from 110 to 342 lbs. Males are slightly larger and noticeably heavier than females. The bontebok is a chocolate brown color, with a white underside and a white stripe from the forehead to the tip of the nose. The horns of the bontebok are lyre-shaped and clearly ringed. They are found in both sexes.
Bushbuck
Average size: 125 lbs; shoulder height: 31 inchers. The bushbuck has tightly twisted horns and is considered dangerous particularly when wounded or cornered. It's territorial and inhabits thick river bottoms and dense thorn-bush. Bushbucks are secretive and solitary. Only males have horns. Coat is mahogany to chocolate with some spots on hind legs.
Eland
Average size: 1,500 lbs; shoulder height: 67 inches. The largest member of the antelope family, the eland is highly adaptable to a variety of habitats. Both sexes have horns, but the males' are larger. Coat is tawny with white stripes.
Cape Buffalo
Size: Bulls can weigh up to 2,200 lbs; shoulder height: up to 6.2 feet. They are the largest and most common member of the five subspecies of African buffalo. They have a boss which is the horn mass at the base. They are the most common of the big-five and live up to their reputation of being dangerous game--they can be aggressive. Lifespan 15-25 years.
Gemsbok, a.k.a. Oryx
Average size: 520 lbs; shoulder height: 46 inches. The gemsbok favors arid habitat. Both sexes have long, straight horns. With gemsbok, the females often have longer horns while the males are typically thicker. Coat is gray with distinctive markings on face and legs.
Impala
Average size: 145 lbs; should height: 36 inches. The impala is a beautiful antelope found in herds from a half dozen to over 100 in the thornveldt. Only the males have horns, which are swept back in a saddle before reaching for the sky. Coat is cinnamon with black markings on the hind legs.
Kudu
Average size: 500 lbs; should height: 60 inches. Known as the gray ghost, the kudu is found in loose herds rarely in numbers more than 10. Only the males have horns that majestically spiral upward in a corkscrew fashion. Coat is gray with white stripes. Face shows a white chevron just below the eyes. Often the number one animal sought by hunters on their dream safari.
Nyala
Average size: 240 lbs; shoulder height; 45 inches. Possibly the most beautiful of all the antelope species. The nyala thrive in thick cover and are generally solitary, particularly the males. Since they seem to rely so heavily on their camouflage, they can sometimes be successfully stalked by bowhunters on the ground. Only the males have horns, which form n elegant medium single spiral and are often tipped with ivory. Coat is dark gray with white stripes. Nyala males have a long beard which extends down to their front legs, and a beautiful white main which extends down the back.
Springbok
Average size: 75 lbs; shoulder height; 30 inches. The springbok is the national animal of South Africa. Typically found in small herds, this antelope is quick. Both sexes have heart-shaped horns. Horns on the males are much heavier. A beautiful white ruff along the back is hidden by the light brown.
Waterbuck
Average size: 500 lbs; shoulder height: 50 inches. Their coat color varies from brown to grey. The long, spiral horns, present only on males, curve backward, then forward. Waterbucks are rather sedentary in nature. As gregarious animals, they may form herds consisting of six to 30 individuals.
Warthog
The English name "wart"-hog refers to their facial wattles, which are particularly distinct in males. The males also have very prominent tusks, which reach a length of 10 to 25 inches; females' tusks are always smaller. They are largely herbivorous, but, like most suids, opportunistically eat invertebrates or small animals, even scavenging on carrion.
