Finding Mopani’s rare antelope

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The Kruger National Park‘s Satara Rest Camp is known for its abundance of predators, but when you visit the Mopani area, you should keep your eyes peeled for some of South Africa’s rarest antelope species, which are regularly seen here. Along the roads to the east of the camp, past Mooiplaas and Tinhongonyeni waterholes and along the Nshawu marshes, there’s always an excellent chance of encountering Tsessebe, Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest, Southern Reedbuck, Eland and Roan Antelope, while Sable Antelope is regularly reported from the Shongololo Loop and H1-6 tar road to the west and north of camp.

A big herd of eland we saw in the distance at Tinhongonyeni
A big herd of eland we saw in the distance at Tinhongonyeni
A big herd of eland we saw in the distance at Tinhongonyeni
Reedbuck are often encountered along the Nshawu Marsh
Reedbuck are often encountered along the Nshawu Marsh
Reedbuck are often encountered along the Nshawu Marsh
Roan Antelope Cow near Mopani in Kruger Park
Juvenile Roan Antelope near Mopani in Kruger Park
Roan Antelope Bull along the Nshawu marsh in Kruger Park
Roan Antelope herd along the Nshawu marsh in Kruger
Roan Antelope Cow along the Nshawu marsh in Kruger Park
Roan Antelope herd along the Nshawu marsh in Kruger
Roan Antelope Cow and Calf along the Nshawu marsh in Kruger
Roan Antelope herd along the Nshawu marsh in Kruger
Roan Antelope herd along the Nshawu marsh in Kruger
Roan Antelope calf near Mooiplaas in the Kruger Park
Roan Antelope cow near Mooiplaas in the Kruger Park
Roan Antelope cow near Mooiplaas in Kruger Park
Tsessebe along the Nshawu Marsh in Kruger National Park
Tsessebe on the road to Makhadzi Picnic Site
Tinhongonyeni is a reliable spot to find Tsessebe
Tinhongonyeni is a reliable spot to find Tsessebe
Tinhongonyeni in Kruger National Park is a reliable spot to find Tsessebe
Tinhongonyeni in Kruger National Park is a reliable spot to find Tsessebe
Posturing Tsessebe Bull at Tinhongonyeni in the Kruger Park
Tinhongonyeni in Kruger Park is a reliable spot to find Tsessebe
Tinhongonyeni is a reliable spot to find Tsessebe
Tinhongonyeni is a reliable spot to find Tsessebe
Tinhongonyeni in Kruger National Park is a reliable spot to find Tsessebe
Tsessebe along the Nshawu Marsh
Tsessebe along the Nshawu Marsh

31 thoughts on “Finding Mopani’s rare antelope”

  1. Amdrew Martin's avatarAmdrew Martin

    Thanks for the excellent advice. We are travelling to SA next year. I have stayed in the Kruger Park before but this time in Mopani and very keen to target Roan Antelope. Is the Tinhongonyeni Waterhole a good place to look? Many thanks

    Reply ↓
    1. DeWetsWild's avatarDeWetsWild Post author

      Andrew, I am sure that if you are hoping to see Kruger’s rare antelope Mopani will not disappoint you. Tinhongonyeni, the entire stretch of the S50 south of its junction with the S143 all the way to the H1-6 junction (the stretch that goes past the Nshawu marshes), and the Mooiplaas waterhole regularly delivers the rare antelope for us, especially during the months of winter and spring when the veld is driest and the game concentrate around the waterholes more. At Tinhongonyeni we once saw tsessebe, eland and lichtenstein hartebeest together! For roan specifically the S50 and Mooiplaas waterhole have generally been our best bet. Best of luck to you, and enjoy your visit!

      Reply ↓
      1. Andrew Martin's avatarAndrew Martin

        Thank you for your excellent and detailed advice. We will be there in September. Very excited

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