Category Archives: South African Wildlife

The inhabitants of South Africa’s wild places

Gone, but not forgotten

Dedicating this post to three of the most magnificent tuskers that roamed the Parks of South Africa and that we had the pleasure of seeing before they departed for heavenly pastures.

Masbambela (of Kruger)

Hlanganini (of Kruger)

Isilo of Tembe

“Gone, but not forgotten“is the theme for this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge

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Signs

56 Replies

Finding and interpreting the signs of the wild can be just as fascinating and rewarding as watching the actual wildlife that were responsible for it!

Wind-blown grass-stalks drawing semi-circles in the dust

Rhino tracks

What looks like a shoeprint is actually an imprint of an elephant’s trunk

Elephants enjoy walking along roads

A gaping hole in a termite mound is a sure sign that it was visited by an aardvark at some stage

Elephant tracks in baked mud

The remains of a millipede indicates a civet enjoyed a tasty morsel here

Nyala spoor

The comings and goings at the waterhole

Marula tree debarked by an elephant

“Signs” is the theme for this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge

Memorable lion sighting near Skukuza, 3 August 2014

43 Replies

It was late afternoon on the 3rd of August, and the sun was slowly setting on our first day back in the Kruger National Park. We were enjoying a leisurely drive along the Sabie River, taking in the deep calming atmosphere that comes with sunset in a magnificent natural setting like this, about 5km from Skukuza Rest Camp.

Unexpectedly, a young elephant ran across the road towards the river, trumpeting loudly and shaking his ears and trunk around, clearly extremely agitated. From a short side loop, we watched as he flushed a pride of lions from the reeds, quite some distance from the road.

The young elephant that started the show

Noticing that the lions will now be making their way towards the road, we anticipate where they’ll be moving out of the river bed and position our vehicle in that spot. We have to wait only a minute or two before noticing the first feline shapes appearing among the riverine vegetation, much closer to the road already. The lions are coming, and they are heading straight for us!

One by one, the entire pride of about fifteen animals, including three magnificent males, pass right beside us, crosses the road and moves into the bush on the opposite side. We watch enthralled from inside our vehicle as the big cats move by close enough to stroke (though of course, that would be very foolish to even attempt!).

(You can click on the photos to view them in a gallery, for a bigger view – we’re sure you won’t be sorry that you did 😉 )

Moving out of the reeds

The first lioness to cross – notice she’s blind in her right eye

Second lioness to appear

Two cubs making their way out of the river bed

The first male to move closer, jawning after having their afternoon nap so rudely interrupted by the elephant

The smallest cub in the pride

The second male to appear was a beautiful specimen

The third male, apparently a little younger than the other two

Moving into the bush after crossing the road

Kruger welcomed us back in the most emphatic way imaginable. What else did it have in store for us in the nine days ahead? We hope you’ll join us again to find out!

Lion

59 Replies

Panthera leo

The lion. Such a short name for such a magnificent creature.

If there’s one animal that draws people from all over the world to our country’s wild places more than any other, it has to be the “King of the jungle”.

Lion

Lioness

Lion Kings of Addo

The King and Prime Minister of Imfolozi

Beautiful male lion (photo by Joubert)

Young male lion on the move

Male white Lion in the Johannesburg Zoo

White Lioness

The lion is Africa’s biggest cat; males weighing over 200kg and standing up to 1.2m high at the shoulder.

Mating lions

Snarling Lion (photo by Joubert)

Mating lions (photo by Joubert)

Lion (photo by Joubert)

Tawny Lion

White Lion

Four lionesses owning the road

Lioness close-up

Mating pair of lions

Lazy lionesses

Lioness

Lion

Domestic violence, lion style…

Lioness

Angry lioness

More lions!

Proud male lion

Huge pride of lions

Lions in the dark, just outside camp

Lioness

Lionesses seeking shade

Lion cubs

Lazy lionesses

Lion cubs and one of the pride females

A lonely and scared little Lion cub

Lion brothers

Lion

Lioness

Lioness close-up

Lion

They’re very adaptable creatures, inhabiting almost any habitat where there’s enough prey to sustain them. They’ll prey on anything from insects to crocodiles, buffaloes, rhinos, hippos and even elephants, and can consume up to 40kg of meat in a single sitting. And despite their association with royalty, they’re not above stealing carcasses from other predators, or taking carrion. They’ll drink regularly if water is available, but otherwise can go without it for extended periods.

Lion Jarvis

Well-hidden lion

Lioness feeding from the carcass of a poached rhino

Young male lion at Marakele

Lioness (photo by Joubert)

The two Kings of Babalala

Getting up is hard work for this Lion (Photo by Joubert)

Watchful Lion (Photo by Joubert)

Beautiful male patrolling his territory at Red Rocks

Big male lion in the bed of the Mphongolo River

Beautiful male patrolling his territory at Red Rocks

Lioness

Two of the Kambula Lions at Manyeleti

One of the males from the Kambula Breakaway pride

Lions after dark

Young male Lion

It is well known that lions are the most sociable of cats, living in prides that can number over 30 animals where food is abundant. These prides are controlled by single or coalitions of up to 6 adult males, defending territories in which the core of the pride, the adult females, can safely raise their cubs. The strength of the pride lies in the defending of territory, hunting of large prey animals, and communal care of the cubs. Depending on the availability of food, the territories can cover areas as large as 2000 square kilometres, scentmarked by animals of both sexes and loudly proclaimed by their distinctive roaring. Neighbouring prides will get involved in serious fights over territory, and when new males take over a pride it is seldom a bloodless affair, more often than not killing the cubs sired by the ousted males (who themselves are lucky if they escape alive). All in all, the life of a lion is not an easy one, and their lifespan is limited to only 12 to 15 years in the wild, if they reach adulthood at all.

Lion, Kruger National Park

Lion, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi

Lion, Kruger National Park

Sand River Lion

Kings of Addo

Kings of Addo, seen near Addo’s new Nyathi Camp

Kings of Addo

Lion pride with buffalo kill

Lion love at Lower Sabie

Lioness and mate

Male lion

Pride of lions at Kumana Dam

Lioness pacing the H4-1 between Skukuza and Lower Sabie

Lion with his zebra meal, just outside Satara

Lion near Skukuza

Lion

A lion in the light of early morning, searching the Nshawu Marsh for easy pickings

Today, despite all the reverence afforded to it through the ages as a symbol of nobility and bravery, the lion is a species under threat. Ever increasing human populations, and their accompanying livestock, is shrinking the habitat and prey available to these powerful cats by the day. They are being persecuted as livestock killers. They’re being poached for their skin and heads as trophies, and for their bones, used in traditional Asian “medicine”, “tiger wine” and “love potions”. There’s many so-called “captive-breeding facilities” where lions are exploited for the same purposes. To top it off, the dwindling populations are susceptible to disease and inbreeding. Though estimates range widely, there’s probably no more than 30,000 wild lions remaining in Africa (maybe as few as 10,000), and perhaps 400 in India. In South Africa, there’s sizable populations finding protection in the Kruger National Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, with smaller numbers in several other reserves, including Pilanesberg, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, iSimangaliso, Tembe, Mapungubwe, Marakele, Addo, Karoo and Mountain Zebra.

Lion on a dune in the Kgalagadi

Lion watched by wildebeest

Lioness at Nossob’s fence

Lion close-up

Lioness peaking over a ridge

Lions at sunrise

Kalahari lioness

Lion pacing the Nossob

Kalahari Lioness

Kalahari lioness

Lazy lioness (photo by Joubert)

Lioness

Rietvlei’s lions live a life of leisure

Male lion at Mountain Zebra National Park

Lions on a distant hillside

Lioness eyeing us and the buffaloes from the grass (photo by Joubert)

Lioness

The 10th of August has been designated World Lion Day; “An independent campaign working to highlight the importance of the lion globally and to raise lion conservation awareness worldwide“

Lions preying on buffalo in the Pilanesberg National Park

Mating lions at Mankwe Hide

Beautiful Pilanesberg lion (photo by Joubert)

Beautiful Pilanesberg lion

Young lioness at the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve

Big male lion at the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve

Feeding time at the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve

Energetic female lions at the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve

Feeding time at the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve

Lion at the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve, April 2021

Male White Lion

Lion roadblock (photo by Joubert)

Lion roadblock

Lion pride at Lubyelubye

Lionesses and cubs laying claim to a Sand Bank in the Sabie River

Young male lion

Lion just outside Pretoriuskop

Lioness in the minutes before dawn (photo by Joubert)

Pregnant Lioness

Lion (photo by Joubert)

Lion (photo by Erlo van Aswegen)

Baobab

50 Replies

Adansonia digitata

African legend has it that God got upset with the baobab and kicked it out of heaven. It smashed into the earth upside down, with its roots sticking into the air.

Due to its size, an adult baobab cannot be mistaken for any other tree. They reach heights of over 20m, with trunks sometimes more than 10m in diameter. Trees this size are estimated to be between 2000 and 4000 years old and have served as landmarks in the vast African wilderness for centuries.

Baobab, Mapungubwe (near Leokwe)

Baobab, Kruger (Pafuri)

The baobab in Mopani Rest Camp, Kruger National Park

Baobab landmark near Mopani, Kruger Park

Von Wielligh’s baobab, between Olifants and Letaba in the Kruger Park, in the dry season

Baobab with Buffalo Weaver nests

Baobab

Baobab with Buffalo Weaver nests

Baobab in a see of mopane, on the way to Bateleur

Small Baobab next to Rentmeester Guest House in Shingwedzi

Baobab on the way to Kubu Island

Kubu Island

Baobabs are deciduous trees, covered in dense green leaves during summer and completely devoid of their foliage in winter. The wood is very soft, and when the tree dies disintegrates quickly into a heap of fibres.

Baobab flower

Unfortunately, elephants have a particular fondness for the baobab and especially the bark, often causing the death of the trees by their very destructive feeding habits. Several other animals, including baboons, monkeys, birds, and predators use the tree for food or shelter.

Mapungubwe National Park scenery

Baobab forest at Pafuri

Baobab

Baobab and elephants

Baobab fruit

Baobab flower

von Wielligh’s Baobab

Baobab at Timbavati in the Kruger Park

The baobab has many traditional uses: the fruit can be used to make a most refreshing cooldrink with water or milk, the seeds roasted as a coffee substitute, the roots can be used to make a kind of porridge, young leaves cooked like vegetables, and the fibrous bark, apart from being used in traditional medicine, can be woven into mats used to build shelter or as floor covering.

In South Africa, the baobab occurs naturally only in the extreme northern and eastern parts of the Limpopo Province, with magnificent specimens to be found in the Kruger and Mapungubwe National Parks.

African Buffalo

62 Replies

The pugnacious African buffalo, Africa’s only extant species of wild cattle, is a worthy member of the elite “Big-5” group of animals. Though they can appear very docile, buffalo are extremely dangerous, especially when threatened or wounded; they’ve even been known to circle back around hunters tracking them to launch unexpected attacks on their persecutors from behind.

You wouldn’t want to find yourself on foot in thick vegetation like this when buffalo are around…

These bulky animals weigh in between 500 and 900kg, with adult bulls being much larger than the cows.

Buffalo cow

Buffalo bull

African Buffalo

Buffaloes always look ready for a fight!

One angry African Buffalo bull

African Buffalo

Old buffalo bull

Buffalo, seemingly not enjoying the grass…

Buffalo bull

Buffalo

Buffalo horn

Buffalo with an itch

Buffalo

Buffalo cow

African buffalo (photo by Joubert)

Cantankerous Buffalo bull

Iconic Mokala: Buffalo, thorny savanna and low hills

African buffalo inhabit a wide range of habitats, ranging from open grassy plains to dense rainforest, their most important requirements being an ample supply of fresh grazing, regular access to drinking water, and cover in which to evade (or ambush) predators.

Buffalo Bull (photo by Joubert)

Buffalo bull in typical habitat

Powerful Buffalo Bulls

Buffalo herd on the plains north of the Sabie

Muddy Buffalo Cow (photo by Joubert)

Buffalo fight! (photo by Joubert)

Buffaloes drinking at Nsemani Dam

Buffaloes at a waterhole

Big herd of Buffalo at Nsemani Dam

Cantankerous old buffalo bull

Buffalo bull

Two very intimidating Buffalo bulls

Buffalo bull

Buffalo cow

Big old buffalo

Buffalo road block

African buffalo

Buffalo bull (photo by Joubert)

Buffalo bull

Buffalo bull (photo by Joubert)

Buffalo bull in Marakele National Park

Buffalo bull (photo by Joubert)

Buffaloes on the move

Portrait of a buffalo cow.

Resting buffaloes

Thirsty buffalo calf

This buffalo bull watched us walking nervously between our vehicle and the Island View hide

Buffalo calf

Buffalo family

Buffalo calf

Buffalo bull

Buffalo cows and calf

Buffalo cow

Buffalo bull

Buffalo are gregarious animals, congregating in herds that may number into the thousands. Encountering one of these huge herds is among Africa’s most memorable experiences.

Buffalo herd

Buffalo calf

Buffalo herd

Herd enjoying a mud spa

Coming to water along the Tsendze

Buffalo

Buffaloes

Buffalo cow without her horns

Sleepy buffalo and red-billed oxpecker

Buffalo Quartet

African buffalo

Buffalo bull

Buffalo cow

Buffaloes next to the Sabie River

Buffalo

African buffalo

A herd of African Buffaloes coming to drink

African Buffalo

Buffalo Bull

Buffalo in the wetland

African Buffalo

One buffalo from a herd several hundred strong

A Buffalo standing on a dam wall gives an unusual perspective

Buffalo taking a little longer to chew this prickly grasshead

Old Buffalo bull

Old bulls that cannot keep up with the breeding herds become loners or join “bachelor” groups. It is these old “dagga boys” that have the worse reputation of being overly aggressive and extremely dangerous, probably due to being easier targets for hunters and predators than members of the well-protected herds where there’s safety in numbers.

Buffalo bull

Marching buffalo bulls

Buffalo facing the rising sun

Buffalo crossing the H4-1

Buffalo bull

Buffalo looking for fresh grass on the side of the road

Buffalo

Buffalo bull

Buffalo with malformed horns

Buffalo

What a buffalo looks like just before he charges!

Buffalo Wallow at Dries se Gat, Mokala National Park

Buffalo Bull

Mad old buffalo bull

Big old buffalo bull

Buffalo calf on the run (Photo by Joubert)

Buffalo cow (Photo by Joubert)

Calves are normally born during the rainy season, and can keep up with their maternal herds within hours of birth. Buffalo of all ages are a favourite prey of lions, and large herds are often followed by prides of lion that specialise in taking down these powerful animals, despite the good chance that they’ll pay with their lives for their boldness. Buffalo are also susceptible to a wide range of diseases and parasites, and have a natural life expectancy of between 15 and 30 years.

Young buffalo bull

Buffalo cow

Young buffalo bull

Buffalo calf

Buffalo

Enjoying the first rays of sun on a cold morning

Irritated young buffalo

Trio of buffalo bulls

Buffalo roadblock

Buffalo in the rain

Buffalo near Mopani

Buffalo Wallow at Dries se Gat, Mokala National Park

Buffalo

Cape Buffalo

Today, the buffalo remains one of Africa’s most numerous game species, with the IUCN estimating that a population of around 830,000 roam the continent, despite the pressures of hunting and habitat loss. In South Africa, large populations can be found in the Kruger National Park, Addo Elephant Park, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park and iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

Big old Buffalo Bull

Prime Buffalo Bull

Buffalo calf

Half-blind Buffalo bull

Buffalo on the Mphongolo loop

Buffalo cow

Buffalo cow and calf

Buffalo bull

Buffalo bull emerging from the mopane

Buffalo calf

Buffalo cow

Buffalo bull drinking

Buffalo herd rushing to the water

Buffalo herd at the water (photo by Joubert)

Buffalo bull

Sparring Buffalo bulls

Buffaloes rushing past us on Sefara Drive

Buffalo bull

Buffalo close-up

Small herd of buffaloes

Buffalo bull

Buffalo bull (photo by Joubert)

Buffalo wading in deep mud

Herd of buffaloes

Buffaloes drinking from the Sabie while a crowd of terrapins watch

Grey old Buffalo bull

Grey old Buffalo Bull (photo by Joubert)

Buffalo herd drinking from the Sabie River

Buffalo chewing the cud

Buffalo bull near Ophansi Gate

Buffalo in the golden glow of sunset

Angry Buffalo bull

Wary Buffalo bull

Buffaloes at sunset

African Buffalo (photo by Joubert)

Buffalo herd along the Hluhluwe River

Buffalo cow

Buffalo roadblock

Newborn Buffalo and mom (photo by Joubert)

Buffalo cow

Buffalo bull

Buffalo family?

Buffalo bull (photo by Joubert)

Buffalo

Buffalo herd

Buffalo bull

Buffaloes

Buffalo bull in a hurry

Buffalo bull

Buffalo at sunrise

Buffalo Bulls and Red-billed Oxpeckers

Buffalo in the eMfabeni swamp

Buffalo bull

Small Buffalo herd in the rain

Buffalo calf

Alert young Buffalo bull

Buffalo Calf

Buffalo Bull

Buffalo Cow

Buffaloes fighting

Buffalo Bull

Buffalo cow

Buffalo Bull

Buffalo Cow

Buffalo Calf

Buffalo Cow

Buffalo feeding in the Chobe River

Cape Buffalo and cattle egret

Cape Buffalo

Buffalo

Buffaloes

Buffalo

Buffaloes

Buffalo

Buffaloes

Buffalo

Buffaloes (photo by Joubert)

Curious Buffalo

Cape Buffalo

Buffaloes striding through the shallow water of Marais Dam

Buffalo family

Buffalo cow

Buffalo at sunset

Buffalo fast asleep against a herd mate

Buffalo

Newborn buffalo

Buffaloes drinking at Hapoor

Buffaloes

Buffalo

Buffaloes

Buffalo herd on the move – photo by Joubert

Buffalo close-up (photo by Joubert)

Very nervous buffalo cow – photo by Joubert

Buffalo roadblock

Nervous buffalo cow

Buffalo

Buffalo cow with extraordinarily long horns

Buffalo cow

Buffaloes crossing a road in Rietvlei (photo by Joubert)

Buffalo calf (photo by Joubert)

Buffalo bull looking fearsome (photo by Joubert)

Buffalo rushing through the long grass (photo by Joubert)

Buffalo

Young Buffalo

Buffalo bull

Young buffalo

Buffalo bull

Buffaloes

Buffalo cow

Be afraid, be very afraid…

Common Eland

28 Replies

Tragelaphus (Taurotragus) oryx

The common eland is the biggest antelope occurring in South Africa. Eland are bulky animals, the bulls weighing up to 950kg and standing over 6 feet (1.8m) high at the shoulder. Cows weigh up to 700kg. Eland differ from their close relatives – the kudu, nyala and bushbuck – in that both sexes carry horns and not only the males.

Eland cow

Eland bull

Eland

Eland bull

Eland

Eland in the long, dry grass

For their size eland are remarkable jumpers!

Eland

Eland occur in an extremely wide variety of habitats, from high mountains to the arid extremes of the Namib and Kalahari deserts. They are herbivorous, browsing and grazing on a huge assortment of plants, and are able to forego drinking water for extended periods.

Eland bull

Eland herd

Eland calves

Eland (photo by Joubert)

An Eland, our biggest antelope

Herd of Eland

Immature Eland at the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve

Eland cow

Eland cow (photo by Joubert)

Huge herd of Eland on the plains of Lammertjiesleegte

Eland cow

Eland cow (photo by Joubert)

Eland Bull

Eland Bull (photo by Joubert)

They are social animals, keeping in mixed herds numbering from three to several thousand. The bigger herds form mainly during the wet season and when the animals migrate, sometimes over vast distances. Despite their hefty physiques, eland are surprisingly agile, with even the biggest bulls easily managing to jump fences two to three meters in height.

Eland on Kwalata Drive

Eland

Herd of eland on a mountain slope

Eland were the main reason the Giant’s Castle reserve was proclaimed

At night, Eland often shelter in the camp

Eland on the run along the Bushmans River

Eland were the main reason the Giant’s Castle reserve was proclaimed

Eland in the mopane bush

We found this Eland near the Mphongolo River

Eland in the mopane bush

Eland gathering at a watering hole north of Babalala

Eland herd

Eland in Mapungubwe National Park

Fight between two Eland bulls (photo by Joubert)

Eland bull in Mapungubwe National Park

Eland moving through Leokwe Camp in Mapungubwe National Park

Eland silhouette in Mapungubwe National Park

Eland

Big herd of Eland

Eland

Single calves are born mostly just before or during the rainy season, and have a life expectancy of between twelve and twenty years.

Eland herd

Eland bull

Eland cow

Eland bull

Eland cow

Eland herd

Eland bull

Eland cow

Eland herd

Eland

Eland cow

Young Eland

Eland youngsters

Eland

Eland Bull (photo by Joubert)

Rietvlei scenery (photo by Joubert)

Eland Bulls

Eland herd on the run

Eland

The IUCN estimates the total population of the common eland at about 136,000 and regards it to be safe (“least concern”) in conservation terms. In South Africa, we consider the Golden Gate Highlands National Park and the Giant’s Castle Game Reserve among the most reliable places to see these incredibly big antelope in their natural habitat.

Eland

Imposing Eland bull

Hidden eland

Eland

Eland herd on the move

Eland cresting a nearby hill

Eland bull

Eland herd

Eland near Bowkerskop

Eland Bull

Eland Herd

Eland cow

Eland

Eland herd (photo by Joubert)

Eland

Eland calves with the herd

Eland

Large herd of Eland

Eland on the run

Eland Bull

Eland

Eland showjumper (photo by Joubert)

Eland bull

Eland herd

Eland

Eland running across the road

Eland bull

Eland in the mist

Eland bull

Young eland cows

Eland

Bushbuck

16 Replies

Tragelaphus scriptus

As its name suggests, the bushbuck is a denizen of densely vegetated habitats, ranging from riverine woodland and thickets in mountain valleys to the deepest jungles of tropical Africa.

They live mostly solitary lives, or in small and very unstable groups of ewes and lambs, and often associate with baboons and monkeys to take advantage of any fruits dropped by the foraging primates (their diet consists mostly of leaves and succulent shoots though).

Small it may be , but the male bushbuck is a tenacious fellow and rather dangerous when wounded, as several hunters and their dogs have found out to their detriment.

With a total population estimated at well over a million animals, the bushbuck is one of Africa’s most wide-spread and numerous antelope. In our experience, the best places to see bushbuck in South Africa is at Cape Vidal in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, at Letaba in the Kruger National Park, and at Swadini in the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve.

The bushbuck is a smaller cousin of the kudu and nyala, with a shoulder height of only 60 to 100cm and an average weight of less than 50kg.

Doesn’t it look just like the African version of Bambi!?

Bushbuck ram

Bushbuck ewe

Bushbuck ram

Subadult bushbuck ram

Bushbuck ewe

Bushbuck ram

Bushbuck ewe

Bushbuck are common near Skukuza

Bushbuck

Bushbuck are very common along the Sabie

Shy bushbuck ewe

Baby bushbuck

Alert bushbuck ewes

Bushbuck Ewe

Young Bushbuck Ram

Bushbuck ewe

Bushbuck ram

Bushbuck

Bushbuck lamb in Hilltop

Bushbuck ewe

Bushbuck ram

Bushbuck ewe

Bushbuck

Bushbuck near Skukuza

Bushbuck mingling with baboons and impala along the Sand River

Bushbuck hiding in a thick reedbed, Moreletakloof

Bushbuck ewe in hiding

Bushbuck ewe with unwelcome visitors

Bushbuck

Bushbuck ram

Bushbuck Ram at sunset

Bushbuck at the water’s edge

Bushbuck ram

Bushbuck lamb on the banks of the Vurhami Spruit

Bushbuck ewe at rest in Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp

Bushbuck ewe in Crocodile Bridge

Bushbuck ewe

Bushbuck lamb in Letaba

Bushbuck ewe at Timbavati

Bushbuck ewe

Bushbuck in Tamboti

Bushbuck ram

Bushbuck ewe

Bushbuck lamb

Bushbuck ewe

Young Bushbuck ram

Bushbuck ewe

Bushbuck ram and ewe

Young Bushbuck ram

Young Bushbuck

Bushbuck ram

Very old Bushbuck ewe

Bushbuck ram

Bushbuck ewe

Very old Bushbuck ewe

Bushbuck ram outside our cabin in the dark of night

Bushbuck

Bushbuck ram

Bushbuck

Greying old bushbuck ewe

Bushbuck ewe wading into the dam at Tlopi

Bushbuck ewe and lamb

Bushbuck ewe

Bushbuck ewe crossing the shallows of Tlopi’s dam

Bushbuck Ram just outside the entrance into Tlopi Tented Camp

Bushbuck ewe

Bushbuck ewe (photo by Joubert)

Bushbuck ewe wading into Tlopi’s dam to feed on water plants

Bushbuck ram

Bushbuck ewe (photo by Joubert)

Bushbuck hiding behind himself

Cheeky Bushbuck (photo by Joubert)

Bushbuck ewe (photo by Joubert)

Bushbuck ram

Bushbuck ewe

Bushbuck ram

Bushbuck ewe

Bushbuck ram

Bushbuck

Bushbuck ram

Bushbuck

Bushbuck ewe

Bushbuck

Bushbuck ewe

In northern Botswana and along the Zambezi River occurs the distinct subspecies T. s. ornatus, known as the Chobe Bushbuck.

Chobe Bushbuck ewe

Chobe Bushbuck ram

Chobe Bushbuck ewe

Nyala

34 Replies

Tragelaphus angasii

The graceful nyala is one of our favourite antelope, and a close relative of the kudu. They occur naturally in the south-east corner of Africa, ranging from Malawi to South Africa’s eastern provinces.

Nyala couple

Big Nyala bull

Nyala ewe (photo by Joubert)

Nyala Bull

Nyala calf

Nyala bull (photo by Joubert)

Nyala calf

Nyala on the run (photo by Joubert)

Young Nyala bull (photo by Joubert)

Nyala lamb

Nyala bull

Nyala lamb (photo by Joubert)

Young nyala bull (photo by Joubert)

Nyala ewe and young bull

Nyala ewe (photo by Joubert)

To the uninitiated, the adult bulls in their dark, shaggy, coats and the ewes dressed in bright chestnut seem to be from two different species altogether. Bulls are almost double the size of the ewes, and can weigh up to 130kg.

Nyala bull

Nyala ewe

Habituated antelope, like this nyala bull, roam freely through the bush at OuKlip

Nyala and buddies

Nyala female

Nyala cow

Immature Nyala Bull

Nyala bull on the Salitje Road

Nyala bull (photo by Joubert)

Young Nyala bull at Ndzhaka Camp in the Manyeleti Nature Reserve

Nyala Bull

Nyala ewe

Nyala bull

Nyala

Nyalas inhabit thickets and woodland near water, and will often forage in adjacent clearings. They’re mixed feeders, subsisting on a diet of leaves, succulent shoots and short grass.

Nyala ewe

Subadult nyala male

Nyala bull

Nyala ewe

Young nyala bull near the hide

Alert nyala ewe

Nyala at the Hluhluwe River bridge

Nyala bulls coming for a drink

Nyalas drinking

Nyalas are very common patrons at Kumasinga

Nyala ewe

Nyala bull

Nyala near Skukuza

Shy Nyala bull

Nyala bull

Nyala ewe

Nyala bull and kudu cow

Nyala

Being social animals, nyalas occur in small groups consisting mostly of adult females and their offspring, with adult males tending to form bachelor groups. Lambs are born at any time of the year, though mostly in the wetter summer months.

Nyala bull

Nyala ewe

Nyala bull

Nyala lamb

Nyala ewe and lamb

Nyala bull

Nyala lamb

Nyala

Nyala lamb

Nyala lambs

Nyala ewe

Nyala along the Sabie

Nyala lamb

Nyala bull

Nyala at Ubhejane Hide

Nyala near Charters Creek

Nyala lamb

Nyala Bull

Nyala calf

Playful warthog piglets at Mpila (photos of Joubert)

Nyala calf

Nyala ewe

Nyala calf

The stiff-legged dominance display – you could even call it a dance! – of the adult bulls is one of nature’s most intriguing spectacles.

Nyala display

Adult nyalas use ritualised posturing to try and intimidate one another

Dueling nyala bulls

The bulls also have the curious habit of horning the ground at mud puddles, carrying the caked mud off with them on their headdress…

Battle-scarred nyala with muddy horns

Nyala with muddy horns

The IUCN consider the nyala’s conservation status to be of “least concern“, with a population of at least 32,000. The best places in South Africa to see these graceful antelope is the Kruger National Park (especially at Pafuri in the far north of the Park), Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, uMkhuze Game Reserve, and Tembe Elephant Park, though they occur in a number of other state and private reserves as well.

Stately Nyala bulls

Splendid Nyala bull

Nyala ewe and lamb

Beautiful nyala bull

Nyala bull

Nyala cows and calf

Nyala bull

Nyala cow

Nyala ram

Young Nyala bull

Friendly Nyala bull ( (photo by Joubert)

Nyala bull

Nyala calf

Nyala ewe just outside the Skukuza nursery

Nyala bull (photo by Joubert)

Nyala bull – go buy some manners! (photo by Joubert)

Nyala ewe

Nyala bull

Nyala ewe and lamb

Nyala bull (photo by Joubert)

Nyala bull

Nyala bull (photo by Joubert)

Nyala bull

Nyala calf

Nyala bull

Nyala bulls mingling on the banks of the Olifants River (photo by Joubert)

Nyala bull

Nyala bull (photo by Joubert)

Nyala ewe

uMkhuze Game Reserve’s Kumasinga Hide is one of the very best places to watch Nyala behaviour.

Nyala bull

Nyala bull horning the mud

Nyala bull horning the mud (photo by Joubert)

Nyala ewes (photo by Joubert)

Nyala ewe and lamb

Nyala bull

Nyala bull (photo by Joubert)

Nyala bull

Nyala bull horning the mud

Nyala bull horning the mud (photo by Joubert)

Nyala bull horning the mud

Nyala bull with horns covered in mud

Young nyala bull also horning the ground (photo by Joubert)

Nyala bull in dominance display

Nyala bull

Nyala bull horning the mud

Nyala bull

Nyala bull horning the mud

Nyala Bull in stiff-legged dominance display

Greater Kudu

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Tragelaphus strepsiceros

The striking kudu is one of the largest, and according to many nature lovers one of the most beautiful, of South Africa’s antelope.

Kudu bull

Kudu cow

Kudu bull

Kudu

Young kudu

Kudu bull

Magnificent Kudu seen near Mavumbye

Greater Kudu

Kudu cow

Kudu Bull

Kudu bull

Kudu calf

Young Kudu bull

Kudu bull (Photo by Joubert)

Kudu bull

Young Kudu bull

Weighing up to 315kg and standing up to 1.6m high at the shoulder, kudu bulls are considerably bigger than the cows.

Subadult kudu bull

Kudu bull

Subadult kudu bull

Kudu bull

Subadult kudu bull

Kudu bull

Subadult kudu bull

Alert kudu cow

Impressive kudu bull

Older kudu

Kudu bull

Kudu female

Kudu family

Kudu near Charters Creek

Kudu bull with an oxpecker irritation

Sleepy kudu

Frightened kudu

Kudu crossing the road

Kudu

Kudu Bull

Kudu

Adult bulls are solitary or move around in bachelor groups, associating with the herds of cows and their calves only during the rutting season. Though the bulls are not territorial, they do maintain a strict dominance hierarchy through fighting, sometimes leading to the death of one or both combatants through injuries or having their horns inextricably interlocked.

Kudu cow

Kudu bull

Juvenile Kudu

Majestic Kudu Bull

Kudu cow close-up

Kudu calf

Immature Kudu Bull at Biyamiti Weir

Big Kudu Bull

Mating Kudus

Graceful Kudu bull (photo by Joubert)

Young Kudu bull

Kudu bull

Magnificent Kudu bull

Kudu cow

Young Kudu bull

Kudu calf nursing

Kudu calf suckling

Prancing Kudu cow (photo by Joubert)

Kudu bull

Young Kudu bull

Kudu

Kudu calf

Kudu cow portrait

Kudu bull

Kudu inhabit a variety of bush- and shrubland habitats, and, being browsers, subsists on an extremely wide variety of leafy vegetation, being particularly fond of the thorny Acacias. While they can survive for extended periods without water, they will drink daily if it is available.

Kudu cow

Kudu family caught in the rain

Kudu cow

Kudu cows drinking

Kudu herd on the move

Kudu close-up

Two kudu bulls in the bed of the Letaba

Kudu and impala at Renosterkoppies

Kudu herd

Kudu

Kudu bull

Kudu herd

Cheeky Kudu calf

Kudu

Kudu cow

Enormous Kudu bull in the Mfabeni Swamp

Kudu bull close-up

Kudu bull

Kudu hiding in the shade of a small Wild Date Palm

Kudu cows

All ears! Kudu calf (photo by Joubert)

Kudu cow

Kudu bull (photo by Joubert)

Kudu bull

Kudu calf

Kudu couple

Kudu bull

Fighting Kudu bulls

Kudus

In South Africa, most calves are born in the summer months between December and March. Newborn calves are kept hidden in thick vegetation for up to three months after birth, with the cows returning to them every couple of hours to nurse. They can live to the age of 18, but being a favourite prey item for all Africa’s large predators as well as being prone to drought and cold conditions, and susceptible to a range of diseases, few kudus wil reach that age in the wild.

Kudu calf

Kudus

Kudu bachelors

Kudu cow and calves

Young kudu bull

Kudu calves

Kudu Calf

Kudu bulls in serious fight (photo by Joubert)

Kudu bulls fighting

Kudu at sunset

Beautiful Kudu bull

Beautiful kudu bull

Kudu before sunrise

Young Kudu heifer

Kudu cows

Kudu (photo by Joubert)

Kudus, impalas and ostriches sharing a waterhole

Kudu cow and calf

Kudus occur widely across South Africa, both in and outside of formal conservation areas, and are still relatively numerous. The IUCN regards their conservation status to be of “least concern”, estimating the total population to stand at almost 500,000 individuals.