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

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 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 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 in Kruger National Park is a reliable spot to find Tsessebe

Tsessebe along the Nshawu Marsh

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

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)

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

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

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.