MEDIUM-SIZED ANTELOPES OF BOTSWANA

Burchell's zebra
Equus burchellii
Burchell's zebra are the wild horses of Botswana.  There are several subspecies of the zebra; Botswana's zebras have what are called "shadow stripes."   The shadow stripes are faint buff-colored stripes superimposed onto the white stripes of this species.

Zebras associate in family herds called "harems" which contain one dominant stallion, numerous mares and their foals.  Ownership of a harem is rarely challenged as long as the dominant male is fit, but fights between stallions over a herd do occur and can be violent.   Males also form bachelor herds consisting only of other males.  Harem size is not large due to the difficulty of defending females.  Large herds seen congregating usually consist of numerous harems coming together temporarily.

New harems are formed when a bachelor stallion abducts a filly from her herd (normally an offspring of the harem's stallion).  The filly must then be guarded against all rival stallions until she comes into estrus, which occurs monthly and lasts up to 5 days.  A filly will then stay with the male who impregnates her, thus starting a new harem.  Competition over an estrous filly by stallions can be fierce and the fights frequent.

Zebras are preyed upon mostly by lions and hyenas, although juveniles are sometimes killed by cheetah.  Zebra are water dependent animals and will walk many kilometers to find it and will also dig for it on dry river beds.  Zebra often associate together with herds of blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) for the purpose of adding security through extra eyes and ears.  Zebra are typically the first animals to enter recent rainfall areas and they trample and crop the tallest grasses, making the shorter fresh grasses preferred by wildebeest and other grazers more easily accessible.

Zebra and wildebeest migrate in the thousands in the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem and they still migrate to a lesser extent in Botswana today for the same reasons, to follow the rains to fresh feeding grounds.  In Botswana cattle fences continue to impede them on their traditional routes and this causes controversy in the safari and conservation communities.   Zebras are found throughout most of Botswana except for areas of permanent dryness.  There are high numbers of zebra in the Okavango Delta, Linyanti and in Chobe.

Blue wildebeest
Connochaetes taurinus
Often seen mingling with herds of zebra, the blue wildebeest is a gregarious animal that takes part in the last remaining migration in Botswana.  Their sight is not as acute as the zebra's, but they have excellent senses of smell and hearing.

Wildebeest bulls are highly territorial and they stake out a small area to wait for herds of females to pass through.  They create several rolling ares on the ground in open and visible spots and will also deposit their dung here.  They mark trees in their areas by rubbing their horns and boss on the branches and trunk.

Although very swift runners, they do frequently fall prey to lions.  Their numbers in Botswana were substantial in the 1970's, but along with zebra and buffalo, who are also migrating grazers, their numbers have fallen dramatically, mostly due to the erection of cattle fencing.  The fences have adversely affected these species' ability to migrate and many have been killed or died as a direct result of the fences.  Estimates are that wildebeest numbers have fallen by 80 percent since the time when the fences went up.

Despite their decreased numbers in Botswana, there are still healthy populations of blue wildebeest in the Okavango Delta, as well as good herds in the Linyanti, especially on the grassy plains of the dry Savuti channel, as well as in Chobe National Park.

Greater kudu
Tragelaphus strepsiceros
The greater kudu is an easily recognizable and very impressive antelope; it is tall, has narrow white vertical stripes on its flanks, and a thin ridge-line of hair running from its head all the way to its tail.  The bulls have long, spiraling horns which grow longer and more impressive, with additional spirals, as the bull matures.  The bulls use these horns for defense and also in combat with rival bulls.

The kudu is a browser, preferring well-bushed areas and the periphery of floodplains.  They have a preference for the leaves of many trees and shrubs, as well as pods and some fruits.  They are shy animals and are masters of concealment, remaining completely still for long periods if they are frightened or suspicious of danger.  They are also extremely cautious when approaching water.

Kudu have very strong hind legs and they are exceptional jumpers, able to leap up well over 2 meters over bushes or fences.  They are extremely agile runners as well and they use these skills to escape predation.  Their call is a loud bark and their senses of smell and hearing are excellent.

Greater kudu are found throughout the Okavango and Linyanti; however, they prefer areas with ample browse and are therefore not as common in some of the permanent flood zones in the Delta.  They are quite common in the Linyanti and are seen along the Linyanti river from Kings Pool Camp all the way to the Savuti channel.  They are also seen regularly at Mombo Camp and Chief's Camp in the Moremi Game Reserve.

Sable antelope
Hippotragus niger
The sable is a beautiful antelope, with long, ridged horns sweeping in a scimitar curve back over their heads.  The males have a glossy black coat which darkens more as it grows older.  Females also have horns, though not as long and curved, and they have a deep brown coat.

Bulls are commonly solitary or form small groups while the herds are typically led by a dominant cow.  Fights among the bulls are serious and occur whenever they associate with the females.  Herd size is fairly large, with 15-25 females and young being common, but larger groups not uncommon.

Sable are a hardy and very tough antelope and they will defend themselves effectively against lions and hyenas.  When they are wounded, they sometimes lie down and swing their heads and horns viciously in defense; a wound from one of their razor-sharp horns is often fatal.  Their diet consists almost completely of grass but they will occasionally feed on leaves.  They are dependent on water.

Their lovely coats and impressive horns made them a favorite target of hunters, especially in the latter years of the nineteenth century.  Sable are not a common species anywhere in their range but small herds are seen regularly in certain areas of the Okavango Delta and in the Linyanti.  Probably Botswana's best safari camp for sable antelope is Vumbura Camp, where they are seen almost daily.

Red Lechwe
Kobus leche
The red lechwe is an antelope that is dependent on water.  They use the water as a safe haven for escaping from predators such as lion, wild dog, cheetah, leopard and hyena.  Their hind quarters are built for power and for leaping through chest-deep water and the grace and speed with which they move through the inundated floodplains is a thing of beauty to witness.

The lechwe also has splayed hooves that enable them to move through shallow water much faster than they can move on land, where their speed is diminished owing to their overly strong hind legs.  Their coats are a lovely chestnut color and males have long, lyre-shaped horns which they hold back against their shoulders when running. 

Lechwe are strong swimmers and they have excellent eyesight, but a poor sense of smell.  Their diet consists of mainly grass, but they also feed on aquatic plants and will feed in water up to 2 feet in depth.  They have been hunted for centuries in the Delta and are therefore a shy and wary animal.

There are an estimated 30,000 or more red lechwe living in the Okavango Delta, their stronghold in southern Africa.  The Delta's myriad waterways and floodplains are perfect habitat for the lechwe.  Lechwe move along with the Delta's seasonal floodwaters, following them as they arrive into new grazing areas and then moving back towards permanent channels as the floods recede.  There are also good herds of lechwe found along the Linyanti river ion the Kwando, Linyanti and Selinda areas of northern Botswana.  Some of the best safari camps for seeing red lechwe are Jao Camp, Kwetsani Camp and Mombo Camp.

Waterbuck
Kobus ellipsiprymnus
The waterbuck is another antelope associated with water, although not to the extent of the red lechwe or the sitatunga.  Unlike the other two species, waterbuck may stray into open woodlands, but only up to a few kilometers as, being a grazer, they must drink often.  They prefer areas with reed beds, tall grass and the edges of floodplains.

Adult waterbuck are preyed upon by lions and calves are sometimes taken by wild dogs, cheetah and leopard.  They will readily take to the water when pursued.  Their diet consists mainly of grasses, but they will also browse on various bushes and acacias when protein-rich grass is unavailable.

Waterbuck are robustly built and are one of the heaviest antelopes (up to 250 kg).  Bulls grow long, heavily ringed horns which curve backwards and then forward towards the pointed tips.  Females do not have horns.  Their skin emits oils which give it an unmistakable, turpentine odor.  Both sexes also have a diagnostic white ring on their rump, which makes it look as if they had sat upon a toilet seat painted white.

Waterbuck are gregarious and herds typically number 5-10 animals, but can be up to 20-30.  Dominant bulls are territorial and will defend their territories by fighting, sometimes to the death.  Herds of females with young move amongst several bulls' territories and non-dominant bulls also form bachelor herds.  Waterbuck are most likely to be seen along the Chobe and Linyanti river areas in Botswana.

Sitatunga
Tragelaphus spekei
The sitatunga is a semi-aquatic antelope and spends a good portion of its time in the dense reed beds and submerged in water up to three feet in depth.  In Botswana it is therefore confined to the permanent water areas of the Okavango Delta and is also found in the Linyanti river system.

Sitatunga are shy and retiring and they move slowly through the thick papyrus and reed beds, grazing on the vegetation.  They are active throughout the day in the water, but often lie up during the hottest hours on mats of reeds or on small, protected islands out of sight.  They often feed while partially or fully submerged.

The sitatunga's hooves are well-adapted to walking through the papyrus sedge.  They have 7-inch long hooves which splay out in a fork as weight is placed on them, enabling them to cross over mud, floating vegetation and in the reed beds.  The rams have long twisting horns which curve like a kudu's but to a lesser degree.

When sitatunga are disturbed, they will immerse themselves in water, leaving only their noses visible.  Their main predators are lions, which ambush them along the reeds, but they are also hunted by leopard and wild dogs.  When chased, they will head straight to deep water and they are excellent swimmers. 

Sitatunga are one of those rare safari sightings that you don't soon forget.  Even in areas where they are abundant, their shy and cautious nature make them an infrequently seen animal, except by air craft flying over the deep water and islands.  The best way to see sitatunga is on a mekoro or boat ride through the channels of the Okavango.  The best safari camps for sitatunga sightings are Xigera Camp in the Moremi Game Reserve and Jacana Camp, just to the west in the permanent Delta.

Tsessebe
Damaliscus lunatus
Tsessebe, or topi, as they are called in east Africa, is Africa's swiftest running antelope.  They often associate with the zebra / wildebeest herds and they prefer medium grasslands with grasses up to knee-high.  The tsessebe's diet consists almost entirely of grass and they are selective; their long, narrow muzzle and lips are adapted for feeding selectively on only the freshest, most tender shoots.

Both sexes are similar in appearance, having a dark reddish coat with high shoulders and sloping back. Both male and female have lyre-shaped, ringed horns and a blackish color to the front of the face. 

They congregate in small herds of 5 or 6 animals but are sometimes found in large aggregations of up to 20 or more where good graze is found.  Territorial bulls defend an area, within which cows and young live permanently.  Tsessebe have excellent eyesight and are often seen standing on termite mounds or high ground in order to obtain a good view.

Tsessebe are preyed upon by lions and the young are sometimes killed by cheetah or leopard, but its amazing speed, which it attains with an efficient, loping gait, makes it very difficult to catch unless surprised.  Once on the move, it can maintain a high speed over a long distance.  For this reason, it is rare to find them being hunted with much success, especially when other prey are available.

The tsessebe's diet makes them water-dependent and the Okavango Delta is therefore an ideal habitat and they rarely stray far from the water.  Safari camps with excellent opportunities for viewing tsessebe include Chitabe Camp, Mombo Camp and Vumbura Camp.

Roan antelope
Hippotragus equinus
Roan antelope are closely related to sable antelope and are one of the larger antelope species (up to 250 kg) in Botswana.  They have conspicuous masked facial markings and a light brown coat with a reddish tinge on the legs and mane.  They are somewhat horse-like in appearance.  They also have long, floppy ears, with dark-brown tassel on the tips.

Roan are selective grazers, feeding on perennial grasses and they will also browse to some extent on leaves and pods.  Roan live in small herds of 5-12 individuals, usually protected by a dominant bull, however, the herd itself is led by a dominant cow.  The bull is responsible for breeding and keeping rival bulls away, while the lead cow dictates the feeding and resting areas for the herd.  At maturity, young males are driven from the herd by the dominant bull and they join together to form bachelor herds.

Roan are preyed upon by lions, but they are extremely aggressive, defend themselves very effectively and are very alert.  Roan are not a common species anywhere in Botswana and they are not seen frequently.  They tend to remain in localized areas for up to several weeks and then move on to a different part of their range to settle down again.  They are seen most often in the Linyanti and Kwando regions at camps such as Lagoon Camp, Savuti Camp and DumaTau Camp.

Gemsbok
Oryx gazella
The gemsbok, or oryx, is an almost perfectly-adapted desert antelope, capable of thriving in almost completely waterless environments where few other mammals can survive.  The species is nomadic and gregarious, found in groups of up to 40 individuals.  Their nomadic nature is dictated by the sparse vegetation of their typical habitat.

Gemsbok social organization is unusual in that the sexes are integrated in mixed herds.  It is presumed that this herd arrangement is an adaptation to their semi-desert habitat.  The difficulty in finding other gemsboks in the desert's vast empty spaces may explain why the mature sexes seem to remain together in the same herd.

The gemsbok is a striking and unmistakable antelope, with extremely long, lance-like, strongly ridged horns.  They are tawny-grey colored, with black and white markings and conspicuous black and white face masks.  They are extremely swift and have excellent eyesight.  The gemsbok is hunted by lions where they both exist and they can be very dangerous when wounded, having been known to impale lions on their sharp horns.

Their diet consists of tsama melons, seed pods, cucumbers, bulbs and roots, which are excavated using the front feet.  They will also include browse in their diets as needed.  They will travel long distances in search of water, but they are largely independent of water, being able to obtain enough moisture from their foods.  In Botswana, the gemsbok is found primarily in the Makgadikgadi, Central Kalahari, and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.