Antelopes

Oryx (gemsbok)

Oryxes are large, strong horse antelopes adapted for waterless desert wastelands uninhabitable by most large mammals. They can survive extreme heat by allowing their body temperature to rise. They drink water when it is available but can get by on moisture from their food.

oryx oryx calf oryxes oryx oryx oryxes oryxes at waterhole

Red hartebeest

A tall slender reddish antelope with bracket-shaped horns, red hartebeests live on the edge of open plains.

red hartebeest portrait red hartebeests red hartebeest

Springbok

The springbok, a gazelle, is the most common antelope in Namibia. The live in both desert and savanna areas.

springbok portrait springbok at Okaukuejo water hole

Steenbok

Steenboks, a dwarf antelope, inhabit the acacia savanna.

male steenbok female steenbok female steenbok

Greater kudu

This large bushbuck is the second-tallest antelope. The males have spectacular horns. Greater kudu live in scrub woodlands and bush.

male greater kudu kudus at water hole

Black-faced impala

Impalas are not closely related to any other antelope. The black-faced subspecies is endemic to the edge of the Etosha salt pan.

female black-faced impala male black-faced impala male black-faced impala

Blue wildebeest

Also called the brindled gnu, the blue wildebeest is found in the eastern part of Etosha. These animals need to drink every day or two and so are not found far from waterholes.

blue wildebeest blue wildebeest

Damara dikdik

Dikdiks are tiny dwarf anelopes with a mobile, pointed snout and very large eyes. The Damara subspecies is endemic to Namibia. They are found in eastern Etosha in scrubby woodland areas. They do not require water to drink, can tolerate very hot temperatures, and are very skittish.

male damara dikdik

Eland

Elands, a bushbuck, are the largest African antelopes, but they are surprisingly skittish.

eland and calf elands elands

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Last modified 28 January 2006