antelope

The Smiling Eland: Secrets of Africa’s Largest Antelope

A close-up of a large eland antelope with spiral horns and an oxpecker bird on its back in the Serengeti.

The Eland Smiles: Secrets of the Serengeti’s Gentle Giant

Does the eland know a secret? Looking at that expression, it certainly seems so.

The eland is the undisputed heavyweight champion of the antelope family. While it is the largest of its kind, it is also one of the slowest. Because of its calm nature and massive size, humans have occasionally domesticated them—though it’s important to remember they are still wild antelopes and world-class fence-jumping specialists, capable of clearing heights that would baffle a high-jumper.

The "Liquid Eyes" of the Savannah

Sitting quietly in our jeep, we watch these docile creatures munching on the rich Serengeti grasses. From this vantage point, you can truly appreciate their beauty:

  • Spiral Horns: Both males and females carry these tightly twisted, elegant weapons.

  • Liquid Eyes: Adorned with incredibly long lashes, their eyes have a depth that invites whispered conversations among our travelers.

  • Symbiotic Friends: If you look closely at the photo, you’ll notice an oxpecker hitched a ride on his back—a tiny feathered sentry that cleans away parasites.

Join Us for Tanzania 2027
Our safari expeditions continue to attract a special kind of traveler—those who find as much joy in the "smile" of an eland as they do in the roar of a lion.

Because our 2026 dates are already full, we have officially scheduled a return to Tanzania in 2027. Email us here to get a spot on the waitlist. Information TBA.

The Impala: Africa’s 55 MPH Acrobat and the "M" Brand

Getting to Know the Impala

This stately antelope (Aepyceros melampus) is a perennial crowd-favorite on any game drive. With a glossy coat of cinnamon and cream set against a bright white belly, the Impala is as elegant as it is athletic.

The "M" Brand

God has given the impala some very specific “branding.” Black hairs ring the eyes and tip the ears, head, and feet. Most famously, they sport a distinctive black “M”-shape on their buttocks.

In the guide world, there is a running joke about that marking:

"Mmmmmm," say the carnivores! It’s the “M” for Mmm-pala—the most common “fast food” on the plains. (Get it? Fast food? Ha!)

Speed and Agility

However, catching an impala is no easy task. They are masters of evasion, utilizing a combination of raw speed and high-stakes acrobatics:

  • Sprinting: They can reach speeds upwards of 55 mph.

  • Agility: They are famous for cutting sharply mid-run to lose a predator.

  • Leaping: An impala can leap 10 feet high and cover a staggering 30 feet forward in a single bound.

A Symbiotic Friendship

In the shot above, you'll notice two oxpeckers resting on this female. This is a classic example of mutualism in the wild; these birds provide a "cleaning service" by picking at parasites and ticks, while the impala provides a steady food source for the birds.

See the Impala in the Wild

While they are common, watching a herd of impalas “pronking” (leaping) across the grasslands never gets old. Join us as we explore the heart of Tanzania and Kenya.

  • 2026 Safari Dates: Limited seats are still available for our February and June expeditions.

  • 2027 Planning: We are currently accepting early inquiries for our return to the Serengeti. Email us here for more information.

For a clearer view to the “M” brand on the impala, see the posting here.

Coke’s Hartebeest: The Serengeti’s High-Speed Survivor

Juvenile Coke's Hartebeest on the Serengeti plains, Tanzania.

Africa’s Diversity: The Speed and Grace of Coke’s Hartebeest

When it comes to antelopes, no place on earth has a greater variety than Africa. Some 72 native species have been identified across the continent, ranging from the tiny dik-dik to the massive eland. While they vary in size, all African antelopes share key traits: they are smooth-haired, hollow-horned, and dedicated grass-eaters.

The Nimble Giant: Coke’s Hartebeest

Spotted on the great plains of the Serengeti, the juvenile Coke’s hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus cokii) pictured above is already showing the sturdiness of its species. As one of Africa’s larger antelopes, the hartebeest is easily recognized by its long, narrow face and high, sloping back.

Don’t let their awkward silhouette fool you—they are built for survival. Mature adults are remarkably nimble and known for their incredible speed.

  • Top Speed: They can clock in at 55 km/h (34 mph).

  • Agility: They are famous for being able to "turn on a dime," a vital skill when outmaneuvering predators like lions or hyenas.

Witness the Diversity of the Serengeti

From the speed of the hartebeest to the resilience of the Grant’s gazelle, the Serengeti is a masterclass in creation. February is often a good time to see these animals in action, as the calving season brings a burst of activity to the southern plains.

  • 2026 - All seats have now been taken.

  • 2027 - Email Us to Join the Waitlist – Be the first to receive itinerary details and priority booking for our return to the plains. Here’s our email link.

The Kongoni: Africa’s Unique "Deer Beast"

Male Kongoni antelope on the African savannah, Tanzania.

The Hartebeest, or Kongoni, as it is known locally, is one of the most recognizable yet strangely named antelopes on the African savannah.

Why is it called a Hartebeest?

The name "Hartebeest" has a curious origin. It stems from the Dutch settlers in South Africa, translating literally to “deer beast.” Because the animal’s elongated face and tall stature reminded early Europeans of the deer back home, the name stuck—even though the Hartebeest is a true antelope, not a deer at all.

Key Physical Characteristics

The Kongoni (Alcelaphus buselaphus) is notable for its sloping back and incredibly long face. Here are a few quick facts about their size:

  • Height: A mature male stands approximately 4 feet (1.2 meters) at the shoulder.

  • Weight: They are heavy-bodied, often weighing up to 300–350 pounds.

  • Appearance: They possess distinctive, lyre-shaped horns and a high, pointed forehead.

  • Subspecies: While somewhat controversial, 8 subspecies have been identified. These differ slightly in color, horn shape and distribution across Africa. Coke’s Hartbeest is best known in Tanzania and Kenya.

For the image of a juvenile, see our post Coke’s Hartebeest: The Serengeti’s High-Speed Survivor.

Chasing Cheese

It is hard to imagine a more elegant and agile creature than the common impala (Aepyceros melampus melampus). Long legs give it the ability to sprint up to 55 mph, jump over an obstacles more than ten feet high, and leap a distance of 33 feet.

We often encounter groups of these gregarious creatures in East Africa. They are easily identified due to their medium size, reddish-brown coat, lyre-shaped horns, and black markings on the hind-quarters. Imagine the black marks on the rump advertising the letter "M." See it? Don't blink. That's an iMpala!

Something else that might be of interest: note the black marking on the "ankles" (metatarsals) of the impala's rear legs? Those are scent glands. The impala is the only member of the antelope family that has these features. Some think that the impala leaves a "chemical trail" for others to follow in a chase! What's more, that trail has the smell of cheese! Cheese chase? Of course!