Wry Smile

The eland smiles. Does he know a secret?

The eland is the largest member of the antelope family. It is also the slowest. Because of its size and nature, it can be domesticated by humans (just remember, it is still an antelope, a fence jumping specialist!).

Under spiral horns are the eland's "liquid eyes." These are adorned with long lashes. Such observations flow into the whispered conversation as we sit in our jeep and watch these docile creatures munch Serengeti grasses.

(Note the oxpecker on his back.)

Our safari work continues to attract special travelers. Because of this we have scheduled another return to Tanzania. This one is scheduled for late February, 2027. Reserve your seats now. They too will disappear.

Impala with Oxpeckers

This stately antelope (Aepyceros melampus) is a crowd-favorite. Impalas have a glossy coat of cinnamon and cream and a white belly. Black hairs ring the eyes, tip the ears, head, and feet, and form a distinctive "M"-shape on the buttocks ("Mmmmmm," says the carnivores! "Mmm-pala.").

Running down an impala is no easy task. They can sprint upwards of 55 mph, cut sharply, and leap 10 feet high and 30 feet forward.

Two oxpeckers rest on this female. These birds pick at parasites and wounds on her skin.

How many are there?

When it comes to antelopes, no place on earth has a greater variety than Africa. Some 72 native species have been identified on the continent. Antelope are smooth-haired, hollow-horned, grass-eaters. They are nimble and known for their speed.

Below is a juvenile Coke's hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus cokii), spotted on the great plains of the Serengeti. The hartebeest is one of Africa's larger antelopes. Mature adults can run at speeds up to 55 km/h (and turn on a dime!).

"Deer Beast"

This large antelope is commonly referred to as a hartebeest. The label is odd, rising off the Dutch tongue, and means "deer beast." It was likely given by early European settlers in Africa because of its resemblance to the more familiar creature.

In the local language it is a Kongoni.

The Kongoni is long and large for an antelope. A mature male may stand three feet at the shoulder and weigh 300 pounds.

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!