Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, has extensive vegetation cover, including grasslands and woodlands that serve as breeding grounds and natural habitats for a variety of wildlife. Among the wildlife found in these vegetation covers are small and large antelopes. Uganda has approximately 29 antelope species, about one-third of Africa’s antelope species. These antelopes are found across the country in different national parks and game reserves. Below is what you need to know about the frequently asked questions on antelope species in Uganda.

Antelopes in Uganda

As noted above, Uganda has about one-third of Africa’s total antelope population, comprising 29 species. They can be spotted during tourism activities such as game drives, guided nature walks, and bicycle riding, and they are as follows:

Common Eland

Also known as the Taurotragus Oryx, Common elands happen to be the world’s second largest plains and savannah antelope, and can be found only in East and South Africa. Found in Lake Mburo National Park, Pian Upe Wild Reserve, and Kidepo Valley National Park, male common elands are larger than the female common elands. Weighing about 200—400 kilograms, which makes them slightly smaller than the giant elands. When it comes to appearances, the horns of the male common elands are twisted in a corkscrew fashion and can grow up to approximately 4 ft long, while for female grow up to about 2.2ft long. Females have a short mane on the nape, while male common eland have long hair on the throat. Common elands feed on a variety of plant species such as grasses, herbs, bushes, tree leaves, and some fruits. When it comes to reproduction, common elands are sexually mature at the age of 25 years and have a gestation period of about 8.5 to 9 months, and they give birth to one young one at a time. For protection from predators, the young ones are kept or hidden in concealments away from their mothers.

Defassa Waterbuck

Defassa waterbuck happens to be one of the easy prey for predators since they spend most of their time near water bodies, making it easy to be located by predators. Since they spend most of their time near water sources or bodies, they were naturally blessed with a lot of long brown-grey hair, which covers their bodies to provide warmth and also emits a smelly and greasy smell, which acts as waterproofing and also offers protection from predators. A fully grown male waterbuck can weigh about 262kg and grow to a height of about 127cm. The female waterbucks grow to approximately 119cm, which makes them shorter than the male, and they weigh up to 214kg when full-grown. The Defassa waterbucks live in groups known as herds of about 6-30 individuals, which spend most of their time near or around water sources since their tolerance for dehydration, heat, or drought is very low. Defassa waterbucks are found in a few national parks in Uganda, including Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, and Murchison Falls National Park. just like other antelope species, Defassa waterbucks are generally grazers seen mostly grazing around or near water sources, grazing on grasses, bushes, tree leaves, and other vegetations

Grater Kadu

The Greater Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) is another antelope species found in Uganda and can be spotted on a Uganda safari. Among the antelope families or species, the Greater Kudu antelopes happen to be among the large-horned, which begin to grow at the age of 6-12 months, commonly making or forming two and a half twists, and are the tallest in the bushbuck tribe. Greater Kudus are covered with a grey-brown coat that is striped with white on the sides. The male Kadus can be recognised by their features, which include large spiraling horns, an underside beard, a small dewlap, and the dark coat or color it has, which becomes darker with its age. Found or can be spotted in both Southern and Eastern Africa, with the highest population in Eastern Africa. In Uganda, the Kudus can be seen or spotted in Kidepo Valley National Park, which is located in the south-western corner of the country.

These grazers feed on different green vegetation, and when it comes to breeding, they breed seasonally (the rainy season of the year). Females, if well nourished, can start breeding within two years; if not well nourished, they start breeding after three years, and for males, they begin breeding after five years.

Jackson Heartbeest

The Alcephus buselapus, commonly known as the Jackson Heartbeest, is one of the large antelopes that weigh about 100 to 200 kg, standing over 1 meter tall at the shoulder. The Jackson Heartbeest is a very social antelope that stays or leaves among groups or herds, which are always made up of about 30 to 200 individuals. This antelope species (Jackson Heartebeest ) can be spotted or recognised by its curiously shaped horns that can grow up to about 40cm long, and its elongated forehead.

Roan Antelope

The roan antelope is another antelope species found in Uganda, and can be spotted on a safari or game drive. This antelope species is well-built and strong, with sturdy limbs, a thick neck, an outstanding mane, and a beard. In terms of identification or appearance, the Roan antelopes have reddish-grey or reddish-brown skin with a striking black-and-white facial mask. The  Roan antelopes stand at about 126 cm to 150 cm tall, and the females weigh about 260 kgs, while the male Roan antelopes weigh approximately 280 kgs. These antelopes in Uganda can be spotted in Pian Upe Game Reserve.

Other antelope species that you should look forward to spotting or seeing on a Uganda  Safari during game drives or guided nature walks include the common Uganda Kob, Bushbuck, Sitatunga, Lesser Kudu, Grant's Gazelle, Impala, Reebuck, Common Duiker, Forest Duiker, Bete’s pygmy Antelope, Klipspringer, and Dik-dik.

What is the best time to spot or see antelopes in Uganda?

Antelope species in Uganda can be spotted or seen in several travel destinations in Uganda during any season of the year (either Rainny/ wet season or Dry season), but the best time to spot or see different antelope species in Uganda is during the dry season of the year. This is because during this time of the year, the antelope species are always outside in the open grazing, looking for water sources, and playing a round. which makes it easier for tourists or visitors to spot or see them. The weather conditions during this time of the year are very much favourable, and the driving routes or the parks are more accessible than during the rainy or wet season, when they tend to be filled with mud and slippery.

For more information, questions about antelope species in Uganda, or in case you would like to spot any of these amazing creatures during your Uganda safari, feel free to contact or book with us. We will be glad to help in any way possible.