Meet the Antelopes in the Serengeti national park

Meet the Antelopes in the Serengeti national park : Does the Serengeti National Park have antelopes? Which antelope species are prevalent in the Serengeti National Park? Serengeti is the one of the national park in Africa with higher concentrations of wildlife more especially predators, big fives and great wildebeest migrations However, the Serengeti also has many antelopes that can be seen during your Serengeti National Park safari tour. It is the ideal destination to encounter different types of antelope when it comes to an African vacation. It is situated in the northern part of Tanzania, close to the Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Tarangire, and Arusha National Park. It is roughly 14,763 square kilometers in size, with unending plains that extend to Kenya’s Masai Mara Reserve in the north and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in the south.

It is well known for its enormous herds of plains animals, particularly wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, antelopes, and other numerous creatures. It is also the only region in Africa where seasonal land animal migrations still occur. The Serengeti National Park, which has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, is home to 300 species of mammals and more than 500 species of birds, including the 16 various kinds of antelopes I’ll be describing below.

The Serengeti National Park is the finest location to visit if you love antelopes and are interested in seeing them because there are so many of them there that it is unmatched anywhere else on the globe. Then which antelopes are typically spotted in the Serengeti National Park? During your game drives in Serengeti National Park, you will likely see a variety of antelope species. The following list will help you identify each species and keep in mind its key traits.

Wildebeest

The wildebeest is one of the most common antelopes that can be seen in Serengeti during your tour. This animal must be mentioned while discussing the Serengeti’s Great Migration. Approximately 2 million wildebeests migrate from the southern Serengeti to the Masai Mara Reserve in Kenya and then return to Tanzania via the southern Serengeti, particularly in the Ndutu area. This constant, cyclical activity draws tourists year after year. Here are a few traits of this species:

• It is a huge antelope that weighs between 300 and 600 pounds and measures between 45 and 55 inches at the shoulder.
• The hue of the several wildebeest subspecies ranges from slate gray to dark brown, with males being darker than females.
• They are hunted by predators like spotted hyenas and lions and are quite adorable.
• The length of a wildebeest’s tail ranges from 14 to 22 inches, and its overall length is between 5 and 8 feet.
• The heads of wildebeests are long and rectangular in appearance.

Eland

This animal has survived the longest in the African savanna. The creature is notable for its eye-catching coat and powerful, ox-like bulk. Elands are the biggest species of antelope. Males can weigh up to a ton and stand 1.5 meters tall at the shoulders. Compared to the males, females are a little bit lighter and smaller.

Lesser Kudu

Another intriguing subspecies of antelope is prevalent in regions with warm weather. Due to its rarity, this antelope can be challenging to find on a safari; it can be found in the southwest Serengeti. Lesser kudu weighs between 92 and 108 kg and stands 100 cm taller than greater kudu. The lesser kudus, on the other hand, rely less on water for their lives and instead obtain it from the parts of fresh wild fruits, only consuming it when it is accessible.

Reedbuck

It lives in the Serengeti’s grasslands and marshes, and you may recognize this antelope by the circular glandular area beneath each ear. They search for cover during the day and feed at night. After roughly 7.5 months of pregnancy, female cows give birth to a single calf. Males have forward-facing, curving horns. Furthermore, this species of antelope has no set season for reproducing.

East African Oryx

Even though there aren’t many of them left, hopefully you’ll be fortunate enough to see one of these antelopes while on your Serengeti game drives. This territorial creature uses its speed as a defense against predators. The ability of this animal to sense rain from 50 miles or more away is an intriguing trait.

Grant’s gazelle

The difference between Grant’s gazelles and Thomson’s gazelles is that Grant’s gazelles are larger and have a white patch that always extends above the tail. Despite having the same scientific name, Grant’s gazelles are often difficult to distinguish from Thomson’s gazelles. Grant’s gazelles’ horns are always a variety of colors and sizes.

Thomson’s gazelle

Thomson’s gazelles, so named for the researcher Joseph Thomson, are smaller than Grant’s gazelles and have a white patch on their rump. They have light brown coats with dark stripes along the sides. The males used to move throughout the dry season in search of the best supplies of food and water since they have longer horns than the females. Additionally, they have sharp hearing, vision, and smell senses.

Waterbuck

They have prominent, rounded ears and white markings above and around their eyes and nose. They can be recognized by the white circle on their rump, which also gave these creatures their name. Additionally, a water-repellent oil layer on their coat shields them from wetness. Not to mention, these animals prefer to hang out near the water.

Hartebeest

These antelopes are typically seen in medium- and tall-grasslands, including savannas, during Serengeti safaris. Dietary restrictions are not necessary because the body is tolerant of subpar food. This animal’s gestation period lasts almost 8 months. The hartebeest can be preyed upon by lions, hyenas, leopards, and cheetahs. Despite the fact that most of the time breeding peaks depend on food availability, this antelope can give birth every year.

 Klipspringer

A tiny antelope known as the klipspringer, females weigh somewhat more than males and range in weight from 8 to 18 kg. It is usually found in the Rocky Mountains and has a short neck, body, and huge hindquarters that enable it to jump from rock to rock quickly. Depending on the environment, this animal’s hue can range from weathered tan to gray to brown. When examining a klipspringer, you can tell right away because of its huge, rounded ears and small, crude tail.

Bushbuck

This antelope lives near a forest. It can be found in bush savannas, rainforests, and other relevant environments. It is a lone creature capable of scaling 6-foot fences. When feeding, this animal makes quiet, deliberate movements while choosing its food. When assaulted, this species of antelope can freeze or lay down, which is interesting to note. Male members of this family have horns, whereas female members do not. This is the main distinction between the two sexes (male and female).

Impala

The black markings on their feet and the large white spot above their eyes help them stand out from other antelopes. Since males have horns and females do not, you won’t need to put in extra effort to tell this family of animals apart when you are in the Serengeti. Since predators used to relax during the warmest part of the day, they drank water during this period in order to avoid being eaten, Meet the Antelopes in the Serengeti national park

Oribi

It is a species of antelope that avoids places with a higher density of shrubs, bushes, and trees. It can be recognized by its long neck, slightly curled spiky horns, and narrow ears. Given their size and posture, they love to graze on short grass. In the past, males might take up to 14 months to reach sexual maturity, whereas females did so in about 10 months. Amazingly, this antelope can run at speeds between 25 and 31 miles per hour.

Steenbok

Due to its diminutive stature, it is also known as the dwarf antelope. The black spot or scent gland that is placed below each ear is the key distinguishing feature of this antelope variety and is what makes it so easy to recognize. Males and females are slightly different in size. The steenbok is also adored since it is a little, adorable antelope. They enjoy more young leaves as well as plant, flower, and fruit shoot tips.

Dik-Dik

The unique alarm call that females frequently emit, which resembles wheezing and whistling “zik-zik” or “dik-dik,” gave rise to the moniker of these species. Dik-dik are territorial and mark their territory with scent, excrement, and urine. The peculiar habit of these animals is that when attacked, they flee in a zigzag pattern to deceive their attackers, despite the fact that because of their small size, cheetahs, leopards, and other predators can easily pick them off.

 Topi

Their remarkable reddish brown to purplish red coat and medium stature are constants. They occasionally inhabit drier places, although floodplains are their preferred habitat. They used to stay for a long time without drinking water if they came upon a green meadow. The sociable topis live much of their lives alongside other antelopes like wildebeest. Topis spend their hottest hours napping in the shade after being most active in the morning and evening.

Gerenuk

The primary traits of this animal—a long neck and leg—make it simple to recognize. Another characteristic of this animal is that only the males have horns, while females are devoid of them. It lives primarily in areas with few trees and occasionally in arid environments. It has light brown or tawny-colored fur. They are one of the most exclusive browsers, it always favors succulent plants.

Conclusion: The Serengeti national park in northern Tanzania has never come up short for anything, whether it’s big fives, predators, the great wildebeest migration, big cats, or antelopes. It has it all, so if you’re interested in antelopes, we can assure you that the Serengeti is the best place to see them, and there are many there and they can be seen at any time of the year. Contact us today at Focus East Africa Tours to plan your Serengeti safari tour to see these beautiful animals.