The name antelope is often used to refer to a species of the ruminant artiodactyl family bovidae. There are 91 species of species recorded and most of this are native to the African continent with about 25-40 species found in East Africa.
Antelopes in Masai Mara
Oribi
Oribi is one of the antelopes you can see while on safari in Masai Mara game reserve, they are small with weight ranging from 12 to 22 kilograms, they are commonly seen in groups of four individuals or more.
Grants gazelle
Grants gazelles also known in Kiswahili as swala granti are a species of antelopes found at Masai Mara game reserve, they usually join in the great wildebeest’s migration annually although they sometimes don’t move for very long distances.
Common eland
Common eland is the largest antelope in the world endemic to East and South Africa. In Masai Mara national reserve, common elands join in the great wildebeest’s migration, they are social animals living in groups of 25 to 70 animals, although it’s the most slow antelope with speed, it can jump up to 3 meters from standing start making it hard for predators to easily prey on it.
Thompson’s gazelle
Thompson’s gazelle sightings in Masai Mara are guaranteed while on a game drive since they also participate in the great wildebeest migration, Thompson’s gazelles are able to join the migration herds because they eat the newly grown grass from where wildebeests have finished foraging.
Waterbuck
Waterbucks also known as Deffasa waterbucks are a species of antelopes found at The Mara and can be seen along water channels and Mara River. They prefer to stay alongside water bodies since they highly depend on water.
Cokes hartebeests
Cokes hartebeests are medium sized antelopes that also take part of the great wildebeest’s migration annually. They live in harems of 6 to 30 individuals semi closed to outsiders, females isolate during pregnancy or can be accompanied by 1 former offspring.
Impala
Masai Mara national reserve is home to medium sized Impalas, an antelope species that lives in three distinct social groups of females, bachelor groups and territorial males. Impalas are known for their exceptional leaps whereby it can jump up to 3 meters over vegetation , its capable of quickly leaping in different directions confusing the predators.
Bushbuck
Bushbucks are sub-Saharan antelopes commonly seen near water sources in Masai Mara national reserve since they highly depend on water although can substitute for dew if necessary.
Topi
Topis are medium sized antelopes preferring the flood plains of Masai Mara national reserve. Here they can easily be seen under shade trees cooling off from the heat of the day. Numbers in Masai Mara are large making them one of the common sightings. Topis also participate in the great wildebeest’s migration.
Duiker
Duikers at Masai mara national reserve can be seen in bushy and forested areas.
Wildebeests
Wildebeests also known as gnu make the highlight for most visitors to Masai Mara national reserve. Every year from July to October over 1.5 million wildebeests cross over to Masai Mara game reserve from Serengeti national park in Tanzania in search of fresh pastures and waters. The most spectacular sightings of wildebeests are during the Mara River crossings from July to August.
Jackson’s hartebeests
Jackson’s hartebeests are also a common sighting at Masai Mara national reserve. With great numbers spotted during the great wildebeest migration.
Kirks Dik dik
Kirks dik dik can easily be spotted at Masai mara national reserve. They can easily be distinguished from other antelopes by the their very short tail. A patch of dark fur on their forehead.
Klipspringer
Klipspringers are small antelopes endemic to East and South Africa. In Masai Mara they can easily be seen on rocky outcrops during game drives.
Plan for the great wildebeest migration by contacting our migration safari companies or inquire with us below to plan for your safari tour with us.
