The impala (Aepyceros melampus) is the most common antelope in the Kruger, a graceful, reddish-brown animal famous for its leaping agility. Rams carry elegant lyre-shaped horns; ewes have none. Impala are central to the food web, the favourite prey of predators from lion to wild dog, and are seen on almost every game drive.
Name
Impala [Aepyceros melampus]
Appearance
The most common of any antelope found in the Kruger National Park and surrounding bushveld areas. These small, gracious animals have a reddish-brown coat with a underside. Impala stand at 900mm shoulder height. The males weigh up to 90 kg and the females weigh up to 40 kg. They have a black stripe that goes from the top of their rump down to the back of the thigh. Males sport a set of horns in the shape of a lyre, reaching a length of 700 mm while the female has none.
Diet
Impala are a combination of grazer and browser, eating both leaves from plants and berries as well as roots and grass. When fruits and acacia pods are available Impala will also consume it.
Breeding
Impala have a gestation period of about 200 days where after a single calf is born, usually during summer. Young Rams can breed as yearlings but it is very unlikely because the older males control and dominate the breeding opportunities.
Behaviour
Impala are herd animals that travel together in their search for food and water. Herds of impala travel up to 8km in any direction from a permanent source of water. Impala are famous for their agility as they can leap over bushes when reacting to predators in the bush or to any noise that could be a threat. Young rams will travel together in bachelor herds and will develop their strength until they can take on a territory of another Ram. All females stick together and live in breeding herds.
Habitats
Impala prefer to live in more wooded areas of the savannah as it provides the most protection for them as well as provides hade for the scorching summer days. They are extremely common in the Northern and Eastern parts of South Africa as well as a few neighbouring countries.
Predators
Impala are common prey for all the predators in the Kruger National Park. Groups of lions will often hunt Impala herds as they are the easiest prey to catch. Leopards and Cheetah will often ambush these animals as one can be more than enough to satiate their hunger. Crocodiles have a slightly tougher time catching these animals as they need to be near the water’s edge.
Fun Fact
The impala is such a common in the Kruger that it has earned the nickname of MacDonald’s of the Bush as they are such common prey. These are probably going to be the first animals you encounter during a Kruger Park Private Safari.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do impala eat?
Impala are unusually adaptable feeders, acting as both grazers and browsers. They eat grass as well as leaves, shoots, roots and berries, and take acacia pods and fruit when available. This flexible diet lets them thrive in the Kruger's mixed woodland-savannah in far greater numbers than more specialised antelope.
Why are impala so common in the Kruger?
Impala flourish because they are dietary all-rounders, breed reliably and stay in large, watchful herds. Their abundance makes them the backbone of the Kruger's food web and the staple prey of most predators. This constant availability is why guides sometimes call them the fast food of the bush.
How high and far can an impala jump?
Impala are famous for their leaping agility, springing high over bushes and other obstacles when startled by a predator or a sudden noise. These explosive, unpredictable jumps in several directions at once help scatter and confuse an attacker, giving the herd time to reach the safety of cover.
Where do impala live in the Kruger?
Impala prefer the more wooded parts of the savannah, which offer both cover from predators and shade in the summer heat. They stay within about 8 km of permanent water and are extremely common across the northern and eastern parts of South Africa, making them a certain sighting on any Kruger safari.
