Eland

(Taurotragus oryx)

lion
 

Shoulder height:

1.5-1.7m / 4.9-5.6ft

Weight:

450-900kg / 900-1 800lbs

Food:

Leaves and grass

Habitat:

Relatively open savannas north of the Olifants River

Social behaviour:

Generally in large herds of 10 or more animals

Active:

Mostly daytime

 

Sightings:

Very rare


Eland are not often seen in the Kruger National Park, despite their large size. They are a very shy antelope species that avoid people. In Kruger, they prefer the Mopane Shrubveld and Mopane/Bushwillow Woodlands ecozones. Both males and females have horns, but males are substantially larger. A big male eland can weigh almost a ton and is the largest antelope in Africa!


Back to main mammals page


How to find eland in the Kruger National Park:

Stay at these camps:
Shingwedzi
Mopani
Letaba
Punda Maria

Drive these roads:
H1-7 tar road
S143 gravel road
S50 gravel road (south)
S61 gravel road
H9 tar road

Top tips:
Don't search for eland south of the Olifants River; they are most common in the mopaneveld north of that.

Look for eland in the vicinity of Tihongonyeni Waterhole on the S143.

Also try the Klopperfontein area north-east of Punda Maria.

Remember to record your eland sightings in the rare antelope books found at reception of most camps.



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