Antelopes are the most varied group of large mammals on a Tanzanian safari. They range from dik-diks the size of a small dog to eland heavier than many cattle. Gazelles are one group within the antelopes. Learning to tell them apart makes every game drive more interesting.
Antelope or gazelle?
All gazelles are antelopes, but not all antelopes are gazelles. Gazelles are slender, fast and usually live in open country. Other antelopes include impala, eland, kudu, wildebeest and many more. Antelopes are not deer: their horns are permanent and never shed.
Gazelles
| Species | How to recognise | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Thomson’s gazelle | Small, black side stripe, constantly flicking tail | Serengeti plains, Ngorongoro |
| Grant’s gazelle | Larger, white rump extends above the tail, longer horns | Serengeti, Tarangire, dry plains |
| Gerenuk | Very long neck; stands on hind legs to feed | Dry bush in Tarangire’s south and Mkomazi |
Common antelopes on the northern circuit
| Species | How to recognise | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Impala | Reddish, black “M” on the rump; males have lyre-shaped horns | Woodland edges everywhere |
| Wildebeest | Dark, bearded, cow-like | Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire |
| Topi | Glossy reddish with dark patches; stands on termite mounds | Serengeti |
| Hartebeest (kongoni) | Long face, sloping back, bracket-shaped horns | Serengeti, Tarangire |
| Eland | Largest antelope; spiral horns, dewlap | Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Tarangire |
| Waterbuck | Shaggy coat, white ring on the rump | Near water |
| Bohor reedbuck | Medium, pale, near long grass and marshes | Serengeti, Ngorongoro |
| Kirk’s dik-dik | Tiny, large eyes, lives in pairs | Thick bush, Tarangire, Serengeti |
| Klipspringer | Small, stands on rocks on tiptoe | Serengeti kopjes, rocky hills |
Antelopes of the south and dry country
- Greater kudu: large, with spiral horns and white stripes. Ruaha.
- Lesser kudu: smaller and shy. Ruaha, Tarangire, Mkomazi.
- Sable antelope: black, with long curved horns. Ruaha, Nyerere.
- Roan antelope: large, with a tufted face. Ruaha, western parks.
- Fringe-eared oryx: straight horns, bold face markings. Tarangire, Mkomazi.
- Puku and sitatunga: wetlands in western Tanzania.
Forest antelopes
Small forest antelopes, including several duikers and the suni, live in Tanzania’s mountain and coastal forests. They are shy and rarely seen. Read our guide to duikers in Tanzania.
How antelopes avoid predators
- Speed: gazelles and impalas can outrun most predators over distance.
- Pronking: Thomson’s gazelles bounce stiff-legged to show predators they are fit.
- Group vigilance: herds have many eyes watching.
- Hiding: dik-diks and duikers freeze or dive into cover.
- Mixed herds: antelopes graze alongside zebras and giraffes for early warning.
Where to see the most variety
The Serengeti and Tarangire give the widest range in the north. Ruaha adds kudu, sable and roan. The Northern Loop covers the classic northern species, and Nyerere & Ruaha adds the southern ones. Read animals in the Serengeti for the full picture.
Frequently asked questions
Gazelles are a group within the antelopes. All gazelles are antelopes, but many antelopes, such as impala, eland and kudu, are not gazelles.
Yes. Wildebeest are antelopes, closely related to hartebeest and topi.
Kirk’s dik-dik, which stands only about 30–40 cm at the shoulder and lives in pairs in thick bush.
