Duikers are small antelopes that live in forest and thick bush across Africa. They are shy, mostly solitary and quick to disappear, so many visitors never see one. Tanzania has several species, including Abbott’s duiker, which lives nowhere else on Earth.
Duikers at a glance
| Group | Small to medium antelopes |
| Name | From the Afrikaans for “diver” |
| Habitat | Forest, thicket, bushland |
| Diet | Leaves, fruit, flowers, seeds; sometimes insects or eggs |
| Behaviour | Shy, often solitary or in pairs |
Why “diver”?
When startled, a duiker dashes into cover with its head low, as if diving into the bush. Their rounded backs, short front legs and small horns help them push through dense vegetation.
What duikers eat
Most duikers eat leaves, shoots, fallen fruit and flowers, often following monkeys and birds to pick up fruit they drop. Unusually for antelopes, some duikers also eat insects, eggs and even small animals now and then.
Duiker species in Tanzania
| Species | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Common (bush) duiker | Savanna and bushland across the country | The one most often seen on safari |
| Harvey’s (red) duiker | Forests and thickets | Reddish coat, shy |
| Blue duiker | Coastal and mountain forest | One of the smallest antelopes |
| Abbott’s duiker | Eastern Arc mountain forests | Found only in Tanzania; endangered |
| Aders’ duiker | Zanzibar and coastal forest | Critically endangered |
Abbott’s duiker
Abbott’s duiker is one of the largest duikers, dark in colour with a reddish crest between short horns. It lives only in a handful of Tanzanian mountain forests, including Kilimanjaro, the Usambaras, the Ulugurus and the Udzungwa Mountains. It is endangered because of habitat loss and hunting, and it is so shy that much of what is known comes from camera traps. Trekkers on Kilimanjaro occasionally find signs of it in the forest zone.
Aders’ duiker
This small, reddish duiker lives in coastal forest, with populations on Zanzibar. It is one of Africa’s most threatened antelopes. Conservation efforts on Zanzibar include protected forest areas such as Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park.
Where to look for duikers
- Common duiker: bushy edges in Tarangire, the Serengeti and Arusha National Park, at dawn and dusk.
- Forest duikers: Kilimanjaro’s forest zone, Arusha National Park and the Usambara and Udzungwa mountains.
- Zanzibar: Jozani Forest, though sightings are rare.
Tips for spotting
- Look along the edges of thickets early and late in the day.
- Move quietly on forest walks.
- Ask guides about recent signs such as tracks and droppings.
More antelopes
For the full picture, read our guide to antelopes and gazelles in Tanzania. For forest wildlife on Zanzibar, see colobus monkeys and our Zanzibar Beach Week.
Frequently asked questions
It comes from the Afrikaans word for “diver”, after the way duikers dive into thick bush when disturbed.
Only in Tanzania, in forests of a few mountain ranges such as Kilimanjaro, the Usambaras, the Ulugurus and the Udzungwa Mountains.
Not usually. The common duiker is sometimes seen in bushy areas at dawn or dusk. Forest species are shy and rarely seen by visitors.
