Artiodactyla in Zambia

Impala are very elegant looking antelopes. They have antlers that are not oversized and elegantly sweep backwards, and distinctive black stripes on their hind quarters. They are very common in Zambia- one of the most common antelope.

They also have a hidden scent gland under the black tufts of hair near the ankles on the back legs- visible in this picture.

The scent glands are even more visible in this picture. Another feature is the quick transition from brown to tan, and then to the white underbelly.

Impalas best defense are its confusing ability to zigzag when running from a predator, along with it's ability to jump very high and over barriers that might give it some distance from its pursuer.

The puku is another beautiful antelope with a nice set of elegantly curving and spiral antlers. They are not common outside Zambia and Malawi.

There are found mostly in marshy grasslands, the main source of their food.

Puku were very common in the South Luangwa National Park area, and we saw a lot of them, both inside and outside the park area.

In the park on one of our safari trips, we saw these two bucking horns, probably a territorial fight, as each male controls a territory and mates with the females in that territory, though the females are free to roam wherever they want.

This picture was taken at Wildlife Camp, where we stayed while in the South Luangwa area. That is the Luangwa River in the background, and these puku frequented the river to drink and eat the nearby grasses.

At Mfuwe Lodge, in the National Park, we spotted a lot of wildlife. They have a great viewing deck, and these puku were grazing in the river's floodplain on the short vegetation that was growing there.


We saw a few warthogs wherever we went- not a lot, but they weren't rare. They are related to pigs and possibly camels, as they are very water conserving and can exist for months without it. This fellow was in South Luangwa National Park.


Roxie is the name of this warthog. She adopted the family that opened Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust for Zambian schoolchildren. They live onsite, and Roxie hangs around and acts more or less like a family dog. That's my wife in the picture on the right petting Roxie.

Waterbuck (Common)

Species: Kobus ellipsiprymnus ellipsiprymnus
Height: 50" (1.3 m)
Weight: up to 330-500 lbs (150-230 kg)

Although it's called a waterbuck, they primarily live on dry land. They will take refuge in water to escape predators, and their coat has a greasy secretion that repels water.

The Common Waterbuck has several dramatic features- long, beautiful antlers, and distinctive white marks near each eye, and a white ring on the rump.

The males are the ones with the nice set of antlers. We saw this one on our walking safari.

Also, during our walking safari, we saw this female waterbuck. Though missing the antlers, you can tell it's a waterbuck by the white markings around the eyes.