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The nyala is a beautiful medium-sized antelope with spiral horns and a shaggy coat. Safaris in the higher rainfall eastern parts of Southern Africa offer the best chance to spot these graceful antelope.
Need Advice?Males have dark brown coats with vertical white stripes down their sides and a white ridge of hair on their back. Their legs, from their knees down, are a spectacular red-brown color. They have slightly curled horns and big, white-lined ears. Females have light red-brown fur coats and vertical stripes down the sides.
Nyalas occur in the southeastern parts of Africa, primarily within northern South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi, and Swaziland. Populations were introduced to Namibia and Botswana recently. The southern and northern parts of the Kruger National park have the highest concentrations of nyala.
Their status is 'of least concern.' Their population falls mainly in protected areas such as the Kruger National park and the Umfolozi National Park in KwaZulu-Natal, an estimated 80%. In comparison, another 15% or so inhabit privately owned land. The numbers of nyala have recovered well in historically inhabited areas and those where they have been introduced, greatly thanks to conservation. Their current population is considered stable and consists of around 32 000 individuals.
Nyalas occur within habitats where their diet of leaves and fruits of woody plants, like trees or fine grass for grazing, is consistently available. They also require a. constant supply of water. Nyalas prefer dense forests, woodlands with scattered trees, or grassland areas. Several suitable habitats exist in the Kruger National Park where these antelope thrive. Habitats include the southern Lowveld with dense vegetation, grasslands around Satara rest camp, and the northern Pafuri region.
Nyalas herds are all female and calves, all males, or a mixture of both. Usually, maternal groups consist of closely related females led by a dominant female. Although male Nyalas sometimes form bachelor herds, they typically remain solitary. Mixed herds can consist of up to 10 members, all browsing and drinking water together. These antelope aren't territorial and do not have dominance disputes, with the breading season the exception. They live for up to 19 years in the wild.
We recommend the following National Parks and Private Reserves for the best chances of spotting the nyala on safari game drives and bush walks.
Nyalas are mainly active during the early hours of the day and later when the sun's reach over Africa fades, around late afternoon or early evening. It is to avoid the blistering heat during the middle of the day. They are frequently seen around water holes or dams, drinking. They are alternatively spotted eating high-quality foods such as fruits or pods in areas where water is scarce. They may be seen resting under trees or grooming themselves the rest of the day.
Their mating ritual starts when a bull approaches members of a female herd and displays the white crest of hair found on his back. Once he finds a suitable mate, they breed for 6 hours in every ovulation cycle. A gestation period of roughly seven months then ensues before birth. Female nyalas hide their young in thick vegetation for two months to protect them from predators when they are most vulnerable.
Lions, Leopards, spotted Hyenas, wild dogs, and crocodiles are the natural predators of the nyala. Young nyalas also fall prey to pythons, eagles, and jackal species. When threatened, they make a high-pitched barking sound to alert others before taking flight.
