Mammals Most active at dawn and dusk

Impala

Aepyceros melampus

iNaturalist Wikipedia

The impala is the ultimate savanna acrobat, famous for its gravity-defying leaps and elegant lyre-shaped horns. A master of adaptation, this social antelope thrives where grass and woodland meet.

36 Sightings

8 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

Shoulder height: 70–92 cm (28–36 in); Weight: 40–65 kg (88–143 lb)

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Colors

Glossy reddish-brown coat with tan flanks and a white underbelly; distinctive black vertical stripes on the tail and thighs.

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Key Features

Slender, lyre-shaped horns on males up to 92 cm long
Black 'M' marking on the rump
Scent glands covered by tufts of black hair on the back of the hind legs
Large, alert ears and dark, liquid eyes

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Most active at dawn and dusk

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Peak hours 6-10 AM, 4-7 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet A versatile 'mixed feeder' that switches between grazing on green grasses and browsing on leaves, shoots, and seedpods depending on the season.

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Habitat Savannas, open woodlands, and acacia scrub, typically remaining within a few kilometers of a permanent water source.

Sightings on EverydayEarth

African Animals - Watering Hole · Laikipia North, Laikipia County

Apr 8, 2026

A small herd of impala is visible in the distance, moving through a lush woodland clearing. They walk across the green grass near a dirt track, occasionally pausing to graze as they traverse the landscape from right to left.

African Animals

Apr 8, 2026

A group of impalas is foraging in a dense, shrubby landscape. A male with distinctive lyre-shaped horns is visible among the herd. The animals appear alert, occasionally pausing their grazing to scan the surroundings as the wind blows through the vegetation.

Tau Waterhole

Apr 8, 2026

A vibrant morning scene at the waterhole shows a variety of wildlife grazing in the lush grasslands. Several Plains Zebras are spread across the field, while a male Impala with distinctive curved horns grazes prominently in the center of the frame. Near the water's edge on the left, a Grey Heron stands perfectly still, waiting for potential prey.

Nkorho Bush Lodge

Apr 8, 2026

A male impala rests on the grassy bank above a waterhole, occasionally turning its head to survey the surroundings. Its reflection is visible in the still water in the foreground.

African Safari

Apr 7, 2026

A male impala grazes peacefully in a lush, green woodland clearing. It keeps its head down to feed on the grass, occasionally pausing to scratch its neck with a hind leg before lifting its head to survey the surroundings.

African Safari

Apr 7, 2026

A group of three impalas grazes on the lush green grass in a woodland clearing, moving calmly around a large fallen tree trunk near the water's edge.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Impala Live?

The impala is a quintessential resident of Eastern and Southern Africa, spanning a wide arc from Kenya and Uganda down through Tanzania, Zambia, and into South Africa. They are incredibly common in core conservation areas like the Serengeti and the Kruger National Park, though the unique black-faced subspecies is restricted to the arid border regions of Namibia and Angola. Unlike many migratory species, impala are generally sedentary, remaining in the same general territory as long as water is available.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

9 Countries

3.5M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

ZA South Africa TZ Tanzania KE Kenya BW Botswana ZW Zimbabwe ZM Zambia NA Namibia MZ Mozambique UG Uganda

Elevation range

0 m1,000 m2,000 m4,000 m

Sea level – 1,700 m

eco

iNaturalist / Verified observation data

View on iNaturalist open_in_new

Recorded on EverydayEarth

location_on uMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal

16 sightings

location_on Laikipia North, Laikipia County

1 sightings

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Behavior

Impala are highly social animals that live in organized herds. Their social structure changes with the seasons; during the wet months, dominant males defend large territories to secure breeding rights with female herds, while other males form bachelor groups. During the dry season, these groups often merge into massive aggregate herds to better locate dwindling food and water sources.

Known as the 'athletes of the savanna,' impala are famous for their incredible leaping ability. When startled, they can leap over 3 meters (10 feet) into the air and cover distances of 10 meters (33 feet) in a single bound. This behavior, known as 'stotting' or 'pronking,' is thought to confuse predators like lions, leopards, and wild dogs while signaling the impala's high fitness level.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

To capture high-quality footage of impala, position your camera near a permanent water source or a well-used game trail. Impala are water-dependent and usually drink at least once a day, typically during the heat of the afternoon when predators are less active. Set your camera at a height of approximately 1 meter (3-4 feet) to ensure you capture the full body profile, including the distinctive black markings on their hind legs and the impressive horns of the males.

Because impala are incredibly fast and prone to sudden, explosive movements, a camera with a fast trigger speed (0.3 seconds or faster) is essential. If you are using video mode, set a high frame rate to capture their graceful leaps without motion blur. Impala are also very vocal; setting your camera to record audio can help you capture the loud, snorting 'alarms' they give when they sense a predator nearby.

During the rutting season, which usually peaks around May, look for open 'leks' or clearings where males engage in territorial displays. This is the best time to capture dramatic social interactions, including horn-clashing and 'roaring' displays. Using a 'no-glow' or 'black' infrared flash is recommended, as these antelopes are highly alert and may be spooked by the faint red glow of standard IR LEDs, potentially ruining the natural behavior you want to document.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Impala.

Springbok

Smaller with a white face and a dark brown stripe along the flank; lacks the 'M' marking on the rump.

Grant's Gazelle

Features a white patch on the rump that extends above the tail; horns are typically larger and more outward-curving.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Impala are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the cooler hours of dawn and dusk. They spend the hot midday hours resting in the shade and may continue to graze or move during moonlit nights to avoid detection by nocturnal predators.

If you live in an African eco-estate or rural area, you can attract impala by maintaining a healthy patch of natural grazing grass and providing a consistent, clean water source. They are also highly attracted to salt licks and the fallen seedpods of acacia trees.

Impala are mixed feeders. During the rainy season, they primarily graze on fresh green grasses. As the grass dries out in the winter, they transition to browsing on the leaves, shoots, and pods of shrubs and trees.

Yes, in parts of South Africa and East Africa, impala are frequently seen in suburban 'green belts,' golf courses, and residential eco-estates where they have become habituated to a human presence.

Check the rump and face: Impala have a distinctive black 'M' marking on their tail/rump and a solid reddish face. Springbok have a white face with a dark stripe through the eye and a dark horizontal stripe along their flanks.

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