Black faced Impala Hunting African Safaris

Black-faced Impala

(Aepyceros melampus petersi)

Current all time records
SCI: Score 67 7/8 - Namibia, Mount Etjo - 8/86
Rowland Ward: Score 26 3/4 - Grootfontein, Namibia - 1991

Description: The short, glossy coat has a reddish saddle over a light tan torso. The undersides are white, as are the rings around the eyes. The muzzle and chin are lighter in colour. There are black markings on the ear tips and three black stripes on the rump: two on the flanks and one down the tail. There are tufts of dark hair above the rear hoofs which give the impala its specific name. The lyre-shaped horns, found only in males, are "S"-shaped and slender. With strong ridges, they grow 45-92 cm / 18-37 inches long.

Other Common Names: Angolan Impala

Size:

Range: Namibia and Angola, but now hunted only out of private herds in Namibia; May - September.

Natural History: The impala is active throughout the 24-hour day, alternating resting and grazing, and drinking at least once a day. Herds have a home range of about 2-6 square kilometers. About 1/3 of adult males hold territories, which vary in size from 0.2-0.9 square kilometers. These territories are marked with urine and feces, and are defended against the intrusion of rival males. The owner of the territory attempts to control any female herds which wander into it. Prodigious leaps are the most well known feature of the impala's movement. Executed seemingly without effort, these jumps may span over 9 meters / 30 feet and may be 2.5 meters / 8 feet high - often over bushes and even other impala. Unlike many other plains grazers, the impala flees into dense vegetation rather than out into the open grassland. During the breeding season, males make a hoarse grunting sound.

Hunting Characteristics: