Eland

The eland is the largest antelope in southern Africa, combining exceptional size with a surprisingly graceful and enduring stride. Its sandy-coloured coat, distinctive shoulder dewlap and spiralling horns give it an imposing yet elegant appearance. Eland are well adapted to arid scrubland, grassland and woodland, making them particularly relevant to the varied environments of the Karoo and South Africa’s semi-arid interior.

Hunting eland across the Karoo landscape can involve covering considerable ground and interpreting signs of recent movement. Despite their size, eland are capable of moving with remarkable speed and stamina, and a herd that has been disturbed may travel a substantial distance before settling again. Their excellent eyesight and awareness of their surroundings make a patient approach important, particularly in open terrain where movement is easily detected. Their size also makes accurate identification, careful shot placement and responsible follow-up especially important. Encountering an eland in its natural surroundings is an impressive experience, and pursuing this remarkable antelope highlights the scale, endurance and unpredictability of South Africa’s larger plains game.