About the Tsessebe
The tsessebe is a medium-sized, highly athletic antelope native to southern and central Africa. Widely considered one of the continent’s fastest antelope species, these sleek grazers can reach astonishing speeds of up to 56 mph.
Physically, the tsessebe is distinguished by a distinctive, high-shouldered profile with a sloping back. They feature a rich chestnut-brown coat that displays a striking purplish-metallic sheen in the sun, dark facial markings, and uniquely crescent-shaped horns found on both sexes. They prefer open grasslands and lightly wooded savannas where they can easily spot danger and utilize their incredible stamina to outrun predators.
Tsessebes are highly social animals that gather in small herds, often led by a dominant male, and are frequently found grazing alongside other plains wildlife like zebra and wildebeest. As grazers, they are particularly selective, highly favoring young, fresh grass shoots and are often among the first animals to migrate into areas following a bushfire to forage on the new growth.
Description of the Tsessebe
- Size and Weight: Typically measures 59 to 90 inches in length, standing about 43 to 51 tall at the shoulder. Males weigh around 300 lbs., while females are slightly lighter at about 260 lbs.
- Coloration: The upper body is a deep, reddish-chestnut brown, offset by purplish splotches on the shoulders and hind legs. The face, upper legs, and tail tuft are marked with distinctive black patches. The lower hind legs are yellowish-brown, and the belly is light tan.
- Horns: Both sexes carry ringed, lyre-shaped horns. When viewed from the front, these horns form a distinct half-moon or “spherical” profile. Male horns are generally heavier and measure up to 15 inches, whereas females average about 13 to 14 inches.
Tsessebe Species / Subspecies
- Common Tsessebe: The nominate subspecies found in southern Africa, including Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
- Bangweulu Tsessebe: Found primarily in the Bangweulu Swamps of northern Zambia.
- Topi: Highly social, often found in the savannas and floodplains of East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda).
- Coastal Topi: Found in localized coastal areas in East Africa.
- Tiang: Found in the Sahel region, spreading across Sudan, Chad, and the Central African Republic.
- Korrigum: Found in West and Central Africa (e.g., Nigeria, Cameroon, and Senegal).
Suitable Weapons
Rifles chambered from the 6.5 mm to .30 calibers work well for the hartebeest species.
Hunting Area
Tsessebe hunting is available in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Zambia.
