Impala
(Aepyceros Melampus)
- Height 100cm
- Weight 60kg
- Breeding Lambing season end October/November
- Gestation 6 1/2 – 7 Months
- Longevity 12 years, but more in captivity
Impala are the most numerous antelope in the park. They are mixed feeders and eat mainly grass in the wet season and in the dry season they are found to be into browsing.
The Sausage Tree (Kigelia Africana) is one of the most popular trees
in the South Luangwa Valley. This due to the fruits and 
flowers,
which the animals love. Impala will spend large amounts of time
staying under these trees picking up all the falling flowers that
drop to the ground.
Impala have a well defined lambing season, starting the end of October and the following weeks sees nearly every mature ewe being followed by their new born baby.
During the rutting period the males are very noisy emitting loud grunting sounds whilst they fight and display, in the process of sorting out their hierarchy, terminating in the dominant male taking over a harem of over twenty or more ewes.
An Impala colouring is in three distinct horizontal bands: a glossy reddish brown from the spine to the upper flanks, then a much paler brown on the flanks themselves, which finally changes to white on the belly. There are clear black stripes on the rump and a tuft of black hair on the rear legs above the ankles.
Only the males have horns, which are ridged for much of their length and are shaper like a lyre.
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