Hartebeest Species Profile: Coke's and Jackson's Hartebeest in East Africa

Hartebeest are not the first animals people photograph on safari, but they repay a closer look. With their long faces, high shoulders and odd, hooked horns, they have a comical, awkward appearance that hides one of the toughest and most enduring antelopes of the plains. They are often seen standing on termite mounds like sentries.

This profile explains how to identify the hartebeest, how it lives, and where to find it. It belongs to the same tribe of antelope as the wildebeest, and you can also read about the antelopes of Uganda.

This guide is part of our animals of Uganda and East Africa guide. When you are ready to plan, see our Uganda safari packages or the Ameera Africa Safaris Uganda tours homepage.

Identification

The hartebeest is a medium-large antelope with a long, narrow face, a sloping back that falls from high shoulders to lower hindquarters, and ringed horns carried by both sexes. The horns rise from a common base, bend sharply outward and then back, in a shape often compared to a pair of boomerangs or a hook. Coke's hartebeest has a tan coat with a paler rump, while Jackson's hartebeest is darker, with a rich brown body, black markings on the face and legs, and a pale rump patch. In Uganda, the form seen in the north is often called Jackson's, and it is sometimes treated as a close relative of the Lelwel hartebeest.

Habitat and Range

Hartebeest are animals of open and lightly wooded grassland, and they prefer areas where the grass is medium to tall. Coke's hartebeest is widespread in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania, with good numbers in the Masai Mara, Nairobi National Park and Hell's Gate. Jackson's is found in Uganda's Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley, and in western Kenya. They are less common than topi or wildebeest on the Mara plains, but they are persistent and visible.

Diet and Feeding

Hartebeest are grazers, feeding almost entirely on grass, and they prefer species of medium height. Their long muzzle lets them select leaves and avoid coarse stems, so they often feed behind the herds of zebra and wildebeest that crop the grass first. They graze mainly in the morning and late afternoon and rest and ruminate in the heat. They need to drink regularly when water is available, but can adapt to dry conditions better than many antelope.

Herd Life and the Termite Mound

Hartebeest live in herds made up of females and their young, with territorial males defending patches of ground that include prime grazing. A male marks his area with dung and by rubbing his face and horns on the ground. Males and bachelors often stand on termite mounds or other high points to scan for danger and to advertise their presence. If a predator approaches, the herd moves off in a rolling, rocking gallop. Hartebeest are known for their stamina, and are among the most enduring runners on the plains, a quality that makes them tough prey for lions and hyenas.

Calves and Breeding

Calves are born after a gestation of about eight months, often during the period when grass is at its best. A newborn lies hidden in the grass for its first days while the mother feeds nearby, and she returns to nurse it. The calf soon joins the herd, and young males are driven off by territorial bulls as they mature. Mortality among calves is high because of predators, which include lions, leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, wild dogs and large eagles. See the lion profile and the cheetah profile.

Threats and Conservation

Coke's and Jackson's hartebeest are listed as less threatened than some of their relatives, but numbers have fallen in unprotected areas because of hunting, loss of grassland to farming and competition with livestock. Some forms of hartebeest elsewhere in Africa, such as the hirola of the Kenya-Somalia border, are critically endangered, which shows how fragile the group can be. Safe grazing land and protection from poaching are the key. See responsible travel.

Photography and Related Species

A hartebeest on a termite mound against an early or late sky makes a classic image. Use a medium telephoto lens, a low viewpoint and light from behind the vehicle to bring out the red-brown coat. Look at the same time for zebra, warthog and topi, and consult game drives explained and safari photography tips for planning.

Planning a Uganda safari? Send us your dates and we will build the route, permits and transport around what you want to see.

Related Tours, Guides and Resources

• Ameera Africa Safaris homepage: Uganda safaris, tours and holidays
• Uganda safari packages
• Uganda travel guide
• How to book a Uganda safari
• Plan your safari with our team