Nyala, or tragelaphus angasii, are spiral-horned antelope typically found in dense woodlands and thickets, sometimes confused with Kudu. These noctural animals are considered to be the most sexually dimorphic antelope a condition where males and females of the same species exhibit differences in appearance such as size, colour, shape, and structure. Males can grow up to 110 cm in height and feature curved horns and magnificent dark colouring, often with a blue tinge. Females, on the other hand, elegant and slender, only grow to 90 cm tall and boast reddish-brown coats.

During mating season the males fluff up all their hair and put on a magnificent show to get the attention from the females. We’re now one of the few places in the Western Cape where you can see nyala.

Impalas (aepyceros melampus) are medium-sized antelope found throughout eastern and southern Africa. Best known for their distinctive leaps that help them avoid predators, they can be observed in female herds, bachelor herds and groups of territorial males. Towards the end of the wet season, over a period of three weeks, rutting males fight for dominance and the victorious male courts females in heat.

Guests will hear lots of new bush noises from the impala; sharp blowing noises when alerted and males rutting in the breeding season. Not only are impala lovely to look at, they are also good breeders and will help to balance out the carnivores that utilise some of the antelope and gazelle on the reserve.

These graceful antelope have settled in nicely, so much so that our first nyala and impala calves have been born! Nyala have a gestation period of around seven months, and calves lie out for 10 – 18 days before joining their mothers to forage.

Impalas, on the other hand, have a gestation period of six to seven months and fawns are suckled for up to six months old. Even more exciting is the fact that our first impala born at Melozhori Private Game Reserve was a black impala! Black impalas are not a subspecies but rather a rare colour phase of the Southern Impala.

These graceful antelope have settled in nicely, so much so that our first Nyala and Impala calves have been born! Nyala have a gestation period of around seven months, and calves lie out for 10 – 18 days before joining their mothers to forage.

Impalas, on the other hand, have a gestation period of six to seven months and fawns are suckled for up to six months old. Even more exciting is the fact that our first impala born at Melozhori Private Game Reserve was a black impala! Black impalas are not a subspecies but rather a rare colour phase of the Southern Impala.

Melozhori Private Game Reserve is conveniently situated less than 200km from Cape Town, near Bonnievale. We offer three accommodations on the reserve: an expansive exclusive-use lodge, a self-catering cottage and two romantic Eco-Pods. Along with impala and nyala, we are also home to an array of wildlife such as giraffe, sable, bontebok, zebra, eland, waterbuck, kudu and bushbuck. View our rates and get in touch to view availability or book your stay. We can’t wait to welcome you to our private pocket of paradise!