Zambezi Kudu

There are two kinds of kudu (Tragelaphus): the lesser kudu (Tragelaphus imberbis) and the greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros). A recent taxonomic revision has named four species of greater kudu:  (1) Cape kudu (T. s. strepsiceros) found in south central South Africa; (2) northern kudu (T. s. chora) found in eastern Sudan through Ethiopia and Kenya; (3) western kudu (T. s. cottoni) found in southeastern Chad, western Sudan, and northern CAR; and (4) Zambezi kudu (T. s. Zambesienis) found in Tanzania, northern South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Zambia, Mozambique and eastern DR Congo. We saw the Zambezi kudu in Etosha NP in Namibia, primarily, and a few in Hwange NP in Zimbabwe. 

This male kudu at Okaukuejo waterhole in Etosha exhibits the white chevron between the eyes, the twisted horns and head darker than the rest of the body. 

Also at Okaukuejo, this photo shows the mane on the neck. 

These females at Halili waterhole in Etosha provide examples of the vertical stripes. Each has a different number of stripes - I count between 7 and 11 on each one. 

This is a beautiful and majestic antelope that I was thrilled to see and wished we'd seen more of than we did. 

These kudus were seen near Rietfontein waterhole in Etosha. We got to watch them for quite a while as they wandered in separately and walked around. 

It is one of the largest species of antelope. The coat ranges from reddish brown to brown/bluish gray. The head is darker than the rest of the body. They have 4 to 12 vertical white stripes along their torso and a white chevron between the eyes. Bulls have manes along the bottom of their throat and horns with 2 1/2 twists. 

It appears to have a white strip along a little ridge mane along the center of the back. 

The inside of the ears appears to be a rust red. 

It appears to have more white on the face: on the chin and near the jaw.