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Personally I think the best time in Kruger is the end of November.
Sure, it is hot as the hinges of hell - even the vultures have to cool off,



but it is so worth it. The impalas drop their lambs and they are the CUTEST! You should look out for the creches.
Around four in the afternoon they are put down for compulsory rest, and the ewes stand guard at the corners.



This next lamb must have been dropped probably just that very minute, for the two of them were alone on a side road. Look at them keeping watch through this succession of photographs.













This mom we found traipsing down the right side of the road, staring intently across the road into the bushes.
We thought she had spotted a predator, but she was only looking for her hidden lamb - because it was tea-time!



You will see lots of little babies, but do try and resist popping one into the boot!





And my personal favourite miniature...



I think he suddenly realised his mom wasn't close enough, so he quickly made tracks.



In the next frame he drew up his upper lip and gave me a Kruger-class smile - but I'm not including it - I have private copyright; a one in a million photo (check my avator for a hint).

That is one of many myths you find regarding nature.

It is a biological impossibility for an antelope to keep her young for two weeks longer inside her womb. She would not be able to give birth, because the fawn would have grown too large. Many females would die!

The time when the young are born, is dictated by the time of the rut. This does differ from year to year by up to two weeks, since it is triggered by the moon cycle.

Thanks imberbe! Very interesting, i had also heard that before , cant remember where though the only difference is that i was told that they could ''knyp'' for a whole month

Thus a 'rural myth'? Oddesy, you didn't perhaps also hear it from a game ranger on a game drive? I suppose it makes sense about the moon. I suppose whatever causes it, it's an involuntary reflex - nature looking after its own.

Thanks Imberbe - I ve always been puzzled about this knyping thing. I wonder what our chances are of seeing the fawns - we are booked in at Satara from 23 to 27 November. I really really hope I we not to early. Every year we just miss it. After a lot of nagging and a strategic long lip I have convinced my husband that we MUST take a trip in November. I most certainly wont be popular if the Impala "knyp" till December. Anyone like to predict?.

I saw fawns last year on 15 Nov in the south - and know some had been reported being seen in the north as well.

Hi Ingrid, We are specially going later this month especially to see all the babies. This will be our firsat time in November. We won't be camping at KP this time as we will be at Sanbonani. But we will drive in every day. We usually camp in August but could not wait till next August so we decided to time share in November & the camp in April next year. Waiting 12 months to go back is just far too long for us. We are in need of a KP "Fix" Lets hope we see many "little ones"

How

I was told that the peak of the rutting season is usually at full moon.

Thanks Freda - and how long are they preggie for? (Guess who is calculating our chances of seeing fawns week after next )

194 - 200 days gestation period

My calculation says babies due any day soon

Whoo hoo - thanks Freda! Holding thumbs!

21/11/2007:

Impala are short-day breeders, with a restricted mating season in autumn. Studies in Zimbabwe showed that the peak of the rut varied by twenty days in five years. The timing is influenced by the lunar cycle, as most mating take place between the two full moons in May.

Ive just called a friend who lives in Skukuza - he says that Skukuza has had some rain and that the Impala start lambing from the last week in November.
I then called Satara Reception - the lady there said that it had rained two days ago and there seems to be a possibility of rain for today. She also said that the Impala usually lamb after the first good rain.
Well between the moon and the rain I hope they lamb by the last week in Nov. - cant bare the thought of missing it again (will be in Satara 23 - 27 Nov.)

Apparently when the first lambs are seen, the rangers send out an email, and we have been promised to be told once this email goes out