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I am also in Shingwedzi one of these days and hope for the same. In all my years of visiting the park I have only seen Roan on three occasions. First time was at Ngwenyeni on the S131 between Phalaborwa and Letaba. Second time was at Erfplaas on the H9 (also between Phalaborwa and Letaba). The last ones I saw in Kruger was on the S56 (Mphongolo Road) north of Shingwedzi. But this all happened many, many moons ago.

Stoffel - seen last week , grazing in quite deep shade ,near Shawu And as mentioned , when he bolted and ran , he was accompanied by two Eland .
Good luck

Tropic of capricorn loop.
The waterhole towards the southern end of that loop is the best spot for Roan, Tsessebe and Eland.

We saw all three there on an afternoon drive three weeks ago.

Thanks for the information - much appreciated!

Cheers

Owen

I'll keep my eyes open Okie. I have seen Eland on 3 occasions in Kruger. Many years ago (early 80's) I saw a small group of Eland in the vicinity of Mestel Dam. I could not believe my eyes as I was under the impression that Eland is only way up north. When I mentioned it tp the official at Numbi Gate, I was told that a small group of Eland (captured in the north) was released in the south as an experiment to see whether they would settle in the south or move north again. I don't know what the outcome of this experiment was.

In 1994 I saw 2 Eland on the H9 between the S131 and H14 junctions. And a year later I saw 3 Eland on the H1-4 between the S90 and S127 junctions. That was the last Eland I saw in the park.

Tsessebe was seen on 5 occasions between 1987 and 2010. The furthest south I have ever seen Tsessebe was on the H10 near the turn-off to Mlondozi Dam

Ho Owen,

I hope the best for you but it's definately on my 'wishinglist'. We have visited the north many times but never seen Roan in Kruger. Tsessebe and Eland yes, but Roan....
Hope you have more luck than we had..

Ruud

Owen

Last year September, we saw Sable Antelope and Eland North of Punda Maria on the way to Pafuri, close to the Nkovakulu waterhole.

Will be in that area again beginning June 2012.

Len

Tropic of Capricorn Loop (S143).
We were waiting at N'wamba Pan for something interesting to happen when one came along.

Yes its Tropic of Capricorn loop. We also came across a herd of Roan there, including 2 calfs with their magnificent alsmost dumbo like ears.

But if Roan antelope are a priority , one day when you get the chance go to Nyika national Park in malawi. It will remind you of Yorkshire, ecept intead of sheep Roan antelop roam the hills and bathe in the streams. Our best roan shots come from there. Have a peep at our mammal portfolio at www.africaraw.com.

But its a long way to go and it cannot match the Kruger in any other way.

Hmmm... Since this is Sanparks forum , let's stay with it , and in that case , why not visit Mokala , which, besides being a great park , have Roan , Tsessebe , black Wildebeest , etc .

Interesting to note that according to the 2009/2010 SANParks Conservation Service report the numbers in Kruger for Roan Antelope were only 90 and for Sable Antelope only 290.

Len

We saw plenty roan antelope on the S145 around Fairfield waterhole a few years back. And on the tropic of capricorn loop. Sable were scarce and we only saw a group of 6 on S 41 near the turnoff to S90. Beautiful animals and I wish you lots of luck in being at the right place at the right time.

I am amazed. I never thought they wander as far south as that. Lucky you!!

If I have to put a value to every animal, my personal value of scarce species, like roan and sable, will be much higher than any of the predators or other so-called "Big 5" animals. Since keeping detailed record of all sightings in Kruger (since 1987) I have not seen a single roan - previous three sightings were before '87.

And a total of 23 roan was seen (all during the same visit in 1993) on three different sightings - between Nkuhlu and the N'watimhiri Causeway, on the H1-2 (just north of the H12 junction) and on the S90 near Mavumbye.

I'd love to find any (if not both) of the mentioned species during my coming trip.

I am going to merge this topic Here shortly where there is lots of extra info available.

I agree with Bucky - we saw Roan, Eland and Tsessebe on the Tropic of Capricorn Loop.