Updated
The bushbuck is a medium-sized antelope with a chestnut to dark brown coat marked with white spots and stripes, and males have short, spiralled horns. It is one of the most widespread antelopes in Uganda, living in thickets, forest edges and riverine bush in almost every park, from Queen Elizabeth and Murchison to Lake Mburo, Kibale and Bwindi.
Habits
Bushbucks are mostly solitary, though females may be seen with young. They browse leaves, shoots, flowers and fruit, and stay close to cover. When disturbed they freeze, then bound away, and they give a loud bark as an alarm. Males can be surprisingly aggressive when cornered and have injured dogs and people with their sharp horns.
Where they live
Bushbucks need dense vegetation to hide in, so they are found along rivers, in thickets and at forest edges rather than open plains. At Mweya in Queen Elizabeth some are used to people and graze near lodges. In Bwindi and Kibale they are shy but sometimes seen on trails.
Where to see it
Look at the edges of thickets on morning and evening game drives, and around Mweya. The gorilla permit costs US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November. See our guides to Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo, the sitatunga and the Uganda kob.
Frequently asked questions
In most parks, especially along thickets and around Mweya in Queen Elizabeth.
No, only males have horns.
Leaves, shoots, flowers and fruit.
Males can be aggressive if cornered, so give them space.
