Hunting the Saddle-Back Impala

The saddle-back impala is a color variant of the common impala (Aepyceros melampus). The impala is a common and popular target when African plains game hunting in South Africa.

These colored impala are not a subspecies, but rather color variants that have been bred on South African game farms employing selective breeding methods.

There are four impala color variants:

• Black impala
• White-flanked impala
• Saddle-back impala

South Africa has abundant wildlife, and the best location to target color variants of the impala when hunting in South Africa is the famous Limpopo province. The conservation status of the impala is listed by the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as least concern. 

These herbivores browse the plains, grazing on a selection of shrubs and leaves. Impala thrive in habitats of woodlands with some trees, grasslands, and savannas. Grassy regions with plenty of vegetation allow them to hide from predators such as cheetahs, lions, hyenas, and leopards.