Impalas are one of the most beautiful antelopes. Because they are light reddish brown in colour, their South African name is “Rooibok” (red buck). Impalas are about 1 metre in height and weigh about 65 kg. Only the rams have horns. Impalas can easily jump 3 metres into the air and can make amazingly tight turns. These techniques are often used to escape predators.

Like almost all other antelopes, impalas bear only one young per year.

Habitat
Impalas are found throughout southeastern Africa with large numbers of them inhabiting Zimbabwe. Impalas prefer living near water and usually among low-growing trees and scrub. They feed on both grass and leaves. During the dry season, they live in herds that sometimes include 200 animals. During the wet season, they are more widely distributed. Except for the mating season, the rams usually live apart from the group.

Hunting
Professional hunters are often used to hunt impalas during a drive hunt since the farmers feel that their numbers are too great. But the majority of impalas are not shot because the remaining herd must be bred further for the following hunting season.

Season
Although there are no real breeding or slaughtering seasons, the time for this is usually from April to August (the African winter). The supply of impala to Europe, however, is still small.

Meat
The meat of impala is a beautiful bright red and contains no visible marbling. Its meat is exceptionally tender and even the cuts from the hind quarters are very tender. The size of the cuts is between that of a Kudu and a Springbok.

Cuts
The meat of impala is sold as filets and cuts from the hind quarter. Naturally all meat is vacuum packed.