Tragelaphus scriptus Shoulder height 70–80cm. Weight 30–45kg.
This attractive antelope, a member of the same genus as the kudu, is widespread throughout Africa and shows great regional variation in its colouring. (The animals found in sub-saharan Africa are often claimed to be a subspecies, the 'Chobe bushbuck' – though it seems likely that they're simply a colour variation of the main species.)

They occur in forest and riverine woodland, where they are normally seen singly or in pairs. The male is dark brown or chestnut, while the much smaller female is generally a pale reddish brown. The male has relatively small, straight horns and both sexes are marked with white spots and sometimes stripes, though the stripes are often indistinct.

Bushbuck tend to be secretive and very skittish, except when used to people – when they relax and become almost tame. They depend on cover and camouflage to avoid predators, and are often found in the thick, herby vegetation around rivers – and are the only solitary antelope in Africa which do not defend a territory. They will freeze if disturbed, before dashing off into the undergrowth. Bushbuck are both browsers and grazers, choosing the more succulent grass shoots, fruit and flowers. In Botswana they have a limited distribution around the Okavango, beside the Kwando-Linyanti and the Chobe. Look for them slowly picking their way through the thick bush near the water. (Serondella used to be a favourite spot, and the island on which Kwetsani stands had several fairly relaxed resident pairs when I last visited.)