Kenya DeFassa Waterbuck

More about Kenya DeFassa Waterbuck. There are 2 forms of Waterbuck, Kobus ellipsiprymnus, found in Kenya. The Northern or DeFassa Waterbuck has a whitish rump while the Southern Common Waterbuck has a large white ring on its rump (or, as it was once described to us "a target painted on its bum"!).

They are stout and strongly built with a rough coat. They have sweat glands across their whole body and these produce a waterproofing fluid which coats the whole body.

They mainly eat grass but will also browse on leaves, buds, shoots etc.

We particularly like walking through the woods around Lake Naivasha where you can pass alongside small groups of Kenya DeFassa Waterbuck grazing in the dappled light, the combination of colouring and their apparently large, liquid eyes is very peaceful.