Described as one of the most beautiful destinations in the Eastern Cape, the self catering accommodation at Oribi Haven on Kasouga Farm offers true tranquillity, a taste of farm and country living, undisturbed game viewing and the most spectacular beach in the world.

Oribi (Ourebia ourebi, Zimmermann, 1783) is categorized as an endangered species according to the Red Data Book of Mammals. The total South African population is predicted to be almost 2 500 of which we believe the Eastern Cape has about 900 with 97% of these on privately owned farmland and only 3% on game reserves. The Oribi is the largest of the smallest antelope and is on average about 14kg – 20kg, with an average height of 60cm. The female is slighter larger than the male and only the males have horns (average length of 12-15cm). Young are born throughout the year, with a peak in births during the warm months from September to February. The gestation period is 210 days (7 months) and a single kid, weighing 1.6 – 2.5kg. Kids are concealed in long grass for the first 3-4 months after birth, females only return to suckle the young, after which they join the family group. After 6 months it is difficult to see from afar whether it is an adult or not. Birth intervals are 7 –9 months. Males are sexually mature at 14 months and females attain sexual maturity at 7 months, yet remain with the group for a further 7 months (about 14 months). Young Males leave the group at about 7 months. Longevity is approximately 13 years.

Oribi occurred along the coastal regions from Humansdorp, Eastern Cape in open grassland and ranges right up into the Drakensberg. It is widely distributed across open grasslands of Africa, South of the Sahara where it prefers short, open grassland for grazing with patches of tall grass cover, Oribi occur solitarily, in pairs or small family groups with the males defending a year round territory of one or two females. Oribi tend to remain in one home range throughout the year & show an attachment to an area that does not overlap with other home ranges. The Oribi is extremely territorial. The male oribi establishes his territory by means of gland secretions (pre-orbital glands), which is a black secretion deposited on a stem of grass and dung heaps.

While running it will every now and then jump into the air holding its head and shoulders higher than the rest of the body. The jump allows the oribi to scan the area ahead. It rarely runs further than 200 meters before stopping, turning & facing the area behind it. If not pursued it will usually lie down. They have a peculiar gait and when alarmed utter a sharp whistle. Oribi are grazers.

In a research on Kasouga Farm – from February to September 2006, Oribi were found to be monogamous.

In 1981 the Conservation section of the Dias Divisional Council (later ARSC) & Western District Council)(Namely Mr Peter Coetzee, Mr. Don Long & Mr. Alan Stephenson) realized the Oribi was on the decline in the Eastern Cape. With close cooperation of farmers, several measures were put in place to ensure farmers & the public was made aware of the plight of Oribi and Roundhill Oribi Reserve outside Bathurst was started. All credit must go to the above gentlemen & Dias Divisional Council, as they made the public and the farmers aware of the situation.

Thanks also to Karen van Tylingen (now Kirkman) and Glynnis Humphrey for their work on the Oribi. In 1981 Kowie Kariega Conservancy had a total of 124 Oribi of which Jeff Currie of Kasouga Farm had 14 Oribi. 2006 Kowie Kariega Conservancy had a total of 791 Oribi of which Jeff Currie of Kasouga Farm has a total of 180 Oribi (of which Kasouga Farm have released 88 Oribi to private farmlands and game reserves. In 2010 Kasouga Farm has 140 Oribi and relocated 120. In 2008 Kowie Kariega Conservancy total amount is 684. We believe the pressure on the Oribi in our conservancy is mainly from Jackal & Caracal and a small area from injudicious hunting.

Positive note – we are seeing new areas in the north of the conservancy with Oribi. Farms bordering Kenton & Port Alfred are battling to keep their numbers up. Thanks to Max (who patrols these farms), plus the land owners & I believe the financial value of game has led our Conservancy to have this amount of Oribi and other animals.

Injudicious hunting, feral dogs, snaring, smaller camp sizes, netting fences, competition from domestic animals, more intensive agricultural & industrial development, are considered the main factors to the decline of the oribi population. Another factor which caused their decline and is still a major problem are kills by Caracal (Lynx) & Jackal. This problem is very seldom acknowledged by the powers that be. Both direct and indirect human interference are considered responsible for the threat to the continued existence of this graceful species of antelope.