The red hartebeest is primarily found in southwestern Africa, and their preferred habitat is acacia savannah. Their long, narrow muzzles enable them to be a highly selective grazer in medium to tall grass, thereby gaining an advantage during the dry season when less selective grazers cannot feed as efficiently.
Hartebeest are sociable, and adult males are territorial. Small herds of 6–25 females and young are the rule. In most regions, males defend territories the year round. Females breed annually, calving at the end of the dry season after an eight-month gestation.