The strange name is derived by the Tswana name, tshêsêbe. These antelopes are larger and quite different in appearance to the other two animals of the genus. The horns are more splayed and there is a black rather than a white blaze on the face. The color is a darkish brown with a metallic sheen; there is a large shoulder hump and the back slopes characteristically. Both sexes carry horns. They are very fleet of foot. Inquisitive by nature, they will run a short distance, stop and look back, even if extreme danger threatens. Although they appear to be ungainly they are able to run at speed for considerable distances. They will stand on anthills, with the head rose as a threatening gesture to rivals, and will fight on their knees with clashing horns.
Tsessebe are diurnal, gregarious animals, and will sometimes associate with zebra, wildebeest and ostriches, occasionally forming large herds of hundreds of animals. Unlike the bontebok the harems remain permanently with the territorial male, a disadvantage when the dominant male may become fertile. Their behavior includes horning the ground from a kneeling position and both sexes will do so.
Enemies include the large predators: lions, leopards, wild dog and spotted hyena. The young are preyed upon by caracal, jackal, serval, python and larger raptors. Their family hierarchy consists of up to twelve animals with their calves. Only one is produced at a time.
They eat grass and herbage almost exclusively, rarely leaves.