The social organisation of the greater kuduTragelaphus strepsiceros(Pallas 1766) was studied for 2 years in the Valley Bushveld of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Associations between individuals were influenced by reproductive behaviour but unaffected by environmental conditions. Kudu social organisation is based on the cow social unit, a closed matriarchal kinship group consisting of several cows and their offspring. Bulls left stable maternal groups when 2-years-old and formed loose temporary associations with peers. Dominance hierarchies were established within these bachelor groups. Adult bulls showed a tendency to become increasingly solitary with age, and formed transient associations with cows. Adult bulls exhibited little overt competition for mates during the rut. The kudu social system is based on absolute dominance: territoriality is not evident.