They inhabit places near hilly or rocky landscapes and those with water sources nearby. Science author Jonathan Kingdon had thought the giant elands lived only in woodlands of Isoberlinia doka, an African hardwood tree.[1] The giant eland is adapted to these broad-leafed, deciduous Isoberlinia woodlands.[24] Recent studies proved that they also inhabit woodlands with trees of the genera Terminalia, Combretum, and Afzelia.[1]