Addo Elephant National Park is best known for its elephants (I mean, it’s in the name), but the Eastern Cape reserve is home to a huge variety of wildlife.
SANParks records 91 mammal species and 418 bird species in the park, including the Big Five.
Here’s what you could see on a safari.
The Big Five
African elephant
Elephants are Addo’s biggest attraction, with more than 600 elephants in the park. They can be seen throughout the main game-viewing area, with waterholes particularly useful on hot days.
Lion
Lions were reintroduced to Addo in 2003. They can be more difficult to find than elephants, however, as they spend much of their time resting or hidden in vegetation. SANParks says early morning and evening are among the better times to look for them.
Cape buffalo
Addo Elephant National Park is home to more than 400 Cape buffalo, according to SANParks. The park describes this as one of the largest disease-free buffalo herds in South Africa.
Black rhino
Black rhinos are also found in Addo, although they are considerably less predictable to spot than elephants and buffalo. A rhino sighting should therefore be considered a lucky one rather than a guaranteed part of your safari.
Leopard
Leopards do occur in Addo but are rarely seen. SANParks describes them as shy and secretive, making them one of the park’s more difficult Big Five sightings.
Other animals to look out for
The Big Five aren’t the only animals you’ll encounter. Addo is also home to:
- Zebra
- Kudu
- Eland
- Red hartebeest
- Warthog
- Spotted hyena
- Bushbuck
- Bushpig
- Springbok
- Gemsbok
SANParks describes species such as zebra, kudu, red hartebeest, eland and warthog as among the animals commonly found in the main game-viewing area. Spotted hyenas were reintroduced to the park in 2003 and are another predator visitors can look out for.
If you’re lucky, you could also spot some of the park’s more elusive species, including:
- Aardwolf
- Aardvark
- Caracal
- Meerkat
- Honey badger
- Bat-eared fox
- Cape porcupine
- Klipspringer
These are much harder to find, and many are nocturnal or particularly secretive.
Don’t overlook the dung beetles
One of Addo’s smallest residents is also one of its most famous. The park is home to the flightless dung beetle, which plays an important role in recycling nutrients in the ecosystem.
Drivers are asked to take care when travelling on the park’s roads because the beetles can be found crossing them.
What is Addo elephant national park’s Big 7?
Addo is also unusual because it is promoted as a Big 7 destination. Along with the traditional Big Five (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino and Buffalo), the wider park includes Southern right whales and Great white sharks.
These two marine species form part of Addo’s broader conservation area and are not animals you’ll see while driving around the main game-viewing section.
Which animals are easiest to see at Addo Elephant National Park?
While there are no guarantees on safari, some species are considerably easier to spot than others.
| Animal | How likely are you to see it? |
|---|---|
| Elephant | Very good |
| Zebra | Good |
| Warthog | Good |
| Kudu | Good |
| Buffalo | Good |
| Lion | Possible |
| Spotted hyena | Possible |
| Rhino | Possible |
| Leopard | Rare |
| Aardvark/Aardwolf | Rare |
For the best chance of seeing wildlife, slow down and spend time around waterholes rather than simply trying to cover as many kilometres as possible.
SANParks allows visitors to explore the main game-viewing area in their own vehicles, making Addo a particularly accessible option for a self-drive safari.
And while elephants may be the animals you’re most likely to remember, spotting one of Addo’s elusive predators can make an already memorable safari even better.