Addo Elephant National Park
🇿🇦 South Africa
🐘 Elephant Encounters in Addo WildernessNestled in the malaria-free Sundays River region of South Africa, Addo Elephant National Park is a protected sanctuary defined by dense Mediterranean scrub and rolling thicket. This distinct habitat shelters a thriving population of the African Bush Elephant, the signature species that roams the park's dusty tracks and dense bush.
-33.258° S 25.236° E
Wildlife
⭐ Iconic Species
★ 
African Bush Elephant
Loxodonta africana
★ 
Plains Zebra
Equus quagga
★ 
Lion
Panthera leo
★ 
African Buffalo
Syncerus caffer
📊 Most Spotted
Speckled Mousebird
Colius striatus
Southern Fiscal
Lanius collaris
Hadada
Bostrychia hagedash
Cape Turtle Dove
Streptopelia capicola
Fork-tailed Drongo
Dicrurus adsimilis
Cape Wagtail
Motacilla capensis
Red-shouldered Glossy-starling
Lamprotornis nitens
Cape Crow
Corvus capensis
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiaca
Pied Crow
Corvus albus
Bokmakierie
Telophorus zeylonus
Sombre Greenbul
Andropadus importunus
⭐ Iconic Species
★ African Bush Elephant
Loxodonta africana
★ Plains Zebra
Equus quagga
★ Lion
Panthera leo
★ African Buffalo
Syncerus caffer
📊 Most Spotted
Common Warthog
Phacochoerus africanus
Greater Kudu
Tragelaphus strepsiceros
Khama
Alcelaphus caama
Vervet Monkey
Chlorocebus pygerythrus
Yellow Mongoose
Cynictis penicillata
Southern Giraffe
Giraffa giraffa
Impala
Aepyceros melampus
Chacma Baboon
Papio ursinus
Common Eland
Taurotragus oryx
Nyala
Tragelaphus angasii
Northern Bushbuck
Tragelaphus scriptus
Slender-tailed Meerkat
Suricata suricatta
📊 Most Spotted
Speckled Mousebird
Colius striatus
Southern Fiscal
Lanius collaris
Hadada
Bostrychia hagedash
Cape Turtle Dove
Streptopelia capicola
Fork-tailed Drongo
Dicrurus adsimilis
Cape Wagtail
Motacilla capensis
Red-shouldered Glossy-starling
Lamprotornis nitens
Cape Crow
Corvus capensis
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiaca
Pied Crow
Corvus albus
Bokmakierie
Telophorus zeylonus
Sombre Greenbul
Andropadus importunus
📊 Most Spotted
Leopard Tortoise
Stigmochelys pardalis
Angulate Tortoise
Chersina angulata
Cape Dwarf Gecko
Lygodactylus capensis
Tropical House Gecko
Hemidactylus mabouia
Puff Adder
Bitis arietans
Cape Terrapin
Pelomedusa galeata
Eastern Cape Dwarf Chameleon
Bradypodion ventrale
Spotted Thick-toed Gecko
Pachydactylus maculatus
Cape Girdled Lizard
Cordylus cordylus
Southern Rock Agama
Agama atra
Boomslang
Dispholidus typus
Linnaeus' Lance Skink
Acontias orientalis
📊 Most Spotted
Ranger's Toad
Sclerophrys capensis
Painted Reed Frog
Hyperolius marmoratus
Leopard Toad
Sclerophrys pardalis
African Clawed Frog
Xenopus laevis
Dwarf Dainty Frog
Cacosternum nanum
Boettger's dainty frog
Cacosternum boettgeri
Common River Frog
Amietia delalandii
Striped Stream Frog
Strongylopus fasciatus
Thicket Rain Frog
Breviceps pentheri
Senegal Kassina
Kassina senegalensis
Cape sand frog
Tomopterna delalandii
Clicking Stream Frog
Strongylopus grayii
Recent sightings in Addo Elephant National Park
LIVEiNaturalistAnimal Events
1Southern Fiscal Breeding Display
During May, Southern Fiscal males perform conspicuous territorial displays, attracting mates.
2Leopard Tortoise Basking
In August, Leopard Tortoises emerge to bask on warm rocks after the rains.
3Lion Pride Activity
June sees increased lion hunting activity as prey species gather around water sources.
Sighting Calendar
Average chance of spotting the park's most-spotted species, month by month
- 1Southern Fiscal Breeding Display
- 2Leopard Tortoise Basking
- 3Lion Pride Activity
Sighting Zones
Warmer areas are where all species together are recorded most often.
Essentials
Climate
What visitors saw
The entertaining warthog Warthogs (and a kudu cow on the right) Speaking of kudus, we often saw them grazing together with warthogs.
Photo: Steven Lang We saw (and photographed) a lone chacma baboon, hundreds of elephants, buffalo, warthogs, and kudu as well as several bird species that I am not able to identify.
We also saw warthogs and several kudu in the same area.
At the first waterhole we found a small group of elephants quenching their thirst, while a Warthog approached carefully to see if he could get a look in.
Quick answers
What animals can you see in Addo Elephant National Park?
The most likely sightings are Speckled Mousebird (seen by about 60% of wildlife watchers), Southern Fiscal (seen by about 60% of wildlife watchers), Hadada (seen by about 60% of wildlife watchers), Cape Turtle Dove (seen by about 60% of wildlife watchers), Fork-tailed Drongo (seen by about 60% of wildlife watchers) — among 1006 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.
When is the best time to visit Addo Elephant National Park for wildlife?
April has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.
Can you see African Bush Elephant in Addo Elephant National Park?
Yes — about 50% of wildlife watchers report a African Bush Elephant sighting in Addo Elephant National Park, based on 1,106 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
Can you see Plains Zebra in Addo Elephant National Park?
Yes — about 50% of wildlife watchers report a Plains Zebra sighting in Addo Elephant National Park, based on 658 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
Can you see Lion in Addo Elephant National Park?
Yes — about 40% of wildlife watchers report a Lion sighting in Addo Elephant National Park, based on 307 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
Can you see African Buffalo in Addo Elephant National Park?
Yes — about 40% of wildlife watchers report a African Buffalo sighting in Addo Elephant National Park, based on 386 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
Where Wildlife Score
How good is this park for seeing wildlife?Biodiversity
ExcellentHow rich is the wildlife?
Sighting
Very goodHow likely to see animals?
Experience
GoodHow easy and pleasant is the visit?
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