Addo Elephant National Park

🇿🇦 South Africa

🐘 Elephant Encounters in Addo Wilderness
🌍 #74 Global · 4.3 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #31 in Africa #5 in Desert & Scrub
Southern Africa, South Africa 1006 spp. recorded

Nestled 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

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare 5–15%
With luck 15–40%
Possible 40–70%
Likely >70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

African Bush Elephant ★
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

50–60% · Likely
Plains Zebra ★
NT

Plains Zebra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Equus quagga

40–50% · Likely
Lion ★
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

30–40% · Possible
African Buffalo ★
NT

African Buffalo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Syncerus caffer

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Speckled Mousebird
LC

Speckled Mousebird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Colius striatus

60–70% · Likely
Southern Fiscal
LC

Southern Fiscal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lanius collaris

60–70% · Likely
Hadada
LC

Hadada

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Bostrychia hagedash

60–70% · Likely
Cape Turtle Dove
LC

Cape Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia capicola

50–60% · Likely
Fork-tailed Drongo
LC

Fork-tailed Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus adsimilis

50–60% · Likely
Cape Wagtail
LC

Cape Wagtail

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Motacilla capensis

50–60% · Likely
Red-shouldered Glossy-starling
LC

Red-shouldered Glossy-starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis nitens

50–60% · Likely
Cape Crow
LC

Cape Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus capensis

50–60% · Likely
Egyptian Goose
LC

Egyptian Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Alopochen aegyptiaca

50–60% · Likely
Pied Crow
LC

Pied Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus albus

50–60% · Likely
Bokmakierie
LC

Bokmakierie

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Telophorus zeylonus

50–60% · Likely
Sombre Greenbul
LC

Sombre Greenbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Andropadus importunus

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

African Bush Elephant ★
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

50–60% · Likely
Plains Zebra ★
NT

Plains Zebra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Equus quagga

40–50% · Likely
Lion ★
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

30–40% · Possible
African Buffalo ★
NT

African Buffalo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Syncerus caffer

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Common Warthog
LC

Common Warthog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phacochoerus africanus

40–50% · Likely
Greater Kudu
LC

Greater Kudu

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus strepsiceros

40–50% · Likely
Khama

Khama

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alcelaphus caama

30–40% · Possible
Vervet Monkey
LC

Vervet Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Chlorocebus pygerythrus

30–40% · Possible
Yellow Mongoose
LC Endemic

Yellow Mongoose

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cynictis penicillata

30–40% · Possible
Southern Giraffe

Southern Giraffe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Giraffa giraffa

20–30% · Possible
Impala
LC

Impala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Aepyceros melampus

20–30% · Possible
Chacma Baboon
LC

Chacma Baboon

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Papio ursinus

20–30% · Possible
Common Eland

Common Eland

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Taurotragus oryx

20–30% · Possible
Nyala
LC

Nyala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus angasii

20–30% · Possible
Northern Bushbuck
LC

Northern Bushbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus scriptus

20–30% · Possible
Slender-tailed Meerkat
LC

Slender-tailed Meerkat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Suricata suricatta

20–30% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Speckled Mousebird
LC

Speckled Mousebird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Colius striatus

60–70% · Likely
Southern Fiscal
LC

Southern Fiscal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lanius collaris

60–70% · Likely
Hadada
LC

Hadada

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Bostrychia hagedash

60–70% · Likely
Cape Turtle Dove
LC

Cape Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia capicola

50–60% · Likely
Fork-tailed Drongo
LC

Fork-tailed Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus adsimilis

50–60% · Likely
Cape Wagtail
LC

Cape Wagtail

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Motacilla capensis

50–60% · Likely
Red-shouldered Glossy-starling
LC

Red-shouldered Glossy-starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis nitens

50–60% · Likely
Cape Crow
LC

Cape Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus capensis

50–60% · Likely
Egyptian Goose
LC

Egyptian Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Alopochen aegyptiaca

50–60% · Likely
Pied Crow
LC

Pied Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus albus

50–60% · Likely
Bokmakierie
LC

Bokmakierie

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Telophorus zeylonus

50–60% · Likely
Sombre Greenbul
LC

Sombre Greenbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Andropadus importunus

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Leopard Tortoise
LC

Leopard Tortoise

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Stigmochelys pardalis

30–40% · Possible
Angulate Tortoise
LC

Angulate Tortoise

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Chersina angulata

30–40% · Possible
Cape Dwarf Gecko
LC

Cape Dwarf Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Lygodactylus capensis

30–40% · Possible
Tropical House Gecko
LC

Tropical House Gecko

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Hemidactylus mabouia

20–30% · Possible
Puff Adder
LC

Puff Adder

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Bitis arietans

20–30% · Possible
Cape Terrapin
LC

Cape Terrapin

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Pelomedusa galeata

20–30% · Possible
Eastern Cape Dwarf Chameleon
LC

Eastern Cape Dwarf Chameleon

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Bradypodion ventrale

10–20% · Possible
Spotted Thick-toed Gecko
LC

Spotted Thick-toed Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Pachydactylus maculatus

10–20% · Possible
Cape Girdled Lizard
LC

Cape Girdled Lizard

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Cordylus cordylus

10–20% · Possible
Southern Rock Agama
LC

Southern Rock Agama

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Agama atra

10–20% · With luck
Boomslang
LC

Boomslang

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Dispholidus typus

10–20% · With luck
Linnaeus' Lance Skink
LC

Linnaeus' Lance Skink

Reptile

Acontias orientalis

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Ranger's Toad
LC

Ranger's Toad

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Sclerophrys capensis

20–30% · Possible
Painted Reed Frog
LC

Painted Reed Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Hyperolius marmoratus

20–30% · Possible
Leopard Toad
LC

Leopard Toad

Amphibian

Sclerophrys pardalis

10–20% · With luck
African Clawed Frog
LC

African Clawed Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Xenopus laevis

10–20% · With luck
Dwarf Dainty Frog
LC

Dwarf Dainty Frog

Amphibian

Cacosternum nanum

10–20% · With luck
Boettger's dainty frog
LC

Boettger's dainty frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Cacosternum boettgeri

10–20% · With luck
Common River Frog
LC

Common River Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Amietia delalandii

10–20% · With luck
Striped Stream Frog
LC

Striped Stream Frog

Amphibian

Strongylopus fasciatus

10–20% · With luck
Thicket Rain Frog

Thicket Rain Frog

Amphibian

Breviceps pentheri

0–10% · With luck
Senegal Kassina
LC

Senegal Kassina

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Kassina senegalensis

0–10% · With luck
Cape sand frog
LC

Cape sand frog

Amphibian

Tomopterna delalandii

0–10% · With luck
Clicking Stream Frog
LC

Clicking Stream Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Strongylopus grayii

0–10% · Rare

Animal Events

🐦

Southern Fiscal Breeding Display

May

During May, Southern Fiscal males perform conspicuous territorial displays, attracting mates.

Southern Fiscal
LC

Southern Fiscal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lanius collaris

60–70% · Likely
🦎

Leopard Tortoise Basking

Aug

In August, Leopard Tortoises emerge to bask on warm rocks after the rains.

Leopard Tortoise
LC

Leopard Tortoise

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Stigmochelys pardalis

30–40% · Possible
🦌

Lion Pride Activity

Jun

June sees increased lion hunting activity as prey species gather around water sources.

Lion
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

30–40% · Possible

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
African Bush Elephant
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
Plains Zebra
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
Lion
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
40–50
40–50
30–40
30–40
40–50
30–40
20–30
30–40
African Buffalo
40–50
40–50
30–40
30–40
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
30–40
40–50
Speckled Mousebird
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
50–60
50–60
Southern Fiscal
50–60
50–60
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
Hadada
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
Cape Turtle Dove
60–70
40–50
60–70
60–70
70–80
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
Fork-tailed Drongo
40–50
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
40–50
50–60
Cape Wagtail
40–50
40–50
50–60
70–80
50–60
50–60
30–40
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
Red-shouldered Glossy-starling
50–60
40–50
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
Cape Crow
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
40–50
Egyptian Goose
50–60
30–40
40–50
60–70
40–50
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
Pied Crow
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
40–50
Bokmakierie
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
70–80
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
30–40
Sombre Greenbul
60–70
40–50
40–50
50–60
70–80
60–70
20–30
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
60–70
Animal Events
🐦 Southern Fiscal Breeding Display
🦎 Leopard Tortoise Basking
🦌 Lion Pride Activity

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Excellent
🐘 Elephant Encounters in Addo Wilderness

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Excellent

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
5.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
679
🐒 Mammals
190
🦎 Reptiles
106
🐸 Amphibians
31
1006 Total Species
841 Global average across 280 parks
59 Threatened 14 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Very good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
3.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
57%
📊
Coverage (247 species at ≥5% of 1006 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
25%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (11 bird, 1 mammal)
47% Global avg
20%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
132 Global avg
148
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
14 Global avg
25
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
26 Global avg
20
⚖️

Addo Elephant or ?

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