Meet our magnificent seven! There are few destinations like the Eastern Cape when it comes to choosing a combination bush and beach holiday in South Africa, and Addo is simply perfect. Addo Elephant National Park is the only Big Seven national park in the world. The only place you’ll be able to view the original African Big Five: leopard, lion, Cape buffalo, rhino and elephant, in addition to the great white shark and southern right whale, which round off the Big Seven. Which means, you could conceivably view the world’s largest marine mammal and the world’s largest land mammal in the same day…where else but Addo?
The Big Five were originally identified as the five most dangerous African animals to hunt but, thankfully, these days the only shots taken at these distinctive mammals are with a camera. Below are our Big Seven, listed by weight from smallest to largest. To view all seven, visitors can encounter the original Big Five inside the Addo Elephant National Park (accessed from the Main Gate outside Addo or the Mathyolweni Gate at Colchester. The Kabouga Gate, outside Kirkwood is only accessible by 4×4) or at several world-class, Big Five private game reserves in our area. Marine safaris to view whales, sharks, dolphins, birds and much more launch from Port Elizabeth Harbour in nearby Nelson Mandela Bay. All yours to explore.
Panthera pardus │Weight: 20 - 35kg
Conservation status: Vulnerable
The elusive leopard, night-time predator and the second largest of Africa’s big cats. Many wildlife-lovers have waited years to spot this evasive beauty. Leopards are strong, agile and adaptable, ranging from coastal areas to elevations of 2000m above sea level. They’re able to adapt to a variety of climates, including forest, desert, mountains and more. They are still found wild among mountains and thick bush throughout South Africa. Leopards can be identified by spots arranged in rosettes, contrasted on a light golden body, with single spots on the limbs and head. They generally feed on small to medium antelope and are agile climbers, known to drag a carcass – sometimes heavier than their own weight – up into the fork of a large tree if there is competition from other predators. As nocturnal hunters, leopards aren’t often spotted during the daylight hours. However, they make for very exciting night-drive safari sightings and cause quite a stir when spotted during the day.
Leopards are super-bouncy and can vault up to 6m forward through the air.
As the largest African carnivore and big cat, the lion is the undisputed king of the bush. As relatively social animals, lions are the only cats to regularly hunt in groups and to live in close-knit coalitions known as prides. Male lions, with their magnificent manes, are often photographed reclining in the veld and, due to their size, don’t usually take part in the hunt. Female lions (lionesses) stalk their prey. As one lioness charges, the others close flanks, with the males only participating if the prey is particularly large. Lions are most active at night to avoid the heat of the day and, while they may seem lethargic during the daytime, they can quickly become aggressive if disturbed. Females are the centre of the pride and pride males are often changed every few years. Due to the need for genetic diversity, South African National Parks swaps males with those from other parks. The last original Addo lion was hunted in 1879, and lions were reintroduced to the area in 2003 via the Addo Elephant National Park – the first truly wild lions to live in the region in over a century. The park is now home to 17 lions with others in private game reserves in the area.
A lion’s roar can be heard up to 8km away.
Syncerus caffer │Weight: 750 - 850kg
Conservation status: Near threatened
When the Addo Elephant National Park was established in 1931, there were only 30 buffalo left from the once-sweeping herds. These enormous herbivores graze in large herds to protect against predators, and can be very unpredictable when threatened. The herds of Addo are said to be the only truly disease-free buffalo in South Africa and are highly sought-after by private game reserves. The sale of these healthy buffalo has enabled South African National Parks to purchase large tracts of land in the Eastern Cape to further extend the national park for conservation. As buffalo thrive on plentiful water, grass and shade, and mud-wallowing for temperature regulation, they’re a watering hole favourite for our visitors. A buffalo will show aggression by holding its head high, with nose pointing to the ground and submission by holding the head low and putting the nose under the neck or belly of an opponent buffalo. On safari, to see a lion and a buffalo go head-to-head is to witness one of the most epic battles on earth.
A buffalo is an exceptional swimmer, capable of traversing deep waters in search of better grazing.
Great white sharks have a powerful tail and sleek, efficient shape that propels them through the water at over 60km per hour.
A rhino’s horn is made up of keratin – the same protein which forms the basis of our hair and nails.
Loxodonta africana │Weight: 3000 -6000kg
Conservation status: Vulnerable
One behavior unique to the southern right whale, known as tail sailing, is that of using their elevated flukes to catch the wind, remaining in the same position for a considerable amount of time. It appears to be a form of play