Addax
One of the most beautiful antelope species on the planet, the addax is a real Pictus Safaris favourite. Once widespread across the Sahara Desert, its population has nosedived in recent decades, and there are now just a handful of wild animals left. Sterling conservation work, however, has seen the species reintroduced into parts of its former range, making sightings possible once more. Here are our three top spots for sightings in Africa.
1. Ouadi-Rime Ouadi-Achim Faunal Reserve, Chad
Other species seen here:
- Scimitar-Horned Oryx
- Dama Gazelle
- Red-Fronted Gazelle
- Dorcas Gazelle
- Striped Hyena
How to visit:
Location:
Join our small-group 'Soul of the Sahara' departure to Northern Chad in February 2022 - see more details below.
2. Termit Massif Total Reserve, Niger
Termit-Tin Toumma was, for many years, home to the only viable population of addax in Africa. Sadly, this population has dwindled drastically, and aerial surveys indicate that perhaps as few as three animals survive here. Detailed surveys remain impossible due to insecurity in the reserve, and it is now possible that addax are extirpated here.
Other species seen here:
- Dama Gazelle
- Aoudad
- Striped Hyena
- Sand Cat
- Fennec Fox
How to visit:
Location:
The security situation in Niger currently prevents any visit - contact us at contact@pictus-safaris.com to be updated should this change. In the meantime, take a look at our other destinations below.
3. Ijafoun, Mauritania
Mauritania offers the only hope of self-sustaining addax populations outside of Chad and Niger (if we exclude the semi-captive populations in Morocco and Tunisia). In 2007, tracks were seen in the emptyiness of the Ijafoun, indicating the presence of at least 15 animals. There has been no opportunity to investigate this potential presence of addax further, and this area remains a possibly important area for addax.
Other species seen here:
- Dorcas Gazelle
- Striped Hyena
- Rueppell's Fox
- Fennec Fox
- African Golden Wolf
How to visit:
Location:
We are working hard to offer a 2023 expedition to Mauritania - contact us at contact@pictus-safaris.com to be waitlisted for this tour. In the meantime, check out our other tours below.
Based on your interest in spotting an addax, you may also be interested in our top destinations for several other ultra-rare mammals:
Contact us today to book any of our incredible safaris:
Email: contact@pictus-safaris.com
Phone: +44 (0) 2034888362
Mail: 117 Canfield Gardens, London, NW6 3DY, United Kingdom
This reserve is simply massive, taking up much of interior of Chad. Dominated by desert, but also boasting tracts of grassland and woodland, this reserve has historically been a stronghold for species that survive in extremely arid environments, including addax and scimitar-horned oryx. Much of its wildlife was poached to extinction in the 20th century, but recent conservation efforts have brought back several charismatic species to this impressive reserve.