One of the many blessings at Lapolosa is the ability to hike unarmed in relative safety among the wildlife. As you hike, giraffe, hartebeest, wildebeest and other animals on Lapolosa can be dangerous but they usually keep a safe distance from humans. Lapolosa is currently home to the following wildlife, though some are quite elusive - leopard, brown hyena, hippo, giraffe, zebra, kudu, waterbuck, black wildebeest, red hartebeest, impala, bushbuck, duiker, mountain reedbuck, steenbuck, klipspringer, black-backed and side-striped jackal, serval, genet, caracal, civit, honey badger, African wildcat, a variety of mongoose, porcupine, pangolin, aardwolf, aardvark, baboon, vervet monkey, lesser and greater bushbaby, ostrich, bushpig, warthog, otter, crocodile, rock hyrax and an amazing variety of birdlife (approximately 250 species), snakes, lizards and smaller creatures.

Normally colored leopards as well as leopards with unusual coloration have been spotted on the reserve, including a black leopard with three black kittens and a red leopard that was killed by a car on the highway immediately outside the reserve. A variety of Golden Mole and a large flock of Southern Bald Ibis are also among the endangered species found at Lapolosa.