Addo Elephant National Park
For the best Elephant viewing in South Africa Addo Elephant National Park is a must on your itinerary! In this park it's entirely possible to view big herds of elephants enjoy a rest, a bath in a waterhole or just a cuddle. The other 4 from the Big five are also roaming free within the boundaries of the Park.
Photo by courtesy of Addo Elephant National Park
Being able to view these immense animals from a close distance in your vehicle makes you feel very tiny and vulnerable at the same time. Since the elephant population numbers over 450, it's more than likely you'll be treated to a spectacular viewing of elephants.
It's only fair to warn you that once you've been here, you will want to come back for more!
Photo's by courtesy of Addo Elephant National Park
Practical information
Accommodation:The Park offers from basic (camping, caravan, forest cabins) to comfortable (chalets) to luxury (luxury guesthouses plus their concessionnaires: Gorah Elephant Camp, Riverbend Lodge, Nguni River Lodge, Ntsomi Lodge and Darlington Lake Lodge). 61 units are available in the main camp and 12 units available in Camp Matyholweni. This satellite camp is situated near the town of Colchester on the coast. It is accessed via the N2 highway. A road through the Park links this camp to the main camp. (For tariffs please use the link to the Addo Elephant National park's website on the bottom of this page).
Activities:
There are various activities available:
- Guided day, sunset and night drives on open-top vehicles of two hours duration. The sunset drive includes snacks and drinks.
- Guided horse trails on sure-footed horses. Departing from the main camp, 2-hour morning trails (less experienced riders) and 3-hour afternoon trails (more experienced riders) take place in the Nyati area. This area has all the big game, except for lions and hyenas. In the Zuurberg Mountain area of the park, 1-hour, 3-hour and 5-hour horse trails are available. An overnight horse trail to a bush camp in the mountains can be arranged.
- A 4x4 trail is available for visitors with 4x4 vehicles. This self-drive 6-hour 45 km trail winds over the Zuurberg Mountains between Kirkwood and
Darlington Dam, following a historic route used during the Anglo-Boer Wars of the early 1900s. Black rhino sightings are a possibility.
- Hiking trails include 1-hour to 5-hour options in the breath-taking Zuurberg Mountain range, as well as a 36 km 2-day overnight trail in the lush forest and along the pristine beaches of the Woody Cape dunefield.
- Entrance fee - R 80 p.p. (discount for South African ID holders)
- Gates open - from 7.00 am until 19.00 p.m.
- Game viewing times vary from winter to summer. Check at reception for these times.
- No bookings are necessary to drive around for the day.
- A variety of activities are available for the enjoyment of visitors.
- The rest camp at the entrance offers a restaurant, toilets and a curioshop and a gas station.
- In front of the restaurant you can braai and picnic in front of a waterhole.
- You're allowed out of the car at Domkrag dam and Zuurkop lookout but please check first for the presence of dangerous animals such as lions and elephants.
- Spekboom Hide is an enclosed area where you're also allowed to get out of the car. Here you can watch elephants through the 'peeping holes' in the fences. You shall be amazed how little noise a herd of elephants make while approaching this waterhole! A "Bush toilet" is available here in case you simply 'have' to go.
Expansion of Addo Elephant National Park.
Contact details :
| Name : | Addo Elephant National Park |
| Contact person : | reception |
| Post address : | P.O. box 52 Addo 6105 |
| Actual Address : | R 336 Addo |
| Tel. : | + 27 (0)42 233 8600 |
| Fax. : | +27 (0)42 233 8643 |
| e-mail : | Addoenquiries@sanparks.org |
| Website : | www.addoelephantpark.com |
| and : | www.sanparks.org |
Page last updated 26 June 2007,
info@greateraddo.com