The Addo Elephant National Park
where over 450 elephant roam

The Addo Elephant National Park is well worth your safari time. It's situated in the Eastern Cape, in the Sundays River Valley region and extends for around 164,000 hectares including sections along the coastal dunes.

Refer to the map above: To get to the Addo Park, take the N2 from Port Elizabeth. Matyholweni Gate is about 75kms drive. You'll need to branch left on the N10 towards Patterson to reach the gate to the main camp.

The elephant section of the park was established in 1931 when there were 11 of these animals remaining in the area after extensive hunting had wiped most of them out.

Careful management of the ecosystem which included the introduction of other animal species, has resulted in the expansion of the elephant population to over 450.

The Addo Elephant National Park has become a major tourist attraction thanks to its biodiversity and conservation of many different wildlife, which includes of course the Big 5 - the lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant.

Bird Island off the coast is also conserved by the Addo Elephant Park. It contains the largest gannet breeding  population on the planet.

 
 

 The Park offers a wide range  of  activities and guided safaris to  visitors, plus there are a number  of historic sites where fragments  of bone, pottery and ancient  stone implements have been  found.




© South African Tourism

                                         

Addo safari Activities
Guided game viewing drives of 2 hours duration are provided 4 times daily from early morning to after dark. These you should prebook due to their popularity throughout the year. There are also horse trails of differing lengths.

Trained guides from the local community can be hired to accompany you in your own vehicle at reasonable rates.

Hiking trails of varying lengths including one with facilities for visually impaired people have been developed at the Addo Elephant National Park and  hides are provided for bird and animal watchers.

More details on Addo activities here: Addo Elephant Park Activities

Addo facilities
If you're thinking of your safari holiday comforts, you'll find plenty at the Addo Reserve. There's a shop selling refreshments and basic provisions, an a la carte restaurant, a post office and a fuel station. In hot weather you'll be able to cool down in a swimming pool, and there's a picnic area.

Accommodation at the Addo Elephant National Park is provided in the form of caravan/campsites, chalets, cottages, rondavels and cabins.

Luxury 5 star  tented suite accommodation can be obtained at Gorah Elephant Lodge which is situated on a private Big 5 game reserve concession within the Addo Park.

Luxury Accommodation at Addo
There are plenty of choices of luxury accommodation at the Addo Elephant Park.

Interested in a self drive Addo Elephant National Park safari?
You'll find more information and reservations here: Addo Reservations

Accommodation in South Africa

What do you need to take along with you? Safari Essentials

Get some more useful Addo Park visitor information here: General Information


Reference: SanParks.org