The Addo Elephant National Park

Located in the Sundays River region of the Eastern Cape and just an hour drive from Port Elizabeth, The Addo Elephant National Park is one of South Africa’s largest game reserves and the only one with a coastline.

It is here at the Addo Elephant National Park where you can see the big seven in their natural habitat. The park contains over 400 elephants, 40 black rhinos and over 450 Cape buffalo. Lions were introduced to the park in 2003 in small numbers and are still adapting to their new environment. Hippos can be see in the environs of the Sundays river. The coastline of the Addo Elephant National Park gives visitors an opportunity to view whales and sharks.

For the best chance of seeing the big five, ask at reception for latest sightings. The park is vast and the bush is thick and despite their size, the big five are easy to miss. The best opportunities to see the elephants are on hot days by watering holes while the lions can sometimes be spotted early in the morning. The endangered black rhino is often seen in the early evening.

The Addo Elephant National Park organises several Game Drives at different times during the day. The organised game drives typically last around two hours aboard an open topped Land Rover or truck. The daytime drives cost R150 with under 12s going at half price. Children under 6 are not permitted to join the organised game drives. Later drives around sundown are more expensive.

Alternatively you can hire a guide to join your vehicle and guide you around the park. The guides are sourced from the local communities around the edges of the park and a guide joining you in your car for two hours will charge around R100.

Other ways to view The Addo Elephant National Park include horse trails (R140 – R190 for 2 or 3 hours depending on riding experience) and hiking trails.

Accommodation at the Addo Elephant National Park is plentiful. The cheapest way to stay at Addo is to camp. The campsite has a power point and a pitch will cost around R110 a night for up to six people. There are guest houses and chalets on the Addo Elephant National Park for added comfort as well as cottages and family accommodation.

However you intend to see the Addo Elephant National Park, the official guide at the park’s shop is highly recommended. A full 48 page guide to the park and it’s facilities and accommodation will cost R35. All foreign visitors to the Addo National Park must pay a daily conservation fee of R80. Entry for children under 12 costs R40.