Addo Elephant National Park

The most underrated park in South Africa - an all round experience of a game park at it's best

I visited Addo twice - the second time was even more enjoyable than the first. There is an abundance of wildlife, especially large herds of elephants. Twice we encountered three different groups - more then 20 per group - in the same area. What a sight! The roads are excellent, even for the smallest cars. The accommodation facilities are well looked after and very clean and cater for a large variety of liking. There is a restaurant for them that don't want to do self-catering. We couldn't wait to get up early morning to do a game drive and came in last every evening. Addo Elephant National Park is a photographers dream because you are so close to the wildlife.

A day in Addo Elephant Park

Living in Port-Elizabeth, we decided as a family to go spend a day in the park. The drive was quite longer than initially expected as we took the freeway and got from the Southern entrance. The initial irritation of being a bit lost was quickly gone when we got into the park itself. The drive was amazing as you really feel as if in another world from the city setting. There are different areas for bird viewing. From the road, we were lucky to have a beautiful view of the elephants and zebras. We had a glimpse of lions in the distant. But the beauty of the place was mainly due in our eyes by the magnificent sight of elephants playing, mothers protecting their offspring.

A true African panorama - bush, sky and amazing animals, combined with options to suit every budget

I am a regular visitor to Addo National Elephant Park. Every time I go, I see something different. Elephant, antelope, meerkats, birds, tortoises, zebra etc. Highly enjoyable, and driving through yourself gives you an opportunity to stop and appreciate the things that you choose. Guided tours on a safari vehicle can be purchased, guaranteeing sighting of elephants. Chalets and camping facilities are available, and the shop/restaurant cater for all needs from tourist gifts to clothing, food and drink. There is an on-site petrol station too, so fill up your tank before driving through and enjoying the spectacular wide open spaces, the natural bush habitat and the magnificent animals that live there.

Get close to Elephants and enjoy the tranquility of the bush.

The wildlife is unique to our country and I am fortunate to live in close proximity to Addo Elephant National Park. The Park offers accommodation in the form of Chalets, Tented Camps and camping sites, a restaurant at the Main Camp and an enclosed picnic area in the middle of the park. The National Park gives visitors the opportunity to get close to nature from a vehicle and Game drives can be arranged with the National Park's Rangers. Animals such as Elephants, Lions, Kudus, Eland, Cheetahs, and a variety of birdlife are just a few to mention that make up this great diversity. The Spekboom tree is a succulent that grows throughout Addo and is a delicacy to many of the wildlife such as the elephants and kudus. From the southern section of the park you can see the ocean. Overall, if you are looking for a holiday away from the city and want to be surrounded by nature and wildlife then Addo is the place for you.

A close encounter with another world

I was extremely impressed with the wildlife and how close one could get to nature in its purest form.There is a wide range of animal species and my encounter was a real close up one.The guided tours are well organized and the guide provided a lot of information about the species and park.The weather was great for it being a winters month and if you looking for food they got reasonably priced restaurants.

The elephants are quite a sight to behold. Seeing elephants and lions together at a water hole is just incredible.

Magnificent and really well run. We drove in our own car each day. Just being in the bush and having an animal surprise us was magical. Wonderful accommodation. Loved the open kitchens!

Awesome place for seeing vast number of elephants and warthogs.

Opportunity to see lots of elephants in a relatively smaller area.

The Most Diverse National Park in South Africa

Addo is a triumph of conservation. Elephants were nearly exterminated in the early 1900's, with only 11 remaining when the area was preserved as a National Park. 80 years later, we saw elephants in abundance. South Africa is working to establish one mega park, extending a wildlife corridor from Volkert's River to the ocean. Thus, the photographic opportunities are fabulous, due to the diversity of landscape. In one sublime safari, you can experience grasslands, mountains and ocean. We drive a Land Rover Defender on our safari, but the park could easily be traversed in a salon car.