Addo Elephant National Park Game Drives Day Tours Horse Trails and Accommodation Addo Elephant Park South Africa

Addo Elephant National Park Eastern Cape South Africa

Addo Elephant National Park

This park offers some of the most spectacular elephant viewing in the world. Addo’s over 450 elephants will delight visitors with their antics. The park contributes to the conservation of the endangered black rhino with over 48 of these animals occurring here. The over 400 Cape buffalo are now being seen more often during the day due to the influence of lion reintroduction. This is one of the largest disease-free herds in South Africa.

Six lions were introduced into the park in late 2003 and have adapted well to their new environment. Lions are most often seen in the early morning or on sunset and night drives. Spotted hyenas were also reintroduced in 2003, fulfilling the same role as lions in restoring the natural balance to the ecosystems in the park by controlling the numbers of herbivores. Leopard are very seldom seen, being shy and secretive animals, but do occur in most areas of the expanded park. Antelope species abundant in the main game area of the park include red hartebeest, eland, kudu and bushbuck. The Burchell’s zebra, many with the pale rumps reminiscent of the extinct qwagga, occur in the park.

Warthogs are abundant. The rare flightless dung beetle is king of the road in Addo, with signs warning visitor that this recycling machine has right of way. The beetles are only seen when conditions are not too hot and not too cold and play an important role in recycling nutrients and helping the growth of thicket vegetation.

"Big 7" Experience
You've heard about Africa's Big 5 - the elephant, lion, rhino, leopard and buffalo. Well, we are about to become the only wildlife park in the world where you can view Africa's Big 7 in their natural environment.

Yes, with the proposed expansion of our park to create the "Greater Addo Elephant National Park", you will be able to see the Big 5 plus whales and great white sharks - all in one great park comprising a 372 000 ha terrestrial zone and a 120 000 ha marine zone.

Guided Day Tours to Addo Enquire about Day Tours
Enjoy a guided Day Tour to Addo Elephant park in a Luxury Mini Bus with specialist guides.

The Tour leaves in the morning from Port Elizabeth or surrounding areas for a scenic drive to one of the most popular game reserve in the Eastern Cape, the Addo Elephant Park. Addo has the largest concentrated population of elephant in the world in one place and features the Big 7. We enter the Elephant Park for a light lunch (not included) and then we will search for the Rhino, Elephant, Lion and many other animals. For a good combination add Schotia Lion Safari Tour after Addo. Schotia Safaris

How to find Addo
The park is situated 72 km from Port Elizabeth in the Sundays River Valley and Zuurberg Mountain range. The access road from the main road (4 km) is tarred as far as the rest camp. Roads within the rest camp are tarred – all other internal roads are gravel.

Directions from Port Elizabeth (PE)

Take the N2 highway towards Grahamstown. Take the turnoff to the left signposted “Motherwell” and “Addo Elephant National Park”. Turn left at the top of the off-ramp and proceed through Motherwell. Follow this road until you see the entrance to the park on the right. Distance PE to park - about 72 km.

Alternative route from PE

Take the N2 highway towards Grahamstown and carry straight on until the N2 splits off to the left from the N10. Carry straight on, following the N10 towards Cradock/Cookhouse. Take the R342 to the left when you get to the intersection with Paterson on your right. This will be sign posted “Addo Elephant National Park”. Follow this road, looking out for the entrance to the park on your left.

Directions from Grahamstown

Take the N2 towards Port Elizabeth. Follow this road until you see the turnoff to the N10 towards Cradock/Cookhouse. Take this turnoff and Carry straight on, following the N10 towards Cradock/Cookhouse. Take the R342 to the left when you get to the intersection with Paterson on your right. This will be sign posted “Addo Elephant National Park”. Follow this road, looking out for the entrance to the park on your left.

Click map for larger view

Gate Hours
Addo: 07:00 – 19:00 throughout the year
Zuurberg: 07:30 – 16:30 throughout the year

Accommodation Enquire about Accommodation

All accommodation is serviced and equipped with crockery, cutlery, cooking utensils, bedding, towels and soap. Braai- area outside.
Narina Bushcamp: Please check in at the main reception area of the Addo Elephant Park before going to the Narina Bushcamp.
Check in time for accommodation is 13:00 on the day of arrival. Check out time on the day of departure is 10:00 for accommodation and 12:00 for the campsites.
Please note that no meals are included in the accommodation rates.
Accommodation will be serviced daily between 09:00 and 12:00.
Sheets will be changed every 2-3 days, and towels will be changed every day. Please do not hesitate to ask our staff for extra soap, towels, blankets, etc.

Accommodation Types Enquire about Accommodation

The main rest camp is situated near Addo. 61 accommodation units of various types are available. Please see the list below for more information on the type of accommodation on offer at Addo Elephant National Park.

Hapoor or Domkrag Guest Houses – 2 units

Overlooking floodlit water hole. The guest houses has two bedrooms with bathroom en suite, air conditioning, living room and fully equipped kitchen, with a fan in the lounge. This accommodation can sleep up to 6 persons.

Chalet

Double sleeper couch with bathroom and kitchen – 22 units
This type of accommodation can sleep either two adults and two children or three adults. The chalet is a bedsitter with two single beds and a sleeper couch, all in the same area. No separate bedroom, air conditioning, fully equipped kitchen and bathroom with bath and shower. Two chalets are adapted to accommodate paraplegics.

Semi-detached Chalet - 6 units

This type of accommodation can only sleep two persons. Two single beds (together) with shower, toilet, hand basin. Kitchenette with bar-fridge, 2-plate stove, microwave oven, cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils. Air conditioner. Bathroom and kitchenette

Cottages - 8 units

This type of accommodation can only sleep two persons. Two single beds (together) with shower, toilet and hand basin. Kitchenette with bar-fridge, 2-plate stove, microwave oven, cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils. Fan only. With bathroom and kitchenette.

Rondawel - 6 units

Overlooking floodlit water whole. This type of accommodation can only sleep two persons. The hut has two single beds (together), a shower, toilet, hand basin and fridge. A communal kitchen with a four plate electric stove, (no oven) cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils are shared with the other huts. Air conditioning. With shower and communal kitchen.

Forest Cabin - 10 units

This accommodations sleep a max. of 4 persons. The hut is an open area with 4 single beds, a table and seating for four persons. Shower, toilet and hand basin. Braai facilities, cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils and fridge. With communal kitchen.

Family Chalet No. 16

This type of accommodation can sleep a max. of 6 persons. This unit is made up of one bedroom with a double bed and a bedsitter area, comprising of two single beds and a sleeper couch. The bathroom leads off of the bedsitter area. Equipped kitchen and air conditioning.

Chalet No. 15

This chalet has two single beds (together) in an open plan area with kitchen, shower, toilet and hand basin. Air conditioning. With shower and mini kitchen

All accommodation is serviced and equipped with crockery, cutlery , cooking utensils, bedding, towels and soap. Braai area outside.

Camping - 20 units

Camping for a caravan or tent (max 6 per site). Ablution facility and camp kitchen with stove tops. No “black water” (sewerage) disposal point for “Porta-potti”

Caravan and campsites are available, with communal ablution and kitchen facilities. Caravan sites are equipped with 220V power points and a wooden table and benches. A maximum of six persons, one caravan with a side tent and one vehicle, or one tent and one vehicle, or one auto villa or one motorised caravan will be permitted per site.

Safari Tents - 5 units

The tents have two single beds, bedding, towels, fan, fridge, braai and separate communal ablution facilities. (shower, toilet and basin). They can also use the big ablution block in the camping area. (bath). A communal kitchen with two plate stoves, cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils for each tent. These tents are situated inside the existing camping site area of the park next to the perimeter.

Enquire about Accommodation

Activities

Guided Game Drives

There are a number of game drive options available: Enquire about Game Drives

Day, sunset and night drives of approximately 2 hours in duration are on offer.

Drives are conducted by knowledgeable, qualified guides on open-top landrovers or trucks.
Bookings are essential. It is advisable to book drives in advance, particularly in the high season (October to March).
Times of departure vary according to season – please check with the game drive office beforehand.
Children under the age of 6 years not allowed on these drives. Children under 12 years pay half price.

Sunrise drive

Departing 06:00 (summer) or 07:00 (winter) - dress warmly and watch the bush come alive for the day. Lions may still be active from the night’s hunting, buffalo may be seen and kudu are plentiful.

Day drives

Departing 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00 – viewing may include herds of elephant, antelope, zebra , warthog and ostrich.

Sunset drive

Departing 16:00 (winter) or 18:00 (summer) – enjoy late afternoon viewing, snacks & drinks as the sun goes down and then some night time viewing – black rhino, buffalo, lions and antelope may be seen.

Night drive

Departing 18:00 (winter) or 20:00 (summer) – dress warmly and discover the secrets of nighttime in the bush: springhares, porcupines, genets and polecats are seen with sightings of lions and elephants a possibility.

Horse Trails (Addo and Zuurberg) Enquire about Horse Trails

Addo Horse Trails

The morning ride (08:00) is for less experienced riders and is two hours long. The afternoon ride (14:00) is for experienced riders and is three hours long. Book and pay for horse trails at the Game Drive Office.
Please report to stables at least 15 minutes before departure.
All horse trails are conducted by experienced guides on sure-footed, well-trained horses.
Riding hats are available for visitors’ use.
No children younger than 16 years may ride on the Addo Trail.
Addo horse trails depart from main camp to the Nyati area which is home to elephants, buffalo, black rhino, zebra and antelope.

Zuurberg Horse Trails

Zuurberg horse trails are suitable for riders of all competencies and wind through fynbos and forest.
One-, three- and five-hour trails are available.
One-hour trails depart at 09:00, 11:00 or 14:00.
Three-hour trails depart at 09:00 or 11:00.
Five-hour trails depart at 09:00 only.
An overnight trail to Narina Bush Camp is an option – departure no later than 11:00.
No children younger than 10 years may ride on the Zuurberg horse trails.

Marine and Coastal

The coastal area of Addo Elephant National Park stretches between Sundays River Mouth and Bushman’s River Mouth. It incorporates the Alexandria Dunefield – the largest (covering approximately 15 800 hectares) and least degraded coastal dunefield in the southern hemisphere. SANParks assumed management of this coastal area in 2002, with its transfer from the provincial conservation department.

Bird Island and St. Croix Island in Algoa Bay were proclaimed as part of Addo Elephant National Park in 2005. Bird Island is part of a group of four islands and is an important breeding place for marine bird species. Bird Island supports the largest breeding colony of Cape gannets in the world (over 160 000 birds) as well as other birds such as African penguins and rare roseate terns. Seal Island (near Bird Island) supports a breeding colony of Cape fur seals. St. Croix Island, nearer to the town of Port Elizabeth, is home to a large breeding colony of African penguins.

A Marine Protected Area (MPA) was proclaimed around Bird Island to protect important marine resources such as abalone (perlemoen). Currently SANParks does not manage this MPA as it falls under the management of Marine & Coastal Management, a department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism.