Eastern Cape / Ten (10) to Inspire / Wildlife Encounters

13 Secrets of Addo Elephant National Park That Will Have You Visiting, Tomorrow

Updated Monday, 18 March 2024

Addo Elephant National Park lies only a few hours’ drive from Port Elizabeth. It’s gone from providing a small sanctuary to eleven elephants to become a richly biodiverse park with over 600 elephants…

We share 13 Secrets of Addo Elephant National Park…

13 Secrets of Addo Elephant National Park

No 1.

If you love elephants, then this is the park for you

There are now well over 600 of them, so your chances of spotting great numbers of these huge beasts, is almost guaranteed.

And they’re as easy to spot asheading to the waterhole in the park’s main camp. You barely need to hit the road, Jack.

They appear in family groups at the waterhole, and dams further out in the park, and occasionally you’ll spot the odd lone elephant whilst driving around the park.

The park is one of the best places in Africa for close-up encounters with elephants.

However, be prepared for a little discomfort as they have been known to come really close to cars – they are accustomed to the presence of people.

The rest of the Big 5, though, keep a low profile.

13 Secrets of Addo Elephant National Park

No 2.

It’s not overcrowded, like Kruger

Provided you visit outside of major school holidays and long weekends, it can take as long as an hour before you see another car on the road.

And when you sight an animal, like a lion, chances are they won’t function as attraction magnets for any number of vehicles. You might just have him to yourself.

However, bear in mind this is not the case over the December festive season.

Like the rest of the popular spots across the country (Durban’s Hibiscus Coast, for instance), Addo Elephant National Park can be inundated and you will need to book ahead, particularly now that all the provinces have their holidays at the same time.

13 Secrets of Addo Elephant National Park

No 3.

You can travel from camp to the extreme boundaries of the park within a day

The 180 000 hectare park has about 120 kilometres of road for exploring and the Colchester section, which is self-drive country, is doable in a day. But don’t think that Addo is small. As Melissa Shales so succinctly puts it:

‘It’s hard to keep up with Addo. I think it has secret plans for world domination.’

Melissa is referring to how the park has ballooned into one of the country’s largest national parks, so that it now incorporates vastly different landscapes – from mountain Kalahari desert to fynbos and coastal sand dunes.

As a day trip it shapes up well. Overnight is even better. Other sections of the park are meant only for 4×4 vehicles, or for hiking only, and are closed to the public.

13 Secrets of Addo Elephant National Park

No 4.

There are lions, cheetah, hyenas, rhino, leopard, whales and great white sharks

Addo Elephant National Park’s boundaries extend right down to the coastline east of Port Elizabeth to incorporate a marine park, which is why you can also sight southern right whales (in season) and great whites.

The park also includes a couple of islands on which there are penguin colonies. It’s the only park in the world to claim the Big 7, the spotted hyena, over 400 buffalo and a healthy rhino population.

Secrets of Addo

No 5.

Hapoor Dam is a great afternoon waterhole

And a great alternative to the main waterhole at the camp, which can be quite popular with visitors.

On average, you’ll see more elephants here than you can count (hard to believe that back in 1931, when the park was first declared, there were only 11 remaining elephants).

No 6.

You’re pretty much guaranteed to see a LOT of animals

Secrets of Addo

No 7.

The sunrise tour is a must

No 8.

The main camp’s water hole is lit at night

Chalets are close enough that you can watch animals arrive for a drink after dark, and they do, provided you’re quiet enough.

No 9.

There are also little guys worth a mention

Like the Addo flightless dung beetle; completely unique to the park. They are protected and have complete right of way, so don’t think you can drive, or step, over them.

But you will have to look for them (it’s not unheard of to stop and examine elephant dung for the pleasure of finding them).

The leopard tortoise, with a propensity for hyena dung, is another little guy to look out for.

Secrets of Addo

No 10.

There’s stuff for kids too

A fossil dig, a geology puzzle, whisper dishes, a sandbox and animal tracks – all at the Ulwazi Interpretive Centre, which raises awareness and educates about the park’s biodiversity.

During school holidays there are usually children’s programmes at the park.

No 11.

A walk along the Spekboom Trail is a must

It’s fenced off and part of a botanical reserve, allowing you to roam freely without any fear of ending up as lion feed or stumbling into an elephant.

This walk is perfect for seeing the park’s smaller animals and birds. And don’t miss out on horse rides in the botanical reserve, through the Zuurberg Mountains.

Secrets of Addo

No 12.

The underground hide

This is one of the most exciting elements of the main camp, and overlooks the main waterhole.

No 13.

Jack’s Picnic Site is a perfect addition to Hapoor

The picnic site has its own braais and tables tucked in amongst trees. You’re fenced in here, so perfectly safe.

Secrets of Addo

Tips:

Enter the park at its southern entrance, at the town of Colchester. In this way you add 38 km of scenic dirt road (roughly an hour) to your drive.

This section of the park has a couple of loops worth driving; Addo rest camp has a petrol station; there are three camps within the Colchester section of the camp, including a camping area; and there are a variety of guided drives, particularly the night drive, worth doing.

The town of Addo is so close that one can easily stay outside of the Addo Elephant National Park.

Did you know:

Up until a few years ago you weren’t allowed to take citrus fruits into the park because some of the older elephants were considered addicted (all part of an historical plan to keep elephants from raiding neighbouring farms, before the park was fenced, by giving them citrus at the water hole).

Secrets of Addo

Accommodation we recommend:

Gorah Elephant Camp

The incomparable thrill of quietly observing a passing herd of elephant while being served tea on the verandah of a stately manor house is the stuff of dreams and legends – at Gorah it’s an everyday occurrence.

This exclusive safari lodge recaptures the romantic mystique of authentic African safari of centuries past – the awesome natural world of Africa merged with colonial nostalgia and modern sophistication to deliver an unforgettably unique 5 star adventure.

Gorah Elephant Camp

Barefoot Addo Elephant Lodge

Bordering the Greater Addo Elephant National Park just a short distance from the Nelson Mandela Metropole, our fully fenced and game stocked conservation area is both malaria-free and tourist friendly.

Whether it’s a laid back rest you need or an action packed 5-star activity holiday that’s required to rejuvenate you, we will not disappoint.

A once in a lifetime safari adventure – at one with nature, following in the footsteps of the ancients.

Barefoot Addo Lodge

Camp Figtree

The game reserve is wedged between the Addo Elephant National Park to the north and east and the Riverbend conservancy to the South.

Camp Figtree is a remote, private lodge set on top of the stunning Zuurberg mountain range.

Resting between a conservancy and the Addo Elephant National Park, the camp boasts the most breathtaking 270-degree views to be found in the Eastern Cape.

Camp Figtree Addo

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