Deep within the shadows of the dense valley bushveld of the Sundays River region of the Eastern Cape lies the Addo Elephant National Park. Here, the evening are punctuated by the strident howl of the black-backed jackal, and the francolin's call heralds each new dawn. Safe from relentless persecution in the past, the grey leviathans of the bush now roam in peace. The park was proclaimed in 1931, when only eleven elephants remained in the area - today this finely tuned ecosystem is sanctuary to over 200 elephants, Cape buffalo, a variety of antelope species, as well as the unique flightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo.
Climate:
Temperate to warm, with annual rainfall of 450 mm occurring thoughout the year.Travel:
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 (4km) is tarred as far as the restcamp. Roads within the restcamp are tarred - all other internal roads are gravel.Gate Hours:
Addo: 07:00 - 19:00 throughout the year
Zuurberg: 07:30 - 16:30 throughout the yearTourist Facilities
Accommodation
- All accommodation is serviced daily and provided with bedding, towels and soap.
- Six - bed guest cottages, each with two bathrooms, bathrooms en suite (one with bath; one with shower), fully equipped kitchen.
- Four-bed cottage, one bedroom, bathroom (bath and shower), open plan partially equipped kitchen.
- Bungalows each with two single beds, a double sleeper couch, bathrooms (bath and shower), basically equipped kitchen.
- Two-bed bungalow with bathroom (shower), basically equipped kitchen.
- Two-bed bungalows, each with bathroom (shower), refrigerator, communal kitchen facilities with basic kitchen equipment.
Camping
- Caravan and camp sites, communal ablution and kitchen facilities. Caravan sites equipped with 220v power points.
- A maximum of six persons, one caravan with side tent and one vehicle, or one autovilla or one motorised caravan will be permitted per site.
Other Facilities
- Picnic area for day visitors.
- Swimming pool for resident visitors only.
- Restaurant, serving a la carté meals and light refreshments.
- Only petrol is available.
Recreational activities and adventures.
- Game viewing from own vehicle.
- Bird watching from hide in restcamp.
- Game viewing at night - illuminated waterhole.
- Guided night drives to experience nocturnal species.
- Spekboom Day Trail (3 - 4 hours) in the safety of a botanical reserve within the park.
- Lookout points at various waterholes within game area.
- Horse riding at Zuurberg (17 km from Addo).
- Two nature trails at Zuurberg - 1 hour and 5 hours.
Info supplied by the
South African National Parks
