Addo Elephant National Park

As its name suggests, the pride of Addo Elephant National Park is its population of roughly 600 elephants. Way back in 1931, authorities created the park to save the dwindling population from extinction. Since then, this malaria-free national park has expanded both in size and in the diversity of life it harbours.

Their mission has been a remarkable success. Since then, the ecology of Addo Elephant National Park has continued to benefit, both through the expansion of the park and by the reintroduction and conservation of key species.

Conservation successes of Addo Elephant National Park

Beyond saving the elephants, conservation successes include saving the endangered flightless dung beetle from extinction, the reintroduction of lions and spotted hyenas, and, with the incorporation of coastal and marine habitats, protecting important marine life.

With the addition of the coastal area, Addo Elephant National Park is the first in the world to protect both terrestrial and marine megafauna, including endangered Great White Sharks, Southern Right Whales and important nesting sites for endangered seabirds.

The phenomenal diversity of Addo Elephant National Park

There’s a lot more to the park than its famously pale ‘ghost elephants,’ nicknamed for the light dust they bathe in that gives them their ghostly look. Addo Elephant National Park spans five different biomes, from coastal dunes to fynbos, forest, and karoo scrub, so you’ll find an unusual mix of birds, animals, and plants all in one place.

Not only is the park renowned for its wildlife, but it is also  rich in geological and fossil treasures. At various places, sedimentary rock formations rich in fossils reveal clues about the area’s prehistoric past, including sections previously submerged beneath the ocean.

The park lies in a semi-arid area with low to variable rainfall, averaging less than 450 mm (18 in) a year. With so much life to support, its water resources are critical. The Sundays River flows along the park’s northwestern boundary, while several tributaries crisscross the park’s landscape. The park’s natural springs are supplemented by boreholes with adjacent water holes to ensure an adequate water supply throughout the year.

Visiting Addo Elephant Park for a day or more

When entering Matyholweni Gate in the south, Addo Elephant National Park is an easy 38 kilometres from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), making it the ideal destination for both day tours and extended stays.

Addo Elephant National Park offers a wide range of accommodation. Depending on your budget, there are both camping and self-catering accommodations within Addo Elephant Park. There are also private luxury options within the park, as well as a pleasing variety of lodges and guest houses nearby.

Activities available within Addo Elephant National Park are as diverse as the area within. Addo self-drive safaris on a well-marked road network are the best way to explore the park at leisure.

Or, you can book Addo National Park safari tours (guided game drives) which are offered by park management and private safari operators like us. For the more adventurous, both horseback and hiking safaris are available.