Guide to Addo Elephant National Park

General InformationNyathi area of the park, with 8 rooms.
Addo Elephant National Park is located in an area that· Nguni River Lodge - 8 luxurious suites with
is free of malaria and just a one hour drive from Portgreat views of the Zuurberg Mountains
Elizabeth city, which is located along the GardenThere are other accommodation options available in
Route. The Park as a whole is well known for itsthe Great Addo Area, such as Private Game
outstanding diversity - with a major variance of gameReserves, B&Bs and Guesthouses.
viewing, adventures in the great outdoors, touristActivities at the Park
accommodation and wonderful experiences of culture.It is possible to organize hiking, horse trails, and
A visit to the park gives the discerning visitor aarrange organized bird watching at the park. The
unique insight into the wonderful flora and fauna ofmain game area of the park has nearly 200 bird
South Africa.species. You can also partake in Discovery Trails of
the area. If you take the trail between Kabouga and
In recent years the original Addo Park has beenDarlington, you will learn all about the major battles
expanded to include the Woody Cape Naturethat happened in the area between the British and
Reserve, which runs from the mouth of the SundaysBoer forces during the Anglo-Boer War in the early
River to Alexandria and a water reserve, which20th Century.
encompasses St Croix Island and Bird Island. TheCamp Facilities
latter is an important breeding home to gannets andYou can avail of the following facilities at the main
penguins. The planned expansion is part of therest camp:
planning process to enlarge the present 1,640 km2· Fuel refilling station which is open between
Addo National Elephant Park into a 3,600 km27am and 5pm
Greater Addo Elephant National Park.· Restaurant and Shop
This expansion will mean that the park will contain 5· Picnic area for visitors
of the 7 main vegetation zones of South Africa.· Public telephone and post box facilities
More importantly, the park will probably be the only· Post office and banking facilities located at
park in the world to contain the "Big Seven" of animalAddo town, which is around 15km from the park.
species: Elephants, Rhinos, Lion, Buffalo, Leopard,· Further facilities available at the town of
Whale and Great White Shark in their natural habitats.Kirkwood (35km away) and Port Elizabeth (75km
The park also has a rich heritage of sites of that arefrom the Park)
important in the archaeology world.Opening and Closing Times of the Park
Animals at Addo· The park entrance gate is open from 7am
In total, the park is home to over 450 Elephants,to 7pm and is manned by security from 7pm to 7am.
nearly 50 Black Rhinos, and some wonderful species· Wildlife viewing area opens between 6am
of Antelopes such as Red Hartebeest, Eland,to 6pm in the summer and 7am to 5.30 in winter.
Buschbuck, Gemsbok, Springbok, Buffalo and Black· Climate is very hot in summer at Addo
Wildebeest. Game species include Cape MountainNational Park and has been known to reach over 40
Sebras, Hyenas, Reedbucks, Baboons, Aardwolf anddegrees celsius.
Red Rock Rabbits.· Winter days are generally mild but can be
Very hot days at waterholes are best for viewingcold at night with some frost. Annual rainfalls is
the elephants. The early evening is the best time toaround 500mm. Rainfall peaks are in March/April and
see Black Rhino. Lions and Hyena are best spottedSeptember/October.
early morning or early evening.Directions to the National Park
Pets are not allowed into the park, and you are notThere are 3 ways you can reach Addo from Port
allowed to feed the animals.Elizabeth:
Accommodation at Addo· Take the N2 Highway to Grahamstown.
It is possible to book accommodation at Park, similarTake the left turn that is signposted for the park. Go
to other National Parks around South Africa. Therethrough Motherwell and this route is around 72km
are two restcamps that are located within the park:long and takes around an hour.
· Addo Main Camp - close to the entrance· Take the N2 again to Grahamstown and
gate, and offering over 60 units of accommodationcontinue forth until the N2 splits off to the left from
to reserve.the N10 road. Take the N10 then to Cookhouse.
· Camp Matyholweni - located near theThen take the R342 to the left and follow the signs
Eastern Cape town of Colchester, which is locatedto the National Park.
along the N2, approximately under an hour's drive· Start off on the N2 to Grahamstown; pass
from Main Camp.by Coega Harbour on the right. Cross the Sunday
It is also possible to reserve private Game Lodges atRiver Bridge. Take a left at the signpost for "Camp
Addo National Park:Matyholweni" and follow for around 3km. At Camp
· The Gorah Elephant Camp located withinMatyholweni follow the southern access road in the
the park and containing luxurious tent camps.Park until you will get to the Main Camp. You will be
· Darlington Lake Lodge - positioned in thetravelling over a gravel public road, and it is around
Darlington Dam area of the park.40km from Port Elizabeth.
· River Bend Lodge - this is locatred in the