The world-famous Addo Elephant National Park is home to around 400 elephants, who roam freely among the 125,000 hectare reserve alongside black rhino, buffalo, kudu and red hartebeest, the extremely elusive and rarely seen leopard, and over 400 bird species.
Addo is one of the more scenic National Parks in South Africa, with rolling green hills covered in thick, lush vegetation, most of it evergreen, so it is attractive at whatever time you visit.
Day, sunrise, sunset and night guided drives of approximately 2 hours duration are available at an additional cost. Drives are conducted by knowledgeable, qualified guides on open-top Land Rovers or trucks, and really are the best way to see the elephants amongst the thick bushes.
Alternatively, you can drive into the Park yourself, and follow the small network of roads around the Park.
There is also the opportunity to book a horse trail, which can be from one hour to 5 hours long, depending on your level of competency. All horse trails are conducted by experienced guides on sure-footed, well-trained horses.
The accommodation in the Addo National Elephant Park is in comfortable and well-appointed guest houses, rondavels, cottages, forest cabins and chalets.
The guest houses and rondavels all overlook a floodlit waterhole.
Most of the accommodation have their own kitchen/kitchenette, apart from the rondavels and the cabins, which have communal kitchen facilities.
There is also swimming pool, and a small shop where you can buy a limited range of food, or else there is a restaurant which is open for all meals.
Rates Include
Accommodation only basis - no meals are included. PLEASE NOTE: The daily Park fees and the Conservation Levy are NOT included - these are payable at the Park gate on arrival.
Children Policy
Children of any age are welcome. Rates available on request.
Directions For Drivers
From The Garden Route/Port Elizabeth: Take the N2 from direction Cape Town/Plett/Knysna towards PE/Grahamstown. Turn off the N2 onto the R335 (signposted Motherwell/Markman and there is also a sign right after this sign for the Addo Elephant Park). Travel approximately 50 km to Addo village. Continue through the village on the R335 in direction of Park and cross the railway line, once railway line crossed travel for a further 4 km (you will pass a crocodile ranch on the left-hand side). The Park entrance will be on your right-hand side.
From Grahamstown: Take the N2 towards Port Elizabeth/Plett/Knysna/Cape Town. Turn right onto a dirt road towards the Shamwari Game Reserve. You will see the Shamwari boards on the N2. Go past Shamwari (entrance on your right) and continue along the gravel road until Paterson. Take the R342 towards Addo, and approximately 25 km along the road you will see the Addo Elephant Park turn-off on your left.
PLEASE NOTE: THE MAIN GATE IS OPEN DAILY FROM 07:00 UNTIL 19:00.
General Information For Guests
All accommodation is equipped with crockery, cutlery, cooking utensils, bedding, towels and soap. There is a braai/BBQ area outside which guests are welcome to use. All accommodation units have plug points available with a 220V electricity supply. Visitors need to provide their own international adaptors or 2-point plug adaptors. Your accommodation will be serviced daily between 09:00 and midday. Sheets will be changed every 2-3 days, and towels will be changed every day. Please do not hesitate to ask the staff for extra soap, towels, blankets, etc.
There is a restaurant serving a la carte meals and light refreshments, and a shop where curios and basic supplies can be purchased. Bookings at the restaurant are advisable, especially for dinner - please telephone +27 (0) 42 233 8674 or email addo@tourrest.co.za in advance should you require dinner on your first night.
A fuel station selling petrol and diesel is open between 07:30 and 16:30. There is also a swimming pool. A lookout platform and an underground hide provide views over a waterhole which is floodlit at night.
Credit cards are accepted for payment of activities, shop purchases, petrol/diesel and restaurant meals. The nearest ATM is in Addo Town, about 15 km from the Park.
Guided game drives leave the Main Camp in the Park every 2-3 hours throughout the day, and booking in advance is essential. Please either email addogamedrives@sanparks.org or call on +27 (0) 42 233 8657. Children under the age of 6 years not allowed on these drives. You need to check in 15 minutes prior to the game drive at the Game Drive Office. Each drive needs a minimum of 2 people and prices are person. Each game drive lasts approximately 2 hours. Rates on request.
Please note that self-drive game viewing in your own vehicle is available at no additional cost. Self-drive visitors can also arrange (at an additional cost) for a 'Hop On Guide' to provide guiding services for visitors in the comfort of their own vehicle. Booking again for this service is essential - please email addogamedrives@sanparks.org.andnbsp; Rates on request. Hours of operation are between 08:00 and 17:00 only.
Addo horse trails can also be arranged. Morning and afternoon rides are 2 hours long and take place in the Nyathi area, home to the Big 5. Riders need to have a moderate level of experience to ensure they can control the horses within a big game area. No children under 16 years may participate on the Addo horse trail. No person exceeding 90 kg in weight will be allowed to ride. Only one rider is allowed per horse. Rates on request.
For those who do not want to ride in a Big 5 environment, Zuurberg horse trails can be arranged (one hour; 3 hours; 5 hours trail). There are no encounters with large game, but some beautiful scenic views of the mountains. A moderate level of experience is required for the longer rides due to the terrain covered. No children under 10 years may participate on the Zuurberg horse trails. No person exceeding 90 kg in weight will be allowed to ride. Only one rider is allowed per horse. Rates on request.
