Addo Elephant National Park is situated in the Eastern Cape, one of 9 provinces in South Africa and famous for rugged coast lines, incredible scenery and of course Aloes. Although the park is home to the BIG 5 as well as numerous other wildlife and bird species, it is most famous for being home to over 600 Elephants. Originally founded in the 1930’s, it was opened to offer a safe haven to the 11 remaining elephants of the area. It is currently the third biggest National Park in South Africa and the biggest reserve in the Eastern Cape covering 1640 square kilometres of Eastern Cape Bush Veld. Addo stretches all the way to the Indian Ocean and includes the Sundays River, ST Croix and Bird Island and is the only park in Africa that can boast being home to Africa’s big 7. This includes the well know big 5, Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino and Buffalo as well as 2 of the Marine big 5, The Great White Shark and Whales.
Addo Elephant Park is near other well-known big 5 game reserves such as Shamwari and the Amakhala game reserve and also home to other smaller areas such as Addo the town, Colchester home of the Sundays River and is only a short drive from Port Elizabeth as well as the Port Elizabeth International Airport. This makes it the perfect destination to visit before embarking on a coastal road trip through the Garden Route en-route to the Overberg and Cape Town
There are plenty of things to do in the Greater Addo Elephant National Park region, however is most famous for Safari, game viewing and wildlife activities: Some of the top activities in Addo includes
A full day Addo safari with Braai lunch with Kakuli Safaris will allow you take in the best that Addo has to offer as well as experience part of our local culture with a traditional South African Braai.
For those that want to get up close and personal can participate in the Addo Elephant Back Safari with Into tours. This will allow you to ride, walk with and feed these majestic animals.
Further afield, adjacent to the Addo Elephant Park, Bellevue Forest Reserve is situated and famous for their herds of Buffalo. Their Buffalo Tour will bring you up close to this member of the Big 5. The Giraffe walk is one of their specialties and will take guest on a guided walk through their 2500ha reserve in search of the Giraffe
After experiencing the Big 5 in their natural habitat, Sandboarding next to the Sundays River is a must for adventure seekers.
After a relaxing river cruise will allow you see why the Sundays river is called Africa’s best kept secret.
Adrenaline Addo’s Giant swing and Ultimte Double zip line will get your heart racing and your blood pumping with these thrilling experiences and is only a short drive away from the entrance to Addo Elephant National Park