Addo Elephant Park: Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Addo Elephant Park - Travel to Port Elizabeth. Your comprehensive guide to travelling to Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Book accommodation, tours, safaris, car hire and flights.

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Port Elizabeth

Addo Elephant Park

Situated 73km from Port Elizabeth, The Addo Elephant Park has a conservation success story that is world famous.

The original Elephant section of the park was proclaimed in 1931, when only eleven elephants remained in the area - today this finely tuned ecosystem is sanctuary to over 450 elephants, 280 Cape buffalo, black rhino, a variety of antelope species, as well as the unique flightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo. But the Addo story has only just begun. Plans to expand the 164 000 ha Addo National Elephant Park into a 360 000 ha 'Greater Addo' park are moving forward at an exciting pace. This expansion is transforming Addo into the ultimate tourism destination.

Some of its unique features will include:

- Unrivalled natural diversity, with five of South Africa's seven major vegetation zones (biomes).

- A 120 000 ha (296 500 acre) marine reserve that includes islands that are home to the world's largest African penguins and gannets.

- Rich heritage of archaeological and historical sites.

Activities

The great diversity of landscapes and natural vegetation assure a wide variety of game viewing and outdoor adventure opportunities. To make the most of your time in the park be sure to bring along binoculars, camera, walking shoes and wildlife reference books. Road maps of tourist routes within the park are available at the reception area.

Game Viewing

- Game viewing from own vehicle: Explore 75 kilometres of road through prime wildlife country. There are a number of lookout points at waterholes in the area.

- Guided game drives in open vehicles by day, at sunset or by night, which is the time when buffalo and black rhino are most often spotted.

Hiking

Guided walking trail in the heart of elephant country in the company of a knowledgeable guide.

Guided rhino trekking expeditions

Discovery Trail: This unique 2km trail through typical Addo thicket has been specially designed for disabled visitors and is suitable for people in wheelchairs.

Spekboom Trail (3 - 4 hours) in the safety of a botanical reserve within the park. The trail is temporarily closed in preparation for the translocation of some black rhinos to the park.

Zuurberg Nature Trails (1 hour and 4 hours) that wind through fynbos and deep kloofs of unspoiled indigenous forest which is home to leopard, bushpig and a wide variety of birds. The area boasts impressive cycad populations.

Alexandria Hiking Trail: This is a unique 2-day trail that includes forest, dune and coast sections.

Horse Trails

Three hour guided horse trail within elephant area (For experienced riders).

Two hour guided horse trail next to the game fence (Suitable for novice riders).

Zuurberg mountain horse trails (One hour trail for inexperienced riders and 3- and 5-hour routes for experienced riders).

Fauna and Flora

Mammals

The obvious main attraction of the Addo Elephant National Park is the park's more than 450 African Elephants. The Black Rhino and Cape Buffalo are also notable species, but unlike the elephant, these species are easier to see by night. Visitors should also look out for the flightless dung beetle, a species unique to the Addo region and that feeds on the faeces of the large ungulates. There are also many other large herbivores, particularly antelope species such as kudu, eland, red hartebeest and springbok. The highly adaptable leopard has always managed to survive in the area and with the consolidation of the land during park expansion; lion has been reintroduced to complete the big five. Furthermore, with the park now stretching to the shores of the Indian Ocean, whales and dolphins will swell the viewing opportunities. Among the smaller mammals to search for, family groups of suricate or meerkat may be seen.

Birding

Addo's birding opportunity covers excellent habitat contrast between dense thickets of Spekboom interspersed with open grassy areas and wooded kloofs (particularly in the Zuurberg region).

In and around the Addo rest camp Karoo and Cape Robin, Bokmakierie, Southern Tchagra and Cape Bunting are prominent. A trip into the game viewing area will not produce a plethora of birds, but Bokmakierie will once more be prominent, and Martial Eagle, Black Korhaan and Secretarybird may well be seen. In the wooded kloofs of the Zuurberg, Crowned Eagles breed. Forest species typical of the Eastern Cape, such as Olive Bush Shrike, Yellowthroated Warbler and Cape Batis can also be searched for.

Source: South African Tourism

Hotels in Port Elizabeth - Show all accommodation in Port Elizabeth »»
	Shamwari Townhouse From US$187 per person per night	Shamwari Townhouse sets new standards for discreet and lavish boutique accommodation. Nestled in the posh beachfront suburb of Summerstrand, Shamwari Townhouse is less than ten minutes from the airport and within 100 metres from the Indian Ocean. Seven exquisite suites, all materpieces of comfort and opulence, are equipped with business units to keep guests connected to the world.

	Brookes Hill Suites (PELLHRB03) From US$66 per person per night	Brookes Hill Suites offers well furnished and decorated self-contained suites overlooking the shores of Algoa Bay. The surrounding area offers a variety of restaurants but staying on a hotel-basis is an available option. Play golf on a nearby golf course, visit the Zuurberg National Park or Addo Elephant Park.

	Hacklewood Hill Country House From US$158 per person per night	Hacklewood Hill Country House offers every comfort and a stylish dining experience with fine cordon bleu cuisine, impressive vintage wine collection and an authentic wine cellar. Discover serenity, luxury and privacy at an elegant Victorian Country House in the leafy suburb of Walmer, set in a lush country garden abundant with birdlife. Hacklewood Hill Country House, one of the few remaining Victorian manor houses in Port Elizabeth, will take you away from the hustle and bustle of life outside this little retreat. Enjoy utmost privacy and comfort in luxurious surroundings.

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Tours covering Garden Route - Show all safaris & tours covering Garden Route »»
	Western and Eastern Cape Self Drive (CIAA-ELA) From per person per night	Travel at your own pace and explore the beautiful Western Cape and Eastern Cape Provinces. Visit the magnificent Addo Elephant Park, see the whales at Hermanus and enjoy a variety of picturesque little towns through which you will travel before arriving in East London. *Tour Duration:* 20 days

	Garden Route Tour (Departing Cape Town) From US$982 per person per night	The Garden Route is truly one of South Africa's richest botanical treasures, where you can lose yourself in nature amid the grandeur of giant Yellowwood and Milkwood trees in one of the indigenous forests. Traversing the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains, the many inland attractions, to the scattered seaside resorts and tiny coastal villages abound on a truly majestic journey. *Tour Duration:* 4 days

	Garden Route Splendor (PEA-CIAA) From per person per night	Experience the wonders of the world-famous Garden Route. Start your trip with a visit to the Friendly City Port Elizabeth and its beautiful surroundings. Travel along the beautiful coastline until you arrive Cape Town where you can spend the last few days of this trip exploring the beautiful Peninsula. *Tour Duration:* 13 days

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Car hire
	Hyundai Tucson or Similar (GROUP S) (George)
	Mercedes Benz C180 or Similar (GROUP O) (George)
	Honda Civic or similar (GROUP F) (George)
	Toyoto Corolla (CCMR) (George)
	Kia Picanto or Similar (GROUP A) (George)
	Hyundai Atos or Similar (GROUP T) (George)
	Toyota Yaris or Similar (GROUP B) (George)
	Chevrolet Aveo or Similar (GROUP D) (George)
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In and Around Port Elizabeth:
Addo Elephant Park Situated 73km from Port Elizabeth, The Addo Elephant Park has a conservation success story that is world famous. The original Elephant section of the park was proclaimed in 1931, when only eleven... More »»	Addo Elephant Park Situated 73km from Port Elizabeth, The Addo Elephant Park has a conservation success story that is world famous. The original Elephant section of the park was proclaimed in 1931, when only eleven... More »»
Ostrich Farms - Oudtshoorn The ostrich capital of the world. Warm, dry summers and sunny winter days make it the ideal breeding ground for the world's biggest bird, the Ostrich. Before the arrival of the first settlers Ostrich... More »»	Bungee Jumping - Bloukrans River The highest commercial bungi jump in the world is at Bloukrans River Bridge. The height is 216 metres with a 7 second free fall! The adventure company Face Adrenalin will make sure you have an... More »»
Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe The Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe is the last steam hauled scheduled passenger train operating in Southern Africa. This unique steam train departs Monday to Saturday (excluding 25 December) from George to Mossel... More »»	Cango Caves A place of great natural beauty and a national monument. The Cango Caves, one of the world's great natural wonders, provide a magical journey through massive caverns and fascinating limestone... More »»
Tsitsikamma National Park South Africa's first Marine National Park. The Tsitsikamma National Park is also known as "the place of much water". Where the booming breakers of the Indian Ocean relentlessly pound rocky shores,... More »»

Map of Garden Route

In and Around Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth

Addo Elephant Park

Hotels in Port Elizabeth

Tours covering Garden Route

Car hire

In and Around Port Elizabeth:

Map of Garden Route