Overview

Addo Elephant National Park is the third largest national park in South Africa, it is the only national park where you can see the Big Seven: Lions, Rhinos, Elephants, Buffalo, and Leopards, Great White Sharks, and Southern Right Whales in the world. The park is nestled in the Addo region and the Eastern Cape, it encompasses five of South Africa’s eight biomes and stretches from the Zuurberg Mountains to the coastal dunes of Alexandria. The diverse wildlife park was founded in 1931 in an effort to provide sanctuary for the 11 remaining elephants in the area. The park has had great success and currently houses over 600 elephants and a large number of other mammals. 

The park has undergone expansion with more transformations to come. It is particularly famous for its herds of elephants that graze on vegetation and parade around, they can be seen by the waterholes frolicking. Algoa Bay is the place to go to witness Great White Sharks and Southern Right Whales. In addition to the Big 7 visitors can spot the unique endemic flightless Addo dung beetle, which is almost exclusive to Addo. There are almost 100 species of mammals inside the national park including as well as 417 bird species, and about 20 marine species. 

Things to see and do

Take an exhilarating 4x4 ride on the Bedrogfontein Trail that runs between the Kabouga and Darlington areas of the park. This thrilling and scenic ride provides passengers with breathtaking views and is rich in history. The 27-mile route was the scene of some fierce battles between the British and Afrikaner troops during the Anglo-Boer War. There are some interesting rock art paintings found scattered throughout the area for visitors to view as well as a variety of vegetation types.

Book a spa day! The Addo ‘Indlovu’ (which means elephant in isiXhosa) Spa provides its guests with a wonderful opportunity to unwind in one of their relaxing treatment rooms for a massage or facial. They offer a unit near the reception area at Main Camp where massages can also be booked.  

The Alexandria Hiking Trail is a two-day hike through three distinctly different environments that range from thick verdant forests to spectacular coastal dunes, and the stunning South African seashore. This hike is an unforgettable experience and no other trail in the entire country compares to its diversity! Hikers will have hut accommodations on the 2-3 day hike, and a wonderful opportunity for a minimum of three hikers to enjoy a unique hiking experience.

There is a Zuurberg Hiking Trail that takes hikers through the spectacular mountain setting, there are 1 or 3-hour trails that take you through stunning scenic surroundings. There are two trails here to choose from the 7.5-mile-long Doringnek trail and the Zuurberg Walk which is 1.5 miles. 

Go on a full-day game drive in Addo! A guided tour is your best bet when heading out in the park to spot wildlife. There are other options such as a half day and self-driven tours, but to get the best out of your trip plan on a full day as different animals are active during different times of the day. A full-day tour will give you a broader range of wildlife and allow you to cover more ground within the vast park. Safari vehicles have a much better vantage over the park’s landscapes with a much higher chance of seeing the animals.     

Take a marine eco-tour with a licensed boat-based whale and dolphin-watching company! Whale-watching season in the region is from June to December. These catamaran cruises travel to Penguin Island and come across dolphins, seals, and seabirds in Algoa Bay. Passengers can also get a glimpse of Southern Right Whales and Great White Sharks that form part of the Big Seven. 

Take an exhilarating ride on a giant swing across the Sundays River valley!! This is the highest, longest, and fastest double zip line in South Africa located at Adrenalin Addo offering visitors another perspective on the scenic valley below. 

Go horseback riding through Addo Elephant National Park! There are horse trails throughout the park that begin at Addo Main Camp and take riders into the Nyathi area where they can trot next to zebras, kudos, and more. There is also a splendid scenic trail at the Zuurberg section boasting spectacular views. And for the more experienced and adventurous rider, there is an overnight horse trail to Narina Bush Camp.