Addo Elephant National Park Travel Guide
From Wikitravel
The Addo Elephant National Park [1] (pronounced Ahh-Dow) is in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa and is one of the country's larger parks.
Contents |
Understand
History
In the parks early years, during times of drought (and before the waterholes were artificially kept full) the park keepers fed the elephants on oranges from the local orange groves. Gradually the elephants became addicted to the taste of the fruit! This practise stopped along time ago, but the older elephants still remember the smell and have been known to reach into vehicles and get their favourite fruit!
Landscape
Flora and fauna
Climate
Due to its terrain, Addo stays at a comfy 27 - 30 C throughout the Winter.
Get in
Addo NP is about 70km north-east from Port Elizabeth. There is no public transport to or within the park so you need your own car (car rental is available in Port Elizabeth). Or book an organized tour but going on your own pace is really the best option. The park can be visited on a day-trip from Port Elizabeth. On the road you might notice signs to the 'Addo Olifant Nasionale Park'. These signs are the old Afrikaans version of the more modern road signs.
Fees/Permits
Get around
As mentioned above there is no public transport in the park and hiking is prohibited.
See & Do
The Park is famous for its elephant population that has a special, brownish skin colour due to the red soil. Amongst the elephants other animals, like ostriches, different antelopes and warthogs can be seen. The introduction of a group of lions to the parked is planned with the park's expansion.
Although the Addo is not as spectacular as other parks, such as Kruger National Park, it is not as crowded and those who know Addo, love it.
Buy
Eat & Drink
There is a restaurant and shop near the park entrance.
Sleep
Lodging
There is a camp in the Addo, which boosts a restaurant, camping facilities and a number of chalets for overnight stays. Some accommodation is available outside the park in Addo village.
Camping
As mentioned above, camping is possible at the camp.
Backcountry
There are no other places to stay in the park.
Outside the park
There are a few B&Bs locally. :)
Stay safe
Stay in your car at all times - elephants will charge if they feel threatened. Do not carry any citrus fruit in your car, the elephants have developed an addiction for the fruit and will search it out!
Get out
- Go to the Mountain Zebra National Park to spot some of the rare Mountain Zebras.
- The old town of Graaff-Reinet is definitely worth a visit
- Go to Port Elizabeth and from there on to the Garden Route and Cape Town.
- Go north into the Karoo and the cities of Kimberley and Bloemfontein.
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