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Track gentle giants with this Addo Elephant National Park guide!
We believe that the wilder, the better. So off we went to Addo Elephant National Park, a total beast of a place at 1,640 km², making it the globe’s third-largest national park.
That’s not the sole reason we drove for nearly 11 hours, though. You see, it’s the only Big 7 park on the face of the earth, meaning lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, rhinos, Great White Sharks, and southern right whales call it home.
Sounds too intense? Relax. We’ve broken it down below—what to see, what not to miss, and even where you can catch some shut-eye after a day (or days) of roaming wildly.
Things to Know
Address: Addo Elephant National Park
Contact Details: +27 42 233 8600
Operating Hours: Daily – 7 am to 7 pm
Fees
| November 1, 2024 – October 31, 2025 | Adults (12+ years) | Children (2 – 11 years) |
| South African Citizens and Residents | R105 | R52 |
| SADC Nationals | R210 | R105 |
| International (non-South African) Citizens | R437 | R219 |
How to Get There
By Plane and Taxi: The fastest way to reach Addo Elephant National Park from Johannesburg is via a plane ride. You can fly from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), primarily through Airlink.
You must then hail a taxi to reach the park. The ride usually takes 1 hr and 9 mins.
By Bus and Taxi: To reach Addo Elephant National Park from Johannesburg via bus, board Bus Line 15206 and stop at Kariega (formerly Uitenhage), where you must then take a taxi ride.
By Car: Addo Elephant National Park’s parking lot is at Addo Elephant Main Camp.
Things to Do
Roll into the bush with a guided drive
From kelly_d96
We bumped into some of the park’s most magnificent creatures on a full-day guided drive, which set us back R2,850 for the adults and R1,800 for the little ones.
Zebras, antelopes, and lions came out early, so we immediately had a wild start to the jaunt. Then, late morning came through with the bigger boys—elephants and buffalo, most of which were drinking and relaxing by the Colchester Section’s waterholes.
We then spotted some hippos down at the Sundays River, followed by the wildebeests of the hotter Nama-Karoo stretch. Unfortunately, we didn’t encounter the shy leopards and black rhinos.
Navigate the shifting terrain in a 4×4
From niallfcooney
The 45-km Bedrogfontein 4×4 Trail offers a quicker chance to see the park’s mash-up of terrains. You’ll roll from Kabounga to Darlington for about six hours, cruising through jaw-dropping landscapes like riverine thickets and afromontane forests.
Grade-wise, it’s between 2 and 3, so it’s not impossible to finish. The downside is that you won’t be spotting lions every five minutes since it’s not crawling with wildlife like the main game viewing sections.
That said, it’s historic. Battles during the Anglo-Boer War took place on this stretch, and there’s also rock art that sharp-eyed riders can peruse.
Gawk at the sea’s giants
From raggycharters
Thanks to Raggy Charters’ cruises, we got proof that Addo Elephant National Park is truly the Big 7’s home.
Since we were there in July, we booked the sunset whale-watching cruise, and it was money well spent. We saw southern right whales, some with calves tagging along, and a few even swimming very close inshore.
As for the bravehearts, they went full send and tried shark cave diving in Algoa Bay. The Great White Shark swam up on cue, followed by St. Croix Island’s African penguins.
Catch a glimpse of local birds
From kathleen.vanoppen
We didn’t even have to budge from the main camp to catch some proof of the abundant birdlife. Cape bunting, southern tchagra, karoo scrub robins, and fiscal flycatchers kept popping up there.
Out in the game area, we clocked in a few as well, though not as many as the camp’s inhabitants. Specifically, martial eagles and common ostriches were the sightings.
We probably would have ticked off more species if we had visited during the peak birding season. That’s between November and April, when the flyers migrate from Europe and North Africa.
Test your legs on the Alexandria Hiking Trail
From fagalavoet
Length: 38.5 km
Elevation Gain: 1,079 m
Estimated Time: 10 hrs 32 mins
Difficulty: Hard
Type: Circular
Contact Details (for booking):
- Phone – +27 (0)41 4680916/8
- Email – [email protected]
The Alexandria Hiking Trail isn’t for the weak-legged, but if yours can take the distance, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic variety. Dunes, forests, cliffs, beaches—this path doesn’t settle with a single landscape.
Most hikers complete it in two days; the first is a 19.5-km odyssey, while the second takes about 16.7 km. Extra prep is needed for the dune field (aka the dune sea), best crossed early before the heat comes out swinging.
Do note that it’s not free. R234 a night is the usual cost, but that normally includes the accommodation within the trail, so it’s no robbery.
Look for nocturnal animals
From addotourism
Staying at the Spekboom Camp can be a genius move on your part. Since it’s a hop from a waterhole, you’ll likely catch glimpses of nocturnal creatures quenching their thirst, like aardvarks, hares, porcupines, or small spotted cats.
Nighttime birds get active, too. Guests have reported seeing fiery-necked nightjars around dusk and eagle owls deeper into the night.
If you’re luckier than, you just might clock a jackal or caracal on predator mode.
Chill on The Sundays River Mouth
From boschkraalfarm
The rarely crowded Sundays River Mouth, situated on the park’s boundary, was where we took a breather.
We splashed around in the mellow and warm water before casting a line for some common carp and Japanese meagre. Those high dunes also had us posing nonstop.
Bet you and your bae will catch some lovey-dovey feels, too, especially if you bring a picnic rug or a boat (there’s boat access).
Get pampered at Addo Indlovu Spa
From addoindlovuspa
Address: Addo Elephant National Park, Main Camp
Contact Details: +27 71 605 7919
Addor Indlovu Spa was a treat for our bodies and minds.
I’m a fan of their full-body massage, as the pressure level and targeted areas were all tailored to my liking. The experience, though, became more soothing when I forked out an extra R50 for some hot stones.
Skin care and mani-pedi treatments are on the menu as well, which is dope if you need to rebalance or rehydrate your skin before or after baking in the sun for hours.
Where to Stay
Addo Elephant Main Camp (or Addo Rest Camp)
From idolife_with_wandi
Address: Addo Elephant Main Camp
Contact Details: +27 42 233 8600
In our books, the Addo Elephant Main Camp is the sharpest spot to crash at. Sure, it can get too buzzing, but the trade-off is hearing lions at night, listening to francolin at first light, and getting access to a floodlit waterhole lookout.
As for accommodation, it offers cottages, guest houses, and chalets. Safari tents and camping sites are in the mix, too.
There’s also plenty to do beyond reconnecting with the wild, like swimming in the pool or having picnics at the shaded Jack’s Picnic Site.
Narina Bush Camp
From therainbowsa
Address: Narina Bush Camp, Nqweba
Found along the Wit River’s banks and a 45-minute drive from the park’s main hub, Narina Bush Camp gives you a bit more peace and quiet.
For rooms, your options are four canvas tents, each kitted with a pair of single beds. There’s also a paraffin-heated shower, a separate toilet, and a well-equipped kitchen with a gas stove and fridge.
Downside is that the Big 5 animals don’t roam in its vicinity. Still, the forest’s birdlife is thriving, and smaller critters like bushpigs wander about.
Nyathi Rest Camp
From sandrabruttomesso
Address: Nyathi Rest Camp
Contact Details: +27 42 233 8600
Nyati Rest Camp is both luxe and natural. There, you’ll sleep in a 2-sleeper, 4-sleeper, or family room by the Zuurberg Mountain, all with glass panels for fauna viewing.
Buffalo, the animal the camp is named after, and elephants are what guests typically see. Most of the time, they’re drinking at the waterhole a few metres down the camp.
In addition, more creatures, like baboons and kudu, show up once the nearby river flows.
Matyholweni Rest Camp
From minettaluttig
Address: Kirkwood
Contact Details: +27 41 468 0916
If you prefer to stay at self-catering and well-equipped cottages, Matyholweni Rest Camp is a fine deal. All the cottages there have their own TVs, kitchens, braai stands, and private bathrooms.
The area also has its fair share of big wildlife, including buffalo, bushbucks, and zebras.
Most importantly, guests can access the park’s main game area through the Southern Road. Caravans and buses, however, don’t have the same luxury.
Spekboom Tented Rest Camp
From sannyzoektgeluk
Address: Spekboom Tented Camp
Contact Details: +27 42 233 8600
While not the flashiest, Spekboom Tented Rest Camp nails that intimate, true-bush atmosphere, thanks to its secluded location and abundance of overgrown flora.
As for features, its five canvas tents come with two single beds and a tiny patio deck for some outdoor grilling. Guests also receive utility boxes, which have essentials such as glasses, knives, and bowls.
And as we’ve mentioned, it’s alive with nocturnal animals.
Where to Eat
Cattle Baron Grill & Bistro
From cattlebaronaddo
Address: Addo Elephant National Park, Main Camp, Addo
Contact Details: +27 41 180 4065
Operating Hours: Daily – 7 am to 10 pm
You need a big appetite to handle the park’s rugged style. Good thing the award-winning steakhouse, Cattle Baron, is just around the corner.
During our trip, their Fillet Madagascar kept us loaded with velvety meat, dressed in a green peppercorn sauce that swings between creamy and hot.
Their signature Chateaubriand was also divine. Flambeed tableside with brandy, it was a thick, smoky, and buttery cut worth the R255 price tag.
