Travel Guides South Africa - Addo Elephant National Park

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Addo Elephant Park National Parks
Province: Eastern Cape
Region: Sunshine Coast
Features: Addo Elephants, New Trail for disabled tourists

Main Attractions
1. Elephants   (350)
2. Black Rhinoceros
3. Cape Buffalo (disease free)  
4. Suricate (Meerkat)
5. Flightless Dung Beetle  

Introduction Addo Elephant Park
The original Elephant section of the park was proclaimed in 1931, when only eleven elephant remained in the area - today this finely tuned ecosystem is sanctuary to over 350 elephants, 280 Cape buffalo, black rhino, a variety of antelope species, as well as the unique flightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo Elephant Park. But the Addo story has only just begun. Plans to expand the 125 000 ha (309 000 acre) Addo Elephant Park into a 492 000 ha (1,2 million acre) "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). 
The Big 7 (Elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, leopard, whales and great white sharks in their natural habitat. Only lions still have to be reintroduced to the "Greater Addo" area and could be as soon as 2003. 
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. 
Accommodation and activity options for all tastes. 

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 bird 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).

4X4 Trails
4 X 4 enthusiasts will enjoy the challenging routes that wind their way through the 
Zuurberg mountains to Darlington Dam in the arid Karoo. The route takes in
fascintaing historic sites and overnight accommodation is available at Kabouga Guest
House and Mvubu Bush Camp.


Fauna and Flora
Mammals
The obvious main attraction of the Addo Elephant Park is the park's 350 or so 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 will be 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 (of Timon from "the Lion King" fame) 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. 


General Information
- Climate
Temperate to mild to warm, with annual rainfall of 450 mm occurring throughout the year. 
- Day Visitors
Day visitors are welcome both in the Addo Elephant section and the Zuurberg section is 
exclusively for day visitors. 
- Emergencies -Park: Tel +27 42 233 0556/7 o Fax +27 42 233 0196

Handy Hints
Bring along binoculars, camera walking shoes and wildlife reference books. 
Road maps of tourist routes within the park are available at the reception area. 

Please Note
Pets are not allowed in national parks. 
Firearms to be declared at reception where they will be sealed. The seal will be broken upon departure. 
No citrus fruits may be brought into the park. 
Medical, vehicle repair and police services are available at Addo Village and Sunlands (15 km). 

Getting to Addo
The park is situated 72 km from Port Elizabeth in the Sundays River Valley and Zuurberg Mountain range. The access road from the main road (4 km) is tarred as far as the restcamp. Roads within the restcamp are tarred - all other internal roads are gravel.
- Gate Hours 
Addo: 07:00 - 19:00 throughout the year
Zuurberg: 07:30 - 16:30 throughout the year 


A REVOLUTIONARY new access trail for the disabled has been launched in the Addo Elephant National Park.

The solid but stylish 2km PPC Discovery Trail, the first of its kind in Africa, loops through a section of typical Addo thicket near the main park camp.

A doubly environmentally friendly development, the surface of the trail is made out of polywood, a material produced from recycled plastic, and it is raised slightly above the ground to avoid damage to vegetation.

It also ensures a smooth ride for wheelchair-bound visitors. Another aspect is a rope railing running along each side of the trail to help partially sighted people to navigate.

Expansion is planned, with the addition of more circular routes. Innovations like moulded animal spoor, interesting rock features and even braille boards or audio booths could be built into the trail for visually impaired visitors.

Initiated by honorary ranger Virginia Thomas, the concept of the trail was taken up by the park's management team and implemented with the help of sponsorship from PPC.

Paying tribute to the park's long relationship with PPC, warden Lucius Moolman said the launch marked the start of accelerated growth and improvement, with a large amount of money suddenly having been made available from the government and the World Bank.

About R100-million is due to be spent in the park in the next six years." SANP tourism and marketing manager Chris Patton, who is disabled, said he thought the trail was an excellent initiative.

"It's fantastic. So often people with an impairment are restricted, but now we can enjoy the sights, smells and the feel of the bush.". 

Accommodation

Main Rest Camp
Whether you are looking for luxury, comfortable family accommodation, or rustic settings, you are sure to find what your heart desires in the main rest camp, in the rugged Zuurberg section of the park, or in one of the concession sites.

Cottages and Chalets 

All of the cottages and chalets are close to the main waterhole which is illuminated at night, affording a memorable window into the real nightlife of Africa! There is a privately-run, licensed a la carte restaurant and shop in the restcamp while for those who wish to self cater, all units are fully equipped or have communal facilities. There is a lapa, which is used for spitbraais and potjies. 

Guest houses: These luxury units each consist of two bedrooms with bathrooms en suite (one with bath; one with shower), a living room with fan and a fully equipped kitchen. The guest houses have air conditioning and each can sleep up to six people. 
Family chalets: This type of accommodation can sleep either two adults and two children, or three adults. Each unit has two single beds, a double sleeper couch, full bathroom (bath and shower), air conditioning and a fully equipped kitchen.

Rondavels: These huts have two single beds, shower, toilet, hand basin, air conditioning and fridge. A communal kitchen with a four plate electric stove, cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils is shared by the other rondavels . You can view elephants at the waterhole from the comfort of your rondavel.

Forest cabins: The cabins consist of an open plan area with four beds and a table with seating for four. Each cabin has a shower, toilet and basin, as well as braai ( barbecue) facilities and a fridge.
Family chalet (no. 16): This unit can sleep a maximum of six people. It comprises one bedroom with a double bed, and a bed sitter area with two single beds and a sleeper couch, with a bathroom leading off the bed sitter area. It has air conditioning and a fully equipped kitchen.
Chalet no. 15: This chalet has two single beds in an open plan area with a kitchen, shower, toilet and hand basin. The unit also has air conditioning. 

All of the rest camp accommodation is serviced daily and provided with bedding, towels and soap. Check In is at 13:00 and Check Out is at 10:00.

Caravan and Camping
There is a shady site for campers and caravanners in the main rest camp. Caravan sites are equipped with 220V power points. Communal ablution and kitchen facilities are available. 
A maximum of six persons, one caravan with a side tent and one vehicle, or one tent and one vehicle, or one auto villa or one motorised caravan will be permitted per site.
The site is near the main waterhole which is illuminated at night

Zuurberg
This section is named after the Zuurberg mountain range and runs from west to east with the park encompassing most of the mountain range. Various vegetation types are to be found within this section from forested valleys to Fynbos covered mountaintops. This is surely the most dramatically beautiful section of the park.
Most of the section is set aside as a wilderness area with very little human activity-taking place.
Narina Bush Camp

There is a tented bush camp at Narina overlooking crystal clear natural pools on the Witriver. in the ruggedly beautiful Zuurberg section of the park. This camp is named after the exquistely beautiful Narina Trogon bird, which frequents the forests of the Zuurberg. The camp is very rustic, accommodating eight people at any one time. Every need is catered for in a very primitive manner. Four dome tents cater for the overnight sleeping arrangements. These tents are provided with linen. No food or drinks are provided for and it is up to the guests to provide for themselves. Firewood is available for campfires at night. Paraffin lanterns are available for overnight use. This camp can be reached by Vehicle, Walking trail or on Horseback.

Kabouga Section
The Kabouga section is surely one of the most beautiful sections within the Addo Elephant National Park. This section provides largely for those people who own 4x4 vehicles. The section is covered with Valley Bushveld, Afro- mountain forests and Riverine thicket. This gives rise to very diverse flora and fauna. A Network of 4x4 routes covers this area with the main route linking Kabouga to Darlington.Historically this route was of great significance during the Boer war and saw numerous skirmishes between the Boers and English. Old relics can still be seen from this bygone era. Two species of cycad can be seen in this section with some of the cycads standing up to six meters in height.

Kabouga Guest House
Kabouga Guest is situated in a magnificent natural amphitheatre setting along the route of one of the challenging mountain 4x4 trails in this section of the park. The guesthouse house sleeps six people with bedding, cutlery and crockery provided for. A gas stove and fridge are also available. An old reservoir has been converted into a swimming pool with a braai lapa in close proximity.

Mvubu Camp
This rustic bush camp is situated on an idyllic stretch of the upper Sundays River and provides an overnight base for 4x4 enthusiasts. There are ablution facilities but no electrical power. 

Darlington Dam
The Darlington section is situated at the most northern extreme of the park. This section is to a large extent covered by Succulent Karoo with a very low rainfall. The vegetation in this section is dominated by succulent species with the Noors plant being the most dominant.
The Darlington Lake takes up a large area within this section, which is a man, made system. This dam covers approximately 5000ha and is well stocked with various fish species. The bird life around this dam is very varied with numerous unusual species occurring. One of the most frequently seen birds is the fish eagle which has become a symbol of Africa. Various game species can also be seen ranging from the endangered Black Rhino to the elusive Leopard.

Houses
Accommodation is available in the form of old lake construction houses that have been revamped to accommodate up to four people. Four of these houses are available.

Camping
Camping is allowed below the dam wall as well as on the western shoreline of the dam.

Woody Cape Section
This unique section includes majestic dunefields, forest and two island groups.
There is overnight accommodation on the Alexandria Trail (link to wildlife trails in Addo/ Eastern Cape/ Sunshine Coast) is allowed below the dam wall as well as on the western shoreline of the dam.

Concession Sites 
Darlington Lake Lodge - contact 042 243 3673 (Toto Van der Merwe)
Gorah Elephant Camp - contact 044 532 7818 (Ian Hunter) or visit www.gorah.co.za


RESERVATIONS
Contact numbers for booking office at Addo Elephant Park:

Telephone Number: +27 (0)12 428-9111
Fax number: +27 (0)12 343-0905