Addo Elephant National Park lies in South Africa's Eastern Cape, within reach of Port Elizabeth. It is home to over 600 elephants, and the name tells you where the emphasis falls: this is a park built around the chance to see these animals up close in the wild.
The park is also home to a diverse range of other wildlife, so a visit is rarely only about the elephants. Keep your eyes open as you drive, since the landscape and its animals change as you move through the reserve.
What kind of visit it makes
- A wildlife drive through the park, going slowly and watching for animals along the roads.
- A day trip or longer stay from Port Elizabeth, which makes the park a convenient addition to a visit to the city.
- An encounter with elephants, which is the park's defining draw for most visitors.
Planning your trip
Because the park sits near Port Elizabeth, the city is the natural base for most travellers, with its own accommodation and services to draw on before and after a day in the reserve. Check the park's current arrangements for entry and game drives before you set out, as these can vary.
If you enjoy animal-watching and the open, quiet feel of a South African reserve, Addo offers a focused and rewarding way to spend time in the Eastern Cape.