Eastern Cape, near Gqeberha · South Africa
A malaria-free safari park where more than 600 elephants come to drink at waterholes, with lions, rhinos and buffalo, and a coast where whales and sharks add to the Big Seven.
Photo: Josep M. Gracia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Addo Elephant National Park, near Gqeberha, formerly Port Elizabeth, in the Eastern Cape, was established in 1931 to protect the last 11 elephants in the region, which had been hunted almost to extinction. Today it is home to more than 600 elephants and one of the densest elephant populations in Africa, and it is also home to lions, black and white rhinos, buffaloes, spotted hyenas, leopards and a wealth of antelope and birds.
The park has grown to include a marine reserve, with islands where African penguins and Cape gannets breed, and its whales and great white sharks give it the title of the Big Seven. Its main advantage is that it is malaria-free, so there are no tablets to take, and it is easy to reach, only an hour's drive from Gqeberha airport. That makes it a favourite for families and for those adding a safari to a Garden Route trip.
Game viewing at Addo is straightforward. The elephants gather at waterholes within sight of the main camp, and roads through thick, spiky thicket and open grassland allow self-drive exploring. Guided drives at dusk and night increase the chances of seeing lions and hyenas. Nearby private reserves, such as Shamwari and Kwandwe, offer luxury lodges and Big Five safaris, also malaria-free.
Why visit
Addo is the easiest and most family-friendly place in South Africa for an elephant safari.
Large herds visit waterholes throughout the day.
No need for tablets, ideal for families and pregnant travellers.
An hour from Gqeberha, and close to the Garden Route.
Elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards, buffaloes, whales and sharks.
Simple roads and good-value accommodation.
Main attractions
The main experiences are game drives, waterholes and the private reserves.
Waterholes near the main camp where elephants gather in large numbers in the dry season, viewed from hides or from your vehicle.
Tip Go in the late afternoon.
Roads through the park allow visitors to look for lions, buffaloes, rhinos, kudu and zebra on their own.
Tip Ask at the camp where animals have been seen.
The park has road signs warning of flightless dung beetles, which roll elephant dung across the road.
Tip Drive slowly.
Ranger-led drives in open vehicles, offering the best chance of seeing lions, hyenas and other night animals.
Tip Book at the camp.
Luxury lodges in malaria-free reserves nearby, offering Big Five game drives with rangers, often with rhino and conservation projects.
Tip Book far ahead.
Coastal areas with penguin and gannet colonies, whales and sharks, reached by boat from Gqeberha.
Tip Book a boat trip.
Things to do
Game viewing is the main activity, with time for the coast.
Sit in a hide or vehicle and watch herds drink and bathe.
Tip Bring binoculars.
Open vehicle drives at dawn, sunset and night.
Tip Book on arrival.
Ride through the bush near the park.
Tip Check the routes.
See rhinos and lions, with luxury.
Tip Book far ahead.
Boat trips from Gqeberha in the bay.
Tip Choose a licensed operator.
Tsitsikamma is about 1.5 hours away.
Tip Drive on.
Local food
Food in Addo is simple, with farm-style restaurants and braais.
Barbecue with steak and boerewors.
Where to try it Camps and lodges.
The Sundays River Valley is a citrus-growing region.
Where to try it Farm stalls.
Lean meats, in stews and steaks.
Where to try it Restaurants.
Fresh fish and calamari in Gqeberha.
Where to try it Waterfront restaurants.
A breakfast staple.
Where to try it Lodges.
Accommodation
Stay in the park, in a nearby guesthouse, or in a luxury lodge.
Transport
Addo is about 70 km north of Gqeberha.
A car is best for the park.
When to go
Addo has a mild climate, with rain at any time of year. The dry winter months have the best game viewing.
Hot and green, with dense bush.
Mild and clearer.
Cool, dry, with animals at waterholes.
Warming, with calves and blossom.
Worth planning around: The busiest holiday periods in December and January.
Itinerary
Elephants and a guided drive.
Waterholes.
More wildlife.
Travel tips
A few tips help you make the most of Addo.
FAQ
Two days, or three if you add a private reserve.
Yes.
Yes, in the park and private reserves.
April to September.
By car from Gqeberha, about an hour.
Yes, though it is better to stay overnight.
Keep exploring
Places that pair well with Addo, whether you have a few spare days or are building a longer route.
Western and Eastern Cape, south coast, South Africa
A scenic coastal drive from Mossel Bay to Tsitsikamma, with Knysna's lagoon, Plettenberg Bay's beaches, ancient forests, the Storms River suspension bridge and the ostrich country of Oudtshoorn.
Don't miss The sea-carved cliffs and forest of Tsitsikamma, from the suspension bridge across the Storms River mouth.
Explore Destination — The Garden RouteWestern Cape, south-west coast, South Africa
One of the world's most beautiful cities: Table Mountain, the Waterfront, Robben Island, the Cape Peninsula's penguins and Cape Point, Kirstenbosch, Bo-Kaap and a superb food scene.
Don't miss The top of Table Mountain on a clear day, looking over the city, the bay and the Atlantic coast at your feet.
Explore Destination — Cape TownKwaZulu-Natal, north-east coast, South Africa
South Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage Site: hippo and crocodile cruises on the St Lucia estuary, the beaches of Cape Vidal, diving at Sodwana Bay, turtle nesting, whales and nearby big-game parks.
Don't miss A boat cruise on the St Lucia estuary at sunset, surrounded by hippos and the sound of fish eagles.
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