Tucked away in the dense valley-bushveld of the Eastern Cape, lies the Addo Elephant National Park. Proclaimed in 1931, when the number of elephants had dwindled to only 11, the park now provides sanctuary to some 350 elephants, as well as buffalo, black rhino, plenty of birds and several species of antelope.The endemic flightless dung beetle is treasured and road signs implore visitors to yield to them.

 

Park expansion has resulted in Addo becoming the third largest park in South Africa, where uniquely six of South Africa’s seven habitat biomes are represented. Rains occur throughout the year, some 450 mm annually, and with a temperate to warm climate both the animals and the vegetation thrive.

 

Addo is the ultimate tourism destination. Situated in a malaria free area just one hour's drive from Port Elizabeth, this finely tuned ecosystem is home to more than 470 African Elephants and other animals; Black Rhino, Buffalo, Eland. Red Hartebeest, Springbok, Kudu, Bushbuck, Cape grysbok, duiker, Burchell’s zebra, Black-backed jackal, Bat-eared fox. Warthog, Ostrich, Small-spotted genet, Springhare, Suricate, Yellow mongoose, Tortoises, Bush pig, Ant-eater, Caracal, Mongoose, Genet cat, Black-footed cat, polecat and Vervet monkey, etc, that live in the Park.

 

Another great attraction is the unique flightless dung beetle, a species unique to the Addo region found almost exclusively here and that feeds on the faeces of the large ungulates. The release of spotted hyena into the park is also imminent.

 

Addo is also home to a rich variety of bird life, with more than 150 species of raptors and other birds to be found. This exceptional wildlife and wilderness experience is a must for both local and overseas visitors. Some of Addo’s unique features already include:

• Unrivalled natural diversity, with six of South Africa's seven major vegetation zones (biomes).
  
• The Big 7 (Elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, leopard, whales and sharks in their respective natural habitats)
• Rich heritage of archaeological and historical sites.
  

A 'TWITCHER'S' DELIGHT

Despite the small size of the park and its relatively homogenous vegetation, more than 150 bird species have been recorded here. Species range from the ostrich, through numerous waterfowl which are seen at the pond in the rest camp, to many raptors and smaller, more secretive species which one would associate with the tangled Spekboom thickets of Addo.

 

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, where you can stay at the delightful Zuurberg Mountain Inn and whose guided tours in the park are well known. Alternatively, you can stay at Cosmos Cuisine whose game drives encompass not only Addo but also Shamwari and Schotia game reserves.

 

And now that the park has expanded to include Darlington Lake, Woody Cape, the coastal islands and the Alexandria Forest, a variety of other habitats swell the birding potential of the park.

 

The park offers a wide variety of game viewing, outdoor adventure, accommodation and cultural experiences. You will be amazed at the variety of natural landscapes and wildlife species that can be experienced in one easily accessible destination.

 

 

With the consolidation of the land during park expansion, lion have been translocated from Kgaligadi Trans-frontier Park and introduced into Addo for the first time since 1879, completing the 'Big Five' at the park. The evenings are punctuated by the strident howl of the black-backed jackal, and the francolin's call heralds each new dawn.

 

Safe from the relentless persecution of the past, the grey leviathans of the bush now roam in peace. The obvious main attraction of the Addo Elephant National Park is the park’s elephants. The Black Rhino and Cape Buffalo are also notable species, but unlike the elephant, these species are easier to see by night.The highly adaptable leopard has always managed to survive in the area. 

 

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.

 

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. Elephant Rhino Hartebeest Black-backed Jackal Kudu Zebra Elephant The only large mammals to survive the onslaught of man were the elephant, buffalo, bush pig, bushbuck, kudu, gray Duiker, Cape Grysbok, Ant-bear, caracaland black-backed jackal.

 

These animals took refuge in the Addo bush land. In the case of the buffalo they were forced to make considerable changes in their habits. Buffalo became nocturnal and browsed to a large extent - a contrast to buffalo in other areas where they are diurnal grazers. In Addo buffalo rarely forms herds as elsewhere in Africa but generally live in small family groups led by an adult cow. The Addo buffalo are the only Cape buffalo to have survived into the 20th century in the Cape Province.

 

In 1962 a breeding nucleus of the East African subspecies of black rhinoceros was introduced into Addo with a current population of 38 animals. The black rhino in East Africa has been decimated to such an extent that the Addo black rhino may well be used to re-populate East African ranges.

 

Eland and red hartebeest have been re-introduced and are doing well as are endemic populations of many smaller antelope species. Carnivores are represented by black-backed jackal, caracal and black-footed cat, together with other smaller species such as polecats, genets and mongooses. The only wild primate is the vervet monkey which is diurnal and feeds mainly on fruit.

 

The elephants of Addo will always be the main draw card for visitors to the park. They are gregarious, living in family groups led by a matriarch or lead cow. Elephant bull have their own social system with a dominant bull who does most of the mating. Addo elephant bulls carry small tusks, and most cows are tuskless - thought to be the result of selective shooting in the nineteenth century. Calves are born after a gestation period of 22 months, and weigh about 120 kg at birth.

 

Addo is also rich in reptile and amphibian fauna, with over 50 species of snakes, tortoises, lizards, frogs and toads occurring in the park. The most important of the smaller organisms in Addo is the flightless dung beetle, which is found in relatively large numbers in the park, possesses only vestigial wings and must thus walk from dung-pad to dung-pad. Previously widespread in the Cape and pans of the Transvaal, this beetle is now restricted to the Southern and Eastern Cape, and in particular, the Addo area. They're regularly encountered in the park, especially after rain, rolling their ball of dung to some suitable spot where it is buried. The eggs of this beetle are then laid in the dung balls which act as a food source for developing larvae. This is also a convenient means of recycling nutrients back into the soil.

 

There are many and varied guided tours offered in Addo and the surrounding areas. for more information please contact us

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