Posted by Addo Elephant National Park is a various wildlife conservation park located near Port Elizabeth in South Africa and is likely one of the nation’s 20 national parks. It presently ranks third in measurement after Kruger National Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
In this article, I am going to talk about the Addo Elephant National Park location, contact details, size, address, accommodation, animals, etc.
Deep throughout the shadows of the dense valley bushveld of the Sundays River area of the Japanese Cape lies the Addo Elephant National Park.
Addo is the third largest National Park in South Africa. It’s known as the National Park of the “Large 7”; the Big 5, and moreover the southern proper whale and nice white shark.
The Addo Elephant National Park was bought prolonged with Vape Padrone, Woody Cape, and Colchester south of Addo.
These sections defend coastal areas and dunes just like the Alexandria dune field. The dunes can attain a top of 140 meters.
Discover this improbable dune system on the Alexandria Climbing Path. It is a 36 km lengthy round path taking two days. More data and reserving via SanParks.
Addo Elephant National Park & African Safari Guide
North of Addo is the Nyathi part. To enter this excellent part of Addo, it’s a must to keep both at the River Bend Lodge or Nyathi Relaxation Camp.
The luxurious Relaxation Camp is operated by San Parks. It bought opened in 2017.
Subsequent to Nyathi is the Zuurberg Mountains and Darlington part. The Zuurberg Mountains are on an elevation between 250 and 970 m above sea degree.
The mountains expertise extra rainfall than the primary Addo park. Hippos are discovered within the Zuurberg part of the Sundays River solely.
The world across the Darlington Dam, which is situated within the arid nama-karoo, is house to the black rhino.
The preferred lodging is the Zuurberg Mountain Village with a wonderful view of the prime of the mountain.
Right here, the evenings are punctuated by the strident howl of the black-backed jackal, and the francolin’s name heralds every new daybreak.
Protected from relentless persecution previously, the gray leviathans of the bush now roam in peace.
The unique Elephant part of the Addo Elephant National Park was proclaimed in 1931 when solely eleven elephants remained within the space –
as we speak this finely tuned ecosystem is a sanctuary to over 450 elephants, lions, Cape buffalo, Black Rhino, and quite a lot of antelope species, in addition to the distinctive flightless dung beetle, discovered nearly completely in Addo.
With plans to increase the 164 000 ha Addo Nationwide Elephant Park right into a 360 000 ha mega-park, it’s a should go-to vacation spot.
Addo Elephant National Park History
The unique part of the park was based in 1931, partly because of the efforts of Sydney Skaife, with the purpose to present a sanctuary for the eleven remaining elephants within the space.
The Addo Elephant National Park has proved to be very profitable and presently homes greater than 600 elephants and a lot of different mammals.
Within the park’s early years, throughout occasions of drought (and earlier than the waterholes have been artificially kept full), the park keepers fed the elephants on oranges from the native orange groves. Step by step the elephants turned hooked on the style of the fruit!
This practice stopped over time in the past, however, the older elephants nonetheless keep in mind the scent and have been recognized to achieve into automobiles and get their favorite fruit!
Addo Elephant National Park Overview
By means of additions over time, the precise park now consists of 5 sections.
The (1) Colchester part is a part of the park to most individuals check with after they speak concerning the nationwide park.
The game reserve inside this part could be explored from your individual automobile. Roads are principally filth roads, however, can be utilized with “regular”, i.e. non-4×4 automobiles.
Attributable to their massive populations, elephants, antelopes, zebras, and warthogs could be fairly simply noticed in this part of the park.
The (2) Darlington Part, and (3) Kabouga Part of the park provides entry solely by way of 4×4 trails.
The (4) Zuurberg Part and (5) Woody Cape Part each provide mountain climbing potentialities.
Local Weather
Attributable to its terrain, Addo stays at a comfortable 27 – 30 C all through the Winter.
Addo Elephant National Park Growth
The unique Addo Elephant National Park has subsequently been expanded to incorporate the Woody Cape Nature Reserve that extends from the Sundays River mouth in direction of Alexandria and a marine reserve, which incorporates St.
Croix Island and Fowl Island, each breeding habitat for gannets and penguins, to not point out a big number of different marine life.
Bird Island is house to the world’s largest breeding colony of gannets – about 120,000 birds – and likewise hosts the second largest breeding colony of African penguins, the biggest breeding colony being St. Croix island.
This marine property kind part of the plan to increase the 1,640 km² Addo National Elephant Park into the three,600 km² Larger Addo Elephant National Park.
The enlargement will imply not solely that the park comprises 5 of South Africa’s seven main vegetation zones (biomes), but in addition that it is going to be the one park on the planet to accommodate Africa’s “Big 7“ (elephant, rhinoceros, lion, buffalo, leopard, whale and nice white shark) of their pure habitat.
Addo Elephant National Park Natural world
The flora throughout the AENP is kind of diverse, and like all flowers, is a central issue to the ecological system in place.
A number of species of uncommon and endemic crops, significantly succulent shrubs, and geophytes are native to the South African area throughout the AENP.
Many species are beneath environmental strain, nevertheless, and are dealing with doable extinction.
The unique Addo Elephant Nationwide Park has been expanded since its origin as a small elephant reserve and is now marketed beneath the slogan “Conserving the Large 7”.
This slogan alludes to the elephants, lions, buffalos, leopards, and rhinos that dwell within the land-based components of the park (successfully the Large 5) in addition to the whales and white sharks which can be believed to roam the ocean off the Woody Cape Part of the park.
Greater than 600 elephants, 400 Cape buffaloes, over 48 endangered black rhinos, scientific name Diceros bicornis michaeli in addition to quite a lot of antelope species.
Lion and noticed hyena have additionally just lately been re-introduced to the world.
The most important remaining inhabitants of the flightless dung beetle, scientific name Circellium bacchus are situated throughout the park.
Addo Elephant National Park can be well-liked for one of the many smallest animals; it’s a house for the biggest inhabitants of the flightless dung beetle.
These beetles are endangered and guarded by South African legislation.
They’re the king of the highway; don’t drive over one among their dung balls or pads as a substitute for drive round. One dung pad can have at least 30 beetles.
The dung is used for meals and replicas. The meal balls are eaten by the grownup beetles whereas the brood balls are near twice the scale.
The feminine lays only one egg into the brood ball. It hatches after a few days. The larvae feed on the dung ball and pupate. After that, he emerges as an immature grownup.
Greater than 200 km to the north bought the park prolonged by the great Mountain Zebra National Park and Camdeboo within the desert subsequent to Graaff-Reinet. The Mountain Zebra was already established in 1937 on farmland.
The Addo Elephant National Park is a house for over 750 mountain zebras and an enormous number of different wildlife like Oryx now.
Addo Elephant National Park Panorama
Most well-known is the Valley of Desolation with its dolerite columns simply west of the primary city Graaff-Reinet.
It is an impressive space for mountain climbing. There’s lots of wildlife to identify, however solely when the dam is filled with water and never dried out.
Normally, thunderstorms and rainfall happen in the summertime with their peak in February and March.
Nonetheless, it is scorching throughout the summer; temps can attain 40°C. Due to this fact, late summer and winter with temps beneath 30°C (April-Sep/Oct) are the perfect time for the Valley of Desolation.
Tip: Watch the spectacular sundown from the dolerite columns.
Extinction and overpopulation
Two main environmental points dealing with the AENP: extinction and overpopulation, are interrelated.
Because the AENP’s unique mission was to reintroduce sure mega-herbivores, just like the African elephant and black rhinoceros, major ecological efforts have been made to protect mammalian species.
Nonetheless, by overlooking the opposite contributors to this environmental chain, sure plant species have been subjected to overgrazing and trampling, principally by the elephants of the park.
This overgrazing and trampling not solely destroy a lot of the flowers, but in addition, force them to adapt their physiology to stimuli that aren’t inherent to their evolutionary progress.
Some biologists argue that it’s not herborization alone that’s threatening the flora, however a lot of different ecological elements together with zoochory and nutrient biking.
As many as 77 species of South African endemic plant species have been listed as “weak to elephant shopping.”
Marine protected areas
The Addo Elephant National Park Marine Protected Space and Fowl Island Marine Protected Space are related to the park.
Addo Elephant National Park Tourism
In 2018 the very best customer rely on the park’s 87-year historical past was recorded.
The park obtained 305,510 guests between 1 April 2017 and 31 March 2018 (up from 265,585 in the previous year).
International guests make up 55% of this quantity, with German, Dutch, and British nationals among the majority.
There’s a predominant camp, that includes a swimming pool, restaurant, floodlit water gap, numerous lodging, 4 different relaxation camps, and 4 camps run by concessionaires.
The main entrance in addition to two looped vacationer roads within the park is tarred whereas the others are graveled.
There’s additionally a further entry highway via the southern block of the park feeding off the N2 freeway close to Colchester; it joins up with the present vacationer roads within the park.
Get in
Addo NP is about 70km northeast of Port Elizabeth. There isn’t any public transport to or throughout the park so you want your individual automobile (automobile rental is offered in Port Elizabeth).
Or book an organized tour however going by yourself tempo is basically the best choice. The park could be visited on a day trip from Port Elizabeth.
On the road, you may discover indicators to the ‘Addo Olifant Nasionale Park’. These indicators are the previous Afrikaans model of the extra fashionable highway indicators.
There are two gates via which you’ll enter the Colchester part of the park (i.e. the part of the park which is instantly accessible by “regular” automobiles).
One risk to entering the park is by way of the north-western entrance of this part of the Addo Important Camp, which is near Addo city and connects from the R335 to the N2.
The opposite risk is by way of the southern Matylholweni Entrance Gate, which is near the city of Colchester.
This entrance is linked to the N2 by way of a brief highway.
Each entrance is clearly signposted in the event you journey by way of the N2 from the west (e.g. Port Elizabeth).
Observe that in the event you use the southern park entrance at Colchester, the journey as much as the remaining camp will take you one other 38 km on filth roads and can take roughly one hour.
You’ll be able to, nevertheless, incorporate this drive into your visit to the park and drive alongside one or two scenic “loop drives” and discover the southern part of this park part.
There are gasoline stations at Addo city and Colchester in addition to inside the remainder camp in Addo.
Addo Elephant National Park Fees/Permits
South African Residents and Residents (with ID) pay R77 per grownup and R39 per kid, per day. SADC Nationals (with passports) pay R154 per grownup, per day (kids R77).
The Customary Conservation Payment for Overseas Guests: R307 per grownup and R154 per baby, per day.
Wildcard Permits could also be utilized by all visitors.
Get around
Inside the Colchester part of the park, you primarily use your individual automobile, and mountain climbing is prohibited.
There aren’t any common bus companies, however, guided excursions are provided from the (predominant) Relaxation Camp.
A really helpful map is handed out whenever you enter the park via one of many predominant gates.
Climbing or 4×4 automobiles are the primary technique of transport for the opposite sections of the nationwide park.
Observe that the flightless dung beetle is a protected species within the park and has proper means. Please don’t drive over or step on them.
See & Do at Addo Elephant National Park
The Park is legendary for its elephant inhabitants that have particular, brownish pores and skin color because of the crimson soil.
Amongst the elephants are different animals, like ostriches, completely different antelopes, zebras, buffalos, and warthogs could be seen.
As a part of the park’s enlargement, a gaggle of lions and a gaggle of noticed hyenas have been launched in the park in 2004. Animals much less ceaselessly noticed embrace leopards and Rhinos.
Inside the Colchester part of the park, the animals could be noticed from your individual automobile –
this implies you drive on scenic loops via the park, which you aren’t anticipated to depart, besides at designated spots at the personal danger.
The opposite sections of the park (see above) are principally solely accessible utilizing 4X4 automobiles, are meant for mountain climbing solely, or are closed to the general public altogether.
Though the Addo shouldn’t be as spectacular as different parks, corresponding to Kruger National Park, it’s not as crowded and those that know Addo, find it irresistible.
Eat & Drink
There are a restaurant and store on the Addo Important Camp, close to the park’s predominant entrance.
The store is concentrated on curios/memorabilia and has a smallish meals part and likewise affords a couple of utensils you should use to fireplace up a BBQ.
BBQ (native: “Braai”) amenities can be found in designated picnic areas. Most chalets even have a personal braai facility.
It might make sense to cowl your grocery wants earlier than coming into the park in the event you plan to cater to yourself.
Supermarkets in Addo city or Colchester on the southern entrance each provide a bigger collection of groceries.
The grocery store which is built-in into the gasoline station in Colchester city additionally affords a collection of scorching meals (which can really be re-heated whenever you order your choice).
Coming from west / Port Elizabeth by way of the N2, this grocery store could be reached by passing the exit for the Matylholweni Entrance Gate by 2km, the place you will discover a Kwik-Spar to your proper.
Keep secure
Keep in your vehicle always – elephants will cost in the event that they really feel threatened and lions have been added to the park to regulate the Antilope inhabitants.
Getting out of your vehicle is just allowed at personal danger at only a few designated spots.
Carrying citrus fruits into the park was prohibited until a couple of years in the past because it was feared that a few of the older elephants nonetheless carry a habit for the fruits.
When Is the Finest Time
Addo Elephant National Park is a year-round vacation spot simply an hour’s drive from the Port Elizabeth (PE) airport.
Many guests fly to PE from Cape City and drive again alongside the Backyard Route or vice versa.
The very best sport viewing months are June to September.
As a result of the large enlargement of Addo and the park continues to be rising; it’s best to convey loads of time for the completely different sections to discover the wealthy biodiversity.
Proceed to study our full seasonal information and what you might even see together with the completely different loops in Addo.
The very best time for the primary Addo Elephant National Park is the driest time of the year from May to September when elephants collect in numbers across the waterholes. Throughout these months, day temps are nice nights chilly.
That is the off-season and the park is quieter. In the course of the summer holidays in Europe in July and August, there are barely any extra guests.
Addo Elephant National Park Birding
From October to March, migratory birds arrive from the north, significantly within the Zuurberg part just like the European stork.
In total, there are greater than 400 completely different species of birds within the greater Addo Elephant National Park. Extra details about birds in Addo.
Climate | Seasons | Crowds
The seasons in Africa should not akin to the seasons within the northern hemisphere.
Summer and winter last more, whereas spring and autumn are very quick.
The local weather right here is completely different.
Throughout winter days temps are normally nice extra like spring temps. In total, it is drier; South Africa was struggling with a drought in 2018.
Spring (September)
September is one of my favorite months. Though the morning and night are nonetheless chilly day temps are nice.
It isn’t too scorching, and the sport is less complicated to identify. It’s the finish of the drier season, and wildlife relies on the waterholes.
The primary infants get born straightforward prey for the predators, which will increase the possibility to identify them.
September is the shoulder season. It’s not too crowded, and lodging costs are lower.
Summer (October-March) – Wetter Season
The morning and night are beautiful, however, in the course of the day, it’s disagreeably scorching. The wildlife is resting and tough to identify at noon.
Throughout summer, extra precipitation happens, but it surely seldom rains for days.
There are two precipitation peaks; February/March and October/November.
It’s extra usually overcast and thunderstorms are constructed up within the afternoon. Day temps can attain 40°C whereas nights are cooling down beneath 20°C.
Throughout October, many animals give delivery to their younger ones.
This causes a rise in predator exercise and your probability to identify lions and hyenas.
As a result of growing rain, wildlife shouldn’t be relying on human-made waterholes.
You see games as energetic and consuming. Rain can at all times happen. Whether it is raining in summer sport isn’t longer hiding at noon.
Addo is Malaria free; nevertheless, due to the excessive temps and rainfall, take precautions against mosquitos at nightfall.
Autumn (April)
Reducing precipitation in April. Day temps are getting extra nice nonetheless around 25°C and nights are cool.
It’s getting quieter in Addo; reductions and particular charges are provided.
Winter – Drier Season (Might-August)
Days are nice, normally with a transparent sky. Day temps can attain nearly 20°C from June to August, but evening temps could be close to freezing. Sometimes, chilly fronts happen in the winter.
The morning and night are chilly, but it surely works nicely with a softshell jacket throughout your self-guided sport drive, but it surely’s just a little chilly in open safari jeeps.
Though the winter is great for game-watching, it’s the off-season. Particular charges and reductions are provided for a lot of lodging.
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Entry
In summer the gate is opened earlier than dawn however very few folks stand up that early. Sadly, gate closure is already one hour earlier than sundown. It isn’t allowed to drive via the park in darkness.
Oct-March 5.30 -18.30
April-Might 6.00 – 18.00
June-July 6.30 – 18.00
Aug-Sep 6.00 – 18.00
Accommodation Tips Addo
River Bend Lodge within the again and male lion in entrance within the night
There are two massive male lions within the Nyathi part of Addo. Due to this fact, our prime lodging tip is River Bend Lodge.
It’s a bit expensive but it surely ensures a wonderful keep and personal game drives. The game drives should not be included within the worth however totally valuable to book.
The lodge has it is personal private area and waterhole. I extremely suggest ranger Christiaan not just for the massive 5 but additionally for birding.
It is all included at Riverbend Lodge with serenity and privacy. Simply eight rooms can be found.
Addo Important Relaxation Camp Chalets subsequent to Armstrong Fence
Our budget tip is the Addo Important Relaxation Camp with various kinds of lodging. Most of them are for 2 folks, and some chalets are for 3 or 4 folks.
These are primary self-catering cottages, nothing spectacular but stunningly situated. A caravan and tenting space can be current. Addo Important Camp kinds of lodging
Total, loads of lodging are provided inside and outside of the park; tenting within the wild, primary self-catering cottages to five-star luxurious lodges.
To get probably the most out of your go-to keep contained in the park: early reserving is advisable, and also you may hear roaring lions or laughing hyenas in the evening.
Lodges inside and around Addo Elephant National Park.
Website: www.addo.org.za
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