Addo Elephant National Park is home to over 600 elephants — the densest population of any park in Africa. It's also a Big Five park (lion, leopard, buffalo, and both black and white rhino were introduced). The main camp has caravan stands with power, a swimming pool, a floodlit waterhole for night viewing, and a restaurant. It's only 45 minutes from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), making it one of the most accessible game parks in SA. Rent a camper on Kampi and spend a few days watching elephants at every waterhole.
Addo's main attraction is the elephants — they're everywhere. The Hapoor Dam and Domkrag Dam waterholes are reliable viewing spots where herds of 30-50 elephants come to drink and bathe. Self-drive game viewing is easy — the roads are well-maintained and signposted. The park has expanded to include the Colchester section near the coast with Alexandria Dune Field (the largest coastal dune field in the Southern Hemisphere). Schotia Private Game Reserve is nearby for night drives (not available in Addo itself). The Sundays River Valley has citrus farms, and J-Bay is about 90 minutes for surfing.
East London
R390/day
Eastern Cape
R650/day
Jeffreysbay
R500/day
Despatch
R3100/day
Sarah Baartman District Municipality
R1000/day
Jeffreysbay
R350/day
Sarah Baartman District Municipality
R500/day
KuGompo City
R1080/day
Yes. The main rest camp has powered caravan stands, ablution blocks, a swimming pool, shop, restaurant, and a floodlit waterhole. Book through SANParks.
About 72km — 45 minutes. You can base yourself at Addo and day-trip to PE for beaches, or the other way around. It's a very easy drive.
Over 600 — the densest elephant population in Africa. You'll see them. Guaranteed. Herds of 20-50 at waterholes are common, especially in the late afternoon.
Yes. Lion, leopard, buffalo, and both black and white rhino have been introduced. Elephants are the stars, but you'll also see kudu, warthog, red hartebeest, and the flightless dung beetle (Addo's unofficial mascot — don't drive over them, it's a park rule).