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Official Guide on Sale
New Official Guide on Sale at the park’s shop for R40.00
This 48-page full-colour brochure gives the visitor a complete overview of the park, its fauna & flora, history, new developments, accommodation and activities.
Highly recommended!
Addo Elephant National Park
Activities
Holiday Activities for Children
There’s a week of fun-filled activities for children at the Park. The activities, designed to provide opportunities for young people to learn more about the Park’s ecosystems, are available to both day and overnight visitors. The holiday programmes are available for children (6yrs - 16yrs).
Guided Game Drives
There are a number of game drive options available:
- Bookings are essential. It is advisable to book drives in advance, particularly in the high season (October to March). Drives can be booked by Telephone: +27 (0)42 233 8621 or e-mail.
- Day, sunset and night drives of approximately 2 hours in duration are on offer.
- Please note that the sunrise, sunset and night drive departure times vary according to season. It's important to check the time when making your booking.
- Drives are conducted by knowledgeable, qualified guides in open-top landrovers or trucks.
- Arrive at least 15 minutes before the expected departure time.
- Children under the age of 6 years not allowed on these drives. Children under 12 years pay half price.
- No refunds are given.
Type of drive |
Time of drive |
Min. persons |
Maximum persons | Price per person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunrise |
06h00 (summer) 07h00 (winter) |
2 |
74 |
R190 |
Morning |
09h00 |
2 |
74 |
R190 |
Midday |
12h00 |
2 |
74 |
R190 |
Afternoon |
15h00 |
2 |
74 |
R190 |
Sundowner |
18h00 (summer) 16h00 (winter) |
2 |
30 |
R270 including snacks and drinks |
Night drive |
20h00 (summer) 18h00 (winter) |
2 |
44 |
R210 |
Sunrise drive
Departing 06:00 (summer) or 07:00 (winter) - dress warmly and watch the bush come alive for the day. Lions may still be active from the night’s hunting, buffalo may be seen and kudu are plentiful.
Day drives
Departing 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00 – viewing may include herds of elephant, antelope, zebra , warthog and ostrich.
Sunset drive
Departing 16:00 (winter) or 18:00 (summer) – enjoy late afternoon viewing, snacks & drinks as the sun goes down and then some night time viewing – black rhino, buffalo, lions and antelope may be seen.
Night drive
Departing 18:00 (winter) or 20:00 (summer) – dress warmly and discover the secrets of nighttime in the bush: springhares, porcupines, genets
Eyethu Hop-on Guides
Guides can be hired at affordable rates to get on your vehicle and guide you through the game area. These are local community members who have been trained as guides and now run their own small business. Meet the guides at the main game area gate of the Park or book via addoenquiries@sanparks.org
Per 2 hour guided drive with your own vehicle
- For a car: R110
- For an 8-seater vehicle (condor): R140
- For a minibus (kombi): R165
- For a bus with 18 or less people: R220
- For a Bus with more than 18 people: R330
Note: Fees are payable directly to the guide
Operating Hours: 08:00 to 17:00
Self-Drive Game Viewing
Visitors may enjoy wildlife viewing in their own vehicles during the opening hours of the park’s game gate. Opening times change according to season.
In this case, the visitor pays only the conservation fee – per day, or per night for overnight visitors.
Horse Trails (Addo and Zuurberg)
Addo Horse Trails
- The morning ride (08:00) is for less experienced riders and is two hours long. The afternoon ride (14:00) is for experienced riders and is three hours long. Book and pay for horse trails at the Game Drive Office.
- Please report to stables at least 15 minutes before departure.
- All horse trails are conducted by experienced guides on sure-footed, well-trained horses.
- Riding hats are available for visitors’ use.
- No children younger than 16 years may ride on the Addo Trail.
- Addo horse trails depart from main camp to the Nyati area which is home to elephants, buffalo, black rhino, zebra and antelope.
In the Nyathi section of the park – encounters with large game are possible. There are no lions or hyenas in this section.
Type of ride |
Time of ride |
Max. persons |
Min. persons |
Price per person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Morning: For less experienced riders |
08:00 (2 hour duration) |
7 |
1 |
R190 |
Afternoon: For experienced riders |
14:00 (3 hour duration) |
7 |
1 |
R250 |
Zuurberg Horse Trails
In the Zuurberg Mountain section of the park - no encounters with large game, beautiful scenic views of the mountains.
- Zuurberg horse trails are suitable for riders of all competencies and wind through fynbos and forest.
- One-, three- and five-hour trails are available.
- One-hour trails depart at 09:00, 11:00 or 14:00.
- Three-hour trails depart at 09:00 or 11:00.
- Five-hour trails depart at 09:00 only.
- An overnight trail to Narina Bush Camp is an option – departure no later than 11:00.
- No children younger than 10 years may ride on the Zuurberg horse trails.
Type of ride |
Time of ride |
Max. persons |
Min. persons |
Price per person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
One-hour trail |
09:00 or 11:00 or 14:h00 |
8 |
1 |
R130 |
Three-hour trail |
09:00 or 11:00 |
8 |
1 |
R175 |
Five-hour trail |
09:00 only |
8 |
1 |
R200 |
Overnight trail to Narina Bush Camp |
09:00 or 11:00 |
8 |
2 |
R165 per horse per day |
Please Note:
- No bookings will be taken less than 1 hour before departure time.
- No person exceeding 90 kg in weight will be allowed to ride. Only one rider allowed per horse.
- No children under 10 yrs on the morning ride. No children under 16 years on the afternoon ride.
- For the Overnight Trail, the Narina Bush Camp must be booked with Central Reservations or with Addo Reception. The Rates given above do not include the rate for accommodation.
- All Riders take part in Horse Trails at their own risk. The Addo Elephant National Park will not be held responsible for any injuries or losses.
- Prices are valid from 1 November 2008 until 31 August 2009 and are subject to change without notice.
- Booking in advance is essential
Bookings:
Tel: +27(0)42 - 233 8621
Fax: +27(0)42 - 233 8622
E-mail: addogamedrives@sanparks.org
Alexandria Hiking Trail
The Alexandria Hiking Trail is a 36 km, two-day circular trail. The first day is 19.5 km and the second day, 16.5 km. The Langebos huts are situated at the trail base, providing accommodation for the beginning and/or end of the hike. The Woody Cape hut is situated at the end of the first day’s walk. Hikers must carry their own provisions and equipment and the hike is not guided. The trail is well signposted.
More about the trail
The trail begins in magical coastal forest where ancient yellowwoods and exotic Knysna loeries can be seen, it moves then onto the beach where the stark sandy beach ecosystem and dramatic dune cliffs provide breathtaking scenery. Southern right whales can be seen just off shore in certain months and dolphins are often spotted playing in the waves. Fascinating ancient middens sites, evidence of the strandloper people that wandered these shores can also be seen. On the second day the trail traverses sand dunes in the largest coastal dune field in the Southern Hemisphere, the trail then heads back into coastal forest and then into the Langvlakte valley where a chicory stack can be seen which was built in 1820’s. The trail can accommodate a maximum of 12 persons and a minimum of 3 persons.
The Langebos Huts are the base huts for the trail and it is recommended that hikers stay at the huts the night before leaving for the first day. The two newly built huts are equipped with 6 beds each with mattresses, a fridge, stove, hot water showers, toilets and a braai area.
At the end of the first day walking hikers will find the Woody Cape hut nestled in thick coastal forest on top of the cliffs with a view of Bird Island in the distance. This hut has 12 beds with mattresses and rainwater tanks. No fires are allowed at the Woody Cape hut and the hikers must carry their own cookers. Water is only for drinking and cooking as the hut relies on rainwater.
At least one or more of the hiking group should be able to read a map and compass, and to wear a brightly coloured jacket that can be seen from the air if a search and rescue is launched.
The trail costs (South African Rand) R80 per person per night. Hikers also need to pay the daily conservation (entry) fee.
Bookings for the trail are administered through:
Camp Matyholweni:
Tel: +27 (0)41 468 0916 / 8
Fax: +27 (0)41 468 0949
E-mail: matyholweni@sanparks.org
Trail base office:
Woody Cape office of the Addo Elephant National Park
Tel: +27 (0)46 6530601
Zuurberg Hiking Trails
Various options provide a perfect day outing for park visitors, at no extra cost.
Choose between the Cycad Trail, a one-hour trail – suited for those who want a sedate walk – and the Doringnek Trail, a four-hour trail which takes the visitor to a beautiful natural water pool. The routes are clearly signposted and a map is available at the Zuurberg offices. The Zuurberg offices are located 16 km from the main park entrance along a gravel road. No bookings are necessary.
Tree Dassie Trail
The Tree Dassie Trail is named after the rare tree dassie (hyrax) that lives in the Alexandria forest. This arboreal creature is nocturnal and very shy but its shrill call can be heard at dusk. Many bird species such as the Olive woodpecker, Black headed oriole and Crowned Hornbill can be spotted on the trail, making it ideal for bird watchers. The trail starts at the office and follows the grass roads to Langevlakte where the trail meets up and joins the two-day trail leading back to the office. No bookings are necessary and the trail is free of charge (apart from park entrance fees).
The Alexandria Trail and Tree Dassie Trail start at the Woody Cape offices of the park, near the town of Alexandria. Turn right out of the park entrance towards Paterson. At the Paterson intersection, turn right towards Port Elizabeth. Take the R72 to Port Alfred. Just before entering the town of Alexandria, take the gravel road to right, marked with the park signboard. Follow the signs to the park and find the offices where you can get further assistance.
4x4 Trail
The Bedrogfontein 4 x 4 trail between Kabouga and Darlington areas of the park provides breathtaking views and is rich in history. This route was the scene of fierce battles between the British and Afrikaner troops during the Anglo-Boer war. Rock art paintings are found scattered throughout the area. The route travels through a variety of vegetation types, from riverine thicket, to afromontane forest, to fynbos on the peaks and into the arid nama-karoo of the Darlington area.
The route is only suitable for vehicles with 4x4 and low range facilities, both because of terrain and to cause minimum impact on the environment. The route is graded 2-3 but a grade 5 river crossing is an option (river conditions should be checked with the ranger). This 45 km route can be easily traveled within six hours.
The route is self-driven and can be followed either from Darlington to Kabouga or from Kabouga to Darlington. Kabouga is situated about 40 km (one hour’s drive) from the main park entrance, near the town of Kirkwood. Darlington is situated about 150 km (two hour’s drive) from the main park entrance.
Accommodation is available at Kabouga House or Mvubu campsite (camping only) on the Kabouga side. On the Darlington side, the luxury Darlington Lake Lodge is available.
Cost: R265.00 per vehicle plus conservation fees per person.
Kabouga Mvubu Camping (max 4 persons per site)
- R70 for the first 2 persons
- R20 per additional person
Kabouga Cottage (sleeps 6 people)
- R290 for the first 2 persons
- R105 per additional adult
- R55 per additional child under 12
Darlington Dam
4 bed rustic Fishermans Huts
- R220 for 1-4 persons per night
Camping
- R25 per person per night
Darlington Lake Lodge
For more information on tariffs, please contact the lodge on tel: (042) 243 3673 or e-mail: darlington@eastcape.net
***Please note***
The 4x4 Trail and Accommodation at Kabouga and Darlington Dam can be booked via Addo Main Camp Reception on tel: (042) 233 8619 or e-mail: addoenquiries@sanparks.org
Bird watching
The SASOL Red Bishop Bird Hide is located opposite the waterhole in the main rest camp,offering watchers a view of red bishops, weavers, herons, coots and terrapins. The main game area boasts a list of 170 bird species, while the expanded park may contain as many as 450 species in a diversity of habitats.
PPC Discovery Trail
The PPC Discovery Trail is a short walk through the valley thicket where you can learn more about the plants and animals of this region. The first loop is suitable for visually-impaired and wheelchair-bound visitors.
A picnic and braai area is situated near the waterhole in the main camp. The waterhole is floodlit at night
Other activities at no extra cost (except for conservation fee payable by all visitors)
- SASOL Red Bishop Bird Hide: in the main camp, suitable for wheelchair-users
- Floodlit waterhole: at main camp
- Picnic and braai site: at main camp
- Swimming pool: at main camp, only for overnight guests
- Restaurant and curio shop: at main camp
- Holiday programmes for children: during July and December holidays, for children of overnight visitors
- View photos of Addo Elephant 100 Miler Trail Run
Have a question? Why not ask at the forums?
