Travel Guide to Addo Elephant Park, South Africa
Situated along the Eastern Cape in a ‘malaria-free’ zone, Addo Elephant Park was established to protect vulnerable species, and it’s the 3rd largest National Park in South Africa.
Home to the ‘Big 5’, more than 600 elephants, and hundreds of other species, Addo Elephant Park is the perfect opportunity to tick your favourite animals off of your ‘Bucket List’. It’s an absolute dream vacation for wildlife lovers, especially if you have a particular fondness for elephants. This travel guide can help you plan your own epic adventure to this unforgettable place.
Best Time to Visit
Things to Consider
Holidays
School holidays are a major factor to consider when planning a visit. We visited twice in early January. and again 2 weeks later. It was surprising to see how much the crowds had increased in such a short time. The same watering hole from two weeks ago now resembled rush hour with 20-30 cars instead of a handful.
Newborns
If you’re hoping to see some newborns in Addo, the best time to visit is between September to April. The adorable baby elephants will surely melt your heart. I had to resist the temptation to pack one in my suitcase. I think their 200+ lb. weight might set off some alarm bells at the airport baggage check-in.
Weather
Addo Elephant Park is just outside the town of Addo, and it has nice weather year-round. Unlike most of South Africa, the Addo area isn’t affected as severely by the distinct ‘dry’ and ‘wet’ seasons. Be prepared for colder nights in the winter months (May to September) though.
Entrance Cost
(as of Feb 2025)
*A Wild Card is valid for 1 year with unlimited access to 80 National parks.
A Wild Card pass may be a good option if you’re:
a. in South Africa for an extended period of time and/or returning again in the same year
b. planning on spending a week or more doing safaris and/or visiting National Parks
For more information about the entrance fees, check out the official San Parks site for the Daily Rate and Wild Card pass.
Where to Sleep
After reading mixed reviews about the accommodations inside Addo Elephant Park, we opted to stay just a short drive outside the park to be on the safe side. There are plenty of options available near Addo’s Main Camp and in Addo, a nearby town.
1. Suma’s Rest
Nightly Cost: ~R870 ($67 CAD)
Just 10 minutes from the park, Suma’s Rest was a fantastic find on Airbnb! Our host Melissa was very hospitable with an easy check-in, and our king room came with a kitchen, plus strong A/C and WiFi. There’s shared access to a larger kitchen, living room, outdoor bbq, and a pool to cool off!
2. Addo Wildlife
Nightly Cost: R3200 – R8000 ($250 – $615 CAD)
We didn’t personally stay here, but after enjoying ourselves so much at Tangelo Restaurant, their on-site restaurant, I’d love to stay here overnight on a return visit to the park. The property is pristine and there’s 24/7 security.
How to Get Around
Rent a Car
We rented from Avis at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg for our three-month trip. Bonus: Their rewards program allows you to collect points—with the option to convert into Aeroplan points—for future savings.
Best entrance gate
According to a safari guide (and our experience), the Main Entrance Gate near the town of Addo has the highest concentration of animals in the park.
Alternative Transportation
- Book transportation and game drives with accommodations in Addo (a small town 15 minutes outside the park).
- Book a private game drive day trip from either Port Elizabeth or Jeffreys Bay, and they’ll organize transportation.
*Not recommended*
Game drive on a coach-style bus
Reasons to avoid:
1. Limited view
Those long buses can’t turn easily, so you might only see action from one side. We witnessed one awkwardly trying to navigate a crowded watering hole.
i.e.: The Hapoor Dam has elephants constantly moving back and forth across the road, so it’s nice to have the possibility to adjust the vehicle for a better view.
2. Extra noise
Large buses create a lot of extra noise, so it makes it hard to be discreet to avoid disturbing the animals.
3. Some roads are off-limits to buses and RVs.
Places to Eat
1. Cattle Baron Grill & Bistro
Located right at the Main Entrance Gate, Cattle Baron Grill & Bistro is a perfect spot to grab a coffee-to-go or a hearty breakfast before your safari kicks off! They’re open all-day with lunch and dinner options too.
2. Addo Wildlife – Tangelo Restaurant
Located less than 15 minutes outside the Main Gate, Addo Wildlife is a beautiful open-air style restaurant serving mouthwatering South African dishes. We stopped here a couple times, and the peaceful environment was the perfect way to unwind after a busy safari day.
3. Addo Spar
For a cheaper, self-catering option, the nearby Spar supermarket is stocked with everything you need for DIY meals or picnic lunches.
Which Areas of Addo are ‘the best’?
If you’re planning on doing a self-drive safari, it’s hard to know where to start. Thankfully, we were given a free park map at the entrance along with some good pointers from a safari guide.
We quickly discovered prime spots where elephants love to hang out, along with zebras, warthogs, and more! We even had a few rare animal sightings like a family of bat-eared foxes, one of the ‘Shy 5’, and a black rhino, an endangered species. Addo is home to the ‘Big 5’, but we didn’t see any of the Big Cats this time, though.
Addo’s Elephants’ Favourite Hangouts
1. Gwarrie Pan
2. Rooidam
3. Hapoor Dam
All three spots are on the same road, and we spent hours soaking in the sights!. My eyes were permanently glued out the window until it was time to eat or have a bathroom break. I would’ve permanently stayed put if I could.
You might see a new momma strutting around with her cute baby, hormonal bulls looking for a mate, and family ‘bath time’ in the mud pools. There’s always something different and exciting to see.
Mid-morning to early afternoon was the best time for elephant action—multiple herds and hundreds of elephants mingling like it was a family reunion!
Other areas to check out:
1. Domkrag Dam
This area wasn’t as popular for elephants, but at closing time, we spotted some rare nocturnal animals.
2. Spekboom Hide & Tented Camp
If you’re aching to stretch your legs, this is a pretty cool hide. You can safely exit your vehicle and follow a short path in a fenced in area for a chance to get up close with elephants!
3. Jack’s Picnic Site
When you’re ready to take a break to eat (or just need a bathroom), this is the place to stop. It’s a BYOF (bring your own food) kind of place with no restaurant on-site. Braais are available for use.
4. Ulwazi Interpretive centre
Located at the Addo Main Camp, the interpretive centre is packed with information to expand your elephant knowledge.
Final Thoughts
Addo Elephant Park is a must-visit for any South Africa trip to experience an amazing safari! Our three days in the park created some of the best memories of my life. I’m looking forward to the day that I can hang out with these amazing creatures again.
Check out our timeline to see where our adventures take us next.
