ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK:
Deep within the shadows of the dense valley bushveld of the Sundays River region of the Eastern Cape lies the Addo Elephant National Park. Here, the evenings are punctuated by the strident howl of the black-backed jackal, and the francolin's call heralds each new dawn. Safe from relentless persecution in the past, the grey leviathans of the bush now roam in peace. The original Elephant section of the park was proclaimed in 1931, when only eleven elephants remained in the area - today this finely tuned ecosystem is sanctuary to over 450 elephants, Cape buffalo, black rhino, a variety of antelope species, as well as the unique flightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo. But the Addo story has only just begun. Plans to expand the 164 000 ha Addo National Elephant Park into a 360 000 ha mega-park are moving forward at an exciting pace. This expansion is transforming Addo into the ultimate tourism destination. Some of its unique features already include:
Unrivalled natural diversity, with five of South Africa's seven major vegetation zones (biomes).
The Big 7 (Elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, leopard, whales and great white sharks) in their natural habitat.
Rich heritage of archaeological and historical sites.
A wide variety of accommodation and activity options.
In addition, plans include the proposed proclamation of a 120 000 ha (296 500 acre) marine reserve that includes islands that are home to the world's largest breeding populations of Cape gannets and second largest breeding population of African penguins.
Vision
Addo Elephant National Park seeks to be fully integrated into the regional landscape, conserves and enhances the characteristic terrestrial and marine biodiversity, ecological processes and cultural, historical and scenic resources representative of the Eastern Cape region for the appreciation, and benefit of present and future generations.
Areas Of Special Interest
Original Elephant Section - Game Viewing Area
Narina
Restaurant, serving a la carte meals and light refreshments
Darlington Lake
Shop where curios and basic commodities can be purchased
Alexandria Forest
St Croix and Bird Islands
5 Things To Seek
- Elephant
- Black Rhinoceros
- Cape Buffalo (disease free)
- Suricate (Meerkat)
- Flightless Dung Beetle
Did you know that ...
The park conserves no less than five of South Africa's seven biomes?
Is also home to one of the densest African elephant populations on earth?
It is home to the unique flightless dung beetle?
Addo incorporates the largest coastal dune field in the southern hemisphere?
The park boasts the Big Seven, (elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, leopard, southern right whale and great white shark)?
It also protects the world's largest Cape gannet breeding population on Bird Island?
