The elephant herds
Easy to see from a car.
Josep M. Gracia — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Domenico Convertini from Zurich, Schweiz — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Domenico Convertini from Zurich, Schweiz — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Josep M. Gracia — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE — CC BY-SA 2.0
Addo Elephant National Park is South Africa's third largest national park, close to Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape. It is known for large elephant herds that are easy to see from a car, and it suits anyone wanting a short safari away from the northern regions. The park's story began badly. Farmers complained about the elephants, and in 1919 and 1920 a hunter was hired to thin them out, cutting the herd from about 130 to 16. In 1925 the minister Deneys Reitz stepped in to proclaim a sanctuary, and the park was formally established in 1931. Today over 600 elephants live here, and lions and hyenas were brought in during 2003. You drive on good roads through dense bush and meadows, stopping at waterholes and lookout decks near the main camp. Besides elephants you can see zebra, antelope, buffalo and ostrich. A fun local touch is the signs giving dung beetles right of way, so do not drive over them or over elephant dung. The park has grown to include the Woody Cape coast and marine islands. It is 73 km in a straight line from central Gqeberha, and you can drive in your own car. Leave the car only at marked spots, and do not approach elephants. The dry, cool months from May to September are best for seeing animals at water. Bring binoculars and water, and set out early.
Easy to see from a car.
With lookouts near the camp.
They have right of way.
North of Gqeberha, Eastern Cape
Yes, the roads are good, but get out only at marked spots.
May to September, when animals gather at water.