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My wife and I are planning to go to Addo on 19, 20 and 21 May 2012. Questions:

1) Is this a good time to go?
2) The main Addo Camp only has 1 two bedded hut at R645.00 per night and all the others are bigger at about R900.00 per night. It seems a waste for just the two of us to stay in a bigger hut for much more. Any suggestions?
3) Any suggestions on which part of the Park to travel on to get the best chances of seeing game. We will be on a Toyota Corolla.
4) As this will be our first visit to Addo any other advice/information will be appreciated.

What do you mean when you say:
2) The main Addo Camp only has 1 two bedded hut at R645.00 per night ?

What is it, that you want?

Hi Micetta

Thank you for your prompt response.

We are looking for a plain and simple hut with aircon, 2 beds, utensils and w.c. and shower like in Kruger. But at Addo Camp they only have one unit (number 15) that equates to this - see below.

Chalet 2bd (CH2)
- 2 single beds
- Aircon
- Mini kitchen (stove, fridge, utensils)
- Open Plan
- Unit Number 15
- Wc and shower

Base rate: R645.00, Adult share rate: R160.00, Child share rate: R80.00
Base rate number of people: 2, Max number of beds/people: 2

The next best is this :

Chalet 2bd + Dsc (CH2/4Z)
- Aircon
- Kitchen with stove, fridge, utensils
- Lounge with 2 single beds & 1 dbl sleeper couch
- not suitable for 2 adults (dbl sleeper couch)
- Open plan lounge / kitchen area
- Unit accessible to the mobility challenged
- Wc, shower and bath


Base rate: R900.00, Adult share rate: R160.00, Child share rate: R80.00
Base rate number of people: 2, Max number of beds/people: 3

But we do not require a lounge and extra beds for an additional R255.00 per night.

We are pensioners and communal kitchen and ablutions does not suit us.

Any other suggestions will be appreciated.

Don't you think that there are 15 units? Only one sounds rather strange

In fact if you have a look at the map, it shows!

*edit* Had another look and it seems that you are right

We stayed at one of the rondavels, but they are much more expensive, strangely enough,

You'll have to try and get THAT one

Thanks Micetta.

Yes sireee - I see it is still available for my dates but I am waiting for answers to my other questions.

We visited in January, so I cannot say how it is in May.

We were only in the middle part. RonnieL seems to know almost all about the park and I am sure that he will be happy to help

Thanks Micetta.

Steamtrainfan any time is a great time to visit Addo. You might get some rain and maybe you won't need the aircon on all the time, but Addo's weather is rather good all year round.

If I were you I'd take Unit 15 in Main camp for 2 nights and stay in Mathyolweni for one night (I know it's a bit more, but it will realy be worth every cent.)

The park is small enough to travel all the roads in 3 days. Carols Rest is a must, if you want to see buffalo.

Make sure to visit the Main Camp waterhole at night it's an experience you will never forget and if it possible do a nightdrive, they are great.

Steamtrainfan, there are a lot of travel tales from Addo

Hi Steamtrainfan

So glad you are planning to visit Addo!
I can't help you with accommodation needs -- I am a teacher and can't afford to stay in the huts! So we always stay in the Safari Tents at main camp if possible! Only 5 of them, but they are on the fence, high on a deck with good views, and have a communal kitchen right next to them with a locked cupboard containing your own private utensils etc.
Ablutions are right next to the huts. Price around R400???

As far as game viewing is concerned -- usually you see more elephants in hotter weather, so I guess winter cold will not be the best time for elephants, as they tend to disappear into the thick bush in unpleasant weather.

The whole park is good for game viewing ON A CONCENTRATED SCALE -- not like Kruger at all. You will see so much wherever you go, that you will not get bored. Same with the new section at Matyholweni -- good sightings there now (guess not so concentrated yet)

For big herds of elephants, it varies. Usually Hapoor waterhole is no1 -- you can see up to 150+ elephants at one time, surrounding your vehicle!
I was there in April, and did not see ONE elephant there in 2 days! They had all migrated to the open green pastures around Gorah and Carol's Rest!
Just check the sightings board, and away you go! Hope you see a caracal or two!
Enjoy!

Friedrich von Hörsten.

DANKBAAR - Thanks so much for your advice. As pensioners we can get a 40% discount at Mathyolweni so this makes a lot of sense. First night there and then two nights at Addo Main Camp. We are so looking forward to the floodlit waterhole.

Micetta - Thanks - a very good place to read up about Addo.

Friedrich - It so good to hear from you again. Thanks ever so much for all your advice. It was while reading your Addo T.R. that Joan and I decided that we want to visit Addo sopmetime and that time has now arrived. K.T.P. is also on our wish list.

Hi there

I frequently visit Addo and yes, the chalets are very stylish and equipped but expensive The Safaritents are really great, At the moment there is a natural waterhole just in front of the tents and lots of game and birds just on your doorstep. The tents are well equipped with a very nice deck and private braai. A shared small ablution - very neat - and a communial small kitchen with everything.
My opinion is that the safaritents are really good value for money

For the rest, I think Friedrich answered all that. Enjoy

Leanawel - Thank you so much for your advice.

Judging by the responses we feel that we should advance our trip to March whe it will be a bit warmer. Any comments please.