Addo Elephant National Park

Activities

Guided Game Drives

There are a number of game drive options available:

• Day, sunset and night drives of approximately 2 hours in duration are on offer.
• Drives are conducted by knowledgeable, qualified guides on open-top landrovers or trucks.
• 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.
• Times of departure vary according to season – please check with the game drive office beforehand.
• Children under the age of 6 years not allowed on these drives. Children under 12 years pay half price.
• See Game drive rates for details.

  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 and polecats are seen with sightings of lions and elephants a possibility.

Eyethu Hop-on

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. Hop-on guides can be booked by E-mail.

 

Horse Trails (Addo and Zuurberg)

Addo Horse Trails

Enquiries and bookings for horse trails can be done through the game drive office, : +27 (0)42 233 8621, E-mail.

• 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.

Zuurberg Horse Trails

• 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.

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.

Alexandria Hiking Trail

The Alexandria Hiking Trail is a 36 km two day circular route of which the first day is 19.5 km and the second day is 16.5 km. 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. This trail can be booked via Matyholweni Rest Camp by Telephone: +27 (0)42 233 8621 or E-mail.

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.

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.

4x4 Trail

Subscribe to Newsletter