Visit to Addo Elephant park

[Dave Long]

Hi Guys,

I have visted The Kruger National Park for the past 60 years but have since retired to East London.
I am now keen to visit The Addo Elephant Park and while I have been warned not to expect the KNP I have been assured that I will
enjoy the trip.
I have now booked but my knowledge of the Park is very limited and I shall be pleased to receive any comments that may be made.
My biggest worry is that it wouild seem that if one stays in The Addo main camp one has to pass through a gate to reach the enclosed
Game Park.
Is this in fact the case?

Any feedback will be most apreciated.
DaveLong

[Karin Mitton]

The first rule of visiting our fantastic National Parks - don’t compare them to each other. They are all unique and spectacular in very different ways.

Yes, you do have to go through the gate to get to the main game viewing area, but it is just like leaving a camp gate in Kruger, no hassle at all. You must just show your entry permit.

Addo is a small Park, and you can easily drive the Park in 1 day. The northern section has Domkrag dam, Gwarrie pan, Rooidam and the spectacular Hapoor - the most perfect place to spend time with the incredible elephants.

Drive to Zuurkop lookout and enjoy the incredible vistas.

As you travel south you can stop at the Spekboom hide, take a break at Jack’s picnic site, and then get close to elephants again at Marion Baree. Enjoy the southern loops with the views of the ocean and dunes in the distance.

When you are at camp, go to the hide - it is at eye level with the water hole and when elephants come drinking time can stand still.

Just enjoy this unique Park, from the large elephants to the small dung beetles. It is fabulous. I am

[Dave Long]

Hi Karim,

Many Thanks for your comments which I found most enlightening but alas my knowledge of our National Parks is very limited as apart from Kruger I have only visited Pilangsberg so I will have have an open mind regarding Addo.

I visited the KNP last October and had the privilege of seeing the White Timbavati Lion with three other male Lions on the Road to Orpen.
Early next Morning we visited the spot once again and found that they had taken down a Buffalo and it is this type of action that I will miss.
However the round trip from East London is 5,000 kilometres including travel time in the park and at my age the journey is becoming just too long and as a result I must compromise.

Once again many thanks for your response which is most encouraging and I certainly am looking forward to the trip.

Who knows I might just find another home from home.


Kind Regards

Dave Long.
Ps. have booked for 4 night's is this sufficient?

[Karin Mitton]

Yes, you cannot compare Addo to those 2 Parks at all.
But I am sure you will love Addo. I’m not always lucky with cats, but many people regularly see the Addo lions, so maybe you will as well. But I love elephants more than any other animal, so it is my perfect Park. (The spekboom vegetation can get a bit much though, but there are many non- spekboom areas as well.)

4 nights is perfect - I’ve been twice for 3 nights each time and was able to go everywhere in the Park.

[pnm]

Hi Dave

Almost a year ago I did my first ever trip to Addo and really enjoyed it. I had n idea what to expect and was pleasantly surprised to say the least. It is well run and there are lots of animals to see, especially if you are interested in birds. The elephant are magnificent.

May I be so cheeky as to recommend that you read my trip report on my short stay there? It will give you an idea of the roads, where to drive and what you can see (which in our case did not include lions, but did include *** without having to even leave the camp.) Make use of the underground hide in the main camp - that's where I got to see ***.

Here is the link to my trip report.

https://www.sanparks.org/forums/viewtop ... 0#p2797829

Keep well
Pete in a freezing George
BTW: I grew up in East London

[PNF]

Hi Dave
I agree with what Karin and pnm have said - it is a totally different experience from Kruger.
I would just like to add that Addo has probably the most majestic Kudu Bulls that I have ever seen.
Birds - plenty ..... and not the usual suspects from Kruger!!
4 nights is a good time to stay - it will wet your appetite for another visit
Enjoy it!