Addo Elephant National Park Safari Guide

Why go to Addo National Park?

One of the best places to view wild elephants in Africa, Addo Elephant Park is home to one of the densest elephant populations on the continent.

Located in the Sunday River region of South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province, Addo is the country’s third-largest national park. It is also one of the best malaria-free safari destinations in Africa.

The park encompasses not only terrestrial but also marine ecosystems. While elephants are the main attraction, the national park is not only home to the Big 5: lion, buffalo, leopard, rhino, and, of course, elephant, but also 2 marine species, the Great white shark and the Right whale.

Located at the end of the fabled Garden Route, Addo is easily accessible by taking a 35-minute drive from the city of Gqeberha (aka Port Elizabeth).

The Best Elephant Encounters in South Africa

Addo Elephant National Park is, unsurprisingly, most notable for its elephants.

The park has one of the densest elephant populations in Africa. What most people do not realise about Addo is that, together with Amboseli in Kenya, the elephants are some of the most habituated pachyderms anywhere in Africa.

In Addo, you are likely to come across huge herds on most outings. So used to cars, these huge animals will often pass within a cat's whisker of vehicles, creating both hair-raising and unforgettable encounters.

If you are looking for unbelievable elephant encounters, Addo Elephant Park is the place to go.

The action doesn’t end there, however. Addo also hosts the other Big 5 animals, a bird list of over 450 species, and an abundance of smaller game. Keep an eye out for the small flightless dung beetles that are almost as famous as the elephants!

Fantastic Garden Route Self-Drive Destination

Addo National Park is located on one end of South Africa’s most famous road trip, the Garden Route.

Bookended by Cape Town and Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape province, Addo can be considered one of the most accessible Big 5 reserves in Africa. Visitors can choose to fly into either end of the Garden Route at Cape Town International, or to connect with Gqberha from Johannesburg or Durban.

Most Garden Route Tours start in Cape Town and drive up the N2 to Swellendam, Oudtshoorn, Wilderness, Knysna, Tsitsikamma, and J Bay. The Garden Route passes through incredible landscapes that include mountains, semi-deserts, forests, rivers, and beaches. It is also stuffed with great activities from the longest Zipline in the world, cave explorations, bungee jumps, surfing, canyon explorations on kayaks, and paragliding, to wildlife encounters with crocodiles, ostriches, elephants, monkeys, birds, and much more.

The popularity of the Garden Route is self-explanatory!

The final stop of the Garden Route is doing a safari in Addo Elephant National Park. Self-drive or guided Big 5 safaris are available, as well as walking safaris and horseback rides.

The Only Big 7 Reserve in Africa

Addo is the only Big 7 reserve in the world.

Addo Elephant National Park started as an elephant reserve in 1931. Since then, it has expanded to over 180,000 hectares of terrestrial landscapes and 120,000 hectares of marine protected waters.

Covering five of South Africa’s nine distinct vegetation biomes, Addo is a botanical wonder. These biomes include fynbos, coastal forest, karoo, coastal dunes and grassy plains. Despite this incredible diversity, this is still not Addo’s most alluring attribute.

In addition to elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, and rhinos, Addo Elephant National Park is also home to two marine species, the great white shark and the southern right whale.

Guests can do marine tours that depart from the Algoa Bay Yacht club and have the opportunity to see gannets, penguins, a variety of dolphins, whales, including the southern right whale, white sharks, and a host of other marine animals.

The best part? With a little luck, you can see all 7 in one day!

Easily Combined with Other Top Safari Destinations

The airport in Gqeberha has regular connections to Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban.

This means that it is easy to connect a safari to Addo Elephant National Park with some of Southern Africa’s best safari destinations.

Staying in South Africa, Durban is the gateway to Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, Isimangaliso Wetland Park, and the joys of the Drakensberg Mountains. Fly to Cape Town for malaria-free Big 5 safaris at Aquila, Inverdoorn, or Sanbona. Choose Johannesburg for Kruger National Park, or connect with Namibia for Etosha and the Namib Desert, Zambia and Zimbabwe for Victoria Falls, Hwange, and South Luangwa, or Botswana and the Okavango Delta.

Feeling spoilt for choice? African Budget Safaris specialises in bespoke safaris and expert safari advice.

Need Help Planning Your Visit to Addo National Park?

Ready to start planning your Addo safari?

African Budget Safaris offers tailored experiences that match your interests and budget. Safaris that include Addo Elephant National Park range from 3-day safaris to 47-day overland epics.

While pre-packaged tours can be the most affordable and travel the best routes, African Budget Safaris can arrange bespoke itineraries, private getaways, family-friendly vacations, and tours for specialised interests like photography, birding or walking safaris.

Talk to one of our experienced safari consultants who are based in Cape Town, and start planning your Addo safari today.

The Best Time to Visit Addo National Park

The best time to visit Addo National Park is from January to December. Wildlife viewing is always excellent. Normally, the winter months push wildlife out of the bush to watering holes, but because Addo is in a semi-arid area, the waterholes are permanent and well frequented throughout the year.

October to April in Addo

These are the summer months in the Eastern Cape. The weather is at its best with loads of sunshine. From November to January, however, the park can get very busy as local and international tourists arrive for the festive season. During these months, though rain showers do occur in the afternoons, the landscapes are lush, birding is excellent, and there is a good chance of spotting baby animals.

May to September

May to September are the winter months. These are dry months with little to no rain. Animals often visit the watering holes. This is also the quieter low season, where there are few tourists, and it is possible to meander around the park at a leisurely pace. Though sunny skies make the days mild, nights and especially early mornings can get very chilly. It is important to dress warmly to stay comfortable.