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See the Big Seven at Addo Elephant National Park

Only One Park Features all of Africa's Big Game

Aug 28, 2008 Claire Carr

Upgrade your game viewing experience to the Big Seven, only at the Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.

Lions, cape buffalo, rhino, elephant, leopard, sharks and whales are all residents to this single park. The 120 000 hectare marine reserve includes St. Croix Island and Bird Island, plus it is host to a breeding colony of African penguins. This makes it a perfect habitat for spotting both great white sharks and whales.

Abundant marine life however is no match for the ample elephants that can definitely be seen in the park. Over 350 African elephants have made the park their own personal domain. Sitting in traffic at Addo means waiting for herds of elephants to cross the road.

Founded in 1930 the park was home to only 11 of these gentle giants. Lions were reintroduced to Addo in 2004. This finely tuned ecosystem is home to both the largest and the smallest of species. Keep an eye out for the flightless dung beetle which is unique to the area.

The park consists of no less than seven biomes (vegetation zones), which makes it a birder's paradise. Birds can be viewed while on game drives or from the bird hide that overlooks a reedbed, at the main camp.

After a hard day’s game viewing, guests can return to one of the many different types of accommodation. Whether it is luxury, comfortable family accommodation, or rustic settings, the options are endless in the main rest camp.

Large groups or families can stay at guest houses or family chalets, both with air-conditioning.

Cottages and chalets are close to the main waterhole which is the perfect spot for sundowners. Alternatively, the familiar call of the Francolin can be enjoyed from the balcony of one of the forest cabins.

Those who like to ‘rough it’ will be comfortable in the rondavals or can book a camp site. The restaurant with a la carte menu and shop at the rest camp means that life’s small luxuries are never too far out of reach.

Activities at Addo

Game viewing within the park
Bird watching at the main camp
Game viewing in the night at the illuminated waterhole
Hiking trails
Canoe trips down Sundays River
Swimming pool
Horse riding at Zuurberg

Getting there:

The park's proximity to Port Elizabeth's international airport makes it easily accessible. From Port Elizabeth, the N2 Highway goes to Grahamstown. Turn off at Motherwell on the R335. Drive on this road for about 50km, and the turn off to Addo is on the right.

For more information visit SANParks.

The copyright of the article See the Big Seven at Addo Elephant National Park in Sub-Sahara Africa Travel is owned by Claire Carr. Permission to republish See the Big Seven at Addo Elephant National Park in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.