Addo Elephant National Park
User Reviews (80)
South Africa Parks
US
Email Elizabeth | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We did see elephant’s, and the bbq was outstanding. It was difficult to see the animals since the park is so dense with brush.
Email Marilyn | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Did not see that much game and park very dry
Email Marilyn | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Elephants make the park
Huts okay. A little inconvenient that cooking and washing up facilities not on premises. A clean-up needs to be undertaken around the vegetation as quite a bit of litter lying around
Email Thierry de Chazal | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Nowhere to compare to Kruger or Sabi Sands..very few birds...
US
Email Ruth | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Too many cars driving around.
Email Gary Elson | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Addo or Addon’t ?
After several trips to Kruger, Etosha and the KTP, I decided to give Addo a go.
I have to be honest, it was a disappointment . A small park with little real bush vibe due to the da t that you can see the surrounding farms, towns and wind farms from large parts of the park.
The vegetation isn’t the most attractive either, and the large open areas looked more like fields, giving a “safari park” feel.
There is no doubt that the elephant encounters are the highlight, but a day trip is probably enough, with maybe a night at the excellent Addo main camp to give the best chance of an early morning lion encounter.
But it’s not Kruger, a totally different experience and the 30 minute drive and access to boat trips are probably the only reason for choosing it.
Email Anna Mahon Oneill | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I prebooked alot of my SA trip and felt Addo was the hardest place to book. Their accommodation is booked separately from the game drives and restaurant bookings so nothing seems straight forward, linked or easy. It took a total of over 20 emails to book anything, information on the website is wrong, email addresses on the website bounce back - i honestly don't know how they're so busy. I was expecting great things since it is the second biggest park in SA, both of the Addo accommodation we stayed in were lovely (better than expected) altho the plunge pool at our nyathi rest camp booking was very dirty so I sadly didn't use it at all. We did two guided game drives that did end up enabling us to see animals we hadn't seen at other reserves but the park is so big and the bush so dense that its hard to actually see anything unless you happen to be lucky and find the animal crossing the road. We didn't do a self drive, drive which we regret but as we stayed in the Nyathi rest camp it ment we were locked out of the park and made us feel like we couldn't explore as much as we would have wanted. The reception is a frustrating place were staff definitely take their time processing things. Paying for game drives is unorganised and could definitely be dealt with better. All in all i'm glad i got to see some animals as if i hadnt it would have been a waste. I'm not sure i would recommend Addo - maybe if your in the area or driving passed and have a few hours or a day to kill then definitely go but if pre booking i hope its a better experience than i had.
NL
Email Michael Potts | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Lots of elephants and unusual dung beatles
Email Gary Longshaw | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Perhaps Ive been spoiled, but the diversity and abundance of WIldlife here isnt as good as some of the other reserves.
FR
Email Grey World Nomads | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The park is not huge and can easily be done with in two days. Plenty of wildlife, especially elephant and also the bird life is great. Addo for me doesn't quite have the real "bush" feeling about it. It isn't the bushveld, but has its own unique feel. If or when it can be linked to the two other sections of the Greater Addo, namely the coastal section and the mountains stretching into the Baviaanskloof, then we are talking of a great park.
Safari Tours to Addo Elephant NP
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![5-Day Garden Route, Big 5 Addo Park & Great Karoo]()
5-Day Garden Route, Big 5 Addo Park & Great Karoo
$559 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveLodge & Resort
You Visit: Cape Town (Start), Little Karoo, Knysna (Garden Route), Tsitsikamma NP (Garden Route), Addo Elephant NP, Port Elizabeth (End)
Southern African Tours
4.7/5 – 65 Reviews
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![9-Day Cape Town to Addo Elephant Park]()
9-Day Cape Town to Addo Elephant Park
$4,180 to $4,400 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)Guest House & Hotel
You Visit: Cape Town (Start), Hermanus (Whales), Knysna (Garden Route), Addo Elephant NP, Tsitsikamma NP (Garden Route), Ostrich Farm (Highlight), Oudtshoorn (Garden Route), Paarl (Cape Winelands), Boulder's Beach (Penguins), Cape Town (End)
Travel your African Dream
4.6/5 – 5 Reviews
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2-Day Camp Figtree Mountain Safari Lodge - 1 Night
$263 to $423 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLodge
You Visit: Port Elizabeth (Start), Addo Elephant NP, Port Elizabeth (End)
East Cape Tours
5.0/5 – 61 Reviews
