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Description
Addo Elephant National Park covers approximately 170,000 hectares. The park is home to more than 600 elephants, 400 Cape buffaloes, over 48 endangered south-western black rhinoceros. But the birding is also great. Addo’s birding opportunity covers excellent habitat contrasts between dense thickets of spekboom interspersed with open savannah grasslands and wooded kloofs.
In and around the Addo rest camp Karoo Scrub-Robin and Cape Robin-Chat, Bokmakierie, Southern Tchagra, Bar-throated Apalis and Cape Bunting are prominent, with Brown-hooded Kingfisher, Fiscal Flycatcher, Fork-tailed Drongo, Spectacled Weaver, Malachite and Greater Double-collared Sunbird also easily found.
A trip into the game viewing area will not produce a plethora of birds, but Bokmakierie will once more be prominent, and Martial Eagle, Southern Black Korhaan, Blue Crane, Denham's Bustard, Black-headed Heron, Common Ostrich and Secretarybird may well be seen.
Birding is best during the migratory season, when birds from Europe and north Africa are present (November to April), although it's generally good year-round.
Details
Access
Addo Elephant National Park is located north from the city of Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth): The Addo Main Camp entrance is the original entrance to Addo Elephant National Park, and is located some 70 km from Gqeberha (if you take the R335 via Motherwell), or it is 100 km from Gqeberha (if you take the N10 Paterson - the recommended route). The nearest town to Addo Main Camp is the town of Addo which is about 15 km from the entrance, which is well signposted from all major routes. To enter the park at the (new) southern entrance (Matyholweni Gate), follow the N2 towards Grahamstown, and take the first turn-of after crossing the Sundays River Bridge at Colchester (also well signposted).
Addo has mainly gravel roads for self driving. Entry fee is R437 (2025). A road map of tourist routes within the park is given to each vehicle upon entering the park. Gate Times: Main Entrance Gate & Addo Reception (off R335 / R342 near Addo, marked with 1 on the map) 07:00 – 19:00. Matyholweni Gate & Reception (off N2 near Colchester, marked with 2 on the map) 07:00 – 18:30 (Reception: 07:00 – 17:00)
Addo Elephant National Park has a main camp, featuring a swimming pool, restaurant, flood lit water hole and various accommodation. Four other rest camps and four camps run by concessionaires. The main entrance as well as two looped tourist roads in the park are tarred while the others are graveled.
Terrain and Habitat
Forest , Scattered trees and bushes , Mud flats , Canyon/cliff , Mountain , PlainConditions
HillyCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
YesGood birding season
All year roundRoute
Unpaved roadDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
CarBirdwatching hide / platform
YesLinks
- Sanparks.org/parks/addo-elephant
- Addo NP Main Rest Camp on eBird
- Addo NP Main Game Viewing Area on eBird