Gentle giants gleefully playing at a waterhole, a herd of zebra grazing by, and spectacular sunsets over the Zuurberg Mountains ─ yes, it’s the Addo Elephant National Park! This world-renowned park is only a 30-minute drive from Port Elizabeth, making it an ideal spot for tired city souls, a family holiday and a romantic getaway. Besides the famed Big 5 hiding in bushes and roaming across endless plains, the park also stretches all the way to the Indian Ocean where African penguins and dolphins reside. To ensure that your next visit to the Addo Elephant National Park is unforgettable, TravelGround hand-picked accommodation and a bunch of activities in and near the park …

Activities

The Addo Elephant National Park offers loads to do for young and old!

Game-viewing | guided game drives | self-driving game drives | birdwatching | river-rafting | hiking | sand sledding

Accommodation

De Old Drift B&B

Situated on a citrus farm just outside of the Addo Elephant National Park, this beautiful B&B will be perfect if you’re looking for a peaceful retreat. You’ll be spoilt with amazing views on the mountains and citrus orchards while relaxing on the veranda. Lunch and dinner are served in the lapa or you can book a traditional braai which will include homemade bread, salads and liqueur to be enjoyed underneath the stars. You can also arrange a guided tour to the park on an open-top vehicle to view the magnificent Big 5!

Type: B&B and self-catering
Stay: Suites, family units and cottages
Facilities: Air-conditioning, free WiFi, lapa, braai area, swimming pool and library

SANParks Addo Narina Bush Camp

This bush camp is set at the foot of the Zuurberg Mountains in a magical forest about 25 kilometres from the Addo Main Rest Camp. This rustic retreat doesn’t form part of the Big 5 area, but duikers, bushbucks and bushpigs do occur. Sweet birdsong fills the early-morning air and evenings are best spent around the firepit. The natural beauty and seclusion of this camp will soothe anyone in need of some peace and quiet.

Type: Camping
Stay: Canvas tents
Facilities: Braai area

* Solar-powered lights and no electricity. A gravel road leads to the camp and you’ll require a high-clearance vehicle.

Avoca River Cabins

You’ll find Avoca River Cabins in the Sundays River Valley, just a 20-minute drive from the Addo Elephant National Park. It’s the ideal getaway for a family, nature lovers and avid birders. You can even tie the knot in this picturesque spot!

Type: Self-catering
Stay: Riverside chalets, mud huts, bush camps and cottages
Facilities: Braai area, laundry service, swimming pool, free WiFi, children’s playground, conference facilities and wedding venue

* Breakfast and dinner arranged in advance.

SANParks Addo Nyathi Rest Camp

Imagine the sun setting behind the Zuurberg Mountains and you’re sipping red wine as a herd of elephants peacefully roam by to drink from a waterhole mere metres below you ─ at SANParks Addo Nyathi Rest Camp this is absolutely possible! Nyathi means ‘buffalo’ and you’ll surely spot them in the area. If you’re lucky, you might even get a glimpse of the king of the jungle or an elusive leopard. This camp is secluded and baboons, kudus and warthogs are also frequent visitors.

Type: Self-catering
Stay: 2-sleeper, 4-sleeper and 6-sleeper units
Facilities: Swimming pool and braai area

Addo Gateway Lodge

This guest house is situated in Cannonville along the banks of the scenic Sundays River at the southern entrance to the park. The dune field beyond the river is the second largest coastal dune field in the world and the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. Fun-filled activities in the vacanity are in abundance and include ferry cruises on the river, birding and sand sledding.

Type: B&B and self-catering
Stay: En-suite rooms and cottages
Facilities: Kitchen, lapa, braai area and dining area

* Wheelchair friendly

SANParks Addo Matyholweni Rest Camp

Matyholweni means ‘in the bush’ and as a result, this area is home to kudus, bushbucks, caracals, bush pigs and warthogs. The camp is nestled at the Sundays River Mouth near Colchester and provides a second gateway into the Addo Elephant National Park. Burchell’s zebras, red hartebeests and buffalos can also be seen and bigger game will be added to the area soon. It’s ideal if you’re seeking a more quiet breakaway with daily visits to the Main Rest Camp.

Type: Self-catering
Stay: Thatched cottages
Facilities: Braai area

* Wheelchair friendly

Addo Dung Beetle Guest Farm

Addo Dung Beetle Guest Farm is perched on a mountaintop in the heart of the Sundays River Valley. This citrus guest farm offers the only dung beetle-inspired accommodation in South Africa among succulent bushes. Because dung beetles are always hidden, this accommodation also has no view!

Type: Lodge
Stay: En-suite chalets, bush cabins and dung beetle suites
Facilities: Jacuzzi, rock pool, free WiFi, lapa, upper-level deck and braai area

SANParks Addo Rest Camp

This is the popular Main Rest Camp with a unique lookout point at the floodlit waterhole at night, as well as an underground hide. At dawn you’ll wake to the chirps of the francolin and bokmakierie herald, and at night the roar of a lion and calls of a spotted hyena and jackal will leave you in awe. With the Big 5 and other wildlife close by, this is the perfect place to stay ─ keep your camera ready!

Type: Camping
Stay: Tents, cabins, chalets, rondavels and cottages
Facilities: Swimming pool, braai area, restaurant and curio shop

Kuzuko Lodge

Kuzuko Lodge is perched high upon a hill in a private section of the northern part of the Addo Elephant National Park and is known as ‘the place of glory’. Burnt oranges and angry reds interspersed by silver clouds etch the distant Zuurberg Mountains and Karoo plains against the sky as the sun sets after a glorious day of game-viewing. At night you’ll be treated to a theatre in the sky created by millions of twinkling stars!

Type: Self-catering
Stay: Chalets
Facilities: WiFi, conference facilities, business centre, breakaway room, guest lounge, swimming pool, curio shop and wellness centre

* Wheelchair friendly

SANParks Addo Spekboom Tented Camp

This tented camp is located in the fenced area of Spekboom Hide in the main game area of the Addo Elephant National Park. Sightings of nocturnal animals drinking at the waterhole and stargazing should be high on your to-do list. You’ll never be closer to Mother Nature than at this charming camp!

Type: Camping
Stay: Canvas tents
Facilities: Braai area

Gorah Elephant Camp

Gorah Elephant Camp is a place of dreams as you’ll be able to sip on creamy coffee while a herd of gentle giants graze by daily. The Gorah House dates back to 1856 and is a National Monument that’s fully restored to retain the elegance of a bygone era. If you’d like to royally spoil a loved one, this camp will be heavenly!

Type: Glamping
Stay: Luxury tented suites
Facilities: Swimming pool

So, what are you waiting for? Plan a trip to the amazing Addo Elephant National Park, book your stay and prepare to marvel in the beauty of the bushveld!

Feature image: Hitgeheim Country Lodge & Eco-Reserve (TravelGround establishment)