The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Addo Elephant National Park
Afrikaans name: Addo-Olifant Nasionale Park
Elephants sparring at Addo Elephant National Park
Photo © kinibay20 - Fotolia.com
Eastern Cape
The Addo Elephant National Park is situated in the Eastern Cape near Port Elizabeth. It was founded in 1931 to protect the last Elephants remaining in the area. At the time they numbered 11 and today there are over 450. A certain Major P.J. Pretorius was the man employed to eliminate the elephant population in 1919. There were too many incidents of the elephants wandering into farmlands and feeding off the crops. The major did his duty rather well but could not shoot the last 11 elephants who spent most of their lives in the thick bush that Addo is known for.
Addo has expanded over the years as new pieces of land have been added to it. It now extends all the way to the Indian Ocean and 'houses' not only the Big 5 but the Great White Shark and whales as well! (Read more about whales and whale-watching in South Africa). So Addo brag that they not only have the Big 5, they have the Big 7! The extra two being the Great White Shark and Southern Right Whale.
Besides the African Elephants the park also houses a wide variety of animal life. Of particular interest is that it is home to the Flightless Dung Beetle. The park houses the largest population of these beetles in the world. Game-viewing can be challenging as the thick bush can easily hide anything including a herd of elephants. If you persevere you should see Eland, Red Hartebeest, Kudu, Suricate (Meerkat) and more.
A lot of the original area of the park was covered in thick bush. Today the park encompasses a wider variety of habitats including open grassy areas, fynbos along the passes and mountain grassland.
Addo has quite an extensive list of bird species that have been recorded. Areas with thicker bush are home to Red-necked Francolin, White-browed Scrub-robin, Southern Tchagra, Southern Boubou and Spotted Eagle-owl. There are a few small dams and they should be checked for African Black Duck, Yellow-billed Duck, Red-billed Teal, Three-banded Plover and Common Moorhen. Some of the grassland species include Secretarybird, Spotted Thick-knee, Crowned Lapwing, Pied Starling and Black-headed Heron. Raptors found in the park include African Fish-Eagle, Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk, African Goshawk and Martial Eagle.
Addo Elephant National Park has a number of types of accommodation and it is a popular destination for both local and foreign tourists. With the diverse habitats now included in the park the different accommodation options offer totally different experiences. The Addo Rest Camp, most often referred to as the main camp, is in the original area of the park and is probably the best option for most people. The best thing to do is to check out the options on the SANParks website. There are also a number of places available to be booked within easy reach of the park.
Above - Entrance to Addo
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Above - Overlooking a waterhole
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Above - Herd of Elephants
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Above - Addo is covered in thick bush
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Birds of Addo Elephant National Park
A wide variety of birds have been recorded in the park. Here are some of the species that you may see.
Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk
Mammals of Addo Elephant National Park
Please note that this is only a guide and, while we have made every effort to be accurate, we can't be held responsible for any errors.
Antbear
Bush Pig
Cape Grysbok
Common Duiker
References and further reading
Wild Issue 47 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 21Wild Issue 47 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 24
Wild Issue 45 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 16
Wild Issue 40 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 8
Wild Issue 39 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 70
Wild Issue 35 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 34
Wild Issue 37 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 12
Wild Issue 34 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 35
Wild Issue 28 - Author: - Published: 2014 - Page: 75
Wild Issue 26 - Author: - Published: 2014 - Page: 81
Wild Issue 23 - Author: - Published: 2013 - Page: 16
Wild Issue 26 - Author: - Published: 2014 - Page: 62
Wild Issue 21 - Author: - Published: 2012 - Page: 34
Wild Issue 21 - Author: - Published: 2012 - Page: 20
Wild Issue 3 - Author: - Published: 2008 - Page: 36
Wild Issue 13 - Author: - Published: 2010 - Page: 12
Top Birding Spots in Southern Africa - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 1992 - Page: 343
Where to Watch Birds in Southern Africa - Author: A. Berruti and J.C. Sinclair - Published: 1983 - Page: 92
Things to do in Moer & Gone Places - Author: Jacques Marais - Published: 2015 - Page: 180
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The National Parks of South Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Rene Gordon and Anthony Bannister - Published: 1987 - Page: 110
Stuarts Field Guide to National Parks & Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd ed - Author: Chris & Mathilde Stuart - Published: 2018 - Page: 146
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Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 318
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Pollinators, Predators and Parasites - Author: C. Scholtz, J. Scholtz, H. De Klerk - Published: 2021 - Page: 281
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Getaway - Vol 30 No 06 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 77
Getaway - Vol 30 No 06 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 76
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Getaway - Vol 29 No 10 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 48
Getaway - Vol 29 No 02 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 66
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Birdwatching around Port Elizabeth - Author: Eastern Cape Wild Bird Society - Published: 1985 - Page: 6
Birding Hotspots - Author: Trevor Hardaker - Published: 2007 - Page: 42
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African Wildlife - International Edition - Vol 35 No 4 - Author: - Published: 1981 - Page: 24
A - Z of South African National Parks - Author: South African National Parks - Published: 0 - Page: 6
SANParks
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