 The Addo Elephant National Park was founded in 1931 in the Eastern Cape, near Port Elizabeth, to protect the last eleven elephants that remained in the area. Since this time the park has expanded and is now home to numerous mammals, birds, fish and reptiles. The herd of elephant has increased to 420 and the park is also sanctuary to over 40 of the endangered black rhinos. Beside the “big five” (lion, buffalo, elephant, leopard, rhinos), antelopes, zebras, hyenas, warthogs, baboons, springboks and many more species can be spotted.
Bird- lovers can enjoy over 150 bird species, from ostriches through to waterfowl, many raptors and smaller birds. Furthermore Addo also has various species of reptiles and amphibians, such as snakes, tortoises, lizards, frogs and toads.
This biodiversity is due to the unique natural variety of the Addo Elephant National Park which consists of five of South Africa’s seven mayor biomes. Grassland, nama-karoo in the arid north, fynbos around the Zuurberg mountain range, thicket mainly in the original Addo and forest near the coasts and at the Sundays River. Comparatively Kruger National Park has only one biome.
But the success story of Addo Elephant Park hasn’t finished yet. There are plans to extend the park from 148 000 to 360 000 hectares into a marine protected area. This will bring new highlights into Addo, such as the world’s largest breeding colony of Cape Gannets and African Penguins, and extend the “big five” to the “big seven” (including whales and great white sharks).
The park offers best game viewing possibilities in a malaria-free area and additionally is in possession of a rich heritage of archaeological and historical sites.
Accommodations and activities for all tastes are offered as well as an a la cart restaurant.
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