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Alice
GB
Visited:
February 2017
Reviewed: Jul 1, 2017
Email Alice | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great self-drive -- more than just elephants
This was our first self-drive safari experience, immediately after spending 2 nights at a Amakhala/Shamwari (first safari experience altogether). We thoroughly enjoyed our experience!
There was something special about spotting game ourselves, in our little VW polo (it handled the unpaved parts easily). We were very lucky on the day -- with the help of the latest spotting map at the main gate, we saw countless buffaloes, a lion, hundreds of elephants, kudos, ostriches, zebras, and so many more.
We spent all day driving through the park, rather than sticking around the main gate area, and loved the varied scenery. The watering holes are exciting at the right time!
We would highly recommend a visit to Addo. Everyone talks about the elephants here, and yes they were tremendous, but there is so much more to see!
emanuelberger
CH
Visited:
March 2017
Reviewed: Jun 21, 2017
Email emanuelberger | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Addo is the Elephant Park
This was not our first time we visited that Addo Elephant Park, but this time it was special as family member joined us for a trip along the Garden Route. If there is place you can see elephants, Addo it is the place. We are especially fond of the very young once as they not only cute, but very play full. The park has partly very dense bush vegetation, but also has big open spaces. On hills, viewpoints offer good sights in to the surroundings, at some you are allowed to exit the car. At the Hapoor Dam we could see up 200 Elephants drinking and waiting their turn. But the park also has lots of antelopes, zebras, tortoises and a lot of Birds. Predators are rather scares, but we have seen lions on previous visits.
Aaron
TW
Visited:
May 2017
Reviewed: May 31, 2017
Email Aaron | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The elephants are so huge!
It's very nice to see so many different kind of animals in one Park.
It's wonderful season in early May.
The natural protection polices are very good. (for instance, Don't feed animals inside the park)
Lilian Ruzius
BE
Visited:
February 2017
Reviewed: May 4, 2017
Email Lilian Ruzius | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Andre Langenus
BE
Visited:
October 2016
Reviewed: Feb 17, 2017
Email Andre Langenus | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
noel
ZA
Visited:
September 2016
Reviewed: Jan 25, 2017
Email noel | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Awesome
Security
Travelling is safe and secure, with one entrance a few kilometers from the National highway. This entrance however includes an extensive section of dirt road once you enter the Park. An alternative and more scenic route to the main entrance of the Park involves travelling through countryside and small towns. Inside the Park, security was excellent, with the presence of Rangers frequently seen.
Game
The Game in the Park is wonderful, diverse and appreciable. Opportunities for photography is excellent (from macro/insect to landscapes).
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The Park offers the Big 5 (Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, Lion and Rhino), as well as a Marine section (which I did not experience) but which can be arranged. I have seen Lion on all 3 occasions I visited the Park. Only Leopard eluded me. I also saw my first Black Rhino in this Park. But it is the elephants that are the main attraction and any lover of these wonderful animals will not be disappointed. From lone bulls to herds in excess of 50 have been sighted. These have afforded the most wonderful photographic opportunities, especially the young calves. One of the most amazing experiences for me is the close proximity to these animals which you are able to enjoy in Addo.Several other carnivores have been seen, notably Jackal, which has at times reached epidemic proportions and have had to be culled. Hyena, Caracal and Mongoose have been sighted. One highlight for me was a clan of Suricate (Meerkat) on the move. I also saw 2 male Cheetah, but I have been advised that these were “rogue” animals that escaped from a neighbouring reserve.
Herbivores are well represented, except for the Giraffe, and include magnificent Kudu, Red Hartebeest, Zebra, Warthogs, several smaller antelope. I enjoyed an abundance of Tortoise; primates were represented by the Chacma Baboon and Vervet Monkeys. Addo is home to a unique Dung beetle, the flightless beetle, a wonder to watch.
Bird life is a photographer’s dream, and formed part of the reason for me to visit this Park as a bird lover, and I was not disappointed, and saw several birds for the first time, some of which are endemic to this area. Included are several Raptors, flocks of Ostriches, Sunbirds, Black headed Heron. The latter I watched for half an hour as it caught 3 Lizards in quick succession to my complete and utter delight. I also saw a pair of Stanleys Bastards.
Travel in the Park.
Roads in the Park are very good and well maintained, with part tarred roads, and part dirt roads.
Scenery
Wonderful scenery abounds, with several spots where I was allowed to get out of my vehicle and enjoy vistas, some with benches where you can spend hours enjoying the view and wildlife. As a photographer, this was an added bonus to my visit.
Ambiance and experience
All my visits to the Park have been wonderful experiences, rejuvenating and calming. In my experience it is not as crowded as Kruger. Overall the weather was good. Interactions with Rangers was always pleasant, a reassuring presence. The restaurant in the main camp served excellent meals, though I opted for take-away meals, preferring to sit at a dam to enjoy both a meal and wildlife. Satisfying from both a wildlife and experience point of view is how I describe my experience, and will gladly visit here again. My only regret is that I have not yet stayed overnight in the Park, which I am sure will enhance my experience.
pixpeeper
Addo seemed very tame after our week in Kruger. It is quite beautiful and hilly. Accommodation was very comfortable but seeing the wildlife proved a lot more difficult because of the bushes. We waited for one whole day to see our first elephants.
zapiture
ZA
Visited:
July 2016
Reviewed: Aug 7, 2016
Email zapiture | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing experience
Having been to the Addo Elephant National Park on four occasions, every time was as if I had never been as there was a special magic everytime. On my last visit I was lucky to see a lion kill and buffalo up close. Going out on the early morning bush drive, with the expectation of seeing something special was not a disappointment as I had never seen an anteater and he waddled out in front of us and stood transfixed in the headlights. As the sun rose on our way back to the camp, a Fish Eagle called to us from a tree right next to the road.
I cant wait for my next visit.
Michael Potts
NL
Visited:
October 2015
Reviewed: Dec 29, 2015
Email Michael Potts | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Lots of elephants and unusual dung beatles