National Park in South Africa
South Africa’s elephant park
Addo Elephant National Park is a malaria-free Big Seven park near Port Elizabeth, famous for its large herds of elephants. More than 600 elephants live in the park, and visitors see them at close quarters from the waterholes, often with calves.
The park also has lion, black rhino, buffalo, spotted hyena and leopard, and it is South Africa's only Big Seven park, because it includes marine reserves with southern right whales and great white sharks. The scenery is a mix of thicket, grassland and sand dunes, and the roads are good for self-drive.
Addo suits families and those wanting an easy, malaria-free safari at the end of a Garden Route trip.
Addo is known for elephants, which are the main attraction. The park also has Cape buffalo, black rhino, lion, spotted hyena, leopard, Cape mountain zebra, red hartebeest, kudu, eland and warthog. The marine section has African penguins, Cape gannets, southern right whales and great white sharks.
Chance of seeing
Our estimate for a stay of two or three nights with a good guide. Wildlife is wild, so nothing is promised.
Thick, green thicket and open grassland rolling to the horizon, with waterholes where the elephant herds gather.
Activities here
Addo has a mild climate, with warm summers (days of 27°C to 32°C) and mild winters (days around 20°C). Rain falls all year, with a little more in autumn and spring.
| Month | Day °C | Night °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28 | 17 | 30 |
| Feb | 28 | 18 | 35 |
| Mar | 27 | 17 | 45 |
| Apr | 25 | 14 | 45 |
| May | 23 | 11 | 40 |
| Jun | 21 | 9 | 30 |
| Jul | 21 | 8 | 30 |
| Aug | 21 | 9 | 40 |
| Sep | 22 | 11 | 45 |
| Oct | 24 | 13 | 50 |
| Nov | 25 | 15 | 50 |
| Dec | 27 | 16 | 35 |
Approximate long-term averages. Higher ground is cooler, and forests can rain in any month.
March to September is cooler and drier, with the best game viewing as animals come to the waterholes.
October to February is warmer and a little wetter. The thicket is dense, and sightings can be harder, but the park is quiet.
March to September is the best time to visit. Elephants are around all year, and the summer is good for birds.
Best time to visit Mar to Sep
Addo lies about 70 kilometres from Port Elizabeth, a drive of an hour. Port Elizabeth Airport has flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg. It is at the eastern end of the Garden Route.
Park fees are included in our safaris. Many nationalities, including most of Europe, the UK, the US, Canada and Australia, can enter South Africa without a visa for up to 90 days. Please check the rules for your passport.
Addo is malaria-free, which makes it ideal for families. Bring sun protection and a hat.
National ParkKruger National ParkSouth Africa's great wilderness
City & TownCape TownMountain, ocean and a city full of flavour
RegionCape WinelandsVineyards beneath the mountains
City & TownJohannesburgGateway city
Wildlife Reserve & SanctuaryMadikwe Game ReserveMalaria-free Big Five for families
Private ConservancySabi Sand Game ReserveThe leopard capital of AfricaOur take
“Our take”
Addo is the easiest Big Five park to pair with a coastal trip. Give it two nights.
Safaris from
US$4,888 per person
Plan your time in Addo Elephant
Every safari we run is private and built around you. Tell us your dates and what you hope to see, and we will shape the route, the lodges and the permits.
Made to measure
Tell us how you like to travel and we will build a private journey around it: the right lodges, the right pace and the permits already in hand.
Start planningCookies
Essential cookies keep this site working. With your permission we also remember the safaris and places you have viewed. You can change your mind any time from Cookie settings in the footer.
