Addo Elephant National Park

Home
Addo Elephant National Park

Zoom

Details

Details

Details of Addo Elephant National Park

Size: Approximately 1,642 square kilometres.
Location: Along the Garden Route.
Best Time: Year round, with June through September best.
Known For: Elephants.
To Do: Game drives, walking safaris, horse riding, watersports, and birdwatching.

addo elephant national park

Home to more than 550 elephants, Addo Elephant National Park is the perfect place to see these gentle giants in their natural habitat. The park's red earth lends its resident elephants a distinctive orange-red tinge, and there are few places on earth better for seeing elephants in large numbers.

The park is also home to the other four members of the Big Five, although all of them are in smaller numbers than can be found in other parks.

Other animal highlights include the greater kudu, red hartebeest, eland, and the dimunitive dung beetle.

kudu in addo elephant national park

The park's attached marine sanctuary is an excellent place to go on a marine safari, with whale watching tours also offering the chance to spot the great white shark, African penguin, and dolphins.

Short Overview

As its name indicates, Addo Elephant National Park is especially famous for its elephant population. Originally started as a small elephant sanctuary for just eleven elephants, the park has since expanded to become South Africa’s third largest park and boast the entirety of the Big Five.

The Algoa Coast region of the park is also an excellent place to spot great white sharks, African penguins, and the southern right whale.

Let us plan your dream
African trip!

Enquire now

Africa’s Most Trusted Safari - Shadows of Africa Wins the 2026 Travelers’ Choice Award

Africa’s most trusted safari: Shadows of Africa wins the 2026 Travelers’ Choice Award, a recognition that honors us as a leading safari operator. It highlights our consistent delivery of authentic safari experiences across East Africa — reflecting our clients' trust and satisfaction. Thanks to our tailor-made itineraries, 24/7 support advantage...

On an African Safari, you will spot a lot of horned animals. This makes it difficult to tell apart Antelope Vs Gazelle, especially for first-time visitors. Gazelles belong to the antelope family, but they differ from many other antelope species in size, speed, behavior, habitats, and body shape. At Shadows...

Giraffes are among the gentlest animals in Africa, but many travelers still ask, "Are giraffes friendly?" During an African Safari, you'll often see these graceful animals roaming savannahs, grasslands, and open forests. They are generally calm and peaceful but can become defensive if they feel threatened. Giraffes mainly feed on...

Are there tigers in Africa? This is a question many first-time safari goers ask in hopes of spotting them next to lions. But unfortunately, there are no tigers in Africa. They are native in Asia as African geographic and climatic conditions prevented any tigers from living. Regardless, Africa boasts the...

A Family Safari In Tanzania is more than a vacation. It is a front-row seat to nature’s wildlife, scenes, and culture. With the right planning, families achieve a safe and engaging safari experience. Tanzania safari tours also offer educational experiences suitable for kids. According to Shadows of Africa, Tanzania is...