Addo Elephant National Park

Addo Elephant National Park is South Africa's third-largest national park, situated in the Eastern Cape province roughly 70 kilometers from Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth). The park encompasses a wide range of natural biomes, stretching from the Zuurberg Mountains in the north, through the dense Albany thicket of the Sundays River Valley, down to the indigenous forests and massive coastal dune fields of Woody Cape, and extending into the marine environment of Algoa Bay.Originally proclaimed in 1931 to save a remnant population of just 11 African elephants from local hunters, the park has expanded into a major sanctuary home to over 600 elephants. It is uniquely recognized for conserving the Big Seven: terrestrial species including lions, leopards, Cape buffalos, black rhinoceroses, and African elephants, alongside marine species such as southern right whales and great white sharks. The park also protects the endemic flightless dung beetle, numerous antelope species, and key offshore breeding colonies for African penguins and Cape gannets.Visitors can explore the malaria-free park through self-drive game routes, guided safaris, night drives, 4x4 tracks, and hiking trails. Accommodation options range from campgrounds and self-catering chalets in main rest camps to luxury private lodges and wilderness camps.