Over the past five years Addo has become one of our favourate destinations. Partly because of its proximity to Port Elizabeth (70 kms), but more so because of the potential numbers of game that you see on a game drive and experiences brought by patience. We find its accommodation adequate and its camping facilities excellent, particularly if you manage to find a site under the huge Ficus trees.
Addo is about
elephants and probably the most “user” friendly elephants in Africa. However, Addo is also subject to seasonal droughts, which has a devastating effect on the grass plains. It follows that whereas large herds of elephant, buffalo and other plains game would graze these plains following re-growth after good rains, they almost totally move into the bush for food and will visit the watering points for water and cooling themselves down, during the day. It remains amazing that such a large population of such large animals can dissappear totally as if 
non existant. At the time of writing, Addo was in the grips of a devastating drought. During the morning game drive, Addo was “empty”. Only a few Hartebeest, wart hog and ostriches to be seen. I must however add that the midday temperature was into the forties. On the return trip past the waterholes (Hapoor, Rooidam and Gwarrie pan) they were there in hundreds enjoyng the water whilst the “teenagers” typically frolicked in the pools.
Addo has a amazing variety of game including the big five land animals (Elephant, Rhinocerous, Buffalo, Lion and Leopard). In addition it accommodates a variety of planes game (Zebra, Red Hartebeest, Eland, etc) of which Kudu is abundant in the park, particularly in the later afternoons after the heat of the day. Scavenger/hunters (Spotted Hyena, Caracal and Black backed Jackal) completes the circle with the support of surricates, mongoose vervet monkeys and a variety of birds.
The road network is excellent and the park is rarely overcrowded.
I mentioned patience and experiences. On a previous visit to Rooidam late afternoon, we saw two lions (See the pictures). A mature female and a young female having a rest at the dam. They appeared to be resting as game coming down to have a drink at the opposite side of the dam appeared not to interest them ...... untill a kudu bull ventured to close for comfort. The chase was on, but fortunately for the Kudu who knew an escape route through
the bush managed to shake the lion off.
Addo is definitely something special and with the development plans under way, greater Addo will become even much more in years to come. I maintain that under good conditions you will see a very large variety of game during a late afternoon game drive through the park.
Addo is about
elephants and probably the most “user” friendly elephants in Africa. However, Addo is also subject to seasonal droughts, which has a devastating effect on the grass plains. It follows that whereas large herds of elephant, buffalo and other plains game would graze these plains following re-growth after good rains, they almost totally move into the bush for food and will visit the watering points for water and cooling themselves down, during the day. It remains amazing that such a large population of such large animals can dissappear totally as if 
non existant. At the time of writing, Addo was in the grips of a devastating drought. During the morning game drive, Addo was “empty”. Only a few Hartebeest, wart hog and ostriches to be seen. I must however add that the midday temperature was into the forties. On the return trip past the waterholes (Hapoor, Rooidam and Gwarrie pan) they were there in hundreds enjoyng the water whilst the “teenagers” typically frolicked in the pools. 
Addo has a amazing variety of game including the big five land animals (Elephant, Rhinocerous, Buffalo, Lion and Leopard). In addition it accommodates a variety of planes game (Zebra, Red Hartebeest, Eland, etc) of which Kudu is abundant in the park, particularly in the later afternoons after the heat of the day. Scavenger/hunters (Spotted Hyena, Caracal and Black backed Jackal) completes the circle with the support of surricates, mongoose vervet monkeys and a variety of birds.
The road network is excellent and the park is rarely overcrowded.
I mentioned patience and experiences. On a previous visit to Rooidam late afternoon, we saw two lions (See the pictures). A mature female and a young female having a rest at the dam. They appeared to be resting as game coming down to have a drink at the opposite side of the dam appeared not to interest them ...... untill a kudu bull ventured to close for comfort. The chase was on, but fortunately for the Kudu who knew an escape route through
the bush managed to shake the lion off. Addo is definitely something special and with the development plans under way, greater Addo will become even much more in years to come. I maintain that under good conditions you will see a very large variety of game during a late afternoon game drive through the park.
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