|
Addo Elephant
National Park travel info
Addo Elephant National Park (AENP), initially proclaimed in 1931 to
preserve what remained of the elephant population in the Eastern Cape, has
undergone considerable expansion from its original 6 852ha to its present 80
000ha. The park is perhaps now in it’s most significant phase of expansion,
with plans to enlarge the conservation estate of the park to approximately
400 000ha - the "Greater Addo". Situated 73km from Port Elizabeth in South
Africa's Eastern Cape, the conservation success story of this park is world
famous. Since its proclamation, the last eleven elephants in that region
have bred to number 350, its 11718 ha also offering sanctuary to the last
Cape buffalo and black rhino of a very scarce Kenyan sub-species. Also
notable is the unique flightless dung beetle, which is found almost
exclusively in Addo. Day sightings of animals are frequent and an
illuminated waterhole provides excellent nighttime game viewing. Protection
of the elephant has resulted in simultaneous protection of an ecosystem,
which supports a fair number of antelope, numerous reptile, amphibian and
insect species and a recorded 170 bird species.
Seasons
The Eastern Cape climate, influenced by the nearby Indian Ocean, provides
rain evenly distributed throughout the year. Winters days are pleasant,
rarely exceeding mid-twenty temperatures (degrees Celsius). Nights can be
cold. The peak summer months(Nov-Mar) may be very hot (up to 35 degrees
Celsius). Wildlife viewing is good year round.
Wildlife
Lion and spotted hyaena have recently been re-introduced into the Park. 400
species of bird have been recorded.
You should see: elephant, jackal, zebra, warthog, kudu, eland, hartebeest,
springbok, buffalo, hippo, baboon, vervet monkey
You may see: Cape fox, caracal, mongoose, black rhino, bushpig, duiker,
klipspringer, porcupine, genet, weasel, suricate (meerkat) |
