Addo for a first safari

Addo is a good choice for a first safari.

Suitability: ★★★★★

Addo was created to protect the last elephants of the Eastern Cape and has since expanded to cover habitats from thicket to coast. Managed by South African National Parks, it is one of the most accessible Big Five areas in the south of the country.

Why Addo for a first safari?

• With the Big Five present, it delivers a classic first safari.
• 1–3 days are enough for a good experience.

What awaits you in Addo

• Large elephant herds that are easy to see
• Malaria-free
• Combines easily with the Garden Route
• Self-drive possible
• Marine section with seasonal whales

Wildlife you may encounter: elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, black rhino, zebras, kudu and eland.

Suggested time on the ground: 1 to 3 days. About 70 km north of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) in the Eastern Cape, reached by car from the airport.

Activities that fit

game drives.

When to go

The best period overall is October to March.

In the hotter months elephants gather at waterholes around midday, making them easy to see.

Other destinations for a first safari

• Masai Mara Kenya
• Merzouga Morocco
• Ngorongoro Tanzania
• Pilanesberg South Africa
• Victoria Falls Zimbabwe
• Kruger South Africa

Full Addo guideBest safaris for a first safari

No trips are listed for this destination yet. Send a request and we will check with providers.

Sources: SANParks - Addo Elephant National Park · South African Tourism - Addo Elephant National Park · Climates to Travel (1991-2020 normals) - Port Elizabeth
Figures are approximate averages and vary from year to year.