Hyenas in the Addo Elephant National Park

Did you know that the Addo Elephant National Park has both Brown Hyena and Spotted Hyena? 📸 @sanparks The brown hyena (Parahyaena brunnea), also called the strandwolf, is the only extant species in the genus Parahyaena. It is currently the rarest species of hyena. Brown hyenas are distinguished from other species by their long shaggy […]

How big is the Greater Addo Elephant National Park

Addo Elephant National Park is the third-largest national park in South Africa. It’s not only home to the traditional Big Five (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard) but the Big 7, which includes the Southern right whale and Great white shark in its marine environment. In 1931, the park was started with only 2500 hectares […]

St Croix Island

St. Croix Island is the largest of the three islands on the western side of Algoa Bay. It is located within 8 kilometres of the Port of Nqgura and 4km from the nearest land. The islands are of critical importance to sea bird populations, including the endangered African penguin. The island covers about 12 ha […]

Major Pretorius’ big elephant hunt

One of the saddest chapters in the history of the Addo elephants involved Major Pretorius’ big hunt of 1919/20. After nearly 200 years of being hunted for their ivory, there were only about 140 elephants left in the Addo region by the early 1900s. Growth in agriculture in the region led to conflict with elephants […]

“Hapoor” the Elephant

One of the places you’re most likely to find elephants when visiting Addo Elephant National Park is Hapoor Dam. Now you may be wondering who is Hapoor and what the dam has got to do with the magnificent elephant head mounted in the park’s Interpretive Centre. Hapoor was a legend in the park and Addo’s […]

Honorary Ranger Field Notes from the 90s

During the late 1990s the Addo Elephant National Park Honorary Rangers has a project where they compiled “Filed Notes” for Elephants, Buffalo, Flightless Dung Beetle, Meerkat and Black Rhino. These field notes were available to visitors and while most just took it out of interest, there were one or two who filed them away as […]

Penguin Pairs are up in the Addo MPA

It is with much delight that we received news that the African penguin breeding pairs on St Croix Island in Algoa Bay is on the increase. Last year they reached rock-bottom, with only 700 pairs left. This year the colony has grown to 1200 pairs, this is fantastic news!

SA National Parks Week Announced

SANparks has announced the dates for their eagerly anticipated SA National Parks Week which offers free park access for South African citizens to encourage them to visit, explore and appreciate our exquisite national parks. The dates for Addo Elephant National Park: 9 – 13 September 2024. Unbelievable as it may seem, this is the 19th annual SA National Parks Week!

Addo Elephant National Park goes cash free (with one exception)

Please note that cash is no longer accepted as a form of payment in Addo Elephant National Park. Clients are encouraged to make use of the speed-points (card payment system) in the Park. This is applicable to entrance/conservation fees, fuel station, activity bookings and accommodation payments. The independently run shop and restaurant will still accept […]