Addo Elephant National Park

Malaria-free Addo Elephant National Park is situated in South Africa's south, close to Port Elizabeth, and it is the third largest national park in the country.
As the name suggests it is primarily and elephant reserve. It was created to protect the last remaining 6 elephants in 1931 and since their numbers have grown to over 600. You, most certainly, will not drive through the park without seeing large herds of these giants. Other animals found here include lions, kudus, zebras, warthogs, cape buffalo, Black rhino, spotted hyena, dung beetle and many others.

Addo Elephant National Park has been expanded to include the Woddy Cape Nature Reserve and a marine reserve, which includes St. Croix Island and Bird Island, both of which are important breeding habitats for gannets and penguins. It stretches from the semi-arid karoo area in the north around Darlington Dam, over the rugged Zuurberg Mountains, through the Sundays River Valley and south to the coast between Sundays River mouth and Bushman’s river mouth
The Park's major issues are overpopulation and possible extinction. Due to large reintroduction of elephant and rhino, many plant species are under threat.
Around 160,000 tourists visit the park each year, 40 % of them are international visitors. The main park camp is Addo Rest Camp with a restaurant, elephant museum, underground hide and elevated lookout over a waterhole that is visited by elephants, kudu and other animals.
For a wilder experience there are Spekboom Tented Camp, Matyholweni (In the bush) Rest Camp - only 3 km of N2 highway, Narina Bush Camp is located in a forest at the foot od the Zuuberg Mountains by the Wit River, to get there you have to travel for 25 km on a gravel road so I high vehicle is necessary. Kabouga and Woody Cape are also available if less popular camps.
Luxury camps of Gorah Elephant Camp, River Bend Lodge and Kuzuko Lodge are available for those seeking more comfort.
Summers (November to February) can be very hot - up to 40 degrees Celsius. Winter days are mild but nights can be cold and frosty. Since it is semi-arid there is little rainfall in the park and it is mainly spread thrpughput the year.