Things to do near
Addo Elephant National Park
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Galleries and Museums
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Zuurberg (9 km from Addo Elephant National Park) The original blacksmith at Ann's Villa, established in 1855 is now a registered museum. It was an essential stop for wagons after they had traversed the Zuurberg Pass. Virtually all the original tools are on display. Comprehensive guided tours are offered.
Nature Reserves
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Alicedale (41 km from Addo Elephant National Park) Malaria free and home to an impressive diversity of animals, Bushman Sands Game Reserve boasts wonderful Big 5 wildlife viewing opportunities.
Situated on 40 square kilometres of former farmland, the reserve has reintroduced animals that once roamed here over 200 years ago. Lion, leopard, cheetah, buffalo, elephant, rhino, black wildebeest, red hartebeest, zebra, giraffe, hippo, kudu, eland, springbuck and waterbuck can all be found.
Sunset cruises on the reserve’s large dam present perfect opportunities for spotting wildlife such as elephant and antelope. Other things to see are the Bushman rock art paintings that date back thousands of years.
Nature Reserves
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Somerset East (41 km from Addo Elephant National Park) Home to an abundance of wildlife, the Kamala Private Game Reserve offers an attractive safari experience in an area of extraordinary beauty in the Eastern Cape.
Visitors can choose from a mild to wild range of activities ranging from horse trails to zip slides over the gorge.
The diversity of animal, bird and plant life as well as the stunning scenic variety all contributes to an unforgettable experience.
Of course you can also kick back, enjoy the sweetness of doing nothing and luxuriate in the peace and tranquillity of this malaria-free, temperate environment.
Nature Reserves
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Patterson (41.6 km from Addo Elephant National Park) One of the largest private game reserves in the Eastern Cape, the award winning Shamwari Game Reserve is a superlative safari destination for discerning guests.
Boasting numerous high profile animals including the Big 5 and five of South Africa's seven biomes, the reserve is one of the most successful private conservation initiatives coupled with responsible tourism in Southern Africa.
Shamwari is situated in luxuriant bushveld along the Bushmans River. Easily accesable, the malaria-free reserve lies halfway between Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown. There are daily flights from Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban to Port Elizabeth. It’s also an enjoyable drive from Cape Town along the beautiful Garden Route.
Guests can choose from seven unique luxury lodges on this private game reserve.
Popular Attractions
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Colchester (41.9 km from Addo Elephant National Park) Schotia Game Reserve is one of many private reserves in the Paterson area
This reserve has 3 of the Big 5, however the lions are the main attraction. Tour packages will help you get as close as possible to get the best viewing of rhino, hippo, giraffe and lion.
Popular Attractions
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Colchester (41.9 km from Addo Elephant National Park) For the adventurous, exploring Addo Elephant Park on horse back is a truly amazing experience.
Prior experience is not required to enjoy these trials, and each trip will be accompanied by a guide. Trails last about 3 hours.
For more information, contact SAN Parks to book your excursion.
Golf Courses
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Alicedale (43.2 km from Addo Elephant National Park) Bushman Sands Golf Course is conveniently situated near Shamwari Game Reserve and Addo Elephant National Park just 80 kilometres from Port Elizabeth. Designed by South African golfing legend, Gary Player, the 18-hole championship course lies on the banks of the Bushman's and New Year's Rivers.
Characterised by undulating fairways and pot bunkers, this challenging but friendly Links course has some unique features. The first stroke is played over an active railway line. A double green is shared by the second and fifth holes, crossing the Bushman’s River and New Year’s River on several holes.
The final hole finishes with a drive over a small cemetery in the centre of the fairway. Bushman Sands facilities include a halfway house, pro-shop and gents and ladies locker rooms with showers and steam rooms.
This stunning property has had new life breathed into it with the rescue work done by River Hotels Team. The tar road is complete all the way from Port Elizabeth. So now the 100 kilometer trip is easy and without any stoppages or stone chips. The golf course is certainly in a fine condition.
Beaches
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Colchester (46.3 km from Addo Elephant National Park) The estuary of the scenic Sundays River with its spectacular sand dunes and views of Algoa Bay is a knockout. Situated at the southern boundary of the Addo Elephant National Park, the Sundays River Mouth is calm and peaceful and offers a relaxing and memorable experience.
The beach is pristine with some of the highest dunefields in South Africa. If you're visiting this area, a wonderful thing to do is go cruising on the Sundays River Ferry. The double decker ferry features a raised viewing deck which is a great place from which to watch the bird life along the river banks and game in the bush.
Contact Les Kingma to book a cruise on 041 4680945 or 082 4654391.
Animal Parks
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Kirkwood (47.3 km from Addo Elephant National Park) Be enchanted by the Harley-Davidson purr and graceful moves of the spotted felines at the Daniell Cheetah Breeding Project.
This once-in-a-lifetime experience offers an interesting, personalised tour and the chance to interact with the cheetah. Visitors are encouraged to touch the cats and have photographs taken with a few of them.
Established in 2001, the project started with only three cats and has grown in leaps and bounds. The maintenance of pure genetic lines and public awareness of the importance of conserving this amazing species is the chief focus.
The Cheetah Walk experience costs R150 and includes a slice of cake and beverage at the Padstal. Walks need to be booked at least two days in advance. Children 12 years of age and older are allowed to participate.
Open seven days a week, the Daniell Cheetah Breeding Project can be found on the R75 National Highway 80 kilometres from Port Elizabeth Airport. On site is The Padstal offering light meals, refreshments and a gift shop.
+27 (0) 42 2320 539
Nature Reserves
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Sidbury (48 km from Addo Elephant National Park) Not only does Kwantu Private Game Reserve offer magnificent wildlife viewing in a malaria-free zone, it also has an elephant sanctuary and endangered animals in an untouched wilderness.
From the comfort of specially equipped open Land Rovers, visitors are able to encounter impressive white rhino roaming freely on the plains.
Entertaining antics of playful Vervet monkeys and Chacma baboons is commonplace as is the comical sight of warthog families speeding across the plains with their trademark tails held high. Other wildlife to spot is zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, blue duiker, kudu, porcupine, aardwolf, caracal, and leopard.
With over 250 different species of birds, Kwantu is an orchestra of sound, colour and movement. Even novice bird watchers will thrill at a glimpse of the gorgeous Narina Trogon or the Knysna turaco. Other birds to see are various kingfishers, owls, sunbirds, eagles, kites, and water fowl. Informative and friendly guides soon have guests marvelling at their intriguing and unusual habits.
Four By Four Trails
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Kirkwood (50.4 km from Addo Elephant National Park) Bedrogfontein Route 4x4 Trail has amazing scenery and also passes the Sundays River. It forms part of the Addo Elephant National Park; it is a self-drive route between Kabouga and Darlington. The 45 km trail requires a 4x4, low range, high clearance vehicle. Bedrogfontein Route has a grading between 2 and 4 and takes approximately 6 hours to finish.
Nature Reserves
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Amakhala Game Reserve (53.9 km from Addo Elephant National Park) Amakhala Game Reserve offers a wildlife experience that will inspire and revitalize your soul. Be captivated by the call of fish eagles echoing through the kloofs and the roaring of lion at night.
Named for the stunning display of aloes proliferating in the malaria-free Zuurveld, Amakhala is home to the Big 5 and numerous animals. Visitors have the opportunity to spot lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, abundant antelope and birdlife.
This breath-taking reserve also contains a prehistoric Bushman burial ground and some ancient dinosaur fossil sites.
By staying at Amakhala you can have a quintessential African experience exploring the bushveld while on safari, walking, and river cruising or simply chilling with a glass of wine at one of the well-appointed lodges.
Beaches
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Wells Estate (56.9 km from Addo Elephant National Park) St Georges Strand is Port Elizabeth's most northern beach stretching all the way up to the Coega Harbour breakwater. A long jetty heads out into the sea from the sand dunes. Although the water is blissfully warm, take care as surf conditions can be dangerous. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer holiday season. Be prepared to walk a fair distance to the beach from the parking area.
Beaches
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Wells Estate (58.5 km from Addo Elephant National Park) Well’s Estate Beach is situated in the northern part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Precinct. This blue Flag Beach is great for kids and boasts well-maintained water slides and paddling pools. Facilities are excellent and lifeguards are on duty during the summer holiday peak season.
Golf Courses
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Uitenhage (58.7 km from Addo Elephant National Park) Uitenhage Golf Club features a full 18-hole course in the lovely garden city of Uitenhage.
Club facilities include a bar, halfway house, and a boardroom with function facilities. Vistors are welcome everyday.