South Africa Guide
The Eastern Cape
Addo Elephant National Park
Addo Elephant National Park (daily 7am–7pm; R100; 
www.addoelephantpark.com ) is undergoing an expansion programme that will see it become one of South Africa's three largest game reserves, and the only one including coastline. Elephants remain the most obvious drawcard of Addo, but with the re-introduction in 2003 of a small number of lions, in two prides (big cats last roamed here over a century ago), as well as the presence of the rest of the Big Five – buffalo, hippos and leopards – it has become a game reserve to be reckoned with. Spottedhyenas were also introduced in 2003 as part of a programme to re-establish predators in the local ecosystem. Other species to look out for include cheetah, black rhino, eland, kudu, warthog, ostrich and red hartebeest.
The Addo bush is thick, dry and prickly, making it difficult sometimes to spot any of the 450 or so elephants and other game; when you do, though, it's often thrillingly close up. The best strategy is to ask where the pachyderms and the other four of the Big Five have last been seen (enquire with staff at the park reception), and also to head for the water hole in front of the restaurant to scan the bush for large grey backs quietly moving about. It also makes sense to go on a guided game drive in an open vehicle with a knowledgeable national parks driver.
Addo also offers a couple of activities to spice up your visit, with more in the pipeline. Two-hour horse rides, suitable for the not-so-experienced (8am; R160) and three-hour rides for experienced equestrians (2pm; R210) leave from just outside the main gate and run along the exterior of the park fence (book at Main Camp). Elephant-back safaris are operated from a farm abutting the northern boundary of Addo ( 
042 235 1400, www.addoelephantbacksafaris.co.za ), 90km from Port Elizabeth, off the R335. Excursions last two to three hours and cost R720 per person, with air transfers possible from Port Elizabeth or nearby private lodges.