3 Reasons to do an Addo Elephant National Park tour

If you have ever been to the Addo Elephant National Park, you would know what an exhilarating experience it is to see the largest land animal up close in its natural habitat. Addo Elephant National Park is the third largest national park in Southern Africa and home to not only an estimated 550 elephants but to Africa’s Big Seven: lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard, southern right whale and the great white shark. If you have never been to Addo, you are really missing out! Here are three great reasons why you should do an Addo Elephant National Park tour:

1.      Malaria-free Safari

Addo Elephant National Park lies in the malaria-free Sundays River Valley in the Eastern Cape, about an hour's drive from the city of Port Elizabeth. If you have never been to Addo, South Africa, and you’re worried about how you should go about preparing for your trip, here’s one less thing to worry about – Addo Elephant National Park is a malaria-free zone. Games reserves in the malaria-free Eastern Cape – including Addo Elephant National Park –  promise a stress-free safari experience and make travelling much easier for families, especially in terms of health risks for young children and pregnant women.

2.      Convenience

Because Addo Elephant National Park is only an hour’s drive from the city of Port Elizabeth, in the Sunday’s River Valley, an Addo Elephant Park Safari is convenient and memorable with plenty to see and do. If you’re planning to make the short trip from Port Elizabeth to Addo, consider booking a guided tour that fetches you from your accommodation and gets you safely to the park and back. A guided tour, such as those offered by Afroventures, should also offer you an informative and entertaining tour of the park itself.

Addo offers many game drive options with experienced guides that will get you up close and personal to a wide range of animal species including the African elephant, lion, and zebra. Guided tours are beneficial because you not only see the wildlife up close, but also have the opportunity to learn more about their habitat, what they feed on, and how they survive in the wild. This is a fantastic and, more importantly, hassle-free safari experience right on the doorstep of Port Elizabeth. It is even more exciting to note that many of the animals, especially elephants, are known to wander harmlessly within metres of your vehicle.

3.      Cost-Effective

Addo Elephant National Park is one of the most cost-effective national parks with a range of tourist activities that will give you great value for money. The rates are extremely reasonable, allowing you to include the services of a tour operator such as Afroventures Tours and Safaris in your budget. It is advisable to get maximum value from your trip by booking with a tour operator, and especially with a guide, as they are knowledgeable about the area and can provide great insight into the local fauna and flora. There are plenty of other adventure activities, like hikes providing great views of the surrounding landscape and that will not cost you an arm and a leg for the unforgettable experience. The accommodation is quite affordable too if you’re planning to spend a night or two at Addo Elephant National Park.