Addo Elephant National Park conserves no less than five of South Africa's seven biomes, it is home to one of the densest African elephant populations on earth as well as the unique flightless dung beetle and boasts the Big Seven, (elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, leopard, southern right whale and great white shark).

Guided Game Drives
There are a number of game drive options available:
Sunrise drive
Departing 06:00 (summer) or 07:00 (winter) - dress warmly and watch the bush come alive for the day. Lions may still be active from the night's hunting, buffalo may be seen and kudu are plentiful.

Day drives
Departing 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00 - viewing may include herds of elephant, antelope, zebra , warthog and ostrich.

Sunset drive
Departing 16:00 (winter) or 18:00 (summer) - enjoy late afternoon viewing, snacks & drinks as the sun goes down and then some night time viewing - black rhino, buffalo, lions and antelope may be seen.

Night drive
Departing 18:00 (winter) or 20:00 (summer) - dress warmly and discover the secrets of nighttime in the bush: springhares, porcupines, genets

Please note:
- Bookings are essential. It is advisable to book drives in advance, particularly in the high season (October to March). Drives can be booked by Telephone: +27 (0)42 233 8621 or e-mail.
- Day, sunset and night drives of approximately 2 hours in duration are on offer.
- Please note that the sunrise, sunset and night drive departure times vary according to season. It's important to check the time when making your booking.
- Drives are conducted by knowledgeable, qualified guides in open-top landrovers or trucks.
- Children under the age of 6 years not allowed on these drives. Children under 12 years pay half price.

Eyethu Hop-on Guides
Guides can be hired at affordable rates to get on your vehicle and guide you through the game area. These are local community members who have been trained as guides and now run their own small business. Meet the guides at the main game area gate of the Park.

Fees are payable directly to the guide. Operating Hours: 08:00 to 17:00

Self-Drive Game Viewing
Visitors may enjoy wildlife viewing in their own vehicles during the opening hours of the park's game gate. Opening times change according to season.

In this case, the visitor pays only the conservation fee per day, or per night for overnight visitors.

Horse Trails
Addo horse trails depart from main camp to the Nyati area which is home to elephants, buffalo, black rhino, zebra and antelope. In the Nyathi section of the park, encounters with large game are possible. There are no lions or hyenas in this section.

The morning ride (08:00) is for less experienced riders and is two hours long. The afternoon ride (14:00) is for experienced riders and is three hours long. Book and pay for horse trails at the Game Drive Office.

All horse trails are conducted by experienced guides on sure-footed, well-trained horses. Riding hats are available for visitors use. No children younger than 16 years may ride on the Addo Trail.

Alexandria Hiking Trail
The Alexandria Hiking Trail is a 36km, two-day circular trail. The first day is 19.5km and the second day, 16.5km. The Langebos huts are situated at the trail base, providing accommodation for the beginning and/or end of the hike. The Woody Cape hut is situated at the end of the first day's walk. Hikers must carry their own provisions and equipment and the hike is not guided. The trail is well signposted.

Bookings for the trail are administered through:
Camp Matyholweni:
Tel: +27 (0)41 468 0916 / 8
Fax: +27 (0)41 468 0949

Zuurberg Hiking Trails
Various options provide a perfect day outing for park visitors, at no extra cost. Choose between the Cycad Trail, a one-hour trail - suited for those who want a sedate walk - and the Doringnek Trail, a four-hour trail which takes the visitor to a beautiful natural water pool.

The routes are clearly signposted and a map is available at the Zuurberg offices. The Zuurberg offices are located 16 km from the main park entrance along a gravel road. No bookings are necessary.

Tree Dassie Trail
The Tree Dassie Trail is named after the rare tree dassie (hyrax) that lives in the Alexandria forest. The trail starts at the Woody Cape offices of the park, near the town of Alexandria and follows the grass roads to Langevlakte where the trail meets up and joins the two-day trail leading back to the office. No bookings are necessary and the trail is free of charge (apart from park entrance fees).

4x4 Trail
The Bedrogfontein 4 x 4 trail between Kabouga and Darlington areas of the park provides breathtaking views and is rich in history. This route was the scene of fierce battles between the British and Afrikaner troops during the Anglo-Boer war. Rock art paintings are found scattered throughout the area. The route travels through a variety of vegetation types, from riverine thicket, to afromontane forest, to fynbos on the peaks and into the arid nama-karoo of the Darlington area.

The route is only suitable for vehicles with 4x4 and low range facilities, both because of terrain and to cause minimum impact on the environment. The route is graded 2-3 but a grade 5 river crossing is an option (river conditions should be checked with the ranger). This 45km route can be easily traveled within six hours.

Accommodation is available at Kabouga House or Mvubu campsite (camping only) on the Kabouga side. On the Darlington side, the luxury Darlington Lake Lodge is available.

The 4x4 Trail and Accommodation at Kabouga and Darlington Dam can be booked via Addo Main Camp Reception on tel: (042) 233 8619

Bird watching
The SASOL Red Bishop Bird Hide is located opposite the waterhole in the main rest camp,offering watchers a view of red bishops, weavers, herons, coots and terrapins. The main game area boasts a list of 170 bird species, while the expanded park may contain as many as 450 species in a diversity of habitats.

PPC Discovery Trail
The PPC Discovery Trail is a short walk through the valley thicket where you can learn more about the plants and animals of this region. The first loop is suitable for visually-impaired and wheelchair-bound visitors.

A picnic and braai area is situated near the waterhole in the main camp. The waterhole is floodlit at night.

Other activities at no extra cost
- SASOL Red Bishop Bird Hide: in the main camp, suitable for wheelchair-users
- Floodlit waterhole: at main camp
- Picnic and braai site: at main camp
- Swimming pool: at main camp, only for overnight guests
- Restaurant and curio shop: at main camp
- Holiday programmes for children: during July and December holidays, for children of overnight visitors

Various accommodation options inside the park as well as in the Greater Addo Area.