Full-Day​ Tour at Addo Elephant National Park with IntoTours | Addo Park Safari

Alec is a well known travel blogger and Accredited Freelance Journalist -  Excellent blog about his safari to Addo Elephant Park with  Into Tours 

Posted byalatw95 21st February 2020

First and foremost, for anyone reading this article, who are planning on visiting Addo Elephant National Park, be sure to book your full-day visit with IntoTours.

‘Addo’ – as the locals call it, is South Africa’s third-biggest National Park (1,640 km²) and is home to over 600 wild African Elephants.

It’s also the only park in the world where it is possible to sight the big 7 (Lion, Leopard, Cape Buffalo, African Elephant, Rhinoceros, the Southern Right Whale & the Great White Shark).

We were picked up promptly at 9:00 AM at our accommodation by our amazing tour guide, Janina (or Nina as she later told us to call her) in an air-conditioned Ford SUV.

(Photo by Alec Whitaker)

*I should note here that we were accompanied by a lovely German lady called Mariam, who had also paid to be apart of the same tour.*

It took around 35 minutes to get from Port Elizabeth to Addo Elephant National Park, which gave everyone the chance to get acquainted with each another.

It also gave Nina the opportunity to explain all about the rich history of South Africa’s second-biggest city.

We were granted permission by the authorities to enter Addo Elephant National at 10:00 AM and almost immediately we came across a herd of buffalos passing onto the road from the nearby bushes.

(Photo by Alec Whitaker)

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Shortly after we then saw Ostrich, Zebra & Elephant roaming aimlessly around the park, grazing on the open plains.

(Photo by Alec Whitaker)

(Photo by Alec Whitaker)

(Photo by Alec Whitaker)

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After a stop for lunch at Cattle Baron Grill & Bistro, (which was included in the price) we then saw rare sightings of Flightless Dung Beetle and Leopard Tortoise.

In addition to this, we also spotted a Black-Backed Jackal, as well as Common Duiker, Eland, Kudu, Vervet Monkey & Warthog.

(Photo by Alec Whitaker)

(Photo by Alec Whitaker)

(Photo by Alec Whitaker)

We were lucky enough on our day visit to sight several of the Cape Buffalo and African Elephants, but unfortunately no Lion, Leopard or Rhinoceros – There is no guarantee!

However, seeing the animals above in their natural habitat was something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our day trip with Into Tours. Janina was an impeccable tour guide, who had an abundance of enthuiasm, as well as an array of knowledge on both Port Elizabeth and the animals in Addo Elephant National Park. She was also extremely friendly and was able to answer all of our questions.

The price was affordable especially considering we were out for the entire day from 9:00 AM in the morning to 18:00 PM in the evening. The lunch provided at the restaurant was also great and had a variety of options for both meat-eaters and vegetarians.

Furthermore, Nina frequently liaised with other tour group companies to see if they had sighted any of the big 5. This was great, as it meant she could plan where she was driving in the park accordingly.

In addition, the SUV meant that the tour was extremely exclusive, which meant that you could freely make conversation and ask any questions. The car could handle the terrain well. Nina went above and beyond and we couldn’t recommend this tour highly enough.

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