1. Addo Elephant National Park is a popular national park located in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa along the Garden Route. It was established in 1931 to protect the last remaining 11 African elephants in the area. Today, it is known for being home to the \"Big Seven\" – elephants, lions, buffalos, leopards, rhinos, great white sharks, and southern right whales.
The park covers an area of about 1,640 square kilometers and is now home to over 600 elephants, as well as other wildlife such as zebras, antelopes, giraffes, and various bird species. It offers visitors the opportunity to go on game drives, self-drive safaris, and guided walks to see these magnificent animals up close.
One of the unique features of Addo Elephant National Park is its marine section, which is the only national park in South Africa to span across land and sea. Visitors can enjoy whale watching, shark cage diving, and snorkeling or diving with seals along the coastline.
2. The park is open year-round, from 7:00 am to 6:30 pm in the winter months (May to August) and from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm in the summer months (September to April). The park can be reached by car or organized tours from nearby towns such as Port Elizabeth, which is about a 1.5-hour drive away. The phone number for Addo Elephant National Park is +27 (0)42 233 8600.
3. Ticket prices vary depending on the type of visitor and activity. For South African citizens, the entry fee is R82 for adults and R41 for children (ages 2-11). For SADC (Southern African Development Community) nationals, the entry fee is R164 for adults and R82 for children. For international visitors, the entry fee is R328 for adults and R164 for children.
As for transportation, visitors can either drive their own vehicles within the park or book guided game drives or tours. The park has well-maintained roads and several picnic and restroom facilities throughout the reserve.
