Sunday 12 June 2022 – A word about the park
Addo Elephant Park was established in 1931 but did not include all the sections that we are now privileged to be able to visit. It is now the third-largest national park in South Africa after Kruger and Kgalagadi. Originally Addo was established to protect the last 11 remaining elephants in the area. It is now home to over 600 elephants. Most female African elephants have tusks but many of the Addo females do not. This is because of inbreeding but since the introduction of new herds, some of the female babies are now sprouting tusks. Addo Elephant National Park includes a marine reserve and so one in fact can see The Big 7 if one visits all of it. The Big 7 are Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Rhino, Elephant, Great White Shark and Southern Right Whale.
Addo is really a lovely park. When we arrived, the road from Colchester Gate was in need of grading and we were delighted to see that the next day the grader was hard at work – not easy as there hasn’t been much rain for ages. The caravan park is well-maintained and the ablutions are kept beautifully clean and neat.
We had dinner at the Cattle Baron on Friday night and the service was friendly and efficient. The chateaubriand which Earl and I had was to die for! Jim enjoyed his Pepper Steak and Maureen had no complaints about her hake and calamari platter. All dishes are served with complementary butternut and creamed spinach for the table and a choice of baby potatoes, rice, chips or salad.
Friday 10 June 2022 – Two Lovely Drives
We only left camp at 9:30 this morning and did the roads in the northern part of the park stopping at Carol’s Rest for our breakfast break. We returned to camp around midday and then went toward the southern part of the park in the afternoon.



























Saturday 11 June 2022 – Farewell to Addo
We were packed up and ready to leave by 8:15 and exited through the Colchester Gate at around 9:30. This whole week we had not seen large herds of buffalo nor had we spotted a jackal. Today made up for it.



It was once again a stunning day. We stopped at The Windfarm for breakfast and arrived in Plettenberg Bay at 13:15. We are now spending the weekend with the kids and will make our way back to Struisbaai on Monday.
Thank you for following along and thanks to all the Gecko Group members who commented on Whatsapp. I love sharing our adventures with you all.
You have again delighted with some lovely bird photographs. I haven’t seen Namaqua Doves in Addo, so must look out for them next weekend đŸ™‚
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Anne, we saw the Namaquas a few times but they refused to pose for decxent photographs.
Hope you have a lovely visit next Saturday. Addo is always a great place to visit
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Hi Helen did the noise of the train not irritate you. I think it passes about 4 to 5 times a day.
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Yes Lynette The train does pass through quite noisily. But I am just pleased that at least some of our railways are being utilised.
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Lovely photos..feel like we were there too!
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Great you had such amazing time and seen so many beautiful birds and animals. Enjoy Plett wish we were there ..travel safe.
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Your bird photographs really stole the show in this post, Helen. I am glad to read that you had such an enjoyable visit to Addo.
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