Addo Elephant National Park – Best elephant photo ever seen – South Africa

Addo Elephant National Park was proclaimed in 1931, the park was formed to protect the remaining elephants in the Addo area, there were fewer than 15. At one point, Addo’s herd was one of the largest in the Eastern Cape with about 140 elephants, but hunting decimated these numbers in the space of around 200 years.

Not only were elephants hunted, but black rhinos and lions were also extinct in the area. The remaining elephants were ‘rescued’ by a land owner on Barkly Bridge, Mr JT Harvey, who allowed the elephants onto his land, sparing them from being hunted.

The elephants had to be chased into the area that had been set aside for the Addo Elephant National Park, but the fence was not strong enough to contain the elephants, and they escaped and continued to be killed by farmers and trains traveling along. of the near line. . In 1933, the park manager began feeding the elephants in an attempt to contain them.

In 1954, Graham Armstrong developed an elephant-proof fence, tram rails and lift cables were used, and an area of ​​2,270 hectares was fenced off. The fence proved successful and can still be seen in the park today. Floodlights were set up around the feeding areas and visitors would come to see the elephants, however the feeding caused more problems as the elephants waited for the food and stayed in the feeding area. The plant life in the area was destroyed and the elephants became aggressive towards the feeding truck and among them many elephants were injured so this feeding was stopped in 1979.

The park was first opened to tourists in 1981, when they entered the park they were able to see the elephants easily as the number had grown significantly. Disease-free Cape buffalo were also protected by Addo Elephant National Park, as was the flightless dung beetle. Eland, zebra, wild boar, black rhino, and hippo were introduced to the park over the next few years.

Lions were reintroduced to the area in 2003, as were spotted hyenas in 2003/2004. These are just some of the animals that can be seen jackals, kudus, redbuck and duikers are also found in Addo Elephant National Park.

Addo Elephant National Park itself has no natural waterholes; water is supplied from wells. These man-made waterholes have the advantage of being roadside and can produce excellent photo opportunities, with many different animals coming to the waterholes at any one time.

The Spekboom watering hole and hide are fantastic for photographers. Hapoor’s watering hole is named after a bull elephant who was the dominant bull of the Addo herd for some 24 years, after Lanky – a bull about to drive him out of his herd – a near bull – Hapoor escaped through the fence Developed by Graham Armstrong, it was the only elephant. ever do it. He was found grazing at Coerney station and had to be shot because he was an aggressive animal. A cast of this giant elephant head can be seen in the main rest camp restaurant at Addo Elephant Park.

The main camp offers good quality accommodation, from chalets to campsites, there are also safari tents that look directly onto the park and it is not uncommon for an elephant or herd of buffalo to pass by. Horseback safaris are available, these tours go through the playground and can be quite stressful, some experience is required.

Morning, sunset and evening tours are also offered from the main camp and are good value for money as well as being very informative. Essential prior reservation, especially during the holidays. The park is relatively small and can be easily explored in one day.