Addo Rest Camp: Our full report

Addo Rest Camp is located in the main area of Addo Elephant Park overlooking a popular waterhole. The camp offers a range of self catering accommodation from chalets and rondavels to tents and camping pitches. These sleep up to six people and all have access to kitchen facilities. This camp is easily accessible from Port Elizabeth, which is only 75km away.

A highlight of Addo Rest Camp is seeing the many elephants that inhabit Addo Elephant Park. Also popular is the lookout platform over the waterhole, which is floodlit at night to allow guests to watch the animals coming for a drink. There is even an 'underwater' hide, allowing you an even closer view of the wildlife.

Within easy distance of the rooms is a wide variety of facilities including a swimming pool open November to February, a fully serviced à la carte restaurant and a shop selling basic food supplies and snacks. There are also picnic and braai facilities for day visitors.

Guided game drives are offered from the camp, but most visitors choose to drive themselves, giving them the freedom to explore as they wish to. A bird hide overlooking the wetland area allows bird watching enthusiasts to get a closer view of the 200 bird species that can be seen in the main area of the park. The entire park is thought to be home to more than 400 species.

Other activities here include horse riding and walking one of the many hiking trails in the vicinity. The PPC Discovery Trail is a short walk around the valley to discover more about the flora and fauna of this area. For more dedicated hikers, the Alexandra Hiking Trail is an unguided but well signposted 36km two-day looped trail, with accommodation in Woody cape Hut for the night.

Geographics

Location: Eastern Cape Game Reserves, South Africa

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Room Only

Health & safety

Malarial area: No

Dangerous animals: High Risk