About Camp Fig Tree
Camp Fig Tree is a luxurious lodge within a 10km² private concession just outside Addo Elephant Park in South ...
... Africa’s Eastern Cape. With a spectacular outlook over the densely vegetated Zuurberg mountain ranges, it is well situated for visits to Addo Elephant National Park. Alternatively, there are activities on the private property itself on offer. The atmosphere is very homely and relaxed, with staff who make delightful hosts.
On our most recent visit to Camp Fig Tree in May 2013 we found the lodge very atmospheric, the welcome warm and the views stupendous – it felt like being welcomed into the home of old, colonial friends. Our room was fantastic, and the new ones are even more spectacular. Despite a few hiccups Fig Tree is a place that we loved and would come back to.
Our view
On our most recent visit to Camp Fig Tree in May 2013 we found the lodge very atmospheric, the welcome warm and the views stupendous – it felt like being welcomed into the home of old, colonial friends. Our room was fantastic, and the new ones are even more spectacular. Despite a few hiccups Fig Tree is a place that we loved and would come back to.
South Africa expert
Accommodation
7 suites
Children
Great for children, with a few caveats.
Open
All year
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Private activities
Traveller reviews of Camp Fig Tree
2 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.
Expert Africa's gallery
When we travel we take lots of photos ourselves to give you a real and un-edited view of the safaris. See our 31 pictures of Camp Fig Tree to get the candid view.
View galleryCamp Fig Tree: Our full report
Camp Fig Tree is a luxurious lodge within a 10km² private concession just outside Addo Elephant Park in South ...
... Africa’s Eastern Cape. With a spectacular outlook over the densely vegetated Zuurberg mountain ranges, it is well situated for visits to Addo Elephant National Park. Alternatively, there are activities on the private property itself on offer. The atmosphere is very homely and relaxed, with staff who make delightful hosts.
Camp Fig Tree has been designed to resemble the original 1920s farmhouse as much as possible. This finds its expression in the furnishings of the wide terraces, a corrugated iron roof, and antique, dark wooden furnishings.
Camp Fig Tree has seven suites, including one designed for a family. The three rooms on the top of the hill, beneath vast spreading fig trees, would certainly be the best for hot weather:
- Suite 1 is a family unit. It has a big lounge with a small selection of books, a large bedroom and an en-suite bathroom fitted with a washbasin, a toilet and a big shower. Next to the lounge there is a separate small room with a pair of bunk beds, designed for children. The suite is tastefully furnished with white sofas and some dark wooden furniture that combine well with the light mint green walls and olive curtains.
- Like the family unit, Suites 2 & 3 are also on the top of the mountain and are joined to each other, semi-detached. Each features a large bed with mosquito netting, a separate living area, an en-suite bathroom and a private veranda beautifully overlooking the lodge’s gardens and surrounding mountains.
- Camp Fig Tree’s Suites 4 & 5 are not as vast as 6 an 7, but still a good size. From the boardwalk, you walk around each suite to its front, then enter via its private veranda, through large French doors. Facing these doors, with beautiful views of the wooded mountains, is the double bed. The bathroom is tiled with a bold black-and-white checker-board pattern and fitted with a big shower, a bath, a toilet and one wash basin. Behind the bedroom is a small dressing room with another toilet and a wash basin beside it. Outside, there is a private veranda with a little seating area.
- Although massive, Suites 6 & 7 at Camp Fig Tree are probably best suited for just two people travelling together. One enters into a really large central lounge area, which is completely open-plan with no doors in it. This room leads to the huge bathroom featuring a big bath, two wash basins, a massive shower with a water drop head above, a bench with towels and a toilet in a separate little cabin. A set of doors opens out onto a veranda with stupendous views. Back inside, the bedroom is on the opposite side of the lounge. There you will find a big canopy bed with mosquito netting all around it, a dressing table and tea kit on brand new, orange sisal flooring.
From all three rooms, French doors open out onto a big veranda, where you can enjoy lovely views of mountainous fig trees land and beyond it the park. The whole chalet has a completely walk-around veranda with 270° views.
- We felt that the tiled floors of the stunning showers were seriously slippery when wet.
- During the cooler months, including May, the hilltop rooms were very cool – and heating was only possible with portable calor-gas heaters. Although new and in good condition, we were still very mindful of the safety issues associated with these heaters, and this meant that we didn’t want to leave them on when we were not in the rooms.
- Finally, we felt that it would be sensible to install more handrails on the walkways in the common areas at Camp Fig Tree, since there are some relatively steep drops and stairs. There were some handrails, but they were all put at an adult height, and so were not much help to a child.
The service was very natural and friendly, although a little inconsistent, as just occasionally things were missed. That said, when we mentioned them, the team worked hard to put these small issues right.
In terms of activities, visitors can choose between exploring the area by themselves or booking additional guided activities. Camp Fig Tree itself operates daily, guided tours in open-topped land rovers to Addo Elephant National Park as well as "Tooth and Claw" safaris in Schotia Private Game Reserve, where they end with a relaxed barbecue. In Addo National Park you can also self-drive through the main wildlife area. For more information about the flora and fauna there, see our general Addo Elephant National Park page.
However, spanning three different biomes, that is valley bushveld, montane forests and Cape fynbos, the private concession around Camp Fig Tree is worth some exploring itself. The camp offers some activities like guided walks to a picnic spot. Please note that extra charges apply to most activities offered by Camp Fig Tree.
Geographics
- Location
- Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa
- Directions
- Camp Fig Tree is 75km from Port Elizabeth, which normally takes an hour’s drive. Take the N2 north through Addo Town towards Addo National Park, continue through the park, then after 12km follow the signposts to Camp Fig Tree.
From the Addo Main Camp turnoff it’s a 30-minute drive to the camp – including a mountain pass which twists and turns a little; it’s quite spectacular in parts. - Accessible by
- Self-drive
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Bed & Breakfast
- Food quality
- The lodge itself describes its cuisine as ‘hearty, unpretentious fare focused on quality, flavor and wholesome goodness’.
Food at Camp Fig Tree is generally first-class, as cooking and the chefs are excellent. However, during our most recent visit there were also some points we had hiccups with.
For breakfast there was a selection of cereals with fruit salad and yoghurt, some very freshly squeezed orange juice and a nice small cheese board which included a few cooked meats. This was followed by a hot breakfast cooked to order with freshly fried mushrooms, bacon, tomatoes, sausages and egg to order. All in all the choice was not vast, but what had been done, had been done very nicely.
On the other hand, breakfast seemed quite variable to us. The number of cereals on offer varied from day to day and the warm Scotch pancakes, which were actually really delicious, weren’t available every day.
However, these negative points are definitely not to be blamed on the cooking and the chefs - those were great, but on the organizational side.
For dinner we once had a very nice, spicy lentil and bean soup as starter; main course was an ostrich fillet cooked to order with polenta and some julienne vegetables, on this occasion carrot and courgette; and desert was malva pudding with a toffee sauce and a tiny little bit of cream. The children’s menu was basically the same, except that the ostrich had been cut up and it was served with rice.
On another occasion starter came as a lovely homemade, slightly spicy tomato soup with crème fraîche and homemade bread; main course was a substantial chicken fillet stuffed with vegetable risotto, then rolled in bacon and served with herbed butternut mash and a caper sauce. Desert that evening was pear poached in red wine, with a red wine coulis and vanilla ice cream.
The childrens’ menu consisted of strips of chicken fillets and homemade French fries in a sweet (and very mild) chili sauce, carrots and some broccoli as main course; and vanilla ice cream with some strawberries and a dusting of icing sugar as desert. Again, both were excellent.
Once a week there is a South African evening with traditional, local meals served in the boma to let guests taste the local cuisine. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- We found the meals in the dining room especially atmospheric, by a real fire, with candles and nice music by Miriam Makeba.
Special interests
- Wildlife safaris
- At Camp Fig Tree in South Africa, choose between self-driving into Addo, guided 4WD wildlife safaris to the park, or walks on the camp’s private concession. The wildlife on the concession is limited, but the vegetation is lovely.
- See ideas for Wildlife safaris in South Africa
Children
- Attitude towards children
- The camp is very happy to host children – and the team’s general attitude towards children is very positive and accommodating.
- Property’s age restrictions
- None
- Special activities & services
- Baby-sitters are available on request.
- Equipment
- A cot is available and two of the suites have separate bedrooms with bunk beds to accommodate children.
- Generally recommended for children
- Parents should note that there are some hazards for unwary children, like unmarked swimming pools, walkways without proper handrails or railings, and the like. However, we don’t think that these issues should deter vigilant parents with sensible, careful children from visiting.
- Notes
- There is a discount of 50% for children under six.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Camp Fig Tree
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Camp Fig Tree have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- No
- Dangerous animals
- Moderate Risk
- Fire safety
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Private activities
Extras
- Disabled access
- Not Possible
- Laundry facilities
- A laundry service is available on request.
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Camp Fig Tree's location
Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Camp Fig Tree.
Other lodges in Addo Elephant National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Elephant House
Elephant House is a welcoming, owner-run base for those wishing to explore the Addo Elephant National Park and the surrounding area.
River Bend Lodge
Located on a private concession within the Addo Elephant National Park Riverbend Lodge is a very comfortable base from which to discover Addo.
Addo Main Camp
Addo Rest Camp offers a variety of self-catering accommodation types to suit all tastes. Overlooking a floodlit waterhole, the camp allows guests to get a closer view of the elephants in the park.
Gorah Elephant Camp
A beautiful safari camp set within Addo Elephant Park. Lovely tented suites and great game viewing make this a great stop along South Africa's glorious Garden Route.
Camp Matyholweni
An easily accessible safari camp in Addo Elephant Park, Matyholweni offers self-catering family cottages, as well as access to the nearby town of Colchester.
When to go to Addo Elephant National Park
Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Camp Fig Tree in Addo Elephant National Park
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
South Africa in January
January is considered one of the best months to travel. In Cape Town the weather is hot and generally dry. The Garden Route is also excellent at this time of the year but has a more temperate climate, with slightly lower temperatures and rain can fall at any time of the year. In the Kgalagadi temperatures often top 40°C and short, sharp thunderstorms are also fairly frequent. Wildlife tends to disperse, although birding is excellent.
As this is the high season in the Cape there are numerous events, festivals and outdoor activities to attract visitors. Accommodation books up quickly and it may be necessary to book at least a year in advance. Reservations will often be needed for restaurants and visitor attractions too.
- Hot, largely dry days with clear skies – except on Garden Route
- Wildlife disperses in the Kalahari but birding excellent
- Events, festivals and outdoor activities staged for the high season
- The high season in the Cape, accommodation can cost up to 50% more
- Pre-booking of activities & attractions is essential
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in January
South Africa in February
In February conditions are largely the same as in January, although temperatures can be slightly higher, especially in the interior. The wind in Cape Town starts to ease off. Although the Garden Route can experience some rain, the days are pleasantly warm and largely dry.
The Kgalagadi remains very hot, but the birding is still excellent. Wildlife viewing can be tricky especially if there has been some rain, as the resulting long grass can obscure the animals.
For visitors it’s still the high season, but with the local school holidays over and residents back at work, it is less busy than December and January. Accommodation costs remain high and it’s still advisable to pre-book certain activities and restaurants.
- Hot, largely dry days with little cloud
- Wind starts easing in Cape Town
- Slightly less busy than December & January
- Accommodation costs remain high, activities still best pre-booked
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in February
South Africa in March
March is still a very good time to visit. Conditions remain dry and very warm in Cape Town, although temperatures start dropping off towards the end of the month. The wind has usually died right down.
The Kalahari remains very hot and in years of good rains vegetation is at its most lush – making wildlife viewing tricky.
Typically, the crowds dwindle, but it can get very busy if Easter falls in March. It is also worth bearing in mind that during major events in March, including the Cape Town Cycle Tour, Cape Epic Mountain Bike Tour, The Cape Town Carnival and the International Jazz Festival, accommodation can get very full.
Attractions remain busy but booking is less essential.
- Temperatures start falling towards the end of the month
- Cape Town hosts a number of world class sport and cultural events
- Wildlife in the Kgalagadi disperses, game viewing more challenging
- Crowds diminish as the high season comes to an end
- Accommodation can get busy during major events
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in March
South Africa in April
April is South Africa’s “shoulder” season and is often the most pleasant. Not too hot, not too cold, some rain but not masses. In Cape Town and along the Garden Route days are usually sunny, warm, windless and largely dry, although in Cape Town the chance of rain increases from the end of the month.
In the Kgalagadi the rainy season is typically over and migratory birds are starting to make their journey back up North. Vegetation remains lush but wildlife viewing starts picking up towards the end of the month.
The region is still relatively busy (especially of its still Easter) but it gets quieter towards the end of the month thus availability improves. Accommodation rates start to decrease, and it becomes less important to book restaurants and attractions in advance.
- Temperatures still warm and very pleasant, with little wind.
- Rain starts easing in the Kalahari and migratory birds start to depart
- Less busy, especially towards the end of the month - busy over Easter
- Accommodation frees up and prices start to come down
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in April
South Africa in May
May marks the start of the dry season in the Kgalagadi. Days are warm and dry with almost zero rainfall. Night-time/early-morning temperatures can drop towards 0°C. Wildlife viewing is at its peak as animals concentrate around the few remaining water sources.
Days can still be warm and sunny in Cape Town and on the Garden Route, but the weather becomes a lot more variable. May heralds the start of the rainy season in Cape Town and the winelands. Night-time temperatures rarely drop below 10 degrees in the coastal areas.
With far fewer tourists, accommodation prices are at their lowest. There is rarely any need to pre-book activities, but reservations are still advisable at some of the top restaurants.
- Higher chance of rain in Cape Town & the Winelands
- Day time temperatures drop significantly
- Wildlife viewing peaks in the Kgalagadi
- Low season so rarely busy & very few crowds
- Low season rates at the hotels & lodges
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in May
South Africa in June
Winter is now in full swing. Maximum temperatures in Cape Town rarely reach 20°C and the rainy season is well under way. Outdoor activities therefore become limited, but a number of high-quality indoor events are organised.
The Garden Route has, in general milder weather and less rain than Cape Town.
June sees the arrival of the first whales which migrate to the South African coastline to give birth.
In the Kgalagadi, daytime temperatures are warm but nights and early mornings are bitterly cold. Wildlife viewing is excellent as animals are drawn to the few remaining permanent water points.
Overall tourist numbers are at their lowest, as are the costs of flights and accommodation.
- Cold & wet weather in Cape Town, Kgalagadi warm days but cold at night
- One of the best months for wildlife viewing in the Kgalagadi
- Whales start arriving to have their calves
- Low visitor numbers & no crowds
- Accommodation & flight prices remain low
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in June
South Africa in July
The winter weather continues with very cold nights and early mornings in the Kgalagadi and virtually no rainfall. Vegetation here is really thinning out now and water even more scarce – so wildlife is easy to spot.
Despite the winter and local school holidays, Cape Town remains a great place to visit. On a wet and cold day, the Two Oceans Aquarium, Zeitz Mocca (art museum) and the Cape Town Comedy Club all make for great days out, as does a trip to the wine country or the annual Oyster Festival at Knysna.
By mid-July most of the whales have arrived to give birth. Hermanus is the best place to see them.
At the height of the low season, so accommodation and flight prices remain low.
- Generally cold & wet in the Cape, but good quality indoor events
- Very good wildlife viewing in the Kgalagadi
- Oyster festival in Knysna
- Local school holidays can make places a little busier than usual
- Accommodation and flight prices remain low
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in July
South Africa in August
While August experiences mostly wintry weather it does mark the very beginning of spring with temperatures starting to rise. Visitors are drawn to the West Coast and Namaqualand to see the wildflowers, which start blooming in late August and can be seen until mid-September. Whales are still in abundance now too.
The Kgalagadi is now very dry and wildlife vieiwng is still good. Temperatures start climbing towards the end of the month.
Despite the weather , visitor numbers can be high as the northern hemisphere schools close for their summer holidays. It may be a good idea to book certain attractions and restaurants in advance.
Simlarly, although accommodation prices are still low, flight prices can be a little higher than in previous months.
- Temperatures start rising – but still potential for cold & wet weather
- Wildflowers on the West Coast & in Namaqualand
- Good wildlife viewing in the Kgalagadi
- Whales continue to attract visitors
- Can get busy due to northern hemisphere school summer holidays
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in August
South Africa in September
Good wildlife viewing in the Kgalagadi continues and daytime temperatures increase quite dramatically. Mornings and evenings are still on the chilly side, but not as cold as they are in June, July and August.
The 1st of September is officially the start of spring in Cape Town. Days become warmer but not quite warm enough to enjoy the city’s beautiful beaches. Venues all over Cape Town play host to various artists during the Cape Town Fringe Festival.
Rainy days are fewer, but night times can still get chilly. Many hotels are still charging low season rates making September great value for money.
Elsewhere, Hermanus hosts the popular annual Whale Festival, and in the West of the Cape, wildflowers continue to bloom until the middle of the month.
- The start of spring; temperatures start rising
- Whale festival in Hermanus
- Cape Town Fringe Ferstival attracts a wide range of artists
- Wildflowers blooming well until the middle of the month
- Good wildlife viewing continues in the Kgalagadi
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in September
South Africa in October
The weather starts warming up nicely, Cape Town experiences pleasant days, with much less rain, nights can still be quite cool, but not cold. Some days are now warm enough to enjoy the beach. This is one of the best months to visit the Cape Region.
October is one of the hottest months in the Kalahari. Water remains very scarce, so the wildlife viewing is still very good. Towards the end of the month the odd spectacular thunderstorm is possible with much lightning and thunder. Migratory birds start to arrive, and resident species gear up for the breeding season.
The whales are still present with Hermanus and False Bay the best places to see them.
- Days start warming up; fewer rainy days in Cape Town
- Very hot in the Kalahari – thunderstorms season starts
- Migratory birds start arriving & resident birds start breeding
- Whale watching still excellent in Hermanus and False Bay areas
- Start of the high season, getting busy and accommodation prices rise
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in October
South Africa in November
By November Cape Town is experiencing summer conditions with hot, clear days and warm, pleasant evenings. It’s a great month to enjoy the beaches before the peak holiday season in December. There are no real downsides to visiting in November and you may even get a few accommodation specials before prices go up for the festive season. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens begins their summer outdoor concerts with local and international artists performing.
The Kgalagadi remains hot but thunderstorms are a bit more regular. With the rains, water sources become more plentiful and wildlife disperses but this is when herbivores such as Springbok start lambing. Photography improves as conditions become less hazy.
This is the last month for regular whale sightings – they tend to migrate back down south by early December.
- Summer now in full swing, with temperatures often reaching 30°C
- Rainy days scarce; evenings warm & very pleasant
- Antelope start lambing in the Kgalagadi; wildlife generally dispersed
- Last month for regular whale sightings
- Good time to visit Cape Town before the peak holiday season
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in November
South Africa in December
December is usually Cape Town’s hottest month when temperatures frequently breach 30°C. You can expect hot and cloudless days, and almost no rain but December does see the occasional very windy day.
The Kalahari is still hot, but temperatures are not quite as high as previous months. With the rainfall the bush transforms into various shades of green. Wildlife disperses as water become more widely available.
The Garden Route enjoys warm to hot days with rain at any time but usually not over an extended period.
Mid to late December becomes incredibly busy with concerts, festivals and various outdoor activities in Cape Town. Hotel prices rise, tourist attractions and beaches are crowded and most popular sites and restaurants need to be booked in advance.
- Long, hot sunny days
- Kgalagadi bursts into life as rainy season kicks in
- Wildlife viewing a bit trickier as wildlife disperses
- Cape Town buzzing with concerts, events, festivals etc
- Peak season: attractions get very busy & accommodation costs rise
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in December
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