After a quick photo shoot with a couple of giraffes, we left Areena and headed in the general direction of Addo Elephant National Park. I phoned ahead to Central Reservations while en route, to make a campsite booking. With a reference number in hand, we could get into the Mathyolweni Gate easily and pay on arrival at Addo Rest Camp.
This popular main rest camp offers a variety of accommodation units to suit all needs. A unique feature is the waterhole lookout point situated inside the camp and which is floodlit at night, as well as the underground hide, allowing close encounters with wildlife at the waterhole.
I had heard about the famous Nanaga Pies available only at Nanaga Farm Stall on the N2 near Port Elizabeth, and since we were passing by we HAD to stop and stock up! Well … one each for now and one for later, since we don’t have a fridge … but you get the idea. The pies are highly recommended – crammed with tasty fillings wrapped in crisp, buttery pastry … but this rustic farm stall offers so much more. If you’re in the area, pop in and stock up, like the locals do!
Since we only arrived at Addo around mid-day, we didn’t see as many animals as we’d hoped. This article on Getaway Mag’s website has some helpful info about finding the ellies.
We stopped at a viewing hide near a waterhole, and as I was getting out of the car, I noticed an elephant just a few metres from me behind a fence. In my excitement, I left the car door wide open with our phones etc in the front. It was only after we got back from the hide that I noticed my mistake. Thankfully, the huge grey “car guard” was still standing there right near our vehicle, and I don’t think any would-be thieves would have ventured close enough to find our loot! Lesson learned, though!
Note: Campsites for tents are quite small. If you’re visiting out of peak season, ask for a caravan site. Costs may vary.
Venue Checklist - Addo Rest Camp
- Chalet, Cottage, Cabin, Safari tent - All Self catering
- Private Ablutions
- Caravan/Tent sites
- Shared Ablutions
- Electrical Points
- Not Pet friendly - Wild animals present
- Wheelchair/disability Access - Limited to certain accommodation types. Restaurant is wheelchair friendly
- Child-friendly
- Fuel Station
- Activities - Games drives & Tours
- Swimming Pool
- Laundry Facilities - Laundry service run by a group of local ladies operating in the Park. Enquire at main camp reception.
After overnighting in Addo, we set off early this morning to cover more of the park. Loads more ellies, and an interesting sighting at Domkrag Dam, with a lone male venturing in from over the ridge causing various other small animals to quickly get out of the way.
We exited the park at Addo Main Gate and asked Google maps to direct us to the Daniell Cheetah Project in Kirkwood. If you don’t want to bounce along over corrugated farm roads, it’s best to check the route carefully before heading off. Satellite view and the “details” list will give you a clue, but it’s not always foolproof.
Daniell Cheetah Project (DCP) was established in May 2001 and started with just three cats. Their aim is to play a part in the conservation of the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), the re-establishing of pure gene lines, as well as educating the public to the importance of this amazing species. To learn more about their animals and the project, click here.
We signed up for the one-hour Predator Tour which included the various other cats housed at the Project. Volunteering opportunities are also available to help supplement the funding of this awesome project. All details on their website. Great for permanent campers (or anyone at a loose end) who would like to spend some time sleeping in a real bed while contributing to the project.
We left the Cheetah Project with some delish honey from the on-site “padstal” and headed for Jeffrey’s Bay via Uitenhage. Our plan was to explore this part of the coast (Jeffreys, St Francis and Oyster Bay) before heading to Storms River Rest Camp for the night, to join the Untouched Adventures 2-3 hour Storms River kayak & lilo adventure in the morning.
However, the weather was not playing along, and getting onto the water in the cold and wet conditions did not appeal to us Creatures of Comfort 🙂
Instead, we pushed through to Wild Spirit Backpackers Lodge in Kurland. Pitching our tent in the rain was going to be a messy endeavour. Thankfully, there was another option … Wild Spirit has a handful of pre-pitched 3x3m canvas Safari tents with real beds! It was not a difficult decision to leave our tent securely packed away.
Venue Checklist - Wild Spirit Backpackers Lodge
- En-suite Double/Twin Rooms, Family Rooms
- Dorms, Safari tent
- Off-the-grid Campsite
- Shared Ablutions
- Self Catering facilities in shared kitchen
- Electrical Points (except campsite)
- Pet friendly by arrangement
- Child-friendly
- Entertainment and Activities - various
- Breakfast & dinner
- Free Wi-Fi & use of computer
- Fuel Station - 5 minutes drive