Blogs from Addo Elephant National Park, Eastern Cape, South Africa, Africa

No motorbikes allowed. Great Day Visit. We entered the gate at Colchester (the Matyholweni Entrance Gate) from Port Elizabeth side and exit the gate in the north close to the Addo Main Camp on the Paterson Road. It is possible to do the trip in one day and you are guaranteed to see the elephants although definitely less than on previous visits. A lot of other animals to be seen and also a great bird life. On entry get a map which include a game, that allocate points to each animal and it makes it interesting and keep you wide awake. The one with the most points is obviously the winner. A lot of photo opportunities. No motorbikes allowed because of the presence of lion in the park.It is really worth a visit.... read more

Olimme varanneet puistokierroksen tuolta: https://crisscrossadventures.co.za/addo-elephant-park-tour/ Opastettu kierros alkoi klo 8.15 ja päättyi klo 18. Aamiainen oli klo 7, koska ajomatka kesti 40 minuuttia. Näimme norsuja läheltä ja kaukaa. Kerran norsuja meni tien yli auton edestä, kerran ohitimme norsun. Näimme myös puhveleita, antilooppeja, seeproja, strutseja ja pahkasikoja eli "pumbia" - tuttu Leijonakuninkaasta. Autossa oli tarjolla kylmiä juomia. Pysähdyttiin kerran näköalapaikalle kusitauolle. Siellä oli varoituskyltti leijonista, mutta oppaan mukaan leijonia ei ollut nähty siellä vähään aikaan. Klo 13 oli lounas. Oppaat tekivät tulen ja grillasivat kananvartaita ja makkaraa. Autossa oli tilaa kymmenelle mutta meidän lisäksi vain opas. Oppaat viestivät keskenään WhatsApissa, ja saimme vihiä leijonista, joita mentiin katsomaan vauhdilla. Paluumatkalla soitin WhatsApissa p... read more

Wir wohnen in der Addo Dung Beetle Lodge, einem einsam auf einem Farmgelände gelegenen kleinen Resort, das tatsächlich dem Mistkäfer gewidmet ist. Die Rezeption ist einem Misthaufen nachempfunden und neben einem schönen im afrikanischen Stil gehaltenen offenen Hauptgebäude und einigen schilfgedeckten Hütten gibt es auch vier "Dung Beetle Suites", die nochmal etwas abseits verstreut im Busch gelegen sind. So eine Suite haben wir und sie sieht tatsächlich auch aus wie ein Misthaufen. Es gibt eine große Fensterfront zur einen Seite, ansonsten ist die Suite fensterlos-höhlenartig mit einem offenen Bad und super gemütlich. Es gibt einen kleinen Pool und eine sonnige Terrasse am "Lapa", dem Haupthaus mit Frühstücksbereich und einer wunderschön afrikanisch eingerichteten Lounge. Hier sitzen wir ein bisschen in der Sonne, lesen und überblicken das Farmgelände, das sich unter uns hügelig und grün... read more

Sometimes inertia is the best way to travel, especially when you're traveling long term, and especially when you're traveling with young children. As any parent knows, the toddler crowd likes routines. Even though we moved around several different accommodations within two main camps in Kruger, we had a routine that we stuck to. This made it easier to adapt to life on the road, even when that routine involved waking up at 4am, getting ready in the dark, then getting the kids out of bed at 4:20 to go game driving in the dark! After two months in Kruger, it was a little daunting to pack up and leave for several days of travel and errands. The first day was easy as most of the driving was in the park so it seemed like a normal ... read more

So here we are, as every year, I'm running late on writing the summer holidays blogs....but that's just because, we are way too busy away from any computer....and when the kids are too busy all day long away from their computer, I'm simply an happy Dad! So we drove all the way from Tiffindell to Queenstown. Tiffindell you can understand if you read the last blog. But seriously, driving to Queenstown....it should be for a burger and more skiing, I can already hear Jo laughing...but sorry, wrong Queenstown, this is Queenstown South Africa. You have never heard of the place...you may have driven through it...but let be honest...why would you stop here. Well, we are on our way to the South and what should be warmer weather....and I don't intend to drive a lot after 5pm ... read more