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| SOUTH AFRICA TRAVEL |
A DAY IN THE ADDO ELEPHANT PARK
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Submitted by: Margie B. 15 March
2007
Port Elizabeth, South Africa |
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Holiday review - A Day in
the Addo Elephant Park, Eastern Cape South Africa: Taking the day off and
spending it at the Addo Elephant National Park is a perfect way to spend the day!
Interestingly, the Addo Elephant National Park was originally established to save 11
Elephants on the brink of extinction. Now, they boast more than 350 elephants, 280 Cape
Buffalo, black Rhino, a range of Antelope species, as well as the rare dung Beetle.
We made our way up here on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Situated just before the park is a
smaller game park home to lions, tigers, cheetahs and different species of wild cats. We
decided to stop here first. This park enables one to get a close view of the rare and
magnificent tigers, wild cats, lions and they offer the awesome opportunity to play with
lion cubs! I was enthralled and jumped at the opportunity. We were warned before entering
the cub area not to turn your backs on them as they will leap on you. They are very
mischievous and love playing! As I got involved with playing with one of the cubs, another
decided to take a bite out of my shoe! What a souvenir! These lion cubs are incredibly
cute and cuddly and so much fun to play with! I had the time of my life as I had never
experienced this before.
We spotted interesting species of wild cats with long pointy ears and slender bodies. The
tigers were exquisite and are keenly interested in your presence. The lions are the most
fun. We realised that when a human acts hurt and lame past the caged lion den, the lions
are immediately intrigued and begin to get in position to prey! Two of them jolted towards
the fence and growled profusely! I almost wet my pants and that was the last time I did
that.
Our next stop was the Addo Elephant Park. It is a rather beautiful park with plenty of
indigenous trees and dense valley bushveld. The accommodation there is fantastic and there
is a shop, curio shop, fantastic restaurant, waterhole lookout, bird lookout and a large
pool. There is plenty to do and see here. Our first stop was sitting at the lookout which
offers views of the animals at the waterhole. I could sit here for hours! It is very
relaxing and peaceful. When the elephants play and wash themselves in the mud, you truly
begin to appreciate these amazing creatures.
The drive through the park is quite an experience. The park is rather large comprising of
approximately 120 000 ha of land. We were warned to watch out for the dung beetles and not
to drive over them. What an unfortunate job these little creatures have!
We got to see the lions and we had the thrilling experience of encountering the massive elephants
right next to our car. You are always bound to see elephants here and we sure did! Their
little ones stood closely under their mother’s belly as they watched us drive past.
Too cute! We encountered numerous buck, foxes, rhino and many more. One could spend hours
here! There is so much to see.
After our drive, we stopped at the restaurant for lunch. The meal was delicious. Addo
Elephant Park is a must to visit! If you have always wanted to see elephants up close and
personal, this is the place to go!! |
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Related Pages:
Addo Elephant
Park
Eastern
Cape Game Reserves |
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| Must See Attractions:
Spectacular scenery, diverse culture, history, nature and wildlife, five of the World's
World Heritage Sites, a heady mix of .... |
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| See: South Africa's Attractions |
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Tours | South Africa Game
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With 20 National Parks
(including two of the world's most famous wildlife reserves, the Kruger Park & Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park) &
numerous private game reserves, your trip to South Africa would be incomplete without
experiencing a South African wildlife safari .... |
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