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Voykit pocket guide · South Africa
Addo
Spend 1–2 days in Addo for the Elephant National Park and river activities; longer only if you want multiple game reserves.
Addo sits at the foot of the Zuurberg Mountains in the Sundays River Valley. Its main draw is Addo Elephant National Park, home to the Big 7, plus river canoeing, horse trails and citrus‑farm tours. A single day covers the park’s main drives; a second day lets you add a guided walk, horse trail or a visit to the nearby farms.
- Country
- South Africa
- Best months
- All year (peak festivals June & October)
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- ZAR
- Money
- Currency is the South African rand (ZAR, R), about 17–18 per US$ in 2026 (check). Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere in cities and at lodges; carry small cash for tips.
- Daily spend
- Budget R600–R900 excl. bed (check) · Mid R900–R1,400 excl. bed (check) · High R1,400+ excl. bed (check) (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Vodacom and MTN have the best coverage; Cell C and Telkom are cheaper. Buy at the airport shop with your passport (RICA registration is required).
- Emergency
- Ambulance +27 42 233-0358
- Plugs
- Types M, C, N · 230 V · 50 Hz · The big round-pin type M is rarely used elsewhere; buy a local adapter at the airport or any supermarket.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: 10–15%; check if a service charge is added for large groups.; Fuel attendant: R5–20, more if they wash windows and check tyres.; Car guard: R5–20 when you leave.; Safari ranger and tracker: About R150–300 per guest per day for the ranger, R100–200 for the tracker — check lodge guidance.; Hotel porter: R10–20 per bag.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in most cities and towns; in some municipalities with failing infrastructure, ask your host.
- Toilets
- Clean Western toilets at fuel stations (Engen, Shell, Ultra City), malls and park camps.
Get in
By air
- PLZ · Port Elizabeth Airport
- 47 km (29 mi) north, regular flights from Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban29 mi (47 km) north, regular flights from Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban
Typical fares
- Port Elizabeth → Addo (taxi, 47 km)
- ≈ R350–R450 (check)
- Addo Elephant Park entry
- R250–R350 per adult (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Car is the most reliable; main roads are paved and well‑signed. Public coach services run between Port Elizabeth and Addo, but schedules are limited.
See and do
Known for
- Addo Elephant National Park
- Citrus farms and Rose Festival
- Sundays River canoeing
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Port Elizabeth | Drive north 47 km (29 mi) on N10, about 45 min; or shuttle bus from Addo to the city centreDrive north 29 mi (47 km) on N10, about 45 min; or shuttle bus from Addo to the city centre | ≈ 1 h total |
| Jeffreys Bay | Drive east 70 km (43 mi) on N2, about 1 h 15 minDrive east 43 mi (70 km) on N2, about 1 h 15 min | ≈ 1 h 30 min |
| St Francis | Drive north‑west 30 km (19 mi) on R61, about 35 minDrive north‑west 19 mi (30 km) on R61, about 35 min | ≈ 45 min |
| Grahamstown | Drive north 80 km (50 mi) on N10, about 1 h 20 minDrive north 50 mi (80 km) on N10, about 1 h 20 min | ≈ 1 h 30 min |
| Tsitsikamma | Drive south‑west 150 km (93 mi) on N2, about 2 h 30 minDrive south‑west 93 mi (150 km) on N2, about 2 h 30 min | ≈ 3 h |
Sleep
- Addo Dung Beetle Guest Farm
- Air‑conditioned chalets, en‑suite baths; good for budget stays
- Elephants Footprint Lodge
- Luxury thatch‑roof lodge 2 km (1.2 mi) from the park’s southern gateLuxury thatch‑roof lodge 1.2 mi (2 km) from the park’s southern gate
- De Old Drift Guest Farm
- Citrus farm with self‑catering units and pool
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| How much does it cost? | Hoeveel kos dit? |
| Where is the nearest hospital? | Waar is die naaste hospitaal? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Say hello and ask how someone is before any request; avoid: Launching straight into a question
- Handshakes: Three-part African handshake with friends; a normal handshake with strangers; avoid: Refusing an offered hand
- Elders: Use Mr/Mrs or 'Mama', 'Baba' respectfully in townships and rural areas; avoid: First names with older people you have just met
- Braai invitations: Bring meat or drinks, and arrive on 'African time'; avoid: Taking over the fire
- Photos: Ask first, especially in townships and villages; avoid: Photographing children without a parent's permission
- Politics and race: Ask questions and listen; avoid: Lecturing on history or crime
Scams and watch-outs
- Game drives in Addo Elephant National Park require advance booking; check the park website for availability.
- Summer (Dec–Feb) can be very hot; carry water and sun protection.
Addo is generally safe for tourists; keep valuables hidden, use reputable guides for wildlife drives, and stay on marked roads.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Addo yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Addo Elephant National Park
- Citrus farms and Rose Festival
- Sundays River canoeing
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Addo, revision 5312061 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5312061
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Addo
Na hierdie adres, asseblief
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Ambulance+27 42 233-0358
US consulate is in Johannesburg; South African visas are handled at the nearest embassy or online.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/addo). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.