Skip to content
Voykit
Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. How we verify
Source checked
A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
Field checked
Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
Plan calculated
Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.

Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Major city · 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.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

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.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
ZAR
Best months
All year (peak festivals June & October)
Airport
PLZ
Nights
1–2
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
  • Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
  • Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
  • Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
  • Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
  • South Africa ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Department of Home Affairs or a South African mission before booking; exemptions depend on nationality, and the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is optional for most visa-exempt visitors in 2026.
  • South Africa ↗Travelling with children: accompanied foreign children no longer need a birth certificate, but unaccompanied minors, South African children and some passports that omit parents' names still do; check with Home Affairs and your airline before you fly.
  • South Africa ↗Driving is on the left. If your licence is not in English or has no photo, get an International Driving Permit before you travel; rental companies also check it.
  • South Africa ↗National park gates open and close at fixed times; you must be inside your camp before the gate closes, and speed limits in parks are enforced.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Addo+27 42 233-0358 ▾

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Addo, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Addo Elephant National ParkCitrus farms and Rose FestivalSundays River canoeing
Airports
PLZ Port Elizabeth Airport (47 km (29 mi) north, regular flights from Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban)

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Addo: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

30°C (86°F)

20°C (68°F)

5 rd

Feb

30°C (86°F)

20°C (68°F)

5 rd

Mar

28°C (82°F)

18°C (64°F)

6 rd

Apr

25°C (77°F)

15°C (59°F)

7 rd

May

22°C (72°F)

12°C (54°F)

8 rd

Jun

20°C (68°F)

10°C (50°F)

9 rd

Jul

19°C (66°F)

9°C (48°F)

9 rd

Aug

20°C (68°F)

10°C (50°F)

9 rd

Sep

22°C (72°F)

12°C (54°F)

8 rd

Oct

25°C (77°F)

14°C (57°F)

7 rd

Nov

27°C (81°F)

16°C (61°F)

6 rd

Dec

29°C (84°F)

18°C (64°F)

5 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting 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 & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Port Elizabethgo

Door to door: ≈ 1 h total

Drive north 47 km (29 mi) on N10, about 45 min; or shuttle bus from Addo to the city centre

Historic waterfront, Donkin Reserve and beaches; good for a half‑day.

Jeffreys Baygo

Door to door: ≈ 1 h 30 min

Drive east 70 km (43 mi) on N2, about 1 h 15 min

World‑renowned surf spot and relaxed seaside town; ideal for a morning surf or lunch.

St Francisgo

Door to door: ≈ 45 min

Drive north‑west 30 km (19 mi) on R61, about 35 min

Coastal village with a small beach and historic lighthouse.

Grahamstowncaution

Door to door: ≈ 1 h 30 min

Drive north 80 km (50 mi) on N10, about 1 h 20 min

University town with museums; check opening times.

Tsitsikammaskip

Door to door: ≈ 3 h

Drive south‑west 150 km (93 mi) on N2, about 2 h 30 min

Long drive for a day; better as an overnight leg of a Garden Route trip.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

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 gate

De Old Drift Guest Farm

Citrus farm with self‑catering units and pool

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
R600–R900 excl. bed (check)
Mid
R900–R1,400 excl. bed (check)
High
R1,400+ excl. bed (check)

Watch out

Safety

Addo is generally safe for tourists; keep valuables hidden, use reputable guides for wildlife drives, and stay on marked roads.
  • 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.

Emergency numbers

Ambulance
+27 42 233-0358
Hospital (Kirkwood)
+27 42 230-0406

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

AddoAddo

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Na hierdie adres, assebliefTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Ambulance+27 42 233-0358

Embassy

US consulate is in Johannesburg; South African visas are handled at the nearest embassy or online.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Port Elizabeth → Addo (taxi, 47 km): ≈ R350–R450 (check)
  • Addo Elephant Park entry: R250–R350 per adult (check)

Say or show

  • Hoeveel kos dit? — How much does it cost?
  • Waar is die naaste hospitaal? — Where is the nearest hospital?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Addo. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: All year (peak festivals June & October) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 5 day-trips, door to door
  6. 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to South Africa

Sources

Ask about Addo

Loading…