Travel Insurance Online - Addo Elephant National Park - Best Elephant Photo Ever - South Africa

But hunting decimated these numbers over the space of around 200 years, at one time the Addo herd was one of the largest in the Eastern Cape with some 140 elephants. There were less than 15, the park was formed to protect the remaining elephants in the Addo area, the Addo Elephant National Park was proclaimed in 1931.

Preventing them from being hunted, who allowed the elephants onto his land, the remaining elephants were 'rescued' by a land owner at Barkly Bridge - Mr J T Harvey. Not only were the elephants hunted but also black rhino and lions where made extinct in the area.

In 1933 the manager of the park started to feed the elephants in an attempt to contain them. And they escaped and continued to be killed by farmers and by trains which travelled along the nearby line, but the fence was not strong enough to contain elephants, elephants had to be chased to the area which had been set aside for the Addo Elephant National Park.

So this feeding was stopped in 1979, many elephants were injured, the plant life in the area was destroyed and the elephants became aggressive to the feeding truck and to each other. However the feeding caused more problems as the elephants came to expect the food and would stay in the feeding area, flood light were erected around the feeding areas and visitors would come to see the elephants. The fence proved successful and can still be seen in the park today. Tram rails and lift cable were used and an area of 2270 hectares was fenced off, in 1954 an elephant proof fence was developed by Graham Armstrong.

Black rhino and hippos were all introduced to the park over the following years, warthogs, zebras, eland. Disease free Cape Buffalos were also protected bt the Addo Elephant National Park as were the flightless Dung Beetle. When they entered the park they could view the elephants easily as the numbers had grown significantly, the park was first opened to tourists in 1981.

Red hartebeest and duikers are also found in the Addo Elephant National Park , kudu, these are only some of the animals which can be seen jackals. Lions were reintroduced to the area in 2003 as well as spotted hyenas in 2003/2004.

With many different animals going to the waterholes at any one time, these manmade waterholes have the advantage that they are by the roads and can produce some excellent photo opportunities. The water is supplied from boreholes; the Addo Elephant National Park itself has no natural waterholes.

He was found grazing by Coerney Station and had to be shot as he was an aggressive animal - a cast of this giant elephants head can be seen in the restaurant at the main rest camp in Addo Elephant Park . He was the only elephant ever to do so, after being ousted from his herd by Lanky - an upcoming bull - Hapoor escaped through the fence developed by Graham Armstrong, hapoor waterhole is named after a bull elephant that was the dominant bull of the Addo herd for some 24 years. The Spekboom waterhole and hide is fantastic for photographers.

A bit of experience is required, these tours go through the game area and can be quite nerve raking, horse riding safaris are available. There are also safari tents which look out directly over the park and it is not unusual to have an elephant or a herd of buffalo pass you by, the main camp offers good quality accommodation from chalets to camp sites!

The park is relatively small and can be driven around comfortably in a day. Especially during the holidays, prior booking is essential. Sunset and night drives are also offered from the main camp and are good value for money as well as very informative, mornings.