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Addo and Kirkwood Accommodation

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Head Chef

Head Chef – Addo Elephant National Park

One of the most famous luxury lodges within the boundaries of the Addo Elephant National Park is on the hunt for a new head chef. The main responsibility of the head chef is to ensure that the culina……

http://www.hoteljobs.co.za/job/32222

Budget Accommodation Port Elizabeth | Addo Elephant (2 day 1 …

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Posted on January 3, 2013 by admin in 2 Day 1 night tours, Grahamstown, Port Alfred, Port Elizabeth. A 2 day trip visiting the Addo Elephant park, a visit to the Daniel Cheetah Breeding Project, The Reptile and Raptor Centre.with options of riding Elephants and a visit to Schotia Reserve. Picking you up from Port […]

Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation

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Article source: http://budget-accommodation-port-elizabeth.com/addo-elephant-2-day-1-night-smiley-face-tours/

Adventures in South Africa: Addo elephant park videos

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Ostrich! Little monkey! Baby elephant! This little guy is so cute!!! Interesting fact: for the first year after birth elephants don’t use their trunks, because there are over 700 muscles that they have to build up in order to use it properly. So when they are little they run around awkwardly like this sweet baby! […]

Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation

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Executive Chef- Addo – Jobs – South Africa – HotelJobs.co.za

Job Details

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Kendrick Recruitment

Executive Chef- Addo

Date Job Posted: 25-Jan-2013

Location: Port Elizabeth

To apply for this job, you need to tick the boxes to confirm that you:

If you are not able to meet the above criteria you won’t be eligible to apply.





Spot the flightless dung beetle of the Addo Elephant National Park …

This creepy-crawly is endemic to a few areas of South Africa and includes the Addo Elephant National park.  The flightless dung beetle must walk from dung dropping to dung dropping for feeding and collecting the dung they need for building their dung balls.  With a length of 22 to 47 mm this beetle plays a very important role in the eco system of the Addo Elephant National Park.  Join us to find out more about this precious bug on your South Africa Tour.

Unfortunately as the elephants, rhino and buffalo became regionally extinct, the beetle became regionally restricted to the Addo Elephant National Park where smaller herds of elephant and buffalo survive.

dung beetlesThe flightless dung beetles enjoy feasting on fresh dung droppings from large mammals.

They prefer the more coarse dung of the elephant, rhino and buffalo.  The adult flightless dung beetle feed on the fluid part of the dung while the larvae feed on the fluid and fibre.  They can detect dung from a distance by their strong sense of smell and do not require any other food source.  No, not even water! The dung provides all the necessary nutrients.

Yes I know it sounds like a very graphic picture I am painting but you will have to read on to discover why your safari with us would be a unique and unforgettable South African Tourism experience.

Flightless dung beetles

 

The female flightless dung beetle uses the dung for building a brood ball.  She then moves it away using her powerful hind legs while the male follows along behind her.  Talk about being a real gentleman!  The female will bury the ball at a suitable spot with the male on top.  The mating process takes place under ground and a single egg is laid within the ball. The female stays with the ball until the juvenile stage of her young is completed.  The larva spends 3 to 4 months as a pupa before it emerges as an immature adult.  The larva feeds on the dung ball from the inside.

While all this is happening underground, at the same time the soil gets fertilized by the dung underground, providing perfect nutrients for vegetation to grow in.  And nature’s life cycle starts all over again!  And you thought that safaris are only about seeing the Big 7.  We, Imvelaphi Safaris even look at the smaller things in life! This is what distinguishes us from the rest.

With Imvelaphi Safaris you will always experience the unexpected! We are adventurous by nature!

Get best Advice for Addo Elephant National Park

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Deep in the shadows of the dense valley bushveld of the Sundays River area of the East Cape sits the Addo Elephant National Park. Here, the evenings tend to be punctuated by the strident howl of the black-backed jackal, and also the francolin’s call heralds each new dawn. Low risk from relentless persecution within the […]

Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation

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Article source: http://budget-accommodation-port-elizabeth.com/get-best-advice-for-addo-elephant-national-park/

Budget Accommodation Port Elizabeth | The Addo Elephant

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!– google_ad_client = “pub-8982229653008092″; google_ad_slot = “2158176860″; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60; //– !– google_ad_client = “pub-8982229653008092?; google_ad_slot = “2158176860?; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60; //– The Addo Elephant Images of elephant have stayed with me since my post of last week and sparked by Buzzerbeezz, who highlighted a wildlife sanctuary for orangutans,  i’d […]

Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation

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Get best Advice for Addo Elephant National Park

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Deep in the shadows of the dense valley bushveld of the Sundays River area of the East Cape sits the Addo Elephant National Park. Here, the evenings tend to be punctuated by the strident howl of the black-backed jackal, and also the francolin’s call heralds each new dawn. Low risk from relentless persecution within the […]

Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation

Go to:My Addo

Budget Accommodation Port Elizabeth | Addo Elephant Day trip …

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Posted on January 3, 2013 by admin in Day tours, Grahamstown, Port Alfred, Port Elizabeth. An encounter with these amazing animals gives your heart a little race.  As these giants walk the fields of Addo they have been known to brush the vehicles.  They are so close that you could even touch them. Not only […]

Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation

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Smiley Face Tours | Addo Elephant Day trip

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Posted on January 3, 2013 by admin in Day tours, Grahamstown, Port Alfred, Port Elizabeth. An encounter with these amazing animals gives your heart a little race.  As these giants walk the fields of Addo they have been known to brush the vehicles.  They are so close that you could even touch them. Not only […]

Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation

Go to:My Addo

Budget Accommodation Port Elizabeth | Addo Elephant (2 day 1 …

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Posted on January 3, 2013 by admin in 2 Day 1 night tours, Grahamstown, Port Alfred, Port Elizabeth. A 2 day trip visiting the Addo Elephant park, a visit to the Daniel Cheetah Breeding Project, The Reptile and Raptor Centre.with options of riding Elephants and a visit to Schotia Reserve. Picking you up from Port […]

Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation

Go to:My Addo

Five Star Lodge in the Addo Elephant National Park: Photography

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It is gratifying to get such encouraging feedback from Guests who are availing themselves of this facility at River Bend Lodge. We have had Guests who have arrived with top of the range cameras and have never taken a photograph on any Setting other than Auto….and after the Course have gone off on a Game […]

Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation

Go to:My Addo

Five Star Lodge in the Addo Elephant National Park: Photography …

It is gratifying to get such encouraging feedback from Guests who are availing themselves of this facility at River Bend Lodge.

We have had Guests who have arrived with top of the range cameras and have never taken a photograph on any Setting other than Auto….and after the Course have gone off on a Game Drive ready to ‘up the ante’ on Av (Aperture Value) and or Manual. Not sure about those terms….well this Course is just for you! Jargon into action……which will hopefully unleash your creative abilities.

These are Images taken recently in and around River Bend Lodge and Long Hope Villa by our Photographer and some of the Guests who have attended the Course.

We can arrange hire of equipment for you by prior arrangement.

(These Images are the property of River Bend Lodge and may not be used without permission….thank you to those Guests who have allowed us to share their photographs. To view a larger version of the photograph ‘Click’ on an Image).


Article source: http://riverbendaddo.blogspot.com/2013/01/photography-course-at-river-bend-lodge_5294.html

Get best Advice for Addo Elephant National Park

Deep in the shadows of the dense valley bushveld of the Sundays River area of the East Cape sits the Addo Elephant National Park. Here, the evenings tend to be punctuated by the strident howl of the black-backed jackal, and also the francolin’s call heralds each new dawn. Low risk from relentless persecution within the before, the grey leviathans of the bush now roam in peace.

The initial Elephant point of the park was proclaimed in 1931, when only eleven elephants remained within the area – now this finely tuned ecosystem is sanctuary to over 450 elephants, Cape buffalo, black rhino, a an assortment of antelope species, since well as the distinctive flightless dung beetle, found virtually only in Addo. However the Addo tale has solely just started. Plans to grow the 164 000 ha Addo Nationwide Elephant Park into a 360 000 ha mega-park tend to be going forward at just a particular exciting rate. This expansion is changing Addo Elephant National Park directly into the ideal tourism holiday destination.

Some of its unique features already include:

Unrivalled purely natural variety, alongside five of Southern area Africa’s seven major vegetation areas (biomes).
The Big 7 (Elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, leopard, whales and great white sharks) within their 100 % natural habitat.
Prosperous heritage of archaeological as well as historic websites.
A variety of accommodation and also activity options.

In addition, plans consist of the proposed proclamation of a 120 000 ha (296 500 acre) underwater reserve which includes islands that are home to the world’s largest breeding populations of Cape gannets and also 2nd biggest breeding population of African penguins.

5 Things To Seek:
* Elephant
* Black colored Rhinoceros
* Cape Buffalo (illness free)
* Suricate (Meerkat)
* Flightless Dung Beetle
Climate:
Addo section:

The area is classified as semi-arid to arid, receiving a typical rainfall of not as much as 445 mm per year. Rain is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year, however there are two peaks, in February-March and October-November. Frost occurs sometimes in winter.

Temperatures:
Daily maximum – Jan 32 °C July 18 °C Daily min – Jan fifteen °C July 5 °C.
On a search engine is not a 100 % natural water in this part of the park as well as all waterholes tend to be fed by boreholes. There are a number of little pans within the region however these are dried out except in many years of exceptional rainfall.
Zuurberg section:
Height above sea level may differ from 250 to 970 m. Suggest annual rain approximately 722 mm. Peaks in rainfall in spring and also autumn. Different from other fynbos areas, the wintertime weeks are really the driest. Thunderstorms occur in warmer months whenever lightning fires can feel caused.

Darlington section:
Climate: average rain 255 mm/yr. Maximum temp in summertime hits 48 C and also min temp simply above 0 C in winter. Rain is principally in the form of thundershowers and also some sort of casual cold front from the west.
Coastal point (Woody Cape):

The indicate yearly rain may differ from 392 mm at just Sundays River Lips to 700 mm close to Woody Cape. Boknes to Bushmans River Mouth is the transition area from all year rainfall to summertime rainfall. The dunefield happens in a rain shadow which receives lower rainfall than simultaneously Port Elizabeth as well as Alexandria. Fog and mist are really typical, with frost being rare.

Silver Wind Live Voyage Report – Day 3 | From The Deck Chair

A Life-Altering Adventure at Addo Elephant Park

Up close and personal with the elephants at Addo Elephant National Park near Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Up close and personal with the elephants at Addo Elephant National Park near Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Under cloudy skies this morning, Silversea’s intimate Silver Wind glided silently into the port for Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Founded in 1820 to house British settlers, Port Elizabeth is now a part of the much-broader Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, which has an approximate population of over 1.3 million inhabitants.

Today, I would be bypassing Port Elizabeth altogether, opting instead to take part in a Silversea shore excursion to the world-renowned Addo Elephant Park.

Arrival into Port Elizabeth aboard Silversea's beautiful Silver Wind! Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Arrival into Port Elizabeth aboard Silversea’s beautiful Silver Wind! Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

The elegant Silver Wind docked in Port Elizabeth, seen from her stern. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

The elegant Silver Wind docked in Port Elizabeth, seen from her stern. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

I made a conscious effort before even coming on this voyage to take part in as many different Safari excursions as possible. To my mind, the whole point of travelling halfway around the world is to immerse yourself fully in experiences that simply do not exist anywhere else.

As usual, disembarking the Silver Wind this morning was a snap. Complementary bottled water was available at the gangway, and the motorcoaches were waiting inside the terminal building to take us on our respective ship-sponsored tours. Some of the other exciting options available here today included an 8-hour visit to the Big 5 Pumba Game Reserve; a Fly-In Elephant Back Safari; and a 2.5 hour city tour of Port Elizabeth.

One of the 4xx4 vehicles outside the main Addo Elephant National Park entrance. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

One of the 4xx4 vehicles outside the main Addo Elephant National Park entrance. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

The journey to the Addo Elepant National Park took roughly one hour each way, and I took the opportunity to listen to the Lion King soundtrack on my iPod to prepare myself. Addo is the only park in the world that is home to Big 7 Game: the Lion, Leopard, Cape Buffalo, Elephant, Rhinoceros, Southern Right Whale and the Great White Shark. If “Big 7” sounds like a hunting term, it is: both “Big 7” and “Big Five” (the same as Big 7, but with the removal of the two aquatic mammals) were derived from the days when people would go to hunt “Big Game.”

On the way over, I realized I didn’t have a clue what constituted a safari experience. Would animals come right up to the vehicle, or would I need binoculars to see them? I figured it would be cool; a neat experience worth having and writing about.

On safari in the only Big 7 Game Park in the world. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

On safari in the only Big 7 Game Park in the world. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

It turned out to be a Planet Earth special come to life; all that was missing was narrator David Attenborough’s gravelly voice.

After arriving at Addo Elephant National Park, we all boarded one of three different Safari vehicles that had been waiting specifically for us. These were similar in size to a Hino delivery truck that has had its box removed and replaced with seats that are positioned higher than the driver for better viewing. The tops were covered with canvas (much to my relief!), while sides were open to the elements from about the waist up. The rules were pretty straightforward: no standing when the vehicle is in motion, and no loud noises that could spook the animals.

A family of elephants cools off at a local watering hole. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

A family of elephants cools off at a local watering hole. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Now, nature is unpredictable at best, so there are no guarantees as to what, if anything, you will see.  But that anticipation – the thrill of the hunt – is almost worth it on its own. And it barely took ten minutes before our 4×4 rolled around a corner to see a single antelope grazing. Then, two emerged. They didn’t seem to mind us, and we certainly didn’t seem to mind them, judging by the whirring of camera shutters that followed.

This Zebra came right up to the side of the 4x4! Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

This Zebra came right up to the side of the 4×4! Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

It then crossed the road and scampered away. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

It then crossed the road and scampered away. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Ten minutes later, we rounded the corner to discover a partial family of elephants cooling themselves in a small lake in an attempt to beat the stifling heat and humidity. There are no words in the English language to describe what it’s like to sit in a vehicle, watching elephants bathe and swim just 20 feet away.

More elephants cool off at another watering hole at the Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

More elephants cool off at another watering hole at the Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Then, a few little ones emerged, including a baby elephant who, our driver estimated, could not have been more than 5 months old. This small elephant decided it wanted to go for a swim and rushed into the water. But getting out of the water was another matter, and the little baby elephant tried multiple ties to get out, to no avail. Like any good parents, Mom Dad sauntered over and used their trunks to push and pull Baby out of the water.

The Addo park landscape varies from lush to barren. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

The Addo park landscape varies from lush to barren. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

I could say it was amazing. I could say it was life-changing. But neither one of those statements can ever capture what it was like to witness that, in the wild, and not in some zoo with a half-hearted painting of Africa as a backdrop for their elephant enclosure.

Amazingly, our experience got even better: a Zebra darted out in front of our 4×4 and spent some time trotting along just ahead of us, allowing for some beautiful photo opportunities. You can’t get out of the trucks at any time, but that was far from being a problem at our next stop: a clearing with over four dozen elephants.

Absolutey majestic - and only 10 feet away! Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Absolutey majestic – and only 10 feet away! Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

These elephants were curious about our 4×4 and got jaw-droppingly close to us, to the point where three or four crossed directly in front of our vehicle, while another one passed close behind. The largest elephants were massive, their impressive hulks towering over the truck. You could have heard a pin drop as these magnificent creatures passed close by us, until the little elephant with them let out a mighty roar, presumably to let us know he was not afraid.

National Geographic, eat your heart out: Silversea's Addo Elephant Park Tour puts you in an authentic safari experience. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

National Geographic, eat your heart out: Silversea’s Addo Elephant Park Tour puts you in an authentic safari experience. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

In one day, this one experience has outdone, out measured and outperformed every shore excursion I’ve ever taken. It was astonishing, moving, awe-inspiring and everything in between. Everyone, and I mean everyone, needs to do this at some point in their lives.

A reader wrote to me today to ask a few questions: was I the youngest onboard, and do I think this cruise would be suitable for those with kids who are 12 years or older?

The proximity of the elephants to the 4x4 is evident in this photograph. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

The proximity of the elephants to the 4×4 is evident in this photograph. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

I am indeed the youngest person onboard, but I don’t think that the average Silversea guest is determined by age. I think interests play more into the equation. Are you well-travelled? Do you like to have fun, but appreciate the finer things in life? If so, Silversea will fit you like a glove.

What beautiful, majestic creatures. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

What beautiful, majestic creatures. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

I’ve seen kids on my past Silversea voyages aboard Silver Spirit and even Silver Explorer, and I think this itinerary aboard Silver Wind lends itself remarkably well to family involvement. The line doesn’t actively cater to young kids, but on my Silver Explorer voyage, the crew went out of their way to ensure the kids were having a ball. My recommendation: if they’re older than, say, 12 years of age and can keep themselves occupied, there’s no better way to see South Africa.

Come on, let's all cross the road together now! Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Come on, let’s all cross the road together now! Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Another question raised was the issue of cost. Certainly, Silversea comes with a higher price tag than mainstream cruise lines, but when did that become a bad thing? A Mercedes costs more than a Ford, and with good reason. Ditto for Tissot versus Timex, Apple versus Acer, and so on. I love mainstream cruises because they’re accessible and offer a good value at a reasonable price. But, especially after today, I cannot emphasize this enough: look at how much you spend on a mainstream cruise, both to book and once onboard. You may find you’ve been able to afford the good life for years without knowing it!

Our ever-resourceful guide from Addo shows us a pile of elephant dung; sadly, no flightless dung beetles had buried inside. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Our ever-resourceful guide from Addo shows us a pile of elephant dung; sadly, no flightless dung beetles had buried inside. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Personally, I’d save for the remainder of my days to be able to experience something even half as special as what I did today. To be able to set out on an overland safari adventure and then return to the warm embrace of the Silver Wind was absolutely stunning. I ate a late lunch poolside (the homemade grilled chicken burger is to die for), and spent an enjoyable few hours writing this article in The Bar on Deck 5, which is quickly becoming my favorite public room here onboard the Silver Wind, followed by another wonderful dinner in La Terrazza on Deck 7.

Back onboard the Silver Wind, we set sail for Maputo, Mozambique. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Back onboard the Silver Wind, we set sail for Maputo, Mozambique. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

When I think back on the things I did and saw today, something catches in my throat. How do I begin to put today into words? I can’t. And as today draws to a close, I’m convinced that is one of Silversea’s greatest strengths. Because the more I sail with the line, the more genuinely floored I am with the experiences – both ashore and onboard – that they are able to provide their guests with.

Enjoying a rewarding Espresso Martini in The Bar on Deck 5. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Enjoying a rewarding Espresso Martini in The Bar on Deck 5. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Our Live Voyage Report from aboard Silversea’s elegant Silver Wind continues tomorrow, as we spend a relaxing day onboard as we cruise the Indian Ocean, bound for Maputo, Mozambique!

 

Adventures in South Africa: Addo elephant park videos

Ostrich!

Little monkey!

Baby elephant!
This little guy is so cute!!! Interesting fact: for the first year after birth elephants don’t use their trunks, because there are over 700 muscles that they have to build up in order to use it properly. So when they are little they run around awkwardly like this sweet baby!

Male elephants playing
These to male elephants are just playing, in a group of ellie’s the males will wrestle with each other to basically practice their fighting skills.

More elephants!

Five Star Lodge in the Addo Elephant National Park: Photography …

It is gratifying to get such encouraging feedback from Guests who are availing themselves of this facility at River Bend Lodge.

We have had Guests who have arrived with top of the range cameras and have never taken a photograph on any Setting other than Auto….and after the Course have gone off on a Game Drive ready to ‘up the ante’ on Av (Aperture Value) and or Manual. Not sure about those terms….well this Course is just for you! Jargon into action……which will hopefully unleash your creative abilities.

These are Images taken recently in and around River Bend Lodge and Long Hope Villa by our Photographer and some of the Guests who have attended the Course.

We can arrange hire of equipment for you by prior arrangement.

(These Images are the property of River Bend Lodge and may not be used without permission….thank you to those Guests who have allowed us to share their photographs. To view a larger version of the photograph ‘Click’ on an Image).























Budget Accommodation Port Elizabeth | Day 135 – Addo Elephant

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!– google_ad_client = “pub-8982229653008092″; google_ad_slot = “2158176860″; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60; //– !– google_ad_client = “pub-8982229653008092?; google_ad_slot = “2158176860?; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60; //– Our beautiful Tiger dog is no longer with us as of today. He has been unwell for just a few days after spending a wonderful holiday with […]

Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation

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South Africa Love. Port Elizabeth and Addo Elephant National Park …

My families first week in South Africa included an unforgettable adventure through Kruger National Park and scenic drive along the Panorama Route.

Next on the itinerary was a two week road trip along the countries famous Garden Route. The routes runs from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth and features the countries most magnificent coastal panoramas. We hopped on a late night flight from Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth where we would be starting our adventure.

We checked in to the Tree Tops Guesthouse a cute little BB located literally across the road from the airport. On our first morning we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and then hopped in our rental car in search for adventure. The third-largest port and fifth largest city in the country, Port Elizabeth, part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality, faces east across the 60 km wide sweep of Algoa Bay.

Amy and I sat in the back seat trying not to giggle too much as my dad drove on the “British side of the road” while driving stick shift for the first time in years. Mother would spend the duration of the road trip attempting to give my father driving instructions using her plethora of maps and guide books. I took charge of the GPS which was an invaluable help but not always as accurate as we would have desired.

Our first navigational challenge on the trip was getting from our guest house to the beach. We managed rather successfully and popped out of our seats once we had arrived with a skip in our step as we ran to splash our toes in the Indian Ocean for the first time. Standing by the shore I surveyed the area and was instantly reminded of Hamilton Ontario. PE (as the locals call their fine city) is very much an industrial port city with massive cranes taking up a considerable portion of the shoreline.

We continued along the road and stopped at Humewood Beach where we took a walk to the end of the jetty. I spotted a large group of students timidly approaching the waves with their teachers. Hopping back in our car we drove westward along the coast where we stopped in Schoenmakerskop at Sacramento Restaurant for a tea break. The restaurant is named after the Portugese Galleon Sacramento, that floundered on 30 June 1647. The interior is an ode to everything nautical and even features a nick nacks from the wreck. We spotted our first few whales from the comfort of our tea cups.

Later in the evening we drove back to Humewood Beach where we enjoyed a relaxing dinner at Blue Waters Cafe. The restaurant offers up a fantastic view of the beach and jetty below. My mom and dad were thrilled to see that wines by the bottle started at 6 USD a pop (a far cry from the $30 standard in North America). Our excitement over this affordability would see my family experimenting with two or three bottles of wine at dinner for the duration of our trip. The restaurant offers a wide selection of offerings but seems like my family was particularly interested in feasting on surf and turf. The following morning we bid Port Elizabeth farewell and drove to nearby Addo Elephant National Park.

In the past, elephants lived throughout the Cape Colony, but as the land was settled they were hunted to extinction. In 1919 Major Philip Pretorius was appointed to exterminate the last survivors and shot 120 over 11 months. Only 15 terrified elephants survived. When public opinion turned in their favour, a 68 sq km tract of surplus land was declared nation park territory in 1931. For many years Addo resembled a large zoo. Oranges were placed below the rest camps at night to lure the shy beasts, while the stout fences seperated vistors and animals. The herd responded well to protection – increasing to 265 by 1998 – making it necessary to enlarge their territory.

Today, there are more than 450 elephants and the park includes the Zuurberg mountains to the north. Its size has increased to 600 sq km with South African National Parks current plan to quadruple it.

The Addo safari experience is similar to what you would experience at Kruger (although you will likely see a lot more elephants here). Tourists drive on paved roads through various routes outlined on National Park maps. We saw an incredible number of animals during the few hours we spent roaming around the park.

After watching some forty elephants walk past our SUV we picked our jaws up off the floor and zoomed west to Tsitsikamma.


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Some Lions at the Addo Elephant Park | Sun Downer Blog

One of the delights of buying a SANParks Wild Card is that they wave you straight through at the park gate and when you get your day pass at reception there is nothing extra to pay!  This was our experience last week when we took a day trip to Addo to see the elephants and take a tour down through the southern section of the Park which we have never visited.  We entered through the main northern gate just outside Addo and exited nearly five hours later through the Matyholweni (southern) gate near Colchester.

We weren’t disappointed, straight away seeing a nice pair of elephants drinking at Hapoor Dam.  Then we drove to the southern section and were met by a large bull elephant guarding his 20 strong herd.  We eventually backed off, turned and left them as he clearly didn’t want us close (you can see he was in musth if you look closely behind his eye in the picture of the herd on the road).

Then we were treated to two pairs of lions.  The first two were asleep in the grass though they did condescend to roll over at one point so we got a few quick pictures.  Just round the corner in thick bush were two more males right next to the road and we would have been able to get a great view of them except for the vehicle that stopped literally on top of them, blocking the road and anyone else’s chance of seeing them or getting past! We did get a short look at them as they were disturbed and eventually strode off into thick bush.

It was an excellent day out and a very nice trip down through the park experiencing a variety of landscapes and biomes.  The sea was ahead of us driving south and you get glimpses of the dunes and Algoa Bay whilst the Zuurberg mountains lie off to one side beyond the Sundays River Valley.

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  • Africa far and wide

The Addo Elephant

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!– google_ad_client = “pub-8982229653008092?; google_ad_slot = “2158176860?; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60; //– The Addo Elephant Images of elephant have stayed with me since my post of last week and sparked by Buzzerbeezz, who highlighted a wildlife sanctuary for orangutans,  i’d like to pay tribute to these regal creatures and the conservation work of the […]

Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation

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Elephant Back Safari | Smiley Face Tours

  • Posted on January 3, 2013 by admin in Activity, Addo activity.

    Touch Ride and Feed an Elephant near Addo Elephant part.

     

    Departing from the Day Centre,  A approximate 3 hour exhilarating experience of riding these magnificent animals.

    After the ride, walk with them through the diverse valley bushveld, ravine and forest habitat. At the end of the walk reward the elephants with their favourite treats.

    Depart Daily at 8am, 11 am and 3 pm

    Includes: Ride, walk, feeding the elephants, a light meal and tea, coffee and water


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  • Addo Elephant (2 day 1 night) | Smiley Face Tours

  • Posted on January 3, 2013 by admin in 2 Day 1 night tours, Grahamstown, Port Alfred, Port Elizabeth.

    A 2 day trip visiting the Addo Elephant park, a visit to the Daniel Cheetah Breeding Project, The Reptile and Raptor Centre.with options of riding Elephants and a visit to Schotia Reserve.

    Picking you up from Port Elizabeth, Grahamstown or Port ALfred we head to Addo for a trip through the park looking for the big 5,  We head to Addo town and visit the Raptor and Reptile Centre.  Touching and Learning about snakes owls and other reptiles and birds of prey.

    Once done with touching these animals we will head back into the park and search for the large herds of elephants and the other big 5.

     

    Those who would like to take part in the Scothia Tooth and claw will do so.

    We head to our accommodation and settle ourselves on a working citrus farm.  We prepare the dinner under an African sky.

    The following day breakfast is served and visit the cheetah breeding project.  Here we get to touch a cheetah.  An education about these beautiful elegant feline creatures.

    The rest of the day is spent at one of the other activities found in the area.

    Included:  Dorm Accommodation (upgrade possible), Entrance fees into Addo Elephant Park, Reptile and Raptor Centre Daniel Cheetah Breeding Project, Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Transport and Guide

     

    Optional Extras: Addo Elephant Back Safaris, River Cruise, Schotia Tooth and Claw, Cheetah walk

     


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  • Addo Elephant Day trip | Smiley Face Tours

  • Posted on January 3, 2013 by admin in Day tours, Grahamstown, Port Alfred, Port Elizabeth.

    An encounter with these amazing animals gives your heart a little race.  As these giants walk the fields of Addo they have been known to brush the vehicles.  They are so close that you could even touch them.

    Not only will you see these large animals but also have an option of seeing the other big 5.

     

    We depart from either Grahamstown, Port Elizabeth or Port Alfred at 9 am

    The day is searching for these amazing pachyderms.  We will visit the Reptile and Raptor Centre and get to touch and feel these animals.  The rest of the day is spent looking for the big 5 that roam this amazing park

     

    Tour includes: Park entrance fees, Reptile and Raptor centre gate fees, Guide, Transport and a light lunch.

    Optional Extras: Schotia Tooth and Claw, Elephant Back Safari

     

     


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