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RiverBend Lodge is a mere 55 minutes’ drive from Port Elizabeth and is an ideal malaria-free safari addition to a Garden Route holiday. Personalised game drives are led by enthusiastic and experienced guides, who will ensure you have a truly memorable safari experience.

Lunch time! Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

If you’ve had the chance to see elephants in the wild, then you know how beautiful these giants of the wild are. At Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa, we saw plenty of the residents that give the park its namesake.  One herd we came across had a few young bulls. Our vehicle was parked at a great angle facing this ¨little guy.¨ How tough are these elephants? Well, they were eating briars, briars thick enough to pierce tires on a Land Rover. They eat hundreds of pounds of brush a year, which I guess is good for the vehicles to keep the briars at bay. I love making this suh-weet babe this week’s Suh-Weet Shot.

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Tags: South Africa travel, travel photos

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When did you last see the Big Five? Although some of your overseas friends may think you have lions roaming your back garden, the reality is most South Africans don’t have Kruger National Park on their doorstep. In fact, many locals believe a lot of planning – and money – is required to see some of Africa’s most coveted creatures.

To show you that a Big Five experience is more accessible than you think, we’ve handpicked a selection of parks and reserves, all within reasonably short drives from a major city. Although not fully inclusive, the following spots have been chosen for their accessibility, quality and, of course, the presence of those fearsome five: lion, elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros. Just remember: a game reserve isn’t a national park, so don’t expect a miniature Kruger.

Big Five near Johannesburg

Take a drive to these two top reserves within a few hours of Joburg.

Pilanesberg Game Reserve

Imagine being able to say you encountered the Big Five while driving around the crater of an extinct volcano with a dam at its centre. That’s what you get at Pilanesberg Game Reserve. Since it’s Sun City’s neighbour, you can combine fun family activities with a journey through 55 000 hectares of wilderness. Incorporating a number of luxury lodges, you have the chance to see the Big 5 with everything from elephantback safaris to guided game drives and hiking trails, or you can visit for the day and navigate the reserve in your own vehicle.

Getting to Pilansberg

From Pretoria, take the N4 to Rustenburg. Turn right onto the R565 to Pilanesberg.

What Pilanesberg costs

Day visits from R65 a person and R20 a vehicle. Accommodation is from R750 at Black Rhino Lodge to R4 280 for two people sharing a night at Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge. Tel 014-555-1600, pilanesberg@nwptb.co.za, www.pilanesberggamereserve.com.

Mabula Game Reserve

Of the smaller reserves, Mabula Game Reserve, at just 1 200 hectares, still packs a punch. Here in the foothills of the Waterberg Mountain Range you’ll come across hippo, African python and Nile crocodile in addition to the Big Five. Day trips to Mabula are not an option, but overnight guests can choose from activities that include horse and night safaris, bush walks, snake demonstrations, archery, spa treatments and hot-air-balloon safaris.

Getting to Mabula Game Reserve

Take N1 towards Pretoria and turn onto Pietersburg highway to Bela Bela. Take the Codrington off-ramp, turn left at yield sign and proceed for about 5 km before turning right at the T-junction. Go left at the garage and pass the Forever Resorts Aventura to the traffic circle. Turn left onto the Thabazimbi/Rooiberg road for 34 km. Turn right onto Rooiberg Road and follow the signs.

What Mabula Game Reserve costs

Overnight accommodation is from R1 785 a person and includes three meals and two safaris. Tel 014-734-7000, reservations@lodge.mabula.co.za, www.mabula.com.

Big Five near Port Elizabeth

These four game reserves are worth a drive from the city.

Kariega Game Reserve

Although not open to day-trippers, Kariega Game Reserve, 140 kilometres from Port Elizabeth, offers an unusual game-viewing experience by canoe or boat on the Bushman’s River. Walking on the predator-free, eastern River Lodge section is a popular activity and game drives tend to be personalised with small groups of guests.

Getting to Kariega Game Reserve

From Port Elizabeth, take the N2 to Grahamstown and turn right onto the R72 to Kenton-On-Sea. Then take the R343 and look for signs after 14 km.

What Kariega Game Reserve costs

Full-board rates start from R2 200 a person a night sharing at Main Lodge, R2600 at Ukhozi Lodge and R2 800 at River Lodge. Tel 046-636-7904, res2@kariega.co.za, www.kariega.co.za.

Addo Elephant National Park

At Addo Elephant National Park there’s no need for luxury lodges, ranger-guided safaris and fancy chefs. In fact, if you’re in the park for a day trip, why not have one of the local hop-on guides join you in your vehicle? Apart from seeing the Big Five, including herds of up to 100 elephant, Addo offers excellent bird-watching. South Africa’s thirdlargest national park covers 180 000 hectares and a wide diversity of landscapes, fauna and flora, making it one of the best game-viewing experiences near a major city.

Getting to Addo Elephant National Park

Take the N2 towards Grahamstown. Turn left at the sign to Motherwell and Addo Elephant National Park. Turn left at the top of the off-ramp and follow this road until you see the park entrance on the right.

What Addo Elephant National Park costs

Day visitors pay a conservation fee of R38 for South African residents (unless you have a Wild Card). Accommodation is from R175 (camping) to R2 760 (guesthouse) a person a night sharing. Tel 042-233-8600, addoenquiries@sanparks.org, www.sanparks.org/parks/addo.

Lalibela Game Reserve

Only an hour from Port Elizabeth, Lalibela’s entire population of animals is free-roaming as there are no public roads cutting through the 7 500 hectares of savanna, fynbos and acacia woodland. An excellent children’s programme allows kids to explore the reserve with their own ranger and vehicle, giving mom and dad some peace and quiet. Night drives give you the chance to spot the elusive bat-eared fox, aardvark, black-backed jackal and aardwolf. Day trips are not available.

Getting to Lalibela Game Reserve

Take the N2 towards Grahamstown. About 13 km after crossing the Bushman’s River look for a sign to Lalibela.

What Lalibela Game Reserve costs

Full-board rates are from R2 165 a person sharing. Specials are available for South African residents. Tel 041-581-8170, res@lalibela.co.za, www.lalibela.net.

Amakhala Game Reserve

A mere 40 minutes from Port Elizabeth’s airport, and neighbouring Addo, Amakhala Game Reserve is one of the more luxurious options for catching the Big Five as well as the more elusive hyena and bat-eared fox. Many of the animals have been introduced into the area as part of Amakhala’s efforts to re-establish the flora and fauna found here generations ago. The reserve offers six-hour safaris for day visitors, which includes a river cruise.

Getting to Amakhala Game Reserve

Take the N2 towards Grahamstown. After about 73 km look for signs to the reserve.

What Amakhala Game Reserve costs

Day visitors pay R980 a person (includes a game drive, river cruise and lunch). Overnight rates are from R1 750 at Quartermain’s Camp to R4 180 at the Bush Lodge. Specials available. Tel 046-636-2750, central-res@amakhala.co.za, www.amakhala.co.za.

Big Five near Durban

You’ll have to drive for a little longer than two hours to see the Big Five near Durban.

Hluhluwe-Umfolozi

The oldest proclaimed park in Africa, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, is one of the only state-run parks in KwaZulu-Natal. In addition to black rhino, it has the largest white rhino population in the world, making it well worth the three-hour drive. Despite covering 96 000 hectares of hilly geography you can expect to see a variety of animals, even if you visit for just a day. Game-viewing options for visitors include self-drive, guided game drives and walks, as well as boat trips on Hluhluwe Dam. A number of lodges and camps cater for a range of budgets.

Getting to Hluhluwe-Umfolozi

From Durban take the N2 north for 220 km and turn left onto the R618 west.

What Hluhluwe-Umfolozi costs

Day visitors can choose between a three-hour game drive at R200 a person or a seven-hour option at R500 a person. Daily conservation fees of R110 an adult and R55 a child apply (unless you have a Wild Card) and overnight rates are from R480 a twosleeper unit a night. Tel 035- 562-0848 or 033-845-1000, email bookings@kznwildlife. com, www.kznwildlife.com.

Phinda Private Game Reserve

If you are looking for luxury then head to Phinda Private Game Reserve. Not open to day visitors, this reserve is home to the Big Five as well as antelope, nyala and 415 bird species. It’s also well known to be an excellent place to spot cheetah which are fitted with tracking devices to guarantee sightings. The landscape is a mix of woodlands, grassland, wetland, forest and mountains. Take it all in from a canoe bobbing along the Mzinene River.

Getting to Phinda Private Game Reserve

Follow the N2 from Durban and take the Phinda off-ramp and turn right onto a bridge. At the T-junction turn left onto gravel road, cross a railway line and turn immediately right.

What Phinda Private Game Reserve costs

Full-board from R3 995 a person a night. Tel 035-562-0271, www.phinda.com.

Big Five near Cape Town

Often thought to be on the wrong side of the country to easily catch the Big Five, this isn’t true, as there are several opportunities for a malaria-free safari in the Western Cape. The N1 is your road to Cape Town’s Big Five reserves. If you were feeling ambitious, you could tick off a number of bucket-list items in one go as you pass through the winelands to get to the reserves.

Aquila Private Game Reserve

Aquila Private Game Reserve made headlines in 2011 when poachers struck, killing several rhinos. Security has since been increased, with one recent visitor commenting that the four remaining white rhinos are very impressive, but appear to be under 24-hour armed guard. So you’ll feel paparazzi-like when snapping your photos of these animals and their bodyguards. Aquila is a family-friendly option with quad-biking and horse-riding safaris and attracts a number of day visitors. Although sold as free-roaming, seasoned game viewers may find the reserve has some zoo-like qualities, with buffalo being herded to watering holes and the seven lion kept in a separate smaller enclosure. But this does mean you’ll easily spot most of the Big Five, a good option if you don’t have much time.

Getting to Aquila Private Game Reserve

Travel 130 km from Cape Town on the N1 to Touws River, turn left onto the R46 to Ceres and look for Aquila on your left.

What Aquila Private Game Reserve costs

Day trips are R1 300 a person (include drinks, game drive and lunch). Overnight rates start from R2 095 a person a night sharing and include two game drives and lunch. Tel 0861-7373-783, res@aquilasafari.com, www.aquilasafari.com.

Inverdoorn Game Reserve and Safari Lodge

Inverdoorn Game Reserve and Safari Lodge, two-anda- half hours’ drive from Cape Town, is located near Ceres. At 10 000 hectares and with more than 1 200 animals, it’s a reasonably priced option for a day trip to see the Big Five. Some visitors have expressed disappointment at the confined nature of the game drives, where fences make it appear as if the animals are on display as you pass, but if you have only a little time to spare it’s worth it. Predators are kept in separate enclosures, meaning you’re bound to see each of the Big Five. Once you’ve ticked these animals off your list, you can also get up close to cheetah at the reserve’s cheetah rehabilitation programme.

Getting to Inverdoorn Game Reserve Safari Lodge

From Cape Town take the N1 to Worcestor, turn left onto the R43, then right onto the R46 to Ceres. Continue through the town until you see a sign for the R355 to Calvinia and Sutherland. Turn onto the R355 dirt road and drive for 6 km before turning right onto the R356. Drive for 7,4 km until you reach a fork in the road. Take the left split and continue until you see Inverdoorn on your left.

What Inverdoorn Game Reserve Safari Lodge costs

Game drives are from R780 a person (include welcome drinks). DBB rates start from R1520 a person a night sharing. Tel 021- 434-4639, info@inverdoorn.com, www.inverdoorn.com.

Fairy Glen

For those with a strong aversion to long trips, the closest Big Five reserve to Cape Town is Fairy Glen, located an hour from the Mother City just past Worcester at the foot of the Brandwacht Mountains. Visitors to Cape Town’s only free-roaming Big Five private game reserve have the chance to see animals among fynbos and proteas unique to the Western Cape. Because of its close proximity to Cape Town, Fairy Glen’s organised day safari is very popular among day-trippers, but for those wanting to avoid the security of a 4×4, guided horseback tours are available in the game reserve, which touts itself as ‘Cape Town’s only free-roaming Big Five safari’.

Getting to Fairy Glen

Take the N1 from Cape Town to Worcester. In Worcester, turn left onto Brandwacht Road, following the signs to Fairy Glen. If Brandwacht Road is closed take the N1 to Worcester.

Go past the Shell Ultra City on your left and take the next off-ramp left. You will pass through two circles and get to a stop street. Turn right here and follow the signs to Fairy Glen.

What Fairy Glen costs

Day trips start from R1 225 a person and include breakfast and a buffet lunch. Overnight rates start from R1 850 a person a night sharing and include dinner, lunch, breakfast and a game drive. Kids between five and 12 years receive discounted rates. Tel 086-1244-348, reservations@fairyglen.co.za, www.fairyglen.co.za.

Spend more time on safari

Keep in mind that if you have only a day to spend looking for the Big Five, you may not find them, and don’t expect the same experience as a multi-day safari would offer. If you can, make the time and spend a little longer on your journey. Would you explore Angkor Wat, the Amazon, or the wild streets of New York in only one day?

 

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Tags: Addo Elephant National Park, Amakhala Game Reserve, Aquila Private Game Reserve, Big Five, Fairy Glen, Hluhluwe Dam, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, Inverdoorn Game Reserve and Safari Lodge, Kariega Game Reserve, Lalibela Game Reserve, Mabula Game Reserve, Phinda Private Game Reserve, Pilanesberg Game Reserve

Somewhere deep in the Eastern Cape lies a sanctuary for elephants, as well as a sanctuary for weary holiday-makers. This sanctuary is called the Woodall Adoo Country House and Spa and they’ve got a range of safari and spa packages for you. We went ahead and scoped them out and found a package with the best of both worlds – including both pampering and animal watching. This is what we came up with…

Feel spoiled and take in the wildlife all in one go with Woodall Addo’s Elephant Safari and Health Spa Package. This option offers the most for your money this winter featuring a 2-night stay, dinner, and a safari tour. Of course, a 2-night stay can mean anything nowadays but we did say the most for your money, right? Well, this 2-night stay will land you in the crème de la crème of Woodall Addo rooms – the Luxury Room Suite. As a mater of fact, there is so much you get with this package that we couldn’t simply squeeze it all in one little paragraph. Here goes!

Upon your arrival Woodall Addo will thank you for your patronage with a drink. You will then be lead to the spa treatment of your choice – the hydrotherapy bath or sauna, or the steam shower that ha sheen infused with aromatherapy oils. These invigorating treatments are followed by a foot message for the neglected heels and toes. And then you will be kept busy with snacks while you wait for dinner to be prepared. And this wait may be long, but it is very much warranted as it is not any old meal.

Dinner at Woodall Addo for the Elephant Safari and Health Spa package is a mouthwatering six course rendezvous. This meal may consist of a range of the following items: Karoo venison, freshly caught East Coast fish, home-made stocks, freshly baked bread, and local cheeses. Many of the veggies and herbs will directly from Woodall Addo’s very own herb and vegetable gardens. And your Proudly South African wines will be brought to you from an underground cellar. From dinner you can choose to retire to your room or explore the grounds further.

Woodall Addo will have a jam-packed day 2 in store for you. The game drive to Addo National Elephant Park will take you on a breathtaking wildlife tour that will leave you in awe for an amazing 4.5 hour commencing at 8h30. This journey will include transfer, entrance to the game park, drinks, snacks, a private ranger and a ride in an open Landcruiser. This bundu bashing excursion will be followed by an African Wood Massage which entails a 90-minute olive oil and shea butter treatment. The rest of the evening will be much like the first day with sundowner snacks before another luxurious dinner.

For more information on Woodall Addo’s Elephant Safari and Health Spa package or other packages, visit their website at www.woodall-addo.co.za.

By Leoa’s  Photography
No real name given
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This photo was taken on April 4, 2012.

Sunset at the Woody Cape
I’m currently busy camera trapping at the Woody Cape section of the Addo Elephant National Park. This section of the park is separated from the main camp area and thus, unfortunately, isn’t home to any of the elephants found in the main game area. However it is home to plenty of Bushbuck – and based on my camera trapping success thus far not much more. (But I’m hoping that will change over time.)

A male Bushbuck (Bosbok – Tragelaphus sylvaticus) in the Woody Cape thicket
Most of the vegetation of the Woody Cape section of the reserve consists of dense coastal dunes and very dense thickets. This vegetation is generally know as Albany Thicket. In some places the thicket starts to transition into the beginnings of a “true” forest.

This dense habitat is proving tricky to camera trap in. It is very hard for me (and I believe most other animals) to move around in the dense thicket and even the game trails are usually only Bushbuck size or smaller.

Illustrating the vegetation as it changes from coastal dune plants to thicket plants
I also believe that thickets and forests have lower mammal species richness and animal density compared to a similar area of Bushveld, Savannah, etc.

However, camera trapping is at it’s best when faced with a challenge and I’ve got my sight set on unlocking the secrets of the Woody Cape (and its surrounds).

Bushnell Trophy Cam keeping an eye on the prize
The Bushbuck is a very sexually dimorphic species of African antelope with the male and female looking very different, especially down here in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is the most widely distributed antelope species and is found across most of sub-Saharan Africa, wherever there is suitable habitat.

The female Bushbuck is usually a lighter brown colour than the male, with some white spots and a varying amount of vertical stripes across the body. The females don’t have any horns.

A young female sneaking past the camera
The male is a much darker colour and sports a pair of impressive horns. They are said to put up a fierce fight when hunted, even killing dogs, leopards and people. The males are up to 80 cm high at the shoulders and can weigh 45 kg.

A male checking out my Cuddeback Capture camera trap
Bushbuck are mostly browsers (preferring leaves), but they will also eat some grass. They are mostly active during the night, but can also be seen during the day.

An interesting set of photographs I got showed a female Bushbuck covered in flies. She doesn’t seem to be in particularly bad condition, so I’m not sure why she has such a large amount of flying pestering her.

A female Bushbuck covered in flies
These photographs also show the curious patch of bare skin (or short hair) at the back of the neck. I’ve noticed this spot on other Bushbuck as well. The patch of bare skin seems to be part of a short haired “collar” around the neck. Sadly I couldn’t find any reference to it in any of the field guides, so it remains a mystery…

Clearly showing the patch of bare skin (or short hair) on the back of the neck
It has been a slow start at the Woody Cape, but there’s still plenty to explore, so let’s keep our fingers crossed!

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!– google_ad_client = “pub-8982229653008092″; google_ad_slot = “2158176860″; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60; //– I had fun driving around the Addo Elephant National Park, one of the parks belonging to South African National Parks. The zebras provided a brilliant opportunity for some detailed photos. I just love the striking black and white patterns and these […]

Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation

Go to:My Addo

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I had fun driving around the Addo Elephant National Park, one of the parks belonging to South African National Parks. The zebras provided a brilliant opportunity for some detailed photos. I just love the striking black and white patterns and these are some of my favorites in the set. Close up of zebra, Addo Elephant […]

Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation

Go to:My Addo

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14 Comments A is for Addo Elephant National Park 24 January 2012   I have joined a group of international bloggers who are taking up the challenge set by blogger, Julie Fox (a British Ex Pat writing about living and travelling in Portugal) to write a personal A-Z of their country.  Each letter of the […]

Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation

Go to:My Addo

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Article source: http://lindadoke.blogspot.com/2012/03/addo-elephant-82km-trail-run.html

Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation

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Annemarie Hoiting

Monday, November 28, 2011

What else can a student wish besides studying and traveling at the same time? South Africa is the opportunity to see something of the world during your study. The lodge and wildlife module of Stenden offers a journey along the tourism sector in South Africa and especially the Eastern Cape. During this semester the facets of the lodge industry is exposed and many lodges are visited during the module. In this way you are privileged to look inside all most expensive lodges with five star luxury facilities.

The module lodge management offers besides all the lodge visit many guests lectures who are telling their story of the industry from real estate developers to tourism bureaus, from architects to grading specialist. All facets of the industry are covered and come into practice in the module assignment where your own lodge is described. Imagine your own lodge with your own design; swimming pools at each room and luxury restaurants and bars.

Weekends to enjoy the beautiful white beaches of the Wild Coast or shopping in the largest shopping hall of the Eastern Cape at Port Elizabeth. Enjoying a relaxing day on the beach or surfing or going on a hiking tour or mountain biking through the mountains of Hogsback or Tsitsikamma National Park. Or even experience wildlife in Addo Elephant National Park while riding on the back of an Elephant.

Wildlife, a combination of enjoying nature while studying at Madolo’s in the beautiful surrounding of mountain ranges and at the border of the largest game reserve of the area. Having breakfast while giraffes and buffalos are passing by or waking up by the monkey running over the roof of your room. Studying about all the wildlife of South Africa and the environment. In this module you will experience real nature through game drives, an overnight survival, practical and workshops about all facets of life; reptiles, mammals, fish and birds. The module is combined with a community project in Alicedale, you will get to know the people by working together with the kids on the primary school or enjoy the weekly soccer match.

Experience in the holiday or at the end of your journey the beautiful nature of whole South Africa. A trip to Cape Town along the garden route and enjoy the largest bungee jump at the Bloukrans river, see the whales passing by in Plettenberg Bay or climb table mountain and experience Robben island. Or experience real wildlife in the prestigious glory of Kruger National Park and travel through Swaziland, St. Lucia and Drakensberg. South Africa has more glory, history and culture than you can experience in one stay, it is an unforgettable journey and this even while studying. Take this change and come here to experience the beauty of South Africa with your own eyes!

 

14 Comments

A is for Addo Elephant National Park

24 January 2012

 

I have joined a group of international bloggers who are taking up the challenge set by blogger, Julie Fox (a British Ex Pat writing about living and travelling in Portugal) to write a personal A-Z of their country.  Each letter of the alphabet is the basis of the blog and it can be about anything from travel, food, what you hate or love about your country etc.  Bloggers have joined in very enthusiastically from countries like Canada, Portugal, Dominican Republic, Poland, Greece, USA and Australia to name a few – it is turning into something quite exceptional, so, if you have a particular interest in a certain country, look no further, keep an eye on my blog or Facebook page where you will see links to these PERSONAL views.

 

South Africa is all about Adventure and, although other subjects sprang to mind beginning with “A”,  the Addo Elephant National Park  won hands down.   Being a huge fan of elephants coupled with my love of the outdoors and our amazing National Parks also helped.

The original section of the Park was found in 1931 to provide a sanctuary for the eleven remaining elephants in the area.   Today, this finely tuned ecosystem is home to over 500 elephants including buffalo, black rhino, spotted hyena, leopard, a variety of antelope and zebra as well as the unique flightless dung beetle.

The Addo is the third largest of our 19 National Parks covering about 180 000 hectares (444 700 acres).  Plans are well advanced to expanding the Park into a huge mega- Park to include a marine protected area that is home to the world’s largest breeding population of Cape gannets and endangered African penguins.

The Addo is situated in a malaria free area about an hour’s drive from Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, a super addition onto any trip to Cape Town and the Garden Route. 

One can stay in the National Park accommodation which ranges from inexpensive huts to lovely cottages, there is great waterhole and a restaurant and you can book game drives with rangers or just drive around in your own vehicle.  For those who want a little more luxury there are a number of excellent lodges and guesthouse both within the Park or just outside the Park.  They range from 3 – 5 star and can include meals, game drives with rangers in open vehicles, guided walks etc.  I have stayed at both the Park accommodation and also at The River Bend Lodge which is situated within the 17 000 hectare Nyati Private Concession of the Addo.   I thoroughly enjoyed both and have plans to return to the Addo in April as have not visited for a couple of years.

View of River Bend Lodge

INTERESTING FACTS

• The Park has no less than five of South Africa’s seven biomes
• It has one of the densest African elephant populations on earth
• It is home to the unique flightless dung beetle
• Addo incorporates the largest coastal dune field in the southern hemisphere
• The Park boasts the Big Seven (elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, leopard, southern right whales and great white sharks)
• It protects the world’s largest Cape gannet breeding population on Bird Island

And, if you are interested in reading some wonderfully interesting information not only on travel but just daily life in different countries, click onto the Global A – Z logo below, sit back and enjoy.

Click here to find the A – Z challenge around the world

 

 

 

 

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Video : An elephant in Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa (un éléphant dans le Parc national des Éléphants d’Addo)   Addo Elephant National Park, a big five reserve, is situated 72km by road from Port Elizabeth (Eastern Cape, South Africa). Established in 1931 to save 11 Elephants on the brink of extinction. The park has […]

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82 and 50km trails to keep you on your toes… Elephants do not traditionally make good joggers.  As far as running is concerned, these beautiful beasts tend to take it easy, with the occasional moment of ferocious sprinting, trumpeting and ear flapping.   Article source: http://www.whatsuppe.com/2012/eastern-cape-sport/addo-elephant-trail-run/1

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82 and 50km trails to keep you on your toes…

Elephants do not traditionally make good joggers.  As far as running is concerned, these beautiful beasts tend to take it easy, with the occasional moment of ferocious sprinting, trumpeting and ear flapping.

 

Written by Staff Reporter

The exciting Woody Cape MTB race will take place on May 5 in Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA – ONE of the more diverse and exciting Mountain Bike and Trail runs in the Eastern Cape takes place on Saturday, May 5, within the Alexandria Forest region.

The Woody Cape MTB and Trail Challenge is an exciting event for off-road athletes with four simultaneously running events on offer. A tough 55km Mountain Bike event will be paired with an equally exciting but somewhat less strenuous 18km version.

For the trail running enthusiasts organisers Zports have mapped out a spectacular 18km trail run and 5km fun run version.

All events will start and finish at the breath-taking Elephants of Eden, an elephant Sanctuary situated in the heart of the Alexandria forest belt. The farm, owned by Ian and Lisette Withers of the Knysna Elephant Park, is home to over half a dozen African Elephants and other game.

“We are very excited about this event which we believe is one of the most diverse off-road events in the Province,” said event organiser Mike Zoetmulder of Zports. “Participants will be challenged with a variety of terrains and gradients which will be offset by breath-taking views of the largest dune fields south of the equator, indigenous forest, farm lands and a variety of game.”

Other than Elephants of Eden, participants will also pass through neighbouring Kaba Game farm which is home to the International Quest Africa leadership school and a variety of game including giraffe and buffalo. From Kaba participants will tackle a 23km section of the Addo Elephant National Park, the third largest national park in the country, where the Woody Cape region consists of pristine indigenous forest.

“Due to the nature of the events on offer, we will not be taking any late entries for the Woody Cape Mountain Bike and 18km Trail Run events after our online entries close on Thursday May 3.” added Zoetmulder. “This is definitely not an experience which off-roaders will want to miss as it’s not something which they’re able to do on their own.”

The event is held in association with the local Alexandria NG Kerk fete which takes place in Alexandria on the Saturday morning with proceeds of the event going towards the church’s local community projects. Online entries till Thursday May 3 are available on www.woodycapemtb.co.za

Addo Elephant Park Accommodation

Nestled in the heart of the Sundays River Valley, on the doorstep of the Addo Elephant National Park, and close to Shamwari and Schotia Reserves, Woodall Country House lies tucked away on a peaceful citrus farm where miles of citrus trees bear fruit all winter and scent the air with blossoms in the springtime.

Addo Elephant Park Accommodation

Video : An elephant in Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa 
(un éléphant dans le Parc national des Éléphants d’Addo)

 

Addo Elephant National Park, a big five reserve, is situated 72km by road from Port Elizabeth (Eastern Cape, South Africa). Established in 1931 to save 11 Elephants on the brink of extinction. The park has proved to be very successful and currently houses more than 450 elephants and a large number of other mammals (and ostriches as viewed in this video)

Addo Elephant Park, a sanctuary for a wide range of South Africa’s Wildlife, is located in the 120 000 ha of land in the thick bushveld of the Sundays River, in the Eastern Cape.

The park is the third largest one in South Africa.

Le Parc national des Éléphants d’Addo (en : Addo Elephant National Park) est un parc national dédicacé aux éléphants d’Afrique, situé au nord de Port Elizabeth, Cap-Oriental en Afrique du Sud.

Le parc fut fondé en 1931, suite aux efforts de Sydney Skaife, pour offrir un sanctuaire aux 11 éléphants rescapés de la région. Il accueille désormais plus de 450 éléphants, ainsi que de nombreux autres mammifères (et des autruches comme on peut voir dans cette vidéo)

Location (situation géographique) Addo Elephant National Park :

View Larger Map

Written by: Derrick Spies

Every game reserve in South Africa goes through periods of loss and new life and Pumba Private Game Reserve is no exception.

The reserve recently lost a very influential member of the Eastern Cape’s natural history with the passing of Hapoor Junior,  but on a positive note welcomed some new arrivals between October and February this year.

Hapoor Junior (aged 58) was the Eastern Cape’s most famous elephant bull.  He was sired by legendary Hapoor, the dominating bull who reigned over all in the Addo Elephant National Park from 1944 – 1958.

Hapoor Junior was born in the Addo Elephant National Park in 1954. He wasrelocated to Pumba Private Game Reserve in 2005, when the Addo Elephant National Park decided to relocate twelve big bulls to Private Reserves in the Eastern Cape, to diminish the competition and fighting amongst the bulls in Addo.

At the time of relocation, Hapoor Junior had been the dominating bull in Addo for 26 years, during which time he had killed eight other bulls who had challenged his dominance. Hapoor passed away from injuries sustained when he was attacked by his brother Nick, another dominant bull, last month.

Since October last year, three baby Hippopotamus have been conceived bringing the pod’s numbers to nine, filling the air with their characteristic calls which echo through the valleys, a highlight for of many guests’ stays.

The plains are active with an amazing variety of baby Wildebeest, Haartebeest, Eland, Zebra, Impala, Blesbuck, the infamous Warthog and an abundance of antelope.

The White Lioness and her cub have settled down well in their new environment exhibiting extremely good hunting skills, provided many a guest staying at Msenge Bush Lodge, with amazing sightings of them, while hunting Warthog and other plains game.

The Acacia Thickets scattered around the reserve, abound with new Giraffe calves, which are doing extremely well, since the Lions attention has shifted to easier game to prey upon.

The reserve is undoubtedly at its very best at the moment, following the prolonged drought experienced over a period of three years, which was broken just under a year ago. The Thickets and opens plains are full of colour and life, while insects busily go about their work looking for food and assisting in the future procreation of nature. It is truly magical, hardships have passed and new life has begun.

 

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