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Addo and Kirkwood Accommodation
This aerial view of Addo Elephant National Park captures the vast, open landscapes of South Africa’s iconic wildlife reserve. A lone vehicle travels along a dusty trail surrounded by scattered … Read More at the Source
This aerial view of Addo Elephant National Park captures the vast, open landscapes of South Africa’s iconic wildlife reserve. A lone vehicle travels along a dusty trail surrounded by scattered …
Guide shows the huge positive effect Solar has had on flattening the demand curve How every Solar Installer can optimise your electricity savings on TOU (Time of Use Tarrif) What the Full-Day Dispatch Model will do for your solar installation SA’s embedded rooftop solar installation base is growing by over 1 GW per year Straton …
Straton Solar have recently published a free guide for installers and users of solar energy showing just how dramatic an effect the installed base of Small Scale Embedded Solar Generation has had on flattening the midday demand curve. In addition a clear guide on ow to maximise your return using Solar Panels, Batteries and the TOU Tariff effectively.
Click here for the entire report and interactive tables: https://straton.co.za/flattening-the-curve-what-every-solar-installer-needs-to-know/ and full article.
A flatter load curve means less strain on generation and transmission infrastructure, fewer emergency generation events, a more stable grid frequency, and a lower average cost of electricity production for everyone. For your clients it means genuine energy independence at the moments that matter — morning and evening, every day, not just during load shedding. For the industry it means installations that can be pointed to as a demonstrated contribution to grid stability rather than a rooftop accessory that happens to reduce one person’s electricity bill.
The following summarises the intent behind each phase of the dispatch approach described above. How each is achieved depends on the inverter platform, site conditions, and available controls. The goal in each case is clearly stated; the method is for the installer to determine.
The panels are the easy part. Anyone can put panels on a roof. The value you add as an installer is in the intelligence of what sits behind them — a dispatch strategy that puts stored energy into the grid at the moments of greatest need, twice a day, every day, summer and winter.
A battery configured for active full-day dispatch is doing its job. Everything else is leaving the work half done.
Boilerplate and Editor’s Notes.
More Info on Solar Battery Efficiency Guide Stops Wasted Capacity and Optimises Your Dispatch Strategy here:
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GOOD Statement by Suzette Little, GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor: Large chunks of concrete and masonry have broken away from Addo Hof, a multi-storey public housing block in Elsies River owned and managed by the City of Cape Town, landing in an open area where residents, elderly people and young children walk every …
GOOD Statement by Suzette Little, GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor:
Large chunks of concrete and masonry have broken away from Addo Hof, a multi-storey public housing block in Elsies River owned and managed by the City of Cape Town, landing in an open area where residents, elderly people and young children walk every day. A red tape now marks the debris field. It is the only intervention visible on the ground.
This did not happen without warning. In June 2023, GOOD Councillor Suzette Little formally notified the City’s Human Settlements management of the structural deterioration at these flats. That letter recorded crumbling staircases, unsafe landings and a near-miss in which a young child narrowly escaped being struck by falling masonry. The City was explicitly warned. Nearly three years later, the concrete is still falling.
Photographs taken on the morning of 13 May 2026 tell the story without ambiguity. One shows rubble scattered at the base of the building while residents stand nearby, staring at the debris. The second is more alarming still, an upper-floor balcony where concrete has entirely detached, exposing corroded steel reinforcing bars. This is what structural engineers describe as an active and accelerating failure mode. The question is no longer whether more material will fall, but when, and who will be standing below when it does.
According to Councillor Little, the DA-led City’s response over three years has amounted to a temporary patchwork: steel plates bolted over cracks, fresh paint applied to deteriorating facades. No independent structural engineer has been commissioned to assess these buildings. No occupation certificates have been produced, despite repeated formal requests. No comprehensive safety assessment of any affected block has been published or, as far as residents are aware, ever undertaken.
The residents of Addo Hof have nowhere else to go. They are tenants in a building that the City both owns and is legally responsible for maintaining to a safe and habitable standard. They cannot commission their own engineers. They cannot compel repairs. They can only document what is collapsing around them and hope that someone with authority acts before the next piece of concrete falls on a person rather than a pavement.
GOOD demands an immediate independent structural engineering assessment of all affected blocks; the public release of all structural reports and occupation certificates; a full accounting of contractors appointed, and repair work completed; immediate protective safety measures for residents; and a public community meeting. The City has not responded to any of these demands.
If a resident is killed or seriously injured by a structural collapse in the days or weeks ahead, the paper trail will be unambiguous. The warnings were issued in 2023. The correspondence is on record. The only question remaining is whether the DA-led City of Cape Town will act while it still can or only after it is too late.
GOOD Manifesto on Corruption: A commitment to fighting corruption and promoting transparency in government.
Choose your Addo Experience:
Source: MyZA.co.za.
Dawn comes softly to Addo-Elefanten-Nationalpark, the sky over Addo Elephant National Park (meaning “elephant” in the local Khoekhoe language) bruised purple as dust glows in the first light. Somewhere in the thicket, a low rumble rolls through the valley, and then you see them: a family of elephants emerging one by one, feet crunching on …
Dawn comes softly to Addo-Elefanten-Nationalpark, the sky over Addo Elephant National Park (meaning “elephant” in the local Khoekhoe language) bruised purple as dust glows in the first light. Somewhere in the thicket, a low rumble rolls through the valley, and then you see them: a family of elephants emerging one by one, feet crunching on dry earth just a few yards from your vehicle in South Africa’s Eastern Cape.
For American travelers dreaming of safari but wary of long transfers, eye-watering luxury lodge prices, or malaria zones, Addo-Elefanten-Nationalpark near the town of Addo in South Africa’s Eastern Cape is a compelling alternative. Known locally as Addo Elephant National Park and managed by South African National Parks (SANParks), this protected area is famous for its dense population of African elephants and its easy access from the coastal city of Gqeberha (still widely referred to as Port Elizabeth).
What makes Addo stand out, even in a country filled with legendary reserves, is its scale and diversity. According to SANParks and the non-profit conservation group WWF South Africa, the park stretches from semi-arid bushveld inland all the way to a wild marine reserve in Algoa Bay, creating a rare “Big 7” experience: elephant, lion, buffalo, rhino, leopard, southern right whale, and great white shark. On a single trip, you can watch elephants at a waterhole, scan for lions in spekboom thickets, and then head to the coast to spot penguins and whales in season.
The atmosphere is profoundly different from the manicured feel of some luxury private reserves. Addo Elephant National Park feels lived-in and elemental: red-dirt roads, wind-brushed fynbos (a scrubby, aromatic plant biome unique to South Africa), and scattered herds of kudu, zebras, and warthogs moving through a landscape that looks almost unchanged since early conservationists first fenced it to save the last local elephants from extinction.
To understand Addo-Elefanten-Nationalpark, it helps to know that the park was born out of crisis. In the early 20th century, as British colonial farmers expanded into the fertile Sundays River Valley near Addo, conflict between people and elephants escalated sharply. Historical accounts cited by SANParks and the conservation organization Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) note that hundreds of elephants were shot in the early 1900s to protect crops and settlements.
By the mid-1920s, only a small group of elephants survived in the Addo region—often described in park records as fewer than two dozen. Concerned about the near-eradication of these animals, the South African government eventually stepped in. Following recommendations by conservationist Sidney Harold Skead and others, the state created a formal sanctuary. SANParks records and the South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment both confirm that Addo Elephant National Park was officially proclaimed in 1931.
Those early years were rough. The original park area was much smaller than it is today and surrounded by farms, and elephants repeatedly broke through inadequate fencing. Over several decades, conservation authorities refined the boundaries and introduced practical solutions, such as the now-famous citrus-scented fence line: early managers discovered elephants disliked the smell of citrus and used this to help keep them from raiding groves.
From the 1950s onward, Addo’s story is one of cautious but steady expansion. According to SANParks annual reports and South African government gazettes, the park has grown through multiple land additions and marine protections into a conservation area that now covers several hundred square miles, including coastal and offshore islands. The once-tiny elephant population has rebounded to several hundred individuals, with SANParks and national tourism sources describing Addo as having one of the densest elephant populations in the world in a relatively contained area.
For American readers, a useful timeline comparison: Addo’s formal protection dates back to 1931, just a year before Franklin D. Roosevelt won his first U.S. presidential election. In other words, the park has been a sanctuary for nearly as long as the modern American conservation era defined by the National Park Service, created in 1916.
Over time, Addo’s mission has broadened beyond elephants. State and NGO sources emphasize its role as a safe zone for black rhinos, Cape buffalo, and critically endangered species like the flightless African penguin on offshore islands. In South African conservation circles, Addo is now seen not just as an elephant park, but as a multi-ecosystem stronghold tying together terrestrial, coastal, and marine environments under one management authority.
Unlike urban landmarks or architect-designed museums, Addo-Elefanten-Nationalpark is primarily about landscape and wildlife. Still, there are built environments and features that shape the visitor experience and reflect a specific conservation ethos.
The main rest camp near the Matyholweni and Addo gates includes a visitor center, reception, a restaurant, and a string of rondavel-style accommodations. Rondavels are round, single-story dwellings common in southern Africa, typically with thatched roofs; SANParks’ design nods to this tradition while using modern materials. The architecture is low-slung, with earth-tone walls and dark roofs meant to blend into the surrounding bush rather than dominate it. According to SANParks design guidelines, new structures in the park are evaluated on their visual impact and environmental footprint, a practice similar to design controls in many U.S. national parks.
One of the most memorable “built” features is actually a piece of low-key infrastructure: the underground hide at the main camp’s waterhole. From this tunnel-like viewing bunker, you can stand almost at ground level as elephants, buffalo, and other animals arrive to drink just a few feet away, separated by a secure wall. Travel writers at outlets like National Geographic Traveler and Condé Nast Traveler have described the hide as one of the best ways in South Africa to see elephants up close without disturbing them.
Elsewhere, the park’s character is defined by its network of gravel game-viewing roads, picnic sites, and lookouts such as Zuurkop, which offers panoramic views over rolling hills and thick spekboom vegetation. Spekboom, a succulent shrub, is not just scenery: South African environmental researchers often cite it for its ability to store carbon, and Addo has used spearheaded restoration projects planting spekboom to rehabilitate overgrazed land.
While Addo is not an art museum, you will find interpretive displays and modest sculptures at the main camp that reference elephants and the park’s broader biodiversity. Educational signage, co-developed with organizations such as BirdLife South Africa and the Endangered Wildlife Trust, highlights everything from vulture conservation to the area’s complex geology.
Crucially, Addo is part of a living cultural landscape. The Eastern Cape is a region with deep Xhosa and Khoekhoe heritage, and while the park is primarily marketed for wildlife, local guides and community-based tour companies in the surrounding Greater Addo area can introduce visitors to village life, traditional cuisine, and regional history—from anti-apartheid struggles to the role of black farmers in today’s citrus industry.
Addo-Elefanten-Nationalpark lies in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, roughly 45 miles (about 70 km) northeast of the coastal city of Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth. For U.S. travelers, the most common route is to fly from a major hub such as New York (JFK or Newark), Atlanta, or Washington, D.C., to Johannesburg or Cape Town—typically a 14–16 hour nonstop flight from the East Coast—then connect on a domestic flight of about 1.5–2 hours to Gqeberha. From the airport, it’s usually about an hour’s drive on paved roads to the main gate.
The park is in the South African Standard Time zone, which is six to seven hours ahead of Eastern Time and nine to ten hours ahead of Pacific Time, depending on the time of year. South Africa does not observe daylight saving time, so the exact difference shifts when U.S. clocks change.
Getting around the park
One of Addo’s biggest draws for Americans is that it is highly self-drive friendly. Like most of South Africa, vehicles drive on the left, which can take a day or two to get used to, but many visitors rent a car at Gqeberha Airport and drive themselves through the park’s network of well-marked roads. SANParks and South African Tourism both highlight Addo as a good introduction to self-guided safaris, particularly compared with more remote parks where roads are rough and signage sparse.
If you prefer not to drive, SANParks rangers and several licensed private operators offer guided game drives in open vehicles. These typically depart at set times in the early morning, late afternoon, and sometimes after dark for night drives. Such guided experiences can be especially useful on your first day, giving you a sense of animal behavior and the layout of the main game area.
Park hours and gate times
Gate and camp opening hours in Addo vary seasonally, usually aligning with sunrise and sunset. In the South African summer (roughly November to February), gates often open early—around 5:30–6:00 a.m.—and close around 6:30–7:00 p.m. In winter (June to August), hours shift later in the morning and earlier in the evening. SANParks stresses that these times are subject to change, so travelers should confirm current gate and camp hours on the official Addo Elephant National Park webpage or by contacting the park directly before arrival.
Admission and conservation fees
Visitors pay a daily conservation fee, similar to entrance fees in U.S. national parks. SANParks publishes updated rates annually and distinguishes between South African residents and international visitors. For planning purposes, international adults can expect to pay a per-day fee that typically converts to a few dozen U.S. dollars, depending on exchange rates, with reduced rates for children. Payment can usually be made by major credit cards or in South African rand (ZAR). Because prices and currency values change, SANParks recommends checking the current “conservation fees” section on its website and budgeting a bit extra in U.S. dollars (USD) for fluctuations.
Best time to visit Addo-Elefanten-Nationalpark
Addo is a year-round destination, but conditions change with the seasons. The Eastern Cape has a relatively mild climate: summer daytime highs often reach the upper 70s to mid-80s °F (about 25–30 °C), while winter days are cooler, sometimes in the 50s and 60s °F (roughly 10–20 °C), with chilly nights.
Wildlife viewing is often considered best during the drier winter months, when vegetation thins out and animals congregate around waterholes, making them easier to spot. However, summer brings green landscapes, young animals, and longer daylight hours. For Americans trying to balance school holidays and weather, the South African spring and fall shoulder seasons—roughly September–October and April–May—often offer a sweet spot of pleasant temperatures and somewhat lighter crowds.
Language, money, and tipping
South Africa has 11 official languages, but English is widely spoken in tourism settings, including Addo Elephant National Park. Park staff, rangers, and most guides communicate comfortably in English, and signage and brochures are available in English as well.
The local currency is the South African rand (ZAR). Credit and debit cards (especially Visa and Mastercard) are commonly accepted at park reception, restaurants, fuel stations, and most lodges in the surrounding Greater Addo area. Carrying a modest amount of cash in rand is still wise for small purchases, tips, and rural stops.
Tipping is customary in South Africa’s service and tourism sectors. At restaurants, a gratuity of about 10–15 percent is standard if service is not included. For guided game drives, many travelers tip the guide and tracker an amount comparable to U.S. norms for specialized tours—often the equivalent of $5–10 (in rand) per guest per drive or more for exceptional service. Lodge staff may receive pooled tips left at reception at the end of a stay.
What to wear and pack
Dress in layers and neutral colors such as browns, greens, and khakis to blend into the bush and avoid startling wildlife. A light jacket is useful for cool early-morning drives, even in summer, and a warm fleece or sweater is recommended for winter evenings. Comfortable, closed-toe shoes or hiking sneakers work well for most activities, along with a wide-brim hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen—the African sun can be intense even when it’s not especially hot.
Binoculars are invaluable for spotting distant animals and birds, and a camera with a zoom lens can transform your experience. That said, it’s important to remember that animals have right-of-way; you should never leave your vehicle except in designated areas, and photographers should respect SANParks’ regulations by keeping a safe distance and not using drones, which are generally prohibited in South African national parks for safety and wildlife protection reasons.
Entry requirements and safety for U.S. citizens
Visa and entry rules can change, so U.S. citizens should always check the latest guidance on the U.S. Department of State’s official portal at travel.state.gov and consult the page specifically dedicated to South Africa. At the time of writing, South Africa has historically allowed many U.S. tourists a visa-free stay for limited periods, but this can be subject to policy adjustments, and passport validity and blank-page requirements are enforced at the border.
On health, the Eastern Cape region around Addo Elephant National Park is typically classified as malaria-free by South African health authorities and major guidebooks, making it especially appealing for families and travelers who prefer to avoid anti-malarial medications. Still, it is wise to consult a travel-medicine specialist before your trip for personalized advice and to review routine vaccinations.
Standard safety precautions apply: keep valuables secure, pay attention to park briefings, and follow ranger instructions at all times. As with U.S. national parks that have bears or bison, wildlife in Addo is truly wild. Feeding animals, getting out of vehicles in unapproved areas, or crowding elephants can be dangerous and is strictly prohibited.
For many international visitors, the South African safari dream centers on Kruger National Park or ultra-luxury private reserves in Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Addo-Elefanten-Nationalpark quietly offers a different, more accessible path—especially if you are already drawn to South Africa’s southern coastline and the famed Garden Route between Cape Town and Gqeberha.
From a U.S. perspective, Addo fits naturally into a road trip that might feel reminiscent of combining a national park drive with a Pacific Coast Highway-style ocean route. You can drive the Garden Route along the Indian Ocean, passing seaside towns, forests, and mountain passes, then swing inland to Addo for several days of wildlife viewing.
What sets Addo apart experientially is the reliability of elephant sightings. Travel journalists and wildlife biologists alike note that, due to its concentrated elephant population, the park offers an unusually high chance of seeing multiple herds in a single day, sometimes at very close range. These elephants are descendants of the small, persecuted population that survived the early 20th century—animals whose recovery symbolizes a conservation success story often cited by SANParks and South Africa’s Department of Tourism.
At the same time, the park remains less crowded and less commercial than some of the country’s most trafficked reserves. You might share a waterhole with only a handful of other vehicles, or follow a gravel loop road for twenty minutes without seeing another car. This quieter atmosphere can appeal to U.S. travelers looking for immersion rather than spectacle.
Addo is also an easy destination for mixed-interest groups. Some family members might be passionate about big mammals; others may care more about birds, landscapes, or local culture. BirdLife South Africa lists the park and its surrounding region as an important bird area, with opportunities to see species such as the secretarybird, various eagles, and the flightless ostrich. Marine-focused travelers can tack on a boat tour from nearby coastal towns to see whales in season, dolphins, and, in certain areas, penguins on offshore islands.
Accommodation options range from self-catering chalets and campsites within the SANParks system to privately owned guesthouses and lodges in the Greater Addo area, some with on-site wildlife experiences and game drives into the park. This diversity makes Addo approachable for a wide range of U.S. budgets—from backpacker-style road trips to high-comfort, mid-range stays.
There is also a powerful emotional dimension to visiting Addo Elephant National Park. Standing near the waterhole hide at dusk, watching elephants silently materialize from scrub as the Southern Cross appears overhead, you are witnessing not just a bucket-list animal encounter, but the outcome of nearly a century of human effort to repair past mistakes. For many travelers, this blend of beauty, history, and ethical travel makes Addo a destination that lingers long after the flight home.
On social platforms, Addo-Elefanten-Nationalpark is often portrayed as both “Kruger in miniature” and a more intimate, family-friendly safari alternative, with countless sunset elephant silhouettes, self-drive clips, and Garden Route road-trip itineraries tying the park into a broader South African adventure.
Addo-Elefanten-Nationalpark — Reactions, moods, and trends across social media:
Addo-Elefanten-Nationalpark, known locally as Addo Elephant National Park, is in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province near the town of Addo. It lies roughly 45 miles (about 70 km) northeast of the coastal city of Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth, making it one of the most accessible major wildlife reserves in the country for visitors arriving by air.
Addo stands out for its dense elephant population, its malaria-free status, and its combination of land and marine protected areas—offering the chance to experience the so-called “Big 7” (including whales and great white sharks in the broader marine section). For U.S. travelers, it offers a flexible, often more affordable alternative to some private reserves, with a strong self-drive infrastructure and a range of accommodation options.
You can do either. Addo Elephant National Park is well suited to self-drive safaris, with clearly marked roads and maps available at the gate. Many visitors combine self-drive days with one or two guided game drives led by SANParks rangers or licensed private guides, which can be especially helpful for spotting more elusive animals and understanding local ecology.
Yes, many families find Addo especially appealing because it is generally considered malaria-free and has good infrastructure, including rest camps, picnic sites, and short driving distances between viewpoints. However, parents should remember that this is a wild environment: children must remain inside vehicles except in designated safe areas, and standard wildlife safety rules always apply.
While it’s possible to get a taste of the park on a single full day, many experienced travelers and guidebooks recommend at least two to three nights. This allows time for multiple game drives in different parts of the park, chances to see wildlife at various times of day, and the flexibility to relax at the camp or combine your visit with nearby coastal or cultural attractions.
Disclaimer…
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With a focus on wellness, this secluded new retreat in the mountains of the Eastern Cape is a thoughtful alternative to busier safari circuits. This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more. Read More at the Source
With a focus on wellness, this secluded new retreat in the mountains of the Eastern Cape is a thoughtful alternative to busier safari circuits. This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.
Aerial view of Hiddn suites and lodge Mantis Hddn If you’re looking for a wellness retreat in a secluded, unique setting surrounded by mountains and undulating green valleys, Mantis Hiddn in Addo is a new, off-grid luxury lodge in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Set in 800 hectares of unpopulated (except by wildlife) mountains …
Aerial view of Hiddn suites and lodge
Mantis Hddn
If you’re looking for a wellness retreat in a secluded, unique setting surrounded by mountains and undulating green valleys, Mantis Hiddn in Addo is a new, off-grid luxury lodge in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Set in 800 hectares of unpopulated (except by wildlife) mountains and wilderness, on the edge of Addo Elephant National Park (the world’s only Big Seven reserve), this new eco-minded lodge pairs low-impact design with wellness and wildlife encounters in one of South Africa’s most underrated regions.
Hiddn safari vehicle
Mantis Hddn
While a proper safari vehicle will take you from the lodge into the nearby elephant park, this isn’t a typical luxury safari lodge opening. This unique lodge in the Eastern Cape is a thoughtful alternative to busier safari circuits, offering visitors a deeper, slower way into South Africa’s wild spaces through wellness perched on top of the Zuurberg mountains with no other human life for miles in every direction, just glorious scenery. While the focus at Hiddn is on wellness, guests will be thrilled to see plenty of wildlife on the drive from the airport. Grazing inside fences along the road, you’re likely to see zebras and elephants, monkeys plundering a citrus farm and nearer the retreat, warthogs and antelope.
Hiddn infinity pool at the main lodge
Mantis Hiddn
The stylish main lodge overlooks the guest lodges below and has a lounge plus an outdoor boma (firepit) and terrace, a bar with an outdoor terrace, and a large infinity pool. Both the main lodge and guest accommodation are designed with a low-carbon, modular approach that blends seamlessly into the landscape. Timber waffle structures allow the buildings to breathe with their surroundings, while living creepers create natural canopies. Designed by the Hiddn development team in collaboration with Mantis, the lodge reflects a holistic, nature-led architectural approach. Art is an important part of Hiddn too with attractive artworks and crafts by local artists on display throughout the hotel and for sale in the Hiddn shop.
A bedroom in a guest suite at Mantis Hddn, South Africa
Mantis Hddn
Twelve splendid one and two bedroom guest lodges are arranged on a hilltop along a path away from the main lodge, ensuring maximum privacy. For larger groups or families, on a different path, are two 4-bedroom Mountain villas, each with their own infinity pools. Each stand alone suite features open views stretching across the surrounding valleys and wilderness. Large expanses of glass and generous outdoor decks create a seamless connection between interior and landscape, keeping nature in constant view, from early morning light to star-filled evenings. Every suite is designed to be a mountain sanctuary, defined by natural textures and a refined simplicity. Timber, stone from local mountains and handcrafted details like lampshades made from upcycled leather and mohair blankets made by a local artisan reflect the setting, while curved structural elements and living greenery give the spaces a fluid, organic feel.
The restaurant at Hddn, South Africa
Mantis Hddn
Meals are served with a view, in the large airy restaurant which has plenty of outdoor seating. Before or after drinks, including cocktails featuring local ingredients are served in the lovely bar. With no fixed menu, even for breakfast, every meal at Mantis Hiddn is based on seasonality and guest preferences. The chef works with foraged ingredients and produce from the kitchen garden below the lodge, shaping an outstanding dining experience that feels deeply connected to its surroundings. The menu combines African influences with Modern European and each dish has been carefully thought out and reflects the landscape. Expect a delicious rack of lamb or handmade pasta and the pastry chef creates handmade chocolates every day.
A KolKol tub on the terrace of a suite at Mantis Hiddn in Addo
Mantis Hiddn
With a focus on wellness, every guest is welcomed with a foot bath and foot massage, very comforting after a long journey. The aim of a stay is to restore balance in every client in terms of physical, emotional, mental, spiritual and environmental well being. Surrounded by breathtaking scenery completely away from the hustle and bustle of normal life could be tonic enough but Hiddn also offers superb wellness treatments by highly skilled therapists.
The therapists are genuinely warm and attentive, using all natural African skincare brands and treatments are often created from wild-harvested plants. The wellness offering is designed to align with the body’s natural rhythms, combining treatments such as lymphatic drainage and deep tissue massage with more immersive experiences, including sound baths, crystal healing, and treatment to support deeper sleep. Treatments are currently in the guest suites with the plan to have a full spa open later this year. Guided yoga and breathwork is also available.
The suites have outdoor traditional “KolKol” tubs which the therapists fill with heady, scented herbs and petals, the ideal place to relax in the evening to enjoy stargazing.
A nature walk with a guide at Hddn, South Africa
Mantis Hddn
Beyond the wellness offering, Hiddn offers game drives in Addo Elephant National Park in their open-air 4×4 safari vehicles, guided walking safaris with the retreat’s on site guides, through the woods past rivers, waterfalls and caves, birdwatching, barbecues on nearby peaks and other surprises.
Addo Elephant Park South Africa
getty
At the Addo Elephant Park, you’ll see elephants of course (there are over 600) as well as zebras, warthogs, antelope species (Kudu, eland, bushbuck) and hyenas. The park advertises itself as housing the “big seven” game animals and if you’re lucky you might see lions, leopards (quite rare), buffalo and black rhinoceros. The other two making up the big seven are whales and great white sharks in the park’s marine reserve.
Hiddn lounge with local art
Mantis Hiddn
Sustainability sits at the core of Hiddn, co-owned by educator and entrepreneur, Andrea Dunkley, who has partnered with Mantis Collection, a well-known conservation-focused hotel group in South Africa. Built using locally sourced, eco-friendly materials, the lodge relies on solar power, water harvesting and recycling systems minimise environmental impact, while restored trails and rewilded areas support free wildlife movement and the regeneration of previously disturbed habitats. Hiddn is confident that animals will continue to return to the rewilded valleys below the retreat and soon it might be possible to see some of the Big Five there.
Ms Dunkley’s Hiddn Foundation supports initiatives focused on education, art and sport, strengthening surrounding communities and advancing sustainable development. Community outreach is key here with support for the local football academy and other groups. The retreat also supports the French rooted Nukukamma Hospitality School, based in Addo, with local hospitality students completing their practical hospitality training at Hiddn in Addo.
The nearest airport is Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), 75km from the lodge. Rates start from £2,000 per suite per night (Panoramic Mountain Suites; based on two people sharing; fully inclusive including treatments, food and transfer from Port Elizabeth airport.)
This secluded new retreat in the Eastern Cape is a thoughtful alternative to busier safari circuits, with a focus on wellness. Read More at the Source
This secluded new retreat in the Eastern Cape is a thoughtful alternative to busier safari circuits, with a focus on wellness.
South Africa’s Garden Route is a 300-kilometer stretch of coastal beauty filled with beaches, forests, wildlife, and charming towns. From Knysna’s dramatic Heads to Tsitsikamma’s suspension bridges … Read More at the Source
South Africa’s Garden Route is a 300-kilometer stretch of coastal beauty filled with beaches, forests, wildlife, and charming towns. From Knysna’s dramatic Heads to Tsitsikamma’s suspension bridges …
I have been there – the constant grind looking for relevant South African content for an online publication can be frustrating, time consuming and expensive. MyPR offers a neat solution. The bottom line: Subscribe to the MyPR.co.za newsletter or use MyPR’s targeted RSS feeds for automatic delivery. The long story: In 2010 we established MyPR …
I have been there – the constant grind looking for relevant South African content for an online publication can be frustrating, time consuming and expensive.
MyPR offers a neat solution.
Subscribe to the MyPR.co.za newsletter or use MyPR’s targeted RSS feeds for automatic delivery.
In 2010 we established MyPR for mainly selfish reasons – we needed content for a number of local news sites and brain stormed that conundrum until we came upon a win-win-win-bonus win solution for all.
The concept remains simple to this day:
MyPR offers the opportunity for Public Relations Professionals to self submit press releases to MyPR. We get to publish and distribute those releases to our city specific titles.
The PR Professional gets a press release published and distributed, along with a proof of body of work for existing and potential clients.
Republication by any other content hungry media house is open and free – no permissions required and a handy and free REPUBLISH THIS facility (properly HTML formatted) is displayed alongside every release accessed from our newsletter.
MyPR gets to make a few rands when PR Professionals up their game and sign up for our Featured Release service. Whilst PR Professionals get maximum exposure from more publications.
Don’t forget that if you, as a PR Professional, are using media monitoring then your efforts are immediately multiplied 7-Fold with every release submitted to MyPR as a Featured Release.
And that, if you are charging clients per mention, is a HUGE bonus win for you.
My Press Release (MyPR) provides free South African targeted content and press releases for on and off line publishers and media.
Registering on MyPR enables public relations companies and practitioners to post articles under their own author name.
Public Relations Companies and practitioners, event organisers, sports and political writers use MyPR as a distribution mechanism for their press releases, content, images and news.
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Drivers and members of the Uitenhage and District Taxi Association protested in the Sundays River Valley on Wednesday. Scores of taxi drivers blocked busy streets in and around Nqweba, formerly known as Kirkwood, on Wednesday to demand that the potholed main road be repaired. The protest, led by Uitenhage and District Taxi Association (UDTA) and …
Drivers and members of the Uitenhage and District Taxi Association protested in the Sundays River Valley on Wednesday.
Scores of taxi drivers blocked busy streets in and around Nqweba, formerly known as Kirkwood, on Wednesday to demand that the potholed main road be repaired.
The protest, led by Uitenhage and District Taxi Association (UDTA) and South African Civic Organisation (SANCO), also brought morning traffic on routes to Jansenville, Addo, Kariega, Gqeberha and Kliplaat to a standstill.
The blockade started at 5am and ended around 2:20pm. Night shift citrus workers were transported home, but the morning shift was unable to report for work.
Police spokesperson Majola Nkohli said, “Several minibus taxis were used to block main access routes to the area, which have disrupted commuters and other road users.”
Various policing units helped to divert motorists.
Nkohli also said, “What is believed to be a splinter group attempted to close some businesses, but the situation was diffused by the Public Order Policing Service. Two people were taken in for questioning but were later released. At this stage, no criminal cases were opened.”
UDTA spokesperson Lubabalo Vesele said they have been complaining about the terrible state of the roads for about a year. Despite several meetings and promises made, the condition of the roads remains unchanged.
“Initially, we didn’t want to strike because it is going to affect paying our taxi instalments,” he said.
Sundays River Valley Mayor Solethu Lucas addressed the protesters. He had received complaints that citrus farm workers had not been able to make it to work due to the protest.
“The majority of people in this municipality depend on citrus farms. They did not come to work because their buses were blocked.”
He said the road in question belonged to the Eastern Cape transport department.
Spokesperson for the department Unathi Binqose said the main road from Nqweba to Moses Mabida township “falls short of the standard we aim to maintain”.
“SANRAL has been approached to undertake the necessary upgrades as part of community benefit commitments linked to the major Addo project currently underway. Engagements are still ongoing. We are not yet in a position to confirm the commencement date or budget for the project.”
The taxi drivers are expected to resume operations and will meet with officials next week.
Public Order Police arrived to disperse protesters blocking traffic.
© 2026 GroundUp. This article is published under the GroundUp Republication Licence Version 1.0. Email [email protected] to request permission to republish.
Brain drain: Skilled workers emigrating to other countries.
Choose your Addo Experience:
Source: MyZA.co.za.
Fences are among conservation’s most controversial interventions.To some, they are essential for conserving wildlife, minimising encroachment, and preventing the type of conflict that happens when … Read More at the Source
Fences are among conservation’s most controversial interventions.To some, they are essential for conserving wildlife, minimising encroachment, and preventing the type of conflict that happens when …
IN the world of social media, there are very few sights that will leave you gobsmacked. Instagram filters, breathtaking photography, and spectacular drone footage can trick you into thinking … Read More at the Source
IN the world of social media, there are very few sights that will leave you gobsmacked. Instagram filters, breathtaking photography, and spectacular drone footage can trick you into thinking …
Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa is a stunning wildlife destination where animals roam freely across open savannah landscapes. This intimate moment between zebras highlights the beauty and … Read More at the Source
Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa is a stunning wildlife destination where animals roam freely across open savannah landscapes. This intimate moment between zebras highlights the beauty and …
Veteran South African coach Pitso Mosimane has formally applied for the vacant Black Stars head coach position, joining an increasingly crowded race to lead Ghana rsquo;s senior national team . Read More at the Source
Veteran South African coach Pitso Mosimane has formally applied for the vacant Black Stars head coach position, joining an increasingly crowded race to lead Ghana rsquo;s senior national team .
Ghana have sacked their coach Otto Addo 72 days before the start of the 2026 World Cup after losing to a late goal in Germany … Read More at the Source
Ghana have sacked their coach Otto Addo 72 days before the start of the 2026 World Cup after losing to a late goal in Germany …
By Mohamed Yossry March 31 (Reuters) – Ghana have parted ways with coach Otto Addo, with 72 days remaining until the kickoff of the 2026 World Cup, the country’s football association (GFA) announced … Read More at the Source
By Mohamed Yossry March 31 (Reuters) – Ghana have parted ways with coach Otto Addo, with 72 days remaining until the kickoff of the 2026 World Cup, the country’s football association (GFA) announced …
Trust the experts who power the Eastern Cape. Straton is the gold standard for EV charger installations. Powering the Eastern Cape: The Straton Advantage You wouldn’t let an amateur service your car – why let one wire your charger? At Straton Electrical, we don’t just install plugs; we build energy ecosystems. Trusted by the Best: …
Trust the experts who power the Eastern Cape. Straton is the gold standard for EV charger installations.
You wouldn’t let an amateur service your car – why let one wire your charger? At Straton Electrical, we don’t just install plugs; we build energy ecosystems.
Trusted by the Best: We are the authorized installation partners for National Brands, industrial and automotive giants.
Smart Integration: As Shelly experts, we can integrate your charger with your home automation, allowing for peak-shaving and intelligent solar-tracking.
The CoC Guarantee: Every installation is fully certified, ensuring your home insurance remains valid and your system meets SANS safety standards.
Our History: Established in 1966 by the late George Weston Straton (21 September 1938 to 5 June 1988) and now under the stewardship of his sons there probably isn’t a business in Gqeberha that hasn’t at some time benefitted from our service.
George W. Straton was a pivotal figure in the Gqeberha (then Port Elizabeth) business community. While his father, John Weston Straton, had established a successful plumbing business, George decided to forge his own path in the electrical sector.
In 1966, he founded Straton Electrical. His vision laid the groundwork for what has become a multi-generational family legacy in the Nelson Mandela Bay area.
The business he started nearly 60 years ago has evolved significantly, expanding into renewable energy (Solar), smart home automation (Shelly), and even returning to its roots with the recent addition of Straton Plumbing.
From East London to Gqeberha, we are the Eastern Cape’s leading choice for the electric transition.
The storm is here, but the solution is already on your roof and in your garage. From Gqeberha to the rest of the Eastern Cape, Straton is ready to help you navigate the transition.
The ultimate “hidden” saving is the ability to de-link your transport costs from the global oil market entirely.
The Saving: You cannot refine your own petrol in your backyard BUT You can harvest your own electricity.
The EV Charger Reality: For homeowners with a Straton Solar and EV Charger installations, an EV becomes a “rolling battery.” By charging during peak sunlight hours, your 5-year “fuel” cost can drop from R250,000 (average for a high-mileage ICE) to essentially zero.
Add Shelly Automation products from Stratlec and you will be able to measure and manage all your electricity consumers and generators without the monthly costs of an app/cloud/hub to function.
My Press Release (MyPR) provides free South African targeted content and press releases for on and off line publishers and media.
Registering on MyPR enables public relations companies and practitioners to post articles under their own author name.
Public Relations Companies and practitioners, event organisers, sports and political writers use MyPR as a distribution mechanism for their press releases, content, images and news.
A forever free subscription allows publishers and media free access to all press releases, content and images on MyPR.
The “Perfect Storm” isn’t just a catchy phrase; it’s a measurable market phenomenon. In the 48 hours following the CEF’s announcement of the R10.00 Diesel hike, market data has shown a seismic shift in South African consumer behavior. Search Volume Spikes: Google Trends data for South Africa shows that searches for “Electric Vehicles for sale” …
The “Perfect Storm” isn’t just a catchy phrase; it’s a measurable market phenomenon. In the 48 hours following the CEF’s announcement of the R10.00 Diesel hike, market data has shown a seismic shift in South African consumer behavior.
Search Volume Spikes: Google Trends data for South Africa shows that searches for “Electric Vehicles for sale” and “EV home charging cost” have increased by 420% since mid-March 2026.
The “Fuel Hike” Correlation: Historical data shows that every time fuel crosses a R2.00/L increase threshold, inquiry rates for New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) at Eastern Cape dealerships jump by 35%. With a R5–R10 hike, we are entering uncharted territory where the “interest” is turning into “urgent acquisition.”
Local Manufacturing: Gqeberha is at the heart of this. With local giants ramping up EV/Hybrid production and imports, the supply chain is shortening. Verifiable sales data from 2025 showed NEV sales growing by 71% year-on-year, and 2026 is projected to double that as the “fuel-pain” threshold is finally breached.
There is a direct statistical link between fuel price announcements and the volume of inquiries at Gqeberha dealerships. Consumers are no longer just “curious” – they are transitioning out of necessity.
The “Perfect Storm” has turned the EV from a luxury into a logical financial hedge.
You wouldn’t let an amateur service your car – why let one wire your charger? At Straton Electrical, we don’t just install plugs; we build energy ecosystems.
Trusted by the Best: We are the authorized installation partners for National Brands, industrial and automotive giants.
Smart Integration: As Shelly experts, we can integrate your charger with your home automation, allowing for peak-shaving and intelligent solar-tracking.
The CoC Guarantee: Every installation is fully certified, ensuring your home insurance remains valid and your system meets SANS safety standards.
From East London to Gqeberha, we are the Eastern Cape’s leading choice for the electric vehicle transition.
The ultimate “hidden” saving is the ability to de-link your transport costs from the global oil market entirely.
The Saving: You cannot refine your own petrol in your backyard BUT You can harvest your own electricity.
The EV Charger Reality: For homeowners with a Straton Solar and EV Charger installations, an EV becomes a “rolling battery.” By charging during peak sunlight hours, your 5-year “fuel” cost can drop from R250,000 (average for a high-mileage ICE) to essentially zero.
Add Shelly Automation products from Stratlec and you will be able to measure and manage all your electricity consumers and generators without the monthly costs of an app/cloud/hub to function.
My Press Release (MyPR) provides free South African targeted content and press releases for on and off line publishers and media.
Registering on MyPR enables public relations companies and practitioners to post articles under their own author name.
Public Relations Companies and practitioners, event organisers, sports and political writers use MyPR as a distribution mechanism for their press releases, content, images and news.
A forever free subscription allows publishers and media free access to all press releases, content and images on MyPR.