At the beginning of the 20th century, elephants had become a problem to the farmers in the eastern Karoo and a professional hunter, Major Jan Pretorius was assigned to shoot them. By 1920 he had shot 114 and only 11 remained. Conservationists woke up and in 1931 the Addo Elephant National Park was set up in the dense valley bushveld of the Sundays River region. The Addo elephants, currently numbering 430, are almost all descended from the original herd. The Park has the big 5 and the animals here are very relaxed.
Destination
Tailor-made tours and holidays in Addo Elephant National Park
Latest from Compass
7 reasons to visit Kenya with Cox & Kings
Jen Morris shares seven highlights of a small-group tour that took her from Mount Kenya to the Masai Mara.
Why book your holiday with a tour operator?
Here are the top reasons to book your holiday with a trusted tour operator.
A beginner's guide to whale watching in Walker Bay
Despite being up to 10 times the size of a fully grown elephant, it can still require some skill to spot Hermanus’ southern right whales. With this in mind, here are some top tips to help you to prepare and make the most of your whale-watching experience in South Africa’s Western Cape.
7 types of unusual wildlife...across Africa
From the sprawling deserts of the Kalahari and Sahara to the wetlands of the Okavango Delta and Madagascan rainforests Africa has a variety of different habitats that are ideal for wildlife and bird enthusiasts.
Roaming Ruins Exploring Tunisia
Art Tours leader Neil Faulkner finds the hidden highlights of the classical world in lesser-explored Tunisia.
Make an enquiry
Inspired to visit Africa? Enquire online or contact one of our experienced Africa specialists.
Order a brochure
For more travel inspiration, request a copy of the latest Cox & Kings brochure – a comprehensive collection of our group tours.