An incredible experience... - Geraldine Eliot. Date of travel: Dec 2006
One can't really describe the intensity of being literally in the middle of a herd of about 100 elephants - from tiny babies to huge bulls, just watching them play, eat, communicate, squish in the mud, and even mate! Unbelievable. The Addo is an amazing park - plenty to see, well run, good roads, plenty of game, malaria-free and of course, elephants everywhere! We saw loads of other things besides - Black Rhino, Kudu, Warthog EVERYWHERE (incl babies), Hartebeest, a boomslang (snake), mongooses, Eland... bursting with life. Our only complaint was that we had lunch at the restaurant one day and it took them at least 10 minutes to even approach our table and over 40 minutes for a toasted sandwich. Staff didnt even acknowledge our presence, even when we spoke to them directly. Judging from the fact that there were pre-poured, sealed tot glasses behind the bar, the staff (and thus management) are clearly dodgy and to blame! The food was also mediocre at best - how hard is it to make a toasted sandwich, or just let people know you;re busy and it'll take a while? Cant imagine what the overseas visitors must think!! So other than that gripe - magnificent scenery and such a privelege to be in amongst such amazing animals. Would definitely return in a heartbeat.