We will be spending several months in the Western Cape, (Dec., Jan. Feb.) as we have done for the last few winters, and are thinking about heading out to Addo to see elephants, etc. Last year we spent 2 weeks in Namibia, went up to Etosha, and stayed for several days in Okaukuejo. We weren't too thrilled at having to eat there all the time, although the accomodation was comfortable.
Now trying to decide where to stay if we go to Addo - in the park itself, or in a B&B or similar outside. Not looking for fancy safari accommodation. We will already be paying for our rental apartment in the Cape, and so don't want to get too carried away.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a particular place. We'll probably be there in late January, when school holidays end. I know it will be hot, and so air conditioning and a pool are fairly important.
Addo - where to stay?
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My vote goes to staying in the park. We were in Addo in June this year, it is a really special place, I just loved it. I highly recommend the Rondavels overlooking the watering hole at Addo Main Camp. What a view. From our rondavel we saw a lot; elephants, a blackbacked jackel, kudu AND black rhino ! Also many birds close to the rondavel (including african hoopoes and sunbirds). We only stayed 2 nights, which was a bit rushed for me. I would have spent more time just sitting on the terrace or in the bird hide.
We saw a lot in the park as well including a lion, buffalo, elephants, eland, the flightless dung beetle, mongoose, secretary birds, jackel, spotted eagle owl, ostrich, kudu, red hartebeest and many different birds. Our first night we were headed back to camp and got blocked in the road by the largest elephant we have ever seen. He just wouldn't move very far off the road and we were afraid to pass him. We eventually did (at a couple meters) but it was terrifing. We ended up getting back to camp after gate closing (there were actually 3 cars of late arrivals) and had to call the gate manager who came to let us all in but was none too happy about it.
We only ate in the restaurant once (it was fine, actually better than what we had in the rest camps in Kruger) for lunch and we braaied for dinner as we wanted to sit and watch the watering hole.
Next time I go I want to stay a couple nights at Spekboom Tented Camp as well, it is fairly new and people really seem to enjoy it.
Enjoy your long stay in South Africa !
We stayed outside the park at the Zuurberg Mountain Retreat (which at the time was a Protea affiliate but apparently no more.) The accommodations were fine, the restaurant friendly, and the price was pretty decent. Beautiful views from the property, too. http://www.addo.co.za/
Meant to say, the Zuurberg might actually be surrounded by the park, but it's privately held IIRC, and no beasties in proximity to the hotel.
Thanks for the responses. Looks like we will probably try inside the Park. Just have to decide on a date now.
We just got back from a trip and spent two nights in the safari tents. The first night, an horrific storm hit Port Elizabeth, and the wind and rains were something to fear. We stayed secure in our tent, but obviously couldn't use the "shared ablutions" because it would have been impossible to reach them in that storm. I improvised with a chamber pot, hubby was able to just aim off the covered porch area. If I'd known the weather (impossible to predict months ahead of time) I would have preferred a rondavel. Otherwise, you probably can't go wrong. Addo is a lovely park.