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| Martin with Two Elephant Skulls at Addo Entrance |
Addo Elephant National Park had been on our radar since entering South Africa all those months ago. It just sounded like a place we NEEDED to visit, so we were excited when we were finally on our way there from Cradock. The park was created back in 1931 and now encompasses approx. 120000 hectares. Originally, there were only a 11 elephants, as farmers had tried to eradicate the 'menace' from their land. Now they are thankfully about 500 strong in the friendly confines of the park boundaries.
Upon our arrival late in the afternoon, we figured we would set up camp and then head out for a quick drive around the park, to attempt to see the animals at a good feeding time near dusk. However, we were really surprised to find that not only were the campsites quite expensive, but for a large park like Addo, they only had tiny little spots for tents and pretty poor kitchen supplies for the likes of us travellers. There was no way we were going to pay that much, and not even be able to cook our food, so we had to turn to Plan 'B'. A quick drive around the park in search of animals, then a drive around to the town of Addo in search of a place to stay.
We did find a great place, Orange Elephant Backpackers. Quite an ironic name, as there are tons of citrus fruit in the area, and apparently elephants love them. You are not allowed to take any citrus fruit into the park because the elephants will literally tear your car apart looking for them. We heeded the warning with little Figaro, our rental car, in mind.
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| Close Encounters with the Elephants in Addo |
Orange Elephant was a great place, although a bit quiet this time of year. We had a great campsite at the house, and cooked our food finally. John, the owner, was a nice man and had a pet parakeet with him often. We also got great Africa tips from Rachel, who had just driven from London to Cape Town. Thanks Rachel!
In the park, we did see a lot of elephants, and sometimes a little closer than we wanted to. On a couple of occasions, we were parked a distance from the elephants, but they decided to walk past us in the lane right next beside us!!! I must admit it was pretty cool, but I was worried for poor little Figaro - he wouldn't stand a chance against one of these giants!! Males, females, and babies alike cruised past our window!! Some of the young were actually feeding from the mother in front of the car!
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| MMMMmmmmm...... Dung balls |
One of the really interesting animals in the park was much smaller - the rare flightless dung beetle. You are not allowed to drive over any elephant dung piles in the road (and they are everywhere), in case these rare bugs are playing around in the pile. Makes for some pretty swervy driving through the park. The beetles gather the dung and make it into balls, which they then roll along ground backwards, while in an inverted position pushing off their front legs. Very interesting, and they seem to push them quite some distance. Apparently the male dung beetle will make a dung ball, and present it to it's mate. If successful in the mating ritual, they both devour the dung ball after the 'act'. An interesting after sex meal!!
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| Another up close and personal encounter with a big male |
Addo was also the place of our first sighting of the black rhino. Michelle and I have been really excited to see rhino anytime, as they are quite elusive, but our sightings have all been of the white rhino. Now, we finally spotted a black rhino, and we know this since there are no white in Addo. It was from a distance, but still amazing nonetheless.
After a few days in Addo Elephant, and at the Orange Elephant, we had to move on. On our last day, we decided to still head through the park on our way out to Nanaga - a farm stall along the highway to Port Elizabeth that has the most delicious meat pies in the country!!! Thanks Ken and Thora for the recommendation again. I wish we had bought a whole box of these tasty treats!! *Stub
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