Hiring a car to reach Addo is a good idea due to the closest airport being about an hour away. There are options for buses, coaches, and other transportation with different tours that can be booked.  You can drive around and explore the park with your own two wheels. This gives you the freedom and flexibility to go at your own pace and stop as often and for as long as you wish to concentrate on the species you are interested in. 

Having your own car also allows you to explore the area outside the park, drive further through the Garden Route region, and visit the coastal areas. 

There are a number of walking and hiking trails throughout Addo National Park. There are bush walks, nature walks, and night safaris offered in the park. These tours are on foot with a professional ranger.

The cost to get into Addo Elephant National Park is considered an entrance fee and goes towards the conservation of the park. The rate for foreigners is R397 for adults and R199 for children. 

The main entrance gate and Addo Reception area off R335/R342 near Addo is open from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm. The Matyholweni Gate and Reception area off N2 near Colchester is open from 7:00 am until 7:30 pm, the reception closes at 6:00 pm. 

Addo Elephant National Park features a shopping center at the Main Camp area, other than that it is not a shopping destination. 

The official language spoken in Addo Elephant National Park is English, which is widely spoken, especially in the service industry, it is taught in schools and used in government, business, and the media. Many people speak fluent English, especially in hotels and restaurants. There are officially eleven languages in South Africa with Afrikaans being one of the most popular along with English and nine ethnic languages, of which Zulu and Xhosa are the most widely spoken. We recommend getting a good English/African guidebook and learning the basic questions like please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.

The climate in the park is classified as arid to semi-arid with the best time to visit during the dry winter months of May through September. The park’s climate at this time causes animals to gather around watering holes making them easier to spot. Summertime brings the rainfall with peaks in February and March, and October and November. The temperatures from November to February can soar into the 100’s. The winter months bring cooler temperatures with very cold nights and even freezing temperatures mid-winter. The park can be visited during any time of the year, but it gets pretty crowded during the dry season from June to September. 

The currency of Addo Elephant National Park is the South African Rand (ZAR). US dollars are also widely accepted. You will need to exchange your currency for the Shilling, which can be done upon arrival at the airport currency exchange desks or banks and specialized stores called Foreign Exchange Bureaus. ATMs can be found in the city, tipping is discretionary and appreciated, and cash is usually preferred. 

There are several dining options found within the park where visitors can enjoy culinary delights that are authentically South African. Restaurants can be found at the main camp and other areas in the park such as the Cattle Baron Restaurant serving up world-class steaks and a wide variety of other delicious meals. This restaurant is located at the main camp and has won several awards for the Best Steakhouse in South Africa. There are options outside of the park for dining many found in Addo Town and Colchester Town which are just outside the park.  Many of the meals visitors will eat are provided by their accommodations with full breakfasts served at sunrise before heading out for an exciting day ahead. Visitors are also welcome to have lunch at the restaurants found in the Main Camp area. Intimate dinners can be enjoyed in a variety of settings such as an elegant dining room, beside the pool, around a roaring boma fire, or under the stars at your lodge. There are restaurants to choose from in the surrounding towns and outside of the park in Addo. Diners can enjoy some gastronomic delights prepared by the magnificent chefs on site to satisfy their hunger for superb bush cuisine. 

There are night safaris offered in Addo Elephant National Park. The African bush comes alive at night with color and sound and is the time when the nocturnal animals emerge from their hiding places. The safari vehicles are fitted with spotlights for optimal game viewing and there are places to stay overnight in the park such as Spekboom Hide which is an ideal place to see animals like aardvarks, aardwolves, porcupines, and more at the waterholes and game area. Swizz Cottage offers visitors a unique experience staying right next to African elephants. 

The currency of Hoedspruit is the South African Rand (ZAR). US dollars are also widely accepted. You will need to exchange your currency for the Shilling, which can be done upon arrival at the airport currency exchange desks or banks and specialized stores called Foreign Exchange Bureaus. ATMs can be found in the city, tipping is discretionary and appreciated, and cash is usually preferred. 

In case of an emergency dial 10111 for local police, ambulance, or fire. 

Hospitals: Kirkwood Hospital. tel 27-42-230-0406