In an effort to protect the eleven remaining elephants in the area from further harm, Addo Elephant National Park was founded in 1931. The park is home to five different vegetation zones, and more than 100,000 visitors come to this park every year from all over the world. Lodging and campsites are available for overnight visits, and plenty of activities are offered to guests, including tours and trails for hiking.

Addo Elephant Park was first established as a reserve to protect the dwindling population of the elephants, but since then, the population has grown to more than 400, and it has become one of the largest national parks in the country, at more than 380 square miles—and still growing. The park covers the Sundays River valley region, which stretches out to the sea. Not only the Big Five animals reside in Addo National Park, but the Big Seven, which includes the five (elephants, rhinos, buffalos, lions, and leopards), but also whales and great white sharks, all living within the boundaries of the reserve.

Of the seven biomes in South Africa, Addo Elephant Park contains five. In the Woody Cape region, the Alexandria Forest is a veld-type forest, meaning that shade-loving trees are more rare. A Subtropical Thicket, formerly classed with Savanna, flourishes with 65 percent of the entire reserve on the original section of the park, as well as in Kabouga, Colchester, and Nyathi. Zuurberg contains Grassland and Fynbos, which thrive on fire; research has shown that the wildlife population diminishes in these areas when fires are prevented. Darlington is home to Nama Karoo, a transition biome containing mostly reptiles and rodents.

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Each year, Addo Elephant National Park receives tens of thousands of visitors looking for adventure and hoping to catch a glimpse of the country's wildlife. Guests will find scores of trails for driving, hiking, and horseback riding. Self-guided driving trails are offered, and they are a delight, but a tour guide may be helpful in providing useful information and knowing the best places to stop for photos. Adventure in the Addo National Park is abundant, but safety is a priority, and it is important to follow the park rules during your visit to ensure an exciting and safe vacation.

Addo Elephant Park offers lodging within the park, ranging from luxury cabins to campsites. To book a concession lodge in the park, it's wise to reserve your stay in advance to guarantee the best price and availability, especially as lodges and campsites, which are located throughout the park, have a daily cutoff for reservations.

One of the largest national parks in South Africa, Addo Elephant National Park is well worth adding to your list of things to do on a South African vacation. Visitors who are interested in animals are likely to be interested in visiting other parks as well, and it's possible to spend your entire vacation doing so, traveling also to Kruger National Park or the Madikwe and Shamwari game reserves, in search of South Africa's stunning wildlife. Visitors are unfailingly dazzled by the diversity and stunning scenery of Addo National Park and will continue to be for generations to come.