Weekend in Addo National Park Game Reserve

Our trip to Addo Elephant National Park was outstanding.  We traveled with Andre and Marina, our friends and hosts of our accommodation, in their Land Rover named Stanley (of Stanley and Livingston).  Andre and Marina and their children have traveled extensively in Stanley throughout southern Africa, and this was Stanley’s last trip to Addo as they are trading him in for a new Land Rover next week.  He served us well as we drove though the game reserve that covers over 100 km.

We had two safari tents fully resourced for all of our needs.  Sitting on the deck of our tents, we drank wine, had dinner cooked over a braii (South African term for a barbeque), and soaked in the African sunset on our first night.  The next morning, we got an early start in Stanley making our way for several hours through the reserve. We came back for lunch and a rest and then ventured out again before returning for dinner.  After dinner, we went on a guided Night Drive to see more animals.  All in all, the day was remarkable with views of many elephant, warthogs, zebra, and more.  The photos here tell the story.

Andre recounted the story of how the hippopotamus came to be.  Did you know that after God created all the animals, he took what was left over and made the hippo?  The result was a very unattractive animal, so unattractive in fact that he chose to live under water most of the time so that others wouldn’t see him.  We didn’t see any hippo on our game drives, so they must have been submerged so we wouldn’t comment on their appearance.

Within only one hour of PE you can be out in the bush, complete with nature, surrounded by animals of all kinds, vibrant and diverse birdlife, and gorgeous vegetation.  Coming out of the bush to PE you are met by the crashing waves of the Indian Ocean and the throb of city life once again.  We marvel at the contrasts of life – both human and non-human – in this remarkable country.