Gorah Elephant Camp

Gorah Elephant Camp Game Viewing and Activities

The Addo Elephant National Park was proclaimed in 1931, when only eleven elephants remained in the area, today this finely tuned ecosystem is sanctuary to over 420 elephants, Cape buffalo, black rhino, a variety of antelope species, as well as the unique flightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo. Six lions were introduced into the park in late 2003 and have adapted well to their new environment. Lions are most often seen in the early morning or on sunset and night drives. Spotted hyenas were also reintroduced, fulfilling the same role as lions in restoring the natural balance to the ecosystems in the park by controlling the numbers of herbivores. Leopard is very seldom seen, being elusive and secretive animals, but do occur in most areas of the expanded park. Antelope species abundant in the main game area of the park include red hartebeest, eland, kudu and bushbuck. The Burchell's zebra, many with the pale rumps reminiscent of the extinct qwagga, occur in the park. Warthogs are abundant. The rare flightless dung beetle is king of the road in Addo, with signs warning visitor that this recycling machine has right of way. The beetles are only seen when conditions are not too hot and not too cold and play an important role in recycling nutrients and helping the growth of thicket vegetation. The outlying areas of the park have very different animals on offer. The Zuurberg mountain range is home to the mountain Zebra, mountain reedbuck, baboons, blue duiker, aardwolf and red rock rabbit. Hippos are found in the Sundays River which flows at the base of these mountains. Endemics such as the red fin minnow and yellowfish are found in the tributaries of the river.