South African National Parks (SANParks) announced in February 2025 that Hapoor Dam, one of the most iconic waterholes in Addo Elephant National Park, is no longer suitable for wildlife use. Regular monitoring revealed that the dam’s clay-based substrate creates mobility problems for smaller and younger animals, prompting the need for a long-term, sustainable solution.
To improve safety and ensure reliable access to water, SANParks plans to build a new 45 × 30 m concrete dam, approximately two metres deep, similar in size to the current waterhole. The new structure will be constructed on the opposite side of the road from the existing dam. Once complete, the original Hapoor Dam will be rehabilitated and fenced off to allow the area to recover ecologically.
SANParks has confirmed that Phase 1 of the Hapoor Dam restoration officially began this morning. Visitors are asked for patience over the coming months, as this is a major infrastructure project that will take time to complete - but will ultimately enhance wildlife safety and long-term water management within Addo Elephant National Park.
Hapoor Dam is named after “Hapoor,” one of Addo Elephant National Park's most famous dominant bull elephants, renowned for his size, strength, and decades-long reign in the park. Located along the main game-viewing loops in the Addo Main Camp section, the waterhole is one of the park’s busiest wildlife hubs, regularly attracting large elephant herds and offering visitors some of the most reliable and memorable sightings.
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