Addo Elephant National Park Main Camp to experience power outage on 11 June 2026

Visitors staying at Addo Elephant National Park's Main Camp on Thursday, 11 June 2026, should be aware of a temporary electricity outage scheduled for late morning.

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the electricity supply to the entire Main Camp will be switched off from 11:00 for approximately two hours. The interruption is required to connect infrastructure associated with a new spa facility currently under construction within the camp.

Guests visiting Addo Elephant National Park during this period can still enjoy game drives, wildlife viewing and other outdoor activities as normal. However, visitors staying in Main Camp accommodation should plan accordingly, as electrical appliances, charging facilities, lighting and certain guest services may be temporarily unavailable while the work is carried out.

The new spa forms part of ongoing efforts to enhance visitor facilities at Addo Elephant National Park, one of South Africa's premier Big Five destinations and home to more than 600 elephants.

SANParks has apologised for any inconvenience caused and thanked visitors for their understanding while the essential infrastructure work is completed.

Travellers scheduled to stay at Main Camp on 11 June are advised to ensure that electronic devices are charged in advance and to make any necessary arrangements before the outage begins.

 

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Addo Elephant National Park closes gravel roads after heavy rain

update 10 May 2026

The Kabouga section of Addo Elephant National Park has been closed due to the area being too waterlogged. This affects the camping site, Kabouga Cottage as well as the 4x4 trail. 
Roads have been reopened, but we request that visitors drive with caution as they could still be muddy and slippery in places. 
The 1 hour Zuurberg hiking trail has also been reopened. (all announced on 03 June 2026)

Update 08 May 2026

Access into Addo Elephant National Park via the Matyholweni gate is not possible at the moment due to slippery road conditions.
According to SANParks, guests who are booked to check into Nyathi Rest Camp over the next few days will be contacted shortly if they haven't been already, as flooded river crossings are restricting access. 

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Heavy rainfall has forced the closure of all gravel roads and game-viewing loops in both the Main Camp and Colchester sections of Addo Elephant National Park, South African National Parks (SANParks) has confirmed.

The temporary closures come after persistent rain across the region left road conditions unsafe for visitors and vehicles, particularly on unpaved routes within the park. Travellers planning self-drive safaris or day visits to Addo Elephant National Park are advised that access is currently limited to tarred roads only until conditions improve.

The latest closures follow ongoing weather-related disruptions in the park. SANParks recently also closed all hiking trails in the Zuurberg section of Addo Elephant National Park due to heavy rainfall and unsafe conditions. Travellers can read more here: Zuurberg hiking trails closed after heavy rains

SANParks has urged visitors to exercise caution, follow official park updates and avoid attempting to use closed routes, as further rainfall could lead to additional disruptions.

The popular Eastern Cape wildlife destination is renowned for its large elephant population, diverse ecosystems and scenic self-drive routes, but heavy weather can quickly impact accessibility, especially on gravel sections.

Visitors with upcoming bookings are encouraged to contact the park directly for the latest road conditions and travel advice before departing.

 

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Addo Elephant National Park: Power and petrol station unavailable at Addo Main Camp!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that Addo Main Camp in the Addo Elephant National Park will experience a planned electricity outage from 06:00 to 18:00 on Tuesday, 18 November 2025. The camp’s generator will also be offline during this period, meaning that electricity-dependent facilities - including the fuel station - will not be available. SANParks advises all visitors to plan ahead and make necessary arrangements for meals, charging devices, and refueling.

Nearest fuel options:

• Inside the Park: The Addo Main Camp petrol station is the only one inside Addo Elephant National Park
• Outside the Park: The closest refueling options are in the village of Addo, about 13 km from Addo Main Camp, and along the R342 road near the park entrance (TotalEnergies station). Visitors are encouraged to fill up before entering Addo Elephant National Park or plan alternative refueling stops.

About Addo Elephant National Park:
Addo Elephant National Park, located in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, is home to over 600 elephants, a wide variety of antelope, buffalo, and more than 200 bird species. With scenic roads suitable for self-drives and multiple safari hides, it offers unforgettable wildlife experiences for families, photographers, and adventure seekers alike.

 

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Addo Elephant National Park: Full power shutdown in Addo Main Camp!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that there will be a full power shutdown in Addo Main Camp in Addo Elephant National Park overnight from 23:00 today (19 September 2024) to at least 03:00 tomorrow morning. According to SANParks, this is due to changeover of backup generators. We'll keep you posted!

Addo Elephant National Park is located about 30km outside Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) in South Africa's Eastern Cape. The National Park spans across an area of approximately 1,640km² and consists of a variety of landscapes, including dense forests, rolling hills, open grasslands, and coastal dunes. Addo Elephant National Park is not only home to the traditional Big 5, but the Big 7, which includes the Southern right whale and Great white shark in its marine environment. 

Addo Elephant National Park: Addo Main Camp currently without water provision!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has informed the public that the Addo Main Camp in Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa's Eastern Cape is currently without water provision. According to SANParks, this is due to burst water pipe. SANParks' technical staff are attending the problem, but it is currently unclear when the issue will be rectified. We'll keep you posted!