The best places to stay in Addo Elephant National Park in 2026 are Gorah Elephant Camp's tents and manor house over a waterhole, RiverBend Lodge on a private concession, SANParks' Addo Rest Camp with its floodlit waterhole and underground hide, Nyathi's stilted units on a floodplain, Matyholweni near the southern gate, and Spekboom Tented Camp's hide.
Addo, a short drive from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), is a malaria-free Big Five park famous for its elephant herds, and an easy add-on to the Garden Route. SANParks rest camps suit self-drivers; private lodges on concessions inside the park add guided drives.
SANParks camps are booked through SANParks. Prices per person sharing per night: $ under $150 · $$$ $400–1,000 · $$$$ over $1,000.
A tented camp and manor house over a waterhole in the heart of Addo.
Gorah is a luxurious tented camp with a gracious manor house overlooking a busy waterhole in the heart of Addo, run by Hunter Hotels; watching elephants at the waterhole is the signature experience.
Good to know: Spend the midday break on the veranda.
Gorah Elephant Camp, Addo Elephant National Park, Eastern Cape, South Africa
A luxury lodge on a private concession, with family suites and a villa.
RiverBend is a luxury lodge on a private concession within Addo, with couples' suites, family suites, an exclusive-use villa and Pepper Grove House with activities for all ages; it is a strong malaria-free family option.
Good to know: Families should ask about Pepper Grove House.
RiverBend Lodge, Addo Elephant National Park, Eastern Cape, South Africa
SANParks' main camp, with a floodlit waterhole and underground hide.
Addo's main rest camp has a lookout platform and an underground hide over a waterhole floodlit at night, a pool for overnight guests, a bird hide over a wetland and a trail accessible to all, including visually and mobility-impaired visitors.
There is a shop and an à la carte restaurant open from 07:30 to 22:00.
Good to know: Book a unit near the waterhole and visit the hide after dark.
Addo Rest Camp, Addo Elephant National Park, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Eleven stilted units with glass walls over a floodplain.
Nyathi is 12 km from the main camp on the banks of a floodplain, with 11 units built on stilts with wide glass panels: eight two-sleepers, a four-sleeper and two family units for six.
It sits in Addo's Big Five Nyathi section.
Good to know: Drive the Nyathi section slowly for buffalo and lion.
Nyathi Rest Camp, Addo Elephant National Park, Eastern Cape, South Africa
A camp at the southern gate, 3 km from shops and restaurants.
Matyholweni is at Addo's southern gate, 39 km through the park from the main camp; each unit has its own braai, and Colchester, about 3 km away, has a supermarket, fuel and restaurants.
Good to know: Closest camp to Gqeberha and the N2.
Matyholweni Rest Camp, Addo Elephant National Park, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Simple tents inside a fenced hide, for watching the waterhole at night.
Spekboom's tents sit within the fenced Spekboom Hide, where you can watch animals drink at the waterhole through viewing slots, including at night. There is a communal kitchen and bathrooms, and guests must stay inside the hide between sunset and sunrise.
Good to know: Bring a good flashlight, but never shine it in animals' eyes.
Spekboom Tented Rest Camp, Addo Elephant National Park, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Addo Rest Camp for self-drivers who want a restaurant and a floodlit waterhole; Gorah or RiverBend for a guided, all-inclusive safari.
Yes, Addo is in a malaria-free area, which makes it popular with families.
Yes. SANParks calls Addo home to the Big Seven, adding southern right whale and great white shark in its marine section to the Big Five.