"The Elephant House is an exclusive 9 bedroomed lodge situated near the Addo Elephant National Park in the fertile sun-drenched Sundays River Valley.

The Elephant House Safari Co. is the in-house safari division where qualified guides conduct excellent daily game drives into the Addo Elephant Park on open Land Cruisers as well as cultural, historical & agricultural tours in the valley. Other options include horseback safaris into Addo, a helicopter trip to the beach and day visits to the various private game reserves in the area.

The chef serves lovely light poolside lunches and after “sundowners” a memorable three course candlelit dinner is prepared with flair an personal attention.

The décor at Elephant House evokes colonial & African images and is furnished with the owners' private collection of antiques, Persian rugs and Afrikana art. The 9 spacious bedrooms open onto courtyards & private verandahs.

Children are most welcome and baby sitters are available on request. Children also have full use of the “Club Room” which has games, a TV with a DVD library, and a laptop computer.

“You’ll find colonial luxury at Elephant House, just beyond the citrus groves in the Sundays River Valley. Feel right at home with all the family photographs, Africana art and antiques. Hop on a Land Cruiser and head for the Addo Elephant National Park. For the adventurer why not take a guided “Walk with the Elephants” safari in a remote valley in the Zuurberg Mountains?”- Condé Nast June 2006.

Addo is situated in the beautiful Sundays River Valley, only 40 min from Port Elizabeth airport. The accessibility of this area coupled with its close proximity to the Garden Route and Cape Town makes the Addo Elephant Park and its surrounding areas an extremely desirable destination that is already very popular with international visitors. The Addo Elephant National Park was proclaimed in 1931 and today this finely tuned ecosystem is home to over 400 elephants. This makes the Addo Park the most concentrated elephant reserve in Africa thus giving one a good chance of experiencing some of the best elephant viewing in the world. Apart from elephants there are also lion, hyena, black rhino, buffalo and various antelope species.

After widespread hunting in the 1800's and an extermination program in the 1920's the Addo National Elephant Park was proclaimed in 1931 as a sanctuary for the remaining 11 elephants. This herd has build up to over 400 making it one of the densest populations of the giant herbivores in the world. The reserve is also home to a wide range of other species including lion, buffalo, black rhinoceros, eland, kudu, red hartebeest, zebra, other smaller antelope species, more than 165 bird species as well as being the last refuge of the flightless dung beetle.

Addo is one of the world's greatest conservation success stories as the South African National Parks have successfully formed long term partnerships with donor organisations one being the International Fund for Animal Welfare. With these funds they are busy buying additional land and recreating key migratory corridors and expanding the Park to a proposed area of approximately 400 000 hectares including a 60 000 hectare marine reserve - this will make it the most biologically diverse park in Africa conserving 6 of this country's 7 biomes, a total of 12 vegetation types and South Africa's second largest elephant and black rhino populations.

The Sundays River Valley is world famous for its citrus fruit production - the Sundays River Citrus Co-op alone exports an excess of 12 million cartons of fruit to Northern Hemisphere Countries every year. The valley is reputed to produce some of the finest quality lemons in the world.

Two kilometres away from the Elephant House is the Addo Polo Club where Polo is played in the cooler winter months and cricket in summer. Kirkwood, which has a beautiful golf course, is a 30km drive through the valley.

Addo Elephant National Park is one of the world’s great conservation success stories and embraces one of the highest concentrations of big game in Africa and thus offers some wonderful game viewing opportunities. In addition to the famous elephants of Addo there are also lion, buffalo, black rhino, hyena, jackal and a variety of antelope species. Of the smaller animals the surricates and the flightless dung beetle are of great interest. Over 150 species of birds have been recorded in the area.

The vegetation that one encounters in the area is known as “Valley Bushveld” - this is a biome unique to the river valleys of the Eastern Cape. The plants are tough and drought resistant (Addo’s average annual rainfall is 385mm) with a high proportion of succulents much loved by elephants, black rhino and kudu. Per cubic meter, Valley Bushveld is able to support more animals, birds and insects than any other biome on earth.

There are various game viewing options available in Addo and the surrounding area as well as some exceptional cultural encounters:  

1. Elephant House Safari Co. Addo Elephant drives

Our in-house field guide, an elephant expert with many years experience with the elephants of Addo conducts 2 game drives through the National Park in our open land cruiser daily, both departing and ending at The Elephant House. Drinks and snacks are provided on the game drive.

Morning Drive – 9am to 12:30pm
Afternoon Drive – 2pm to 5:30pm

R500pp per drive (includes park entry fees, drinks and snacks)

2. Elephant House Safari Co. Valley Tour

This tour (nicknamed the “wine route tour”) is a must! Clive takes one from The Elephant House to the historic Addo Polo Club then through the famous citrus groves of the Sundays River Valley to a beautiful look out point where pioneer Sir Percy Fitzpatrick is buried. We then move on to have sundowners and snacks overlooking a dam on a private plantation.

The trip ends with a visit to an amazing garden and tavern in the Nomatamsanqa Township. Departs 4pm and returns in time for a pre-dinner drink.

R400pp (includes all drinks and snacks)

3. Schotia “Tooth and Claw” Safari

Schotia Private Game Reserve lies adjacent to Addo’s eastern boundary. This reserve has numerous antelope species as well as lions (the lion sightings here are renowned).

The “Tooth and Claw” safari runs from 3pm to 7pm followed by a barbeque in their boma.Schotia is a half an hour’s drive from The Elephant House. Self-drive to Schotia. Transfers can be arranged.

R600pp (including barbeque and drinks)

4. “Big 5” Private Game Reserves

There are several other “big 5” private game reserves within a 45 minute drive of Elephant House – all of these offer excellent half day safaris (including a meal), which we can book for you. They are:

5. Addo Elephant Back Safaris and Walks

Addo Elephant Back Safaris have a base camp in a remote valley in the Zuurberg Mountains. They offer a unique experience “Walk with the Elephants” – where one walks through the bush with the elephants and their very knowledgeable and experienced minders.

This is a wonderful way in which to learn more about these giant pachyderms as they go about their business of walking, feeding and watering in their natural environment. Departure times 09:00, 11:00 and 15:00 The drive to the Zuurberg is about an hour and a half on a gravel road; however we highly recommend that you take advantage of the transfer so that you may enjoy the spectacular scenery en route.

R650pp (self drive) additional R250pp for transfer from and back to Elephant House.

6. South African National Parks Addo Drives

The park guides offer superb morning, afternoon, sunset and night drives of 2hrs each in open vehicles through the Addo National Park. On the night drives, apart from the nocturnal species, one often encounters black rhino and buffalo.

Winter Safaris at 7am (R150pp), 9am (R150pp), 12pm (R150pp), 3pm (R150pp), 4pm (R230pp), 6pm (R170pp).

Summer Safaris at 6am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, 8pm. Please check rates at reception when booking.

7. Addo Elephant National Park Horse Trails

The Addo National Park offers morning and afternoon safaris on horseback through the reserve accompanied by a ranger, one often has the opportunity of viewing game close up on the trail through the elephant area.

Beginner rides at 8am and Advanced Rides at 2pm. They also offer horse trails in the Zuurberg Mountains. Please enquire at reception for times & rates.

8. Helicopter trip to beach

We are able to arrange a helicopter trip to a beautiful unspoiled beach on the Indian Ocean for a beach picnic and swim. You are picked up and brought back to the front lawn of Elephant House by helicopter. Your flight to the beach lasts about 15 – 20 minutes and you will see the Addo Elephant Park (although one is not allowed to fly directly over it) from the air.

You will probably be the only person on the beach - this is indeed a very special experience! The chopper takes a maximum of 3 passengers. It is also easy to arrange a second chopper if you have a larger party. You are only charged for actual flying time, in other words one can spend as long as one likes on the beach at no extra expense.

R7 000 (including drinks & picnic).

9. Historical Day Tour of Grahamstown & Settler Country

This full day tour into settler country gives one a wonderful insight into the Eastern Cape’s turbulent history while enjoying spectacular views of the surrounding area. Allan Weyer is a well-known local raconteur whose knowledge of the Eastern Cape’s frontier country is unsurpassed. The morning starts with the Frontier Country Tour; time is spent in and around the hills of the city of Grahamstown following the results and influences that the many cultures had on the region. Allan gives a thrilling account of the Battle of Grahamstown

as well as many truths, tales, and legends about the region and its people. The morning is followed by a fascinating drive into the famous Fish River Valley looking at some of the old forts that stretch out along the river. Re-live some of the incredible battles that took place between the Xhosa, English and Boers and get a better understanding of the hardships of life in Africa in the 1800’s. You will also get a good insight into Xhosa culture, tradition and history. A wonderful lunch and light refreshments are served out in the bush.

You can self-drive to Grahamstown – this is a 1hr drive from Elephant House. There you are met and driven by Allan for the day, after which you return to Grahamstown, self-drive back to Elephant House.

The cost is R750pp incl. lunch and light refreshments. If you would prefer a transfer to Grahamstown, we can arrange it.

10. Waverley Farms Flowers

A unique and highly recommendable experience is a visit to Waverley Farms in the upper Sundays River Valley. This is the home of the Maske family who produce top quality export citrus fruit and famous roses and lavender, which are sold on world markets under the “Africa Everose” lable.

Enjoy a tour of the rose tunnels and lavender fields and learn about the growing and drying techniques followed by a gracious tea in the lovely gardens of the main homestead with Colleen Maske as your hostess. Pre-bookings essential.

R250pp (3:30pm – 5:30pm)

11. Hike in the Zuurberg Mountains

In the beautiful Zuurberg section of the Addo Elephant National Park there is a scenic hiking trail through the valleys and onto the fynbos ridges of the mountains. Normal park entry fees apply.

12. Bushman Sands Golf Course

Bushman Sands is an exciting partnership between Shamwari and the Government in which they have revived and created wonderful employment opportunities in the dormant old railway town of Alicedale – 40min drive from Elephant House.

A magnificent 18-hole (“Bushveld links”) Gary Player design golf course is a feature of the hotel. Please enquire at reception for golf bookings. Bushman Sands Hotel also has a day spa.

13. Dunefields Reserve

Experience the wonder of untouched nature in the largest coastal dune field in the southern hemisphere. This 3-hour excursion consists of an exhilarating drive in an open 4X4 over sand dunes, which border onto the Greater Addo National Park, down to the sea.

Stops will be made for photography, explanations of the geology of the dunes, as well as the history of the earliest pre colonial inhabitants (Strandlopers) and the “shell middens” that they have left behind. Numerous sea birds inhabit the shoreline, whilst there is often the added spectacle of dolphins and whales. On your return, nestled in indigenous bush surroundings, a delicious lunch awaits you.

This trip costs R650pp and the drive there only 45 minutes.

14. Port Elizabeth City Tour

The Indian Ocean Rim city of Port Elizabeth has a fascinating history being the landing point of the 1820 British Settlers and latterly a very significant centre in the anti apartheid movement. A tour to Port Elizabeth where you will visit central Port Elizabeth’s historical and natural attractions, combined with a visit to the townships (which will take you to some famous sites in the struggle against apartheid) is indeed extremely fascinating.

Optional visits to the Dolphinarium, Intsimbe Beads, Ron Belling Art Gallery, The Horse Memorial, No. 7 Castle Hill (a restored Settler Cottage) and St Georges Park – the famous cricket ground (where the first cricket and rugby test matches in South Africa were played) can also be included on your tour.

15. Other activities and bespoke packages

We will try to tailor your stay to suit your needs as much as possible in order for you to get the best chance to experience all the area has to offer, for example, in season, we are able to arrange a visit to a citrus farm to watch the picking, a chukka of polo at the Addo Polo Club, a round of golf at Kirkwood Golf Club or if you are suffering from “safari fatigue” even a visit to the famous Volkswagen factory in Uitenhage!

Please feel free to discuss any special activities that will enhance your stay with us. Of course, you may simply want to DNA (do nothing at all!)

NOTES:

All rates include VAT and are subject to change without notice.

• The success of most of these tours is dependant on favorable weather; as a result, in the event of inclement weather a tour may be cancelled at short notice.
• Occasionally, on the advice of the ranger, we may vary the departure time of a safari to ensure that the guest gets the best possible experience.

After a safari, retreat back to the colonial luxury of The Elephant House – order an ice cold cocktail (we recommend a Bombay Sapphire G&T with Angostura bitters or another house specialty in Pimms No1!) and take a dip in one of the two swimming pools alternatively you may simply want to find a quiet corner in the gardens or one of the courtyards to put your feet up and relax with a good book. (After all, you are on holiday!)

In the high season (October to May), Monday to Friday Lana Cloete, our in- house masseur is able to offer our guests a complimentary pampering session in her purpose built “treatment room and boma”

Full body massages
Manicures & Pedicures
Indian Head Massages
Sports massages

The kitchen prepares lovely light lunches on the terrace or beside one of the pools, and in the evenings , after a sundowner, sit down to a delicious three course dinner prepared by our chefs using the very best of local produce.

We are privileged to be part the most wonderful community - a real mix of cultures live side by side in the valley – descendants of the nomadic (and environmentally in touch) Khoi Khoi herders, the mighty AmaXhosa as well as the 18th and 19th C European adventurers, explorers and settlers.

Our policy is to employ and empower people from the local community and to support as many local enterprises and suppliers as possible. This being an extremely fertile valley our kitchen, for example, is able to take full advantage of nature’s bounty with the very best of fresh local ingredients.

All of us here at Elephant House are very involved with all sectors of this community, from the “G&T set” at the Addo Polo Club to the most underprivileged (indeed, it is here that, for example, with help from some of our guests, we have been able to build a crèche for Aids orphans in the Langbos as well as continually be able to supply them with food and regular clothes donations.) We are also very involved with the wonderful people of the predominantly Xhosa speaking Nomatasanqua community.