Eddo-Elephant National Park extends over an area of 180,000 hectares from the semi-arid high loamy Karoo Plateau in northern South Africa, along the Zuurberg Mountains, between the mouths of the Sundays and Bushman's Rivers southwards to the sea coast.
The national park was created in 1931 to conserve the African elephant population when eleven "giants" remained in the region. There are now over 600 of them in the park, and Eddo-Elephant is also home to lion, buffalo, black rhino, spotted hyena, leopard, several species of antelope and zebra, as well as the unique flightless dung beetle, which is unique to the area. Eddo-Elephant Park can claim to be the world's only "Big Seven" national park - elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo and leopard are protected here, as well as the southern right whale and great white shark.
A further 120,000 hectares of marine area along Algoa Bay has now been proposed to be added to the park, which includes islands that are home to the world's largest breeding species of cormorants and the second largest breeding population of African penguins.
Eddo-Elephant Park is home to several holiday camps - Eddo Main Recreation Ground, Matyholweni Recreation Ground, Narina Camp and Spekboom Tented Camp with special platforms for close viewing of elephants. It is also possible to see elephants up close while in your own vehicle. At night you can also hear hyenas and lions close to the camp. There are special one and two-day trails through the park, ranging in length from 2.4 kilometres to 36 kilometres. To reach the coastal area of the park, there is a special boardwalk.
