To Visit Bellevue Forest Reserve – Greater Addo Region
The most popular and sought after activity at our Eastern Cape destination – Bellevue Forest Reserve and the luxury Elephants Lodge – is the opportunity to walk among giants. Our majestic giraffe are familiar with small groups approaching them on foot, offering a truly incredible experience. Nothing compares to the authenticity of being in the animal’s realm, engaging every sense, under the safe protection of a highly experienced guide. This is undoubtedly the number one memory-maker for a trip to our spectacular Eastern Cape region. After a spellbinding day on foot in the bush, let us pamper you in elegant comfort as you relive the day’s excitement around an evening bonfire under the star-studded African night.
Among the elephants
A guided or self-drive trip to the Addo Elephant National Park is a worthy destination in every respect, not only for guaranteed elephant sightings, but also a host of beauty and biodiversity within its five distinct biomes. From the tiniest creatures – like the flightless dung beetle – to the great, grey behemoths after whichthis park is named, Addo offers a world of surprise and delight to visitors. South Africa’s third largest park,Addo hosts nearly 100 mammal species and affords fantastic birding, with over 400 recorded species, among thickets of spekboom, plumbago and unique Eastern Cape vegetation. A guided game drive affords you the best opportunity to view and learn about this remarkable area. If luck is on your side, you might see alion, buffalo, rhino or leopard… but you certainly WILL see elephants!
Meet the Big 7
Most safari-goers seek out the ‘Big 5’ (lion, leopard, rhino buffalo or elephant), but Addo National Park andthe surrounding area offers even more, with the inclusion of the great white shark and the southern right whale. Few parts of the world boast such amazing diversity of species, and it’s quite possible to see all of these in one short trip. A boat cruise into the marine section of Addo, or nearby Cape Recife Nature Reserve, will afford a completely different aspect to supplement a regular land-based wildlife safari vacation. Just imagine seeing the world’s largest land mammal (elephant) and largest marine mammal (southern right whale) on the same day! Now THAT’s a thrill!
Get your adrenaline rush!
All that sitting around in vehicles and boats making you itch for a shot of heartstopping excitement? If the giraffe tracking didn’t already quench your thrill-seeking thirst, a zipline trip with Adrenalin Addo will definitely do it! Situated in the Sundays River valley, this hugely popular family adventure operator has recently added another string to its bow. If you’ve ever wanted to know how Superman feels, here’s your chance as you soar and sweep high above land. One of only two South African operators to currently offerthis experience, it comes highly recommended as an add-on to the usual safari activities that Greater Addo is renowned for. (https://www.addotourism.co.za/listings/adrenalin-addo-adventure-park/)
Take a hike!
Hikes in the Zuurberg mountains, part of which range is located within the Addo Elephant National Park, offera sensational elevated view of this remarkable region. The Zuurberg range is somehow quite different from other mountain areas and a worthy addition to one’s mountain hiking plans when exploring this part of the country. The hiking is not overly strenuous and the views are absolutely worth it! Vast expanses of magical forested mountainscapes and champagne air await the climber. Build in a stay at SANParks’ Narina BushCamp as part of the experience in this little-known part of the Eastern Cape.
These five are just a sample of the extraordinarily diverse options available for a thrilling visit to the GreaterAddo area. At the BEHOLD Collection of properties, we are able to tailor these and so much more into a bespoke holiday adventure for solos, couples or families.
We look forward to showing you our paradise!