TRAVEL NEWS - When looking to escape the stress of life, we often try to find the most remote and serene destinations: venturing into the wilderness or mountains to escape the bustle of the city.
Addo Elephant National Park and Bontebok are two destinations that promise complete relaxation by offering breathtaking scenery, plenty of outdoor activities and opportunities to sight wildlife.
Each park boasts a unique ecosystem that supports a specific collection of animals and birds. It is important that one knows what to expect when planning a trip to theses parks, particularly if the main reason for the visit is to view wildlife.
Addo Elephant National Park nestles close to the coastal city of Port Elizabeth and spans across 686 000 hectares - 164 000 hectares of land and a 120 000 hectare marine reserve.
A popular self-drive destination, Addo Elephant National Park offers 120 kilometers of roads to explore in search of wildlife. Addo is one of the best places in Africa to see elephant, providing sanctuary to as many as 600 elephants, as well as over 400 Cape buffalo, 13 species of antelope and 22 species of carnivore; including the Big Five and wild dogs.
Addo offers a number of exciting activities: from hiking trails in the Zuurberg Mountains to guided game drives, horse riding, cycling, bird watching, 4x4 trails, marine eco tours and spa treatments at the Addo Indlovu Spa.
There are a number of accommodation options to choose from but within the park, many have favored the self-catering Addo Rest Camp which offers the choice of camping sites, safari tents, chalets and log cabins.
Bontebok National Park is the smallest of the 19 national parks in South Africa, spanning across 27 860 hectares. The park is surrounded by a number of picturesque towns, including Swellendam, Buffeljags and the famous Route 62.
Bontebok is home to a variety of small mammals and antelope such as Bontebok, Grey Rhebuck and red Hartebees. It is also a great destination for keen birders, especially those looking to spot the Denham’s Bustard. There are as many as 200 species found in the park.
Bontebok encourages relaxation with picnics on the banks of the Breede River, braais at designated areas within the park and activities such as self-drives around the park, bird watching, hiking, swimming in the river, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and mountain biking.
The Lang Elsie's Kraal Rest Camp sits on the banks of the Breede River and offers breathtaking views of the Langeberg Mountains. The camp comprises of 10 self-catering chalets and 41 campsites.
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