Now THIS was an amazing family outing and a big winner for all of us! The house was buzzing with excitement as we got up and piled into the car, heading off to the little town of Addo, 40 minutes East of Port Elizabeth.
As we arrived at Adrenalin Addo, we spotted the wooden zipline platform perched on top of the ridge – it definitely looks higher in person than on the video! After signing indemnities and gearing up with a full harness, heavy pulley, lots of clips and a hard hat, we rode the balance raft across the river and hiked up the ridge to the platform. It’s quite a steep climb – we had no problem skipping up, but some of the people with us were very relieved when the guide very kindly stopped along the way and gave some history and information on the area while they caught their breath.
Once at the top, the view is amazing, and the adrenalin starts to pump as you imagine leaping off the platform. As it’s a double zipline, you go down in pairs, and its lovely to share the experience together. Once hooked up to the zipline and given the all clear, you basically sit back and let go and start zooming through the air with a very loup zipping sound. Its really fast, and a whole lot of fun – I was laughing out loud and whooping with joy the whole way down. Its got an automatic break at the bottom and then you hang until a guy brings a stepladder for you to climb down.
I’m not the world’s biggest adrenalin junkie, but I did not feel nervous for a minute and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.
Jeremy Loops pretty much sums up the experience is his song “Trip Fox” which we used as a backtrack for our video: – “Let me just get something down, I’m coming for your frown, I’ve got something to make you feel better”
All of us agreed that we really would like to do it “again and again and again” and left Adrenalin Addo with large smiles and happy hearts.
Next stop, Addo Elephant National Park – SA’s third largest national park and an absolute favourite of ours. We were starving when we arrived and started out with a braai at the day visitors’ picnic site at the main camp. After enjoying boerewors rolls, we wandered around the discovery centre and checked out the hide looking onto the waterhole.
When you arrive at Addo Elephant Park, it feels like you have stepped into a parallel universe, far away from city life and deep in the wild. The thatched buildings, the safari vibe, the holiday feeling – amazing that it is so close to PE.
Sometimes, you can drive through the whole park and hardly see any elephants, but not today! We saw elephant after elephant after elephant. It seemed like they were all out to play for the day and everywhere we went we were graced by the majestic beasts – family herds, babies frolicking, bachelors, matriarchs – the whole shebang. There is something about quietly watching an elephant close by that calms the soul, and we love to switch off the engine, and absorb their peaceful grace.
Kudu, warthogs, zebra and tortoises are always in abundance. We also spotted some buffalo, and enjoyed the beauty of the very thick bush as we headed from the main entrance across the park to the Mathyolweni gate on the other side.
Those of us who live in the area are really lucky to have Addo Elephant Park on our doorstep. A short drive from home, and you are in the heart of safari Africa – a real treat!
All in all, an incredible family day out!
Addo Elephant National Park
www.sanparks.org/parks/addo/
No booking is required for a day visit, and day visitors can make use of a wide variety of activities, including wildlife viewing from their own vehicle, guided game drives, horse rides, hiking trails, the bird hide, the PPC Discovery Trail, picnic and braai sites, the shop and restaurant.
Gates are open from 7am – around 6pm daily (the closing time changes depending on the season)
Entry Fee:
There is a daily conservation fee payable at the gate
South African Citizens and Residents (with ID): R54 per adult, R27 per child
SADC Nationals: R108 per adult, R54 per child
Standard Conservation Fee (Foreign Visitors): R216 per adult, R108 per child
We have a Wild Card, which allows our family unlimited access to all national parks in the country for a year. It works out as fantastic value if you are a regular park visitor. (www.sanparks.org/wild/)
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