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Is it possible to drive to Addo from Cape Town in a day, then spend a day at the park and drive back in less than 3 days?

Does that even make sense?

i'd say it's probably possible!

It's definitely possible -- it's also possible to drive from New York to Seattle in two days -- but I wouldn't recommend it.

I went to Addo from Knysna, which I believe is 6-7 hours from Cape Town. I think it took us about 5 hours. So, you'd be looking at close to 24 hours of driving roundtrip, plus driving around in the park. Personally, I'd want to be awake in order to avoid hitting anything or being trampled by an elephant.

Thanks Richard...

I kinda figured that, just didn't want to hear that. I really want to go to a National Park while I'm down there. Any suggestions for wildlife viewing closer to Cape Town?

what if you joined an organized tour to be more relaxed? i don't know if that's your style. i once did a safari in kenya that way. It may not give you the feeling of real freedom. but the guides are very well informed about where to go and we spotted a lot of game. as well you can relax and look out for the animals while somebody else does the driving...i noticed many hostels offering tours at reasonable prices.
i will be in SA the next 2 months so i might have more info for you when i came back. feel free to check back with me before you leave.

Cape Town to Port Elizabeth is definately a long ass drive, about 6-8hrs I would say. You could do it in 3 days but you would waste a lot of time driving. Then again it is the garden route and is one of the most stunning landscapes in South Africa.

If you took 3 days, with a day to drive taking it easy and stopping along the way. Stay in Port Elizabeth ( I recommend Tanaqua Lodge) and go to the park on day 2, then drive back the next day enjoying the sites and perhaps taking a different route, it might make a nice addition to your trip. All depends on how much you like driving.

I just spent 5mths backpacking there, am happy to give you hostel suggestions or anything else.

Trekker

In case you don't feel like doing the driving yourself...last month, I took the Baz Bus from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, which took 12 hours. But I loved the ride and saw the places I'd like to stop along the way next time I'm in SA. I went to Addo the next day and the 3rd day, took the bus back. It was definitely worth it for me.

I also would recommend Tanaqua Lodge. I don't know why more people don't go there.

How far is Addo from PE? I'm taking the Baz Bus to PE and was planning to do Addo from there. Or is there a better base to reach it from?

Cheers

FLY FLY FLY...

You can get a return flight on Kulula for as little as R800. Orange Elephant Backpackers will pick you up and take you to the park, give you two nights and take you back to PE for about R1000.00 (check with them)... Just watch the hidden airport transfer costs on the Cape Town side. If you have someone to pick you up and drop you off then you will save a fortune...

You can drive it but its +- 9 hours to Addo from CT and that's if you drive pretty solidly. Petrol there and back assuming you drive a car that gets 11km per litre would come to R880.00 + R24 in toll fees if you go via Knysna or R40.00 if you go on the R62 via Oudsthoorn...

There are wild life options closer to Cape Town but they are all private reserves, not National Parks.

Private reserves are pricier but when you factor in the time and cost of getting to Addo and back, I'd say you'd find it worthwhile.

Here are the details of game reserves around Cape Town and the Garden Route. Sanbona is the best of these in terms of authentic safari experience IMO, but of course it is also the priciest. Isn't that always the case?!