Elephant House

Elephant House is a rambling colonial farmhouse with thatched roofs, deep verandas filled with comfortable sofas, Persian Rugs and a private art collection, built around courtyards and lush gardens.

It is situated in the Sunday’s River Valley, an easy 45 minute drive from the historic Indian Ocean harbour town of Port Elizabeth in the malaria-free Eastern Cape.

Children are most welcome and baby sitters are available on request. Children also have full use of the “Club Room” which has games, a TV with a DVD library, and a laptop computer.

Elephant House is proudly hosted on TravelKids.co.za.

Elephant House has 7 spacious fully air-conditioned and heated en-suite rooms (one of which is a family suite) with private verandas.

Air-conditioning
Bathrobes
Hairdryers
Heating
King size beds – extra length
Safes
Telephone and dial-up internet access
24 hour room serviceverandas.

2 Swimming pools set in the lush gardens
Dining – light lunches on the terrace or beside the pool and delicious three course candlelit dinners served daily – superb country cuisine complimented by a selection of great Cape wines!
Game drives into Addo on open 4X4 Land Cruiser
Varied list of other activities including Day trips to nearby Private reserves, Elephant Back safaris, Horseback safaris, canoeing on the river, Helicopter trips as well as Cultural, Historical and Agricultural tours in the valley
"Club Room" for guests' use with DVD library, games and laptop with complimentary internet access
Laundry/Valet
Transfers arranged
Baby sitting facilities available
Helicopter Landing Facilities (33:30:50 S 25:41:50 E)

Addo Elephant National Park
Addo Polo Club (tennis & squash courts available) 3km
Kirkwood Golf Club (picturesque 9 holes) 25km
Bushman Sands Golf Course (championship, 18 holes 45min)

Added Value Benefits:
Summer – (Oct – May, Mon to Fri) COMPLIMENTARY massages, manicures etc by in house therapist.
Complimentary afternoon tea/cake.
Complimentary glass of champagne at "sundowner" time.
Complimentary day membership of Addo Polo Club (tennis & squash courts).

Social & Environmental Responsibility:
We are very involved with the local community, our policy is to only employ, empower and uplift people from our community and to support their enterprises (for transfers, laundry, fresh food supplies, local artisans etc)

In addition to this, we sponsor and support the following:

1. The children displaced by the AIDS pandemic in the Langbos community
2. Nomathamsanqa Educare Centre
3. Noatasanqua Cricket Club
4. Ajax Addo Football Club
5. The Wilderness Foundations "Umze Whethu" project
6. The Mayibuyu Ndlovu Development Programme
7. Paterson Cultural Group

Activities in our Addo area:

Addo Elephant National Park is one of the world’s great conservation success stories and embraces one of the highest concentrations of big game in Africa and thus offers some wonderful game viewing opportunities.  In addition to the famous elephants of Addo there are also lion, buffalo, black rhino, hyena, jackal and a variety of antelope species.  Of the smaller animals the surricates and the flightless dung beetle are of great interest.  Over 150 species of birds have been recorded in the area.

The vegetation that one encounters in the area is known as “Valley Bushveld” – this is a biome unique to the river valleys of the Eastern Cape.  The plants are tough and drought resistant (Addo’s average annual rainfall is 385mm) with a high proportion of succulents much loved by elephants, black rhino and kudu.  Per cubic meter, Valley Bushveld is able to support more animals, birds and insects than any other biome on earth, in addition, one of the dominant plant species here, the “Spekboom” is one of the worlds best carbon converters!

There are various game viewing options available in Addo and the surrounding area as well as some exceptional cultural encounters:

1. Elephant House Safari Co. Addo Elephant drives
   Our in-house field guide, an elephant expert with many years experience with the elephants of Addo conducts 2 game drives through the National Park in our open land cruiser daily, both departing and ending at The Elephant House. Drinks and snacks are provided on the game drive.
   Morning Drive– 9am to 12:30pm
   Afternoon Drive - 2pm to 5:30pm
   R600pp per drive (includes park entry fees, drinks and snacks)
2. Elephant House Safari Co. Valley Tour
   This tour (nicknamed the “wine route tour”) is a must! Clive takes one from The Elephant House to the historic Addo Polo Club then through the famous citrus groves of the Sundays River Valley to a beautiful look out point where pioneer Sir Percy Fitzpatrick is buried. We then move on to have sundowners and snacks overlooking a dam on a private plantation.
   The trip ends with a visit to an amazing garden and tavern in the Nomatamsanqa Township. Departs 4pm and returns in time for a pre-dinner drink.
   R450pp (includes all drinks and snacks)
3. Schotia “Tooth and Claw” Safari
   Schotia Private Game Reserve lies adjacent to Addo’s eastern boundary. This reserve has numerous antelope species as well as lions (the lion sightings here are renowned).
   The “Tooth and Claw” safari runs from 3pm to 7pm followed by a barbeque in their boma Schotia is a half an hour’s drive from The Elephant House. Self-drive to Schotia. Transfers can be arranged.
   R660pp (including barbeque and drinks) – children all ages welcome – under 5 yrs = half price
4. Addo Elephant Back Safaris and Walks
   Addo Elephant Back Safaris have a base camp in a remote valley in the Zuurberg Mountains. They offer a unique experience “Walk with the Elephants” – where one walks through the bush with the elephants and their very knowledgeable and experienced minders. The walk is not strenuous and at an enjoyable pace.
   This is a wonderful way in which to learn more about these giant pachyderms as they go about their business of walking, feeding and watering in their natural environment. Departure times 08:00, 11:00 and 15:30.  The drive to the Zuurberg is about an hour and a half on a gravel road; however we highly recommend that you take advantage of the transfer so that you may enjoy the spectacular scenery en route.
   All children welcome on Elephant Back Safari – children under 12 pay half the adult rate
   All children above 12 = adult rate
5. “Big 5” Private Game Reserves
   There are several other “big 5” private game reserves within a 45 minute drive of Elephant House – all of these offer excellent half day safaris (including a meal), which we can book for you. They are:
   PUMBA
   AMAKHALA
   BUSHMAN SANDS GAME RESERVE
6. South African National Parks Addo Drives
   The park guides offer superb morning, afternoon, sunset and night drives of 2hrs each in open vehicles through the Addo National Park. On the night drives, apart from the nocturnal species, one often encounters black rhino and buffalo.
   Winter Safaris at 7am (R170pp), 9am (R170pp), 12pm (R170pp), 3pm (R170pp), 3pm (R170pp), 6pm (R255pp), 7:30pm (R190pp)
   Summer Safaris at 6am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, 8pm. Please check rates at reception when booking.
   NOTE:  No children under the age of 6 years allowed on game drives.
7. Addo Elephant National Park Horse Trails
   The Addo National Park offers morning and afternoon safaris on horseback through the reserve accompanied by a ranger, one often has the opportunity of viewing game close up on the trail through the elephant area.
   Beginner rides at 8am-10am at R170per person and Advanced Rides from 2-5pm – cost R220pp. They also offer horse trails in the Zuurberg Mountains. Please enquire at reception for times & rates. NOTE: No children under 10 years allowed.
8. Helicopter trip to beach
   We are able to arrange a helicopter trip to a beautiful unspoiled beach on the Indian Ocean for a beach picnic and swim. You are picked up and brought back to the front lawn of Elephant House by helicopter. Your flight to the beach lasts about 15 – 20 minutes and you will see the Addo Elephant Park (although one is not allowed to fly directly over it) from the air.
9. Spirits of the past" Tour
   This is a story that must be heard of frontier wars, pioneering spirits and heroic people bound together by indomitable determination and gritty humour.
   Recapture the Spirits of the Past renowned historian and raconteur Alan Weyer whose captivating narrative of this region’s proud history of spectacular battles and courageous people will add a new dimension to a visit to the Eastern Cape
10. Crisscross Mountain Tour
    Guests are collected at Elephant House by local adventure guides Gary Fitzpatrick & Christopher Pickles and taken into a remote, pristine section of the nearby Zuurberg Mountains (the drive takes one through a section in the Greater Addo Elephant Park where one may encounter the endangered Black Rhino) to "Otto's Pool" - where one can enjoy a leisurely stroll along a bubbling mountain stream that bypasses caves, waterfalls, rock pools and a natural fountain. (The more energetic are able to hike through the indigenous forest up to open grasslands). A delicious lunchtime braai (BBQ) is served beside a clear deep mountain pool where one can have a relaxing dip into the water or float on a tube.  Bird watching here is phenomenal!
    Duration: 9am - 4pm
    R1 100pp (inclusive of park entrance fees, drinks, snacks, braai and transfers from and back to the lodge)
11. Crisscross River Tour
    Guest are collected at Elephant House/Stable Cottages by Chris and are taken for a very scenic paddle down the Sunday's River. Explore a different world down on the river - view game and birds along the riverbanks (great birding here too - especially look out for the riverine species including various King Fisher species as well as Goliath Herons and African Fish Eagles - while your guides paddle you down some of the most scenic parts of the valley.
12. Quad Bike Tours (for the more adventurous….)
    Various Quad Bike tours – experience something different!  Guests ride through the orchards of a working citrus farm and even pick your own bag of oranges in season!  For the more adventurous, take a splash through the river on a quad. Helmets & Goggles provided. Juice & snacks served after both tours.
13. Hike in the Zuurberg Mountains
    In the beautiful Zuurberg section of the Addo Elephant National Park there is a scenic hiking trail through the valleys and onto the fynbos ridges of the mountains. Normal park entry fees apply.
14. Bushman Sands Golf Course
    Bushman Sands is an exciting partnership between Shamwari and the Government in which they have revived and created wonderful employment opportunities in the dormant old railway town of Alicedale – 40min drive from Elephant House.
    A magnificent 18-hole (“Bushveld links”) Gary Player design golf course is a feature of the hotel. Please enquire at reception for golf bookings. Bushman Sands Hotel also has a day spa.
15. Port Elizabeth City Tour
    The Indian Ocean Rim city of Port Elizabeth has a fascinating history being the landing point of the 1820 British Settlers and latterly a very significant centre in the anti apartheid movement. A tour to Port Elizabeth where you will visit central Port Elizabeth’s historical and natural attractions, combined with a visit to the townships (which will take you to some famous sites in the struggle against apartheid) is indeed extremely fascinating.
    Optional visits to the Dolphinarium, Intsimbe Beads, Ron Belling Art Gallery, The Horse Memorial, No. 7 Castle Hill (a restored Settler Cottage) and St Georges Park – the famous cricket ground (where the first cricket and rugby test matches in South Africa were played) can also be included on your tour.
16. Other activities and bespoke packages
    We will try to tailor your stay to suit your needs as much as possible in order for you to get the best chance to experience all the area has to offer, for example, in season, we are able to arrange a visit to a citrus farm to watch the picking, a chukka of polo at the Addo Polo Club, a round of golf at Kirkwood Golf Club or if you are suffering from “safari fatigue” even a visit to the famous Volkswagen factory in Uitenhage!

Please feel free to discuss any special activities that will enhance your stay with us. Of course, you may simply want to DNA (do nothing at all!)

NOTES:
All rates include VAT and are subject to change without notice.

The success of most of these tours is dependent on favourable weather; as a result, in the event of inclement weather a tour may be cancelled at short notice.
Occasionally, on the advice of the ranger, we may vary the departure time of a safari to ensure that the guest gets the best possible experience.

SUMMER '09/'10
1 Oct 2009 - 30 Apr 2010
Colonial Rooms - R1 450 pp sharing / R2 175 single

WINTER '10
May '10 and Jul - 30 Sept '10
Colonial Rooms - R750 pp sharing / no single supplements

WINTER '10
1 Jun '10 - 15 Jul '10
Colonial Rooms - R1 450 pp sharing / R2 175 single

For last minute SPECIALS please enquire now for more information.

Prices are subject to change without notice. All rates are per person per night and include breakfast, VAT and tourism levy.
3rd / 4th person in Colonial room R500 per night.
Children under 4yrs stay for free. Baby sitting R50/hr

General Terms & Conditions:
A deposit of 35% secures your reservation.
Full accommodation account to be paid 30 days prior to guest’s arrival.
Bookings confirmed of 3 or more rooms 50% deposit required within 7 days of confirmation and the balance payable 30 days prior to guests’ arrival.
Deposits are non refundable.