Addo Elephant National Park gets R136.5 million upgrade
New accommodation, a spa, and a solar plant are among upgrades at the Eastern Cape park ahead of the holiday season.
Addo Elephant National Park has received a R136.5 million investment from SANParks to improve tourism infrastructure and visitor facilities. The upgrades, which aim to enhance operational sustainability, include eight new family accommodation units that are now open. Minister David Maynier visited the park on Monday, October 19, to inspect the ongoing construction projects.
Several new facilities are expected to be completed in time for the December holiday season. These include additional accommodation units, a refurbished guest house, and a swimming pool. A new spa is already operational, and a 10-unit Community Lodge is scheduled for completion by December 2026, with operations beginning in January 2027.
A 705-kW solar plant is also nearing completion and will be commissioned in January 2027 to reduce the park's reliance on conventional electricity. Road maintenance is underway, and upgrades to ablutions and hiking trails will be prioritised. These improvements come after years of concerns about the condition of the park's basic infrastructure.
Why it mattersVisitors to Addo Elephant National Park will experience improved accommodation and facilities during the December holidays.