The Elephant House

Facilities

• Dining: Breakfast is included in the rates. A 3-course, set menu dinner is served daily at the guesthouse. Lunch can be arranged on request
• Communal areas: The site has substantial gardens, as well as courtyards and lots of sociable sitting areas
• Internet Access: None
• Swimming Pool: There are 2 swimming pools to choose from
• Spa Treatments: Spa Treatments
• Recreational: The house run twice daily elephant drives, and daily valley tours (for prices, see Rates)
• Meetings/Functions: The lodge started life - somewhat unintentionally - as a conference venue for VW delegates from nearby Uitenhage, using what is now the honeymoon suite as a meeting room. This can still be done - and regularly is by VW groups of up to 20 - with audio-visual equipment on hand and special activities tailor-made to suit requirements
• Disabled Access: Spacious ground floor rooms with easy access
• Pets: Welcome by prior arrangement
• Languages Spoken: English, Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu

Also...

• Owned and run by a friendly couple who started the lodge in 1994
  
• You’ll find your car washed before you leave in the morning
  
• Thatched roofs and ceilings (with plenty of lightning conductors, don’t worry)

When to go?

Midsummer (November-January) can be very hot, though electric storms periodically cool things down. Spring (August-October) and autumn (February-April) are pleasant months to visit, with clear days, cold nights and good game viewing. Book early for November and April. Winter (May-July) is very quiet and can be surprisingly cold.

Author's tips

I would suggest 3 nights and 2 full days: 1 visiting Addo Elephant Park, the other either seeking out rarer game at Shamwari or exploring the Sundays River Valley.

Features include:

• Restaurant
• Room service
• Bar
• Vegetarian menu
• Breakfast
• Garden
• Outdoor pool
• In room treatments available
• Meeting rooms
• Function facilities
• Disabled access
• Pets welcome by arrangement
• Airstrip / Helipad
• Off street parking
• Airport Transfers