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Safari Lodges and Accommodation in South Africa

Accommodation at Gorah Elephant Reserve, Eastern Cape, South Africa
GORAH ELEPHANT RESERVE
  • Deluxe game lodge
  • Ten luxurious tented suites
  • Intimate veranda overlooking a waterhole
  • Rock swimming pool and sun decks

Gorah Elephant Reserve is a premier lodge set in the heart of the malaria-free Addo Elephant National Park, home to the densest elephant population on earth.The Gorah House – restored to its 19th century colonial splendour – reflects a noble opulence and delivers meticulous service and attention to detail.

The romantic atmosphere of the 10 spacious and luxurious tented suites recalls the golden era of safaris in the early 1900s, yet with the comfort and excellence associated with Africa's finest game lodges.

Enjoy fine dining by candlelight in the elegant dining room or on the verandas overlooking the waterhole.

The sounds of the bush create a magical air of peace and tranquillity, broken only by the splashing of water as the animals arrive to drink under the cover of darkness. Relax in the boma area with its beautiful rock swimming pool and sun-drenched decks. Enjoy the African tradition of cooking and eating under the stars.

Whether watching elephant herds gathering by the waterhole or encountering them at matchlessly close range, the Gorah experience is totally unique and perfectly complements a Garden Route Adventure.

With arguably the best elephant viewing in South Africa, Addo is also the domain of the Cape buffalo, black rhino, numerous antelope species and a wealth of bird life.

The incomparable thrill of quitely observing a passing herd of elephant while being served tea or gin-and-tonic on the verandah of a stately Colonial manor house is the stuff of dreams and legends.

At Gorah its an everyday occurence. This exclusive safari lodge recaptures the romantic mystique of authentic African safaris of centuries past - at Gorah the awesome natural world of Africa merges with colonial nostalgia and modern sophistication to deliver an unforgettable unique African experience. Gorah Elephant Camp is a memeber of Relais & Chateaux.

LOCATION:
Located in the heart of the Big 5 Addo Elephant National Park in the malaria-free Eastern Cape, Gorah was the first private concession ever awarded in a South African National Park.

Near the Zuurberg mountain range in the dense, indigenous bushveld of the Sundays River Valley, the 14000 hectare fenced park was proclaimed in 1931 to preserve the last remaining survivors of the once large herds of elephant that roamed the Eastern Cape.

Hunted almost to extinction, these herds have gradually flourished and Addo now boasts the highest density of elephant on earth.

It is also home to other big game such as lion, rhino, buffalo and leopard, as well as numerous species of antelope and small game. For birding enthusiasts, Addo has 320 recorded bird species.

FACILITIES:
Originally built in 1856, Gorah House is a National Monument which has been fully restored to reflect the grace and glory of those times. Elegant period furnishings instill an ambience of comfort and opulence. Ensconced in armchairs around the original fireplaces of welcoming, comfy lounges, stories of the day's adventures unfold. For those wishing to discover more about the region, there is a small library with a selection of reference books.

The comings and goings of wildlife around the waterhole situated in front of the main verandah are a constant source of fascination.

The natural rock swimming pool is the perfect place to beat the African heat, otherwise simply relax on the sun decks or in the shade of Gorah House's porches and patios.

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Delicious and lavish gourmet cuisine is served either in the elegant, softly lit dining room of the Main House or on the old-style verandah overlooking the waterhole or, weather permitting, under the stars in the open boma surrounded by the sounds of the African bush.

ACCOMMODATION:
After the exhiliration of a game drive or walk, retreat into a romantic tented suite - a private bushveld santuary.

Sheltered beneath thached canopies, Gorah's 11 tented guest suites are luxurious and spacious, recalling the golden era of safari in the early 1900s, enhanced with the fine comfort and excellence associated with Hunter establishments:

 

Each luxury tent has an en-suite bathroom with shower, an interior relaxation area and a private deck offering panoramic views across the endless savannah plains.

Other facilities include solar-powered lights, ceiling fans and inhouse communication between the tents and the Main House

ANOTHER PERFECT DAY AT GORAH ELEPHANT CAMP:
The recommended check-in time at Gorah is around mid-day. Our sumptuous buffet lunch is served between 12h30 and 14h00, giving guests plenty of time to settle into their luxurious tented suites and familiarise themselves with Gorah's gracious amenities before High Tea at 16h00.

A Game Drive or Walk with an experienced guide is scheduled for 16h30. Before sitting down to dinner between seven-thirty and eight, enjoy a quiet pre-dinner drink on the verandah of Gorah House, while soaking in the sights, smells and sounds of the African bush at twilight. You're on African time and there is no rush.

Seize the day! Guests receive a discreet wake-up call at 07h00 and breakfast is served between 07h30 and 08h45, followed by the morning game drive or walk at 09h00. Day excursions to Addo Elephant Back Safaris for a walk with the elephants can be arranged.

Guests are requested to check out by 12h00 on the day of departure.

CLIMATE:
The region's climate is pleasantly temperate with an annual rainfall of 450 mm occuring throughout the year. Winters are chilly and summers are warm to hot. Days of sunshine are plentiful at Gorah. Although the weather is generally moderate, it is advisable to have a warm jacket, especialy for game drives in open vehicles. Although charging facilities can be made available at Gorah, it is advisable to bring fully charged video camera batteries, shaver batteries, etc. Mobile phone reception is virtually non-existent.

ELEGANT DINING:
Dining is by candle-light in the elegant dining room, or on its lazy verandas overlooking the waterhole.

The sounds of the bush create a magical air of peace and tranquility, broken only by the splashing of water as the animals arrive to drink under the cover of darkness.

THE BOMA:
Guests can relax in the boma area with it's beautiful rock swimming pool and sun-drenched decks.Experience the African tradition of cooking and eating under the stars.

THE ELEPHANT EXPERIENCE:
Whether experiencing the majesty of elephant herds gathering by the waterhole, or encounters at matchlessly close range, the Gorah experience is totally unique. And perfectly compliments your Garden Route Adventure.

With arguably the best elephant viewing in South Africa, Addo is also the domain of the Cape Buffalo, Black Rhino, numerous antelope species and a wealth of bird life.

ACCESSIBILITY
By Road: 45 minutes to Gorah gate from Port Elizabeth Airport (70km).
Car rentals and transfers can be arranged on request.
By Air: Fly in Safaris available. Private charter fixed wing aircraft. Private landing strip, 330 33’ S, 250 51’ E - 20 min. transfer. Scheduled flights daily to and from Port Elizabeth Airport.

DIRECTIONS
Travel East on N2 from Port Elizabeth through Colchester, then take N10 (North) to Paterson. 4 km after this intersection, turn left into Addo Heights Road (gravel), follow for 9kms. Gorah gate on your right.

BY AIR:
Chartered flights are available from all major centres, including Plettenberg Bay, with a twenty minute transfer between the landing strip and the Lodge. There are also frequent scheduled flights directly into Port Elizabeth from all major centres in South Africa. Both rental car and road transfers are readily available for the 70 km drive from the airport to Gorah.

ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK:
Situated in a malaria free area just one hour's drive from the South African coastal city of Port Elizabeth, our magnificently diverse national park offers a wide variety of game viewing, outdoor adventure, accommodation and cultural experiences.

You will be amazed at the variety of natural landscapes and wildlife species that can be experienced in one easily accessible destination.


"Big 7" EXPERIENCE:
You've heard about Africa's Big 5 - the elephant, lion, rhino, leopard and buffalo. Well, we are about to become the only wildlife park in the world where you can view Africa's Big 7 in their natural environment.

Yes, with the expansion of our park, you will be able to see the Big 5 plus whales and great white sharks - all in one great park comprising a 240 000 hectare terrestrial zone and a 120 000 hectare marine zone.

HOW TO FIND ADDO:
The park is situated 72 km from Port Elizabeth in the Sundays River Valley and Zuurberg Mountain range. The access road from the main road (4 km) is tarred as far as the rest camp. Roads within the rest camp and some loops of the game area roads are tarred, while other game area roads are gravel.

The Addo Elephant National Park was established in 1931 to protect the last 11 wild elephants from extermination.

Today more than 350 elephants roam through an area that is so diverse that no matter how many times you experience it, its magic will never fail to captivate you. On a good day, Addo Elephant National Park offers the greatest elephant spectacle on earth. The park also offers excellent viewing of black rhino, Cape buffalo and leopard, as well as a host of other large and small mammals and over 400 species of birds in the greater park area.

HISTORY:
While elephants have pride of place in this Eastern Cape National Park, there are enough other animals and birds here to keep even the most discerning game - and bird - watcher happy. Today, about 160 tuskers roam the 7 735 ha area of creepers and trees, together with significant numbers of Cape buffalo, antelope, eland, red hartebeest, black rhino and hippo.

It seems quite unbelievable now that less than 100 years ago, Addo's elephant population was on the verge of being wiped out by the farming community.

Clashes between elephant and settler farmers began almost as soon as attempts were made to cultivate the land in the vicinity of the Addo bush. Not suprisingly, the elephant population paid little attention to the fences put up by their new neighbours. In a series of night raids, they simply trampled down fences and helped themselves to the crops of the farmers.

In 1919, Cape administrator Frederic de Waal, faced with mounting anger from Eastern Cape agriculturalists called in the help of crack army marksman Major Jan Pretorius in a bid to exterminate the herd. Pretorius achieved great success, shooting 120 of the animals before a public outcry brought the slaughter to and end.

The popularity of Addo Elephant National park has grown steadily since its proclamation in 1931. Facilities on offer include chalets, rondavfels, a caravan park, a restaurant, picnic areas and a hide (near a dam) for birdwatchers

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GARDEN ROUTE:
Scattered along the Garden Route, fashionable seaside resorts abound, attracting jet-setters from around the globe. Tiny coastal villages appeal especially to outdoor people who enjoy an unstructured holiday agenda. The coastal drive links a series of charming towns interspersed with natural beauty. Along the way, every kind of adventure activity is possible; scuba diving, abseiling, fishing and more.

Mountains crowd close to a shoreline dotted with beaches and bays, and vividly coloured wild flowers delight the eye. Between Heidelberg and Storms River, the Garden Route runs parallel to a coastline featuring lakes, mountains, tall indigenous forests, amber-coloured rivers and golden beaches. Meandering trails are followed by hikers, the forests invite long, leisurely drives, and the lakes and rivers lend themselves to swimming, boating and fishing. A wide range of leisure options, spectacular scenery and a mild climate guarantee an unforgettable holiday experience.

The Garden Route has a Mediterranean Maritime climate, with moderately hot summers, and mild to chilly winters. It is one of the richest rainfall areas, most of which occurs in the winter months, brought by the humid sea-winds from the Indian Ocean. Any time of the year is good for visiting the area, depending if you enjoy a peaceful retreat during the winter months or a bustling holiday destination during the summer.

The region provides a stirring study in contrasts:

Situated halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, beautiful Mossel Bay is a coastal village and harbour of the World Famous Garden Route. This popular holiday town is surrounded by a sunbathed peninsula and the refreshing waters of the Indian Ocean. It is a busy summer destination as well as an ideal winter retreat. It is blessed with a mild climate all-year round but its most important feature is its status as the historical capital of the Garden Route. Mossel Bay is sportsman's and waters sport enthusiast's paradise, it has a very wide variety of adventure sports facilities as well as sport of the conventional type, such as golf, squash, tennis, bungi and bridge diving, indoor heated pools, horse riding to name but a few. And if you're into water sports, there is some of the countries most adrenalin induced activities available - such as, shark cage diving, ship wreck diving, snorkeling, power boating and others.

The delightful town of George, known as "The Gateway to the Garden Route", graces a coastal plateau in a fertile area of lush greenery at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains. George has many historical landmarks to be visited. Like The Slave Tree, an ancient English Oak planted by Landdrost van Kervel. Known as the Slave Tree because of the very large chain and lock embedded in the trunk, it has been declared a national monument. And the King Edward VII Library building is said to be the best example of Edwardian architecture in George.

15 km West of George, nestled in a magnificent and sheltered rocky cove where the golden beach sands meet the frothy, turquoise waters of the ocean, Herold's Bay has coastal walks and trails ideal for spotting dolphins and whales. The unspoilt coastal fynbos makes it a popular spot for birders and nature-lovers.

Oudtshoorn, "Capital of the Klein Karoo", is set in a semi-arid valley, providing the ideal habitat for ostriches which are farmed here on a grand scale. Amidst the 400 ostrich farms surrounding the town, 3 have distinguished themselves worthy to be named " show farms". Become exposed to this exotic bird species, the largest in the world.

Also situated close to the Klein Karoo Town of Oudtshoorn is the Cango Caves - one of the worlds great natural wonders, sculptured by nature through the ages. Mysterious and breathtaking limestone formations in a wide variety of natural colours, a subterranean wonderland. The Cango Caves are among the top ten most visited South African attractions.

Wilderness is set between the Kaaimans River and the Goukama Nature Reserve, whilst being bordered by the Outeniqua Mountains. Renowned for it tranquil sea and beaches which stretch on forever, Wilderness has become a Internationally sought after holiday resort. Wilderness is also surrounded by many rivers and natural lakes and lagoons. This makes it a great spot for water sport enthusiasts, who flock there regularly. There is 2500 ha National Park with five rivers, five lakes, two estuaries and 18km of coastline. Wilderness sports many types of wildlife, in particular birds. Many types of water birds breed here and this makes it ideal for bird-watchers. The many other types of recreation include hiking, dolphin and whale-watching, hang-gliding, paragliding, horse riding, mountain-biking, scenic drives, Wilderness Lakes Art Route, day tours, ferry cruises, angling, boating and other water sports. Wilderness also has a great number of craftsmen and women in the area. There work is often for sale and the tourist can pick up many bargains at the monthly craft markets, held in the middle and end of the month. This and many other interesting aspects of the town add to it's rustic charm. A place that must be visited by any tourist in the Garden Route, it truly is a place of timeless beauty.

Knysna is one of the Southern Cape coast's best known holiday destinations, situated between lush forests and the shores of the peaceful lagoon - it offers many activities and attractions of a wide variety. The most well known attraction being the heads - two great sandstone cliffs guarding the mouth of the lagoon which connects the estuary with the sea. A lookout has been erected on the Eastern Head, commanding spectacular views of the lagoon, Leisure Isle and Knysna. The Western Head is a privately owned nature Reserve - Featherbed Bay. The Knysna Lagoon is one of the few places along the coast and in the world that supports a oyster hatchery.

Tsitsikamma is the Khoi-San word for a place of many waters. It is the perfect description of this exquisite area but does not do justice to the overwhelming experience the Tsitsikamma provides for those fortunate enough to visit it and to indulge in its unique pleasures.

The Tsitsikamma National Park is internationally recognized for its forests which harbour and conserve the giant Outeniqua yellowwood - one of the few true monarchs of the world's forests. This enormous tree is one of the most successful species in existence, having survived unchanged for millions of years. Tsitsikamma National Park is also Africa's oldest and largest marine reserve, playing a vital role in the preservation and conservation of marine fauna and flora. Tourists, and particularly hikers from all over the world, visit the area which is known for its rugged, unspoiled coastline - a photographer's dream.

The region has many wonderfully scenic hiking trails of which it is justifiably proud, though its greatest asset remains the world-renowned Otter Trail. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that remains indelibly imprinted on the mind.

Addo Elephant Park is located in the Garden Route - a delightful reserve near Port Elizabeth. Its biggest attractions are its big 330 Elephants and many Antelope like Eland, Bontebokke etc. The Elephants used to be tightly packed in this park but it has recently been expanded so that these large but quietly trodden pachyderms have a wider area in which to roam. Another animal that lives here is the flightless dung Beetle; it has survived in South Africa only in this area.

The rocky heights of Mountain Zebra National Park's Bankberg embrace rolling plains and deep valleys becoming an entrancing preserve for the Cape mountain Zebra. Currently the population of Zebra here stands at 350. Other mammals found here include Eland, black Wildebeest, red Hartebeest and Gemsbok. Mountain Reedbuck and grey Rhebok frequent the higher areas, whilst Caracal occupies the niche of primary predator.

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