SANParks is spending R136.5 million on big upgrades currently underway at SA’s third-largest national park.
South Africa (27 October 2026) – SANParks has put R136.5 million into upgrading facilities and basic infrastructure at Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape. Some of the work has already been completed.
Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment David Maynier visited the new facilities and construction sites on Monday, 19 October.
He said he had been to Addo before and knew the park had struggled with the condition of its basic infrastructure, and that he was pleased to see the scale of the work now underway in preparation for the upcoming holidays.
Eight new family accommodation units are already open to the public. The bulk sewer and electrical infrastructure has been comprehensively upgraded, and a new spa is up and running.
More is on the way. Further new accommodation units, the refurbished existing units, the refurbished guest house and the swimming pool are all planned to open in December 2026.
A new 10-unit Community Lodge should be finished by December too, with its official opening and first guests planned for January 2027. The 705-kW grid-tied solar plant is complete and will be commissioned in January 2027. Road maintenance is also underway.
There is still work to do. Ablutions and hiking trails are the next priorities, and SANParks says it will now focus on urgent upgrades to both.
Maynier also spoke to visitors in the park about what needed to change to bring Addo up to international standards. He said the guest experience must be a key focus in revitalising national parks, with quality accommodation and facilities at multiple price points.
“Visitors should experience the very best South Africa has to offer in terms of quality accommodation and facilities, with options at multiple price points.”
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