We came across a brown sign at a turn-off that just says Karel Landman Monument.  That is it.  So this was the indication for us to put on your indicator and turn.

We were not quite expecting this type of structure for a monument!  Well maybe I am old school but a monument in my mind is sort of a subdued grey stone structure and not a huge ocean blue structure!

Now who was this Karel Landman, because I mean to have a famous architect like Gerard Moerdijk design such a structure and plonk it down here in the green scenery near Alexandria you must be quite well-known?  I was scratching my memory to find something familiar from my history lessons from school about Karel Landman, but nothing came to the fore. 

Landman was one of the key figures in the 1838 Groot Trek. 

He was a farmer in the area but clashes with locals were on the increase and he decided to sell his farm and head to the interior.  He led a travelling party of about 180 souls consisting of 39 families.   They trekked around Lesotho and met up with another trekker Gerrit Maritz – now at least I can remember him from my history lessons!  – where after they settled in Natal.  On our visit I have learnt that Landman later on became the administrator of Port Natal (nowadays Durban).   

Now as in many cases in the Afrikaner history there was disagreement. This time it was on where this monument should be located and the two Dutch Reformed Church councils who contributed to the fund raising agreed to place it on this koppie of the border of both councils which is why this globe sort of sit in the middle of nowhere.

Walking around this massive globe with a diameter of 5 meter it amazed me to see all the detail of very small, sometimes never heard of, little islands from the Pacific Ocean dotted on the map. Moerdijk, surely impressed me with his accuracy in geography.

On the day of our visit entry to the site was free of charge.

Coordinates:
33°34’42.89″ S 26°09’42.81″ E

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It is not as big as Kruger and as crowded as Kruger, but still give you a wildlife experience like none other.  Here you can not only see the Big Five but also, hyena, warthogs, various buck species, zebra, smaller creatures and birds (more than 417 species have been listed).  Remember that you will see lots and lots of elephants – it is after all Addo Elephant Park – and do not forget the smaller creatures and birds.

The park is within easy reach for a day drive from Port Elizabeth.  Pack a picnic basket and leave early as the gates open at 06:00 during summer and closes at 18:00, but check before you go as times change according to season.   If you do not want to do a self-drive there is also a hop-on facility at reception where an experience guide will share his knowledge with you.  They also offer horse back rides in certain sections of the park.

At the main gate near reception there is an interpretative centre where kids (and adults) can explore all kinds of interesting facts on wild animals.

For me elephants are quite amusing and I can sit and watch them for hours, especially the smaller ones that do not yet have such good control over their trunks and it more or less flip-flop all over the place.   The teenagers on the other hand are very daring and will chase anything that have an element of possible fun.

Most important of all is to respect speed limits and park rules.  Rules are there for everyone, and to the benefit of everyone, to have enjoyable experience.   If you need some tips head over to the post:  At the waterhole.

http://travelbucket.co.za/at-the-waterhole/?hilite=%27waterhole%27  

There is also more than just game viewing to the park.  Along the Woody Cape area you will find the longest untouched sand dunes in the Southern hemisphere and of course whales along the coast.

Bonus tip:  Remember during SANPARKS week in September entry to the park is free

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