The Elephant House

Left our overnight family-run accommodation - but not before a photograph had been taken for the pictorial record of all guests who stay - in yet more cold, wet, windy weather and spent most of the day travelling to The Eastern Cape and to our destination, Addo Elephant National Park, a Big Five game reserve.

It was definitely the highlight of our stay this night at The Elephant House - not the one on George IV Bridge, infamous for its links with JK Rowling, but a colonnial farmhouse in true, traditional African style. Situated in Sundays River Valley, it was just 8km from the main entrance to Addo. Thatched roofs, Persian carpets, comfortable sofas, antiques, African art, deep verandahs - this place was magic.

After booking in, we made a quick visit along to the Park just to suss out where it was and to see if we could spot any animals. We weren't disappointed - warthog, zebras, monkeys and kudus and we weren't yet even in the reserve!

Back to enjoy the hospitality and dinner served at The Elephant House.