Gorah Elephant Camp

Experience the adventure and romantic mystique of the authentic African safari of centuries past. Gorah Elephant Camp is a luxurious tented camp, with a gracious manor house overlooking a waterhole teaming with game in the heart of the Addo National Park.

The thrill of quietly watching a herd of elephants stroll by, while sipping tea on the veranda of a stately colonial manor house is the unforgettable stuff of dreams. This exclusive safari lodge recaptures the romantic mystique of authentic safaris from centuries past.

Experience the breathtaking natural world of Africa merged with period nostalgia and modern sophistication to deliver an unforgettably unique 5-star adventure.

Gorah is the only private concession and Camp situated in the middle of the famous Addo Elephant National Park, home to the densest population of elephants on earth. The park is malaria-free and has the Big 5.

11 stylish tented suites entice you to stay sheltered under thatched canopies with private decks, the magnificent en suite tents are spacious and luxurious, recalling the golden era of safari in the early 1900s. Each is enhanced with the fine comforts and excellence associated with Hunter Hotels.

Comprehensive services and creature comforts for a luxurious stay to suit your needs, Gorah offer all the services you’d expect from a 5 star property and much more, we pride ourselves in ensuring all our guests have the perfect getaway.

To ensure that guests never want for any comforts during their stay, the 11 tented suites are superbly equipped with all the modern necessities required for a 5 star experience.

Hairdryer, personal in-room safe, bathrobes, slippers, bespoke body products, umbrellas, complimentary sherry in the room. Gorah is a self sufficient property, primarily driven by solar power, gas geysers and standby generator power.

What to Bring
Remember to bring a camera, binoculars, bird and wildlife reference books, a hat and sunscreen lotion. Also remember to bring along medicines such as anti-histamine and lotion for insect stings and bites.

What to Wear
Cool clothing for summer, as well as your bathing suit and comfortable walking shoes. Warm clothing for winter as the temperature can drop considerably, with the wind chill factor especially prevalent on game drives. We recommend you also bring a warm jacket, gloves, beanie and scarf to ensure you keep warm.

How’s the weather
During the summer months from September to April the weather is warm to hot with wonderful balmy evenings. Temperatures can fluctuate from 25ºC – 35ºC in the daytime and there is a chance of rain.

The winter is chilly at night and early in the mornings but the daytime temperatures can be pleasantly warm. Every now and then a cold front does pass over the lodge at which time daytime temperatures can be slightly cooler.

The Gorah History
During the turbulent times, 1806-1910, the vast expanses of land, wild animals and fascinating encounters with rural tribes, led to legendary tales of Africa that have shaped history and drawn more and more visitors to this magical and mystical place.

The History of the Gorah is not just another story of an African Farm. It is a factual recollection of the lives of people, both indigenous and foreign, who lived at, created, built, tilled and later died with this place, leaving behind an etched history that would, eons later, become its very essence.

The story of Gorah was not always a happy one. Glory, sadness, success, happiness, tragedy and love all weaved their way into this story. Through some of the hardest and most enduring times of South African history, the lives of these people will forever be entwined in the legend, the history and the memory of this untimely place.

Extending way back to the days of the Early Stone Age, Gorah holds its origin of inhabitants over 250 000 years ago. As man evolved, so did his use and need for the Gorah.

Originally boasting a natural spring, Gorah, which means Natural Water, attracted wildlife, hunters early African farmers, and then later the white settlers and farmers, new age hunters and varied cultures for hundreds of years after.

While the Stone Age men dominated thousands of years in the Gorah area, hunting and migrating from seashore to inland hunting grounds, it was only later that the more refined story or ‘history’ of the early Khoi people was to take form, and the story begins to evolve with a clearer picture.

From the mysterious and fascinating legends of the Khoi, arose the more detailed and recorded cultures of the amaXhosa people, and the Khoi, along with the wild animals, would soon face a perilous future; the late 1700’s had arrived, and so had Colonial settlers.

It is really from this time onwards that the footprint of Gorah grows more discernable as records and stories were told, recorded and remembered.

As the 1700’s progressed into the 1800’s the story of Gorah grew intimately more personal as records of particular names and characters defined the building of the Gorah Farm House and the creating of a working farm.

As the lives of these individuals unfolded on the farm amongst the Addo Bush besides the natural spring, their diaries became a source of history which would later contribute to the revealing of many of the myths, legends and secrets of the Gorah as we know it today.

There is no doubt that the first settlers who built and lived at the Gorah farm truly loved this place. But history would appear to repeat itself again and again as the characters learned that its beauty had hardship, and tragedy would often strike the seemingly peaceful lives of the people, thus creating new and interesting diary pages every day.

I believe that the legend of Gorah still belongs to these original people. They personify the love we feel that remained when the Old Gorah House was at last forcefully abandoned and left for ruin.

Yet beneath the old brick and rubble of an era passed, lay a new dream; the dream of what today has risen from that same love, and which has now created another chapter for this beautiful place.

Today the Old Gorah House lies in the heart of the Addo Elephant National Park. Its intimate atmosphere of that ancient beauty has survived here year after year like a single victorious ship that has often travelled through oceans of defeat. The Gorah Elephant Camp has risen to keep this wonderful legend alive.

Opulence and sophistication, in an African landscape
The 1900’s was a time when the elite indulged in the extravagance of crystal, polished silver, white linen and G&T’s in the afternoon. At Gorah, guests are transported back to this era through the day-to-day luxuries offered at the Camp.

Guests staying at Gorah get to go out on game drives and have access to all the facilities on offer at the lodge. You can soak up the sun, shop, read, enjoy a glass of wine or share your adventures with your companions in the comfort and splendour of Gorah House.

11 Stylish tented suites entice you to stay
Sheltered under thatched canopies, Gorah’s 11 tented suites are luxurious and spacious, recalling the golden era of safari in the early 1900s. Each is enhanced with the fine comforts and excellence associated with Hunter Hotels.

Each lavish tent has its own private deck offering a panoramic view of the endless savannah plains. The plush interior of the tent is enhanced through the simplicity and the authenticity of solar power lighting and ceiling fans.

The en suite bathroom with bespoke vanities and shower is discreetly situated to allow for complete privacy.

To complete the experience the tented suite invites you to completely relax and unwind with a book on the comfy couch, or take an afternoon nap on the king size bed, with 300 count cotton sheets enveloping you and sending you to dreamland.

Dining
Dinner is a real occasion at Gorah. As you enter Gorah House with its historic magnificence, the magic surrounds you.

Indoor Dining
Candle lit ‘secret’ corners with warm fires and paraffin lanterns put a soft layer of romance on the entire house in winter. During summer the open veranda doors invitingly coax in the evening breeze, while the mood is set for a sumptuous meal.

Estate wines carefully chosen to elevate the meal, and a good selection of international beverages, enhance the dining experience. Decadent desserts complete the experience, teasing your senses as you ponder your next safari adventure.

Our chefs are committed to serve freshly prepared dishes and will deliciously satisfy any dietary requirements.

Al fresco dining under the African sky
The veranda at the front of the colonial Gorah House overlooks the watering hole and the plains behind it. An idyllic setting to enjoy ‘el fresco’ dining, deliciously prepared daily by our Gorah chefs with passion and creativity.

Boma Dining
The outdoor Boma is another gathering place for dinner under the vast African sky. Open fires light up the night, exuding warmth as you relax to the time honoured art of cooking on wood and coal.

The Gorah chefs have perfected the art of an extravagant outdoor gourmet barbeque, with an array of dishes reflecting different aspects of African cuisine. Share stories, indulge in the fare and take in the sounds of the night as you dine.

Facilities
Guests staying at Gorah get to go out on game drives and have access to all the facilities on offer at the lodge. You can soak up the sun, shop, read, enjoy a glass of wine or share your adventures with your companions in the comfort and splendour of Gorah house.

Swimming Pool and Deck Area
Relax and unwind in this botanical oasis on one of the pool loungers between leisurely refreshing dips in the swimming pool. Reading a book, sun bathing and listening to an array of indigenous birds going about their day building nests, feeding youngsters and pollinating flowers.

The pool viewing deck is an incredible hide-away, positioned at the perfect height to watch the coming and goings of game across the open plains making their way to the waterhole in front the lodge.

Waterhole and Viewing Deck
This infamous waterhole perfectly located in front of the Manor House is a fantastic draw card for animals both large and small. This guarantees that there is always activity to be watched in wonder.

Either from the comfy position on one of the couches on the main verandah or in the shade of the Belambra tree overhanging the wooden viewing deck. One is captivated and hard pressed to move away in the event you miss something.

Library and Verandahs
Open winding verandah’s around the front of the Manor House with views over the waterhole and extensive open plains. Giving you the perfect vantage points to sit back. quietly and observe mother nature at her best allowing daily life and interactions to unfold before you.

The colonial lounge area, period furnished in keeping with 1900’s boasts a large wood fireplace, inviting you to sit awhile. Select a book to read on the history of Gorah or brush up on your knowledge of mammals, birds, insects or trees.

A good selection of board games is always on hand from chess to backgammon to card games to name but a few.

What you can experience at Gorah Elephant Camp
To experience Gorah is to get a taste of this history. Discover its captivating rhythm that calls for adventure and fills your soul with an intense passion for the ever changing landscape, the majestic animals and the cultural diversity.

Guided drives through beautiful landscapes
Game drives at Gorah, expertly led by our passionate and professional guides, are a testament to the safari of old. Intrepidly searching the vast terrain for animals in their natural habitat is the essence of the experience.

Addo Elephant National Park, home to the densest population of elephants on earth, allows guests the privilege of being up close to these majestic animals. Taking in their incredible stature and grace and witnessing the social family interactions between the various herds.

The thrill of discovery lingers long after returning to camp.

Guided Walks
Imagine walking these ancient paths trodden by so many species over time, from the majestic elephant to the quirky flightless dung beetle. Simply take a moment and inhale the bush air whilst allowing your senses to be awakened with the melody of birds and insects alike in the background.

While it is not a strenuous walk, it gives you the opportunity to see more intricate fauna and flora that forms part of the ecosystem on foot. Our qualified guides will lead you through this experience, interpreting the surroundings with their wealth of knowledge adding to your memories of Gorah.

Children on Safari
The heritage of Gorah is bestowed in its history, its animals and the landscape. Children staying at Gorah go on an exciting journey through time to discover the enchantment of this distinctive camp and the incredible Addo National Park.

At Gorah we create a fun environment for children. They experience what it was like to walk in the shoes of the forefathers who lived at Gorah. The guides take special care to spend time with the children on game drives or back at the camp, teaching and guiding them through the wonders of history, nature and the African bush.

Weddings
What could be more perfect than celebrating this most special of days in the African bush? To celebrate a wedding at Gorah is a dream.

Imagine waking up as the sun rises over the hills, with its pink and orange glow slowly ebbing its way into your tent, and rising to see your beautiful white dress hung ready for you to wear on your wedding day.

The romance, elegance and sheer beauty of the Manor House with the elephants drinking at the waterhole sets the scene for a very special day. The dedicated team at Gorah are on hand to assist with every detail, from planning to the execution of all those small details on the day.

They are acutely aware of how important every aspect is and will ensure that the vision of your wedding day is created to perfection. Your weddings requirements will be tailor-made by our wedding planner to suit your specific needs.

Corporate Travel
Hosting a conference at Gorah creates a rare opportunity to share, explore and grow your business in an exceptional environment.

Only two hours from Port Elizabeth, our 11 tented suites, large manor house and breathtaking views of the Addo National Park with its plentiful game, are the backdrop to your conference, inspiring new thinking and revived energy.

In the middle of the Addo National Park
Addo National Park is home to the densest population of elephants on earth, African’s largest land mammal. Guests are able to get up close to, taking in their incredible stature and grace.

Game drives at Gorah, expertly led by passionate and professional guides are a testament to the safari of old. Intrepidly searching the vast terrain for animals is the essence of the experience. The excitement of discovering Elephant, Rhino, Lion and Plains Game in their natural habitat lingers long after returning to camp.

The 5 000 hectare private concession is located deep in the heart of the Addo Elephant National Park, 70km north-east of the Eastern Cape coastal city of Port Elizabeth, the nearest centre with a major airport.

With sweeping views, indigenous fauna and the densest population of elephants in the world, Gorah epitomises the safari experience, steeped in history, tradition and opulence.

Deep within the shadows of the dense valley bushveld of the Eastern Cape’s Sundays River region lays the Addo Elephant National Park. Here, the evenings are punctuated by the strident howl of the black-backed jackal and the francolins’ call heralds each new dawn.

Safe from relentless persecution in the past, the grey giants of the bush now roam in peace. The original elephant section of the park was proclaimed in 1931, when only eleven elephants remained in the area.

Today this finely tuned ecosystem is a sanctuary to over 450 elephants, Cape buffalo, lion, black rhino, a variety of antelope species, as well as the unique flightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo.

Website: www.hunterhotels.com

Rooms: 11

Price: from 927 EUR per night