Addo Elephant National Park begins restoration of iconic Hapoor Dam to enhance wildlife safety
South African National Parks (SANParks) has initiated a significant infrastructure project to address safety concerns and ecological sustainability at one of Addo Elephant National Park's most renowned waterholes. In February 2025, SANParks announced that the existing Hapoor Dam is no longer suitable for wildlife use due to mobility challenges caused by its clay-based substrate, which particularly affects smaller and younger animals.
To provide a safer and more reliable water source, SANParks is constructing a new concrete dam measuring approximately 45 by 30 metres and two metres deep. This new dam will be located on the opposite side of the road from the current waterhole, maintaining a similar size to ensure continuity of habitat and water availability. Once the new dam is operational, the original Hapoor Dam will be rehabilitated and fenced off, allowing the area to recover ecologically without disturbance from wildlife.
Phase 1 of the restoration project officially commenced recently, marking the start of what SANParks describes as a major undertaking expected to take several months. Visitors to Addo Elephant National Park are encouraged to be patient during this period, as the project aims to enhance long-term water management and improve safety conditions for the park's diverse wildlife populations.
Hapoor Dam holds special cultural and ecological significance within the park. Named after “Hapoor,” a legendary dominant bull elephant known for his size, strength, and decades-long dominance, the waterhole is a focal point along the main game-viewing loops in the Addo Main Camp section. It regularly attracts large herds of elephants and offers visitors consistently memorable wildlife sightings, making it one of the busiest and most valued wildlife hubs in the park.
The restoration of Hapoor Dam underscores SANParks’ commitment to balancing infrastructure development with ecological integrity, ensuring that Addo Elephant National Park remains a safe, sustainable, and spectacular destination for both wildlife and visitors alike.
