Addo Elephant National Park hiking trails closed after heavy rain

Travellers planning to explore the Addo Elephant National Park hiking trails should be aware that the hiking trails in the park's Zuurberg section are closed until further notice following heavy rainfall in the area.

South African National Parks (SANParks) says the trails will be inspected before reopening to ensure they are safe for visitors. The Zuurberg gate will not be manned during the closure, and no reopening date has been announced yet.

Addo Elephant National Park hiking trails in the Zuurberg section

The Zuurberg section offers a very different experience from Addo's main wildlife-viewing areas. Set in the Zuurberg Mountains, it features mountainous terrain, indigenous vegetation, forest, grassland and fynbos, making it one of the park's best areas for hiking and birdwatching.

Under normal conditions, visitors can explore two main Addo Elephant National Park hiking trails in the Zuurberg section:

• Cycad Trail: approximately 2 km, taking about one hour.
• Doringnek Trail: approximately 8 km, taking around five hours and providing a more demanding mountain hike.

Wildlife in the area can include mountain reedbuck, bushbuck, red hartebeest, baboons, monkeys and dassies, while the varied vegetation supports a rich selection of birdlife.

Visiting the Zuurberg section

The Zuurberg section is separate from Addo's main game-viewing area. From Addo Main Camp, access involves the route towards the Zuurberg Pass, including sections of gravel road.

Following heavy rain, both the hiking trails and access roads can become difficult or unsafe, with muddy and slippery surfaces, erosion and swollen streams possible.

What travellers need to know

• Addo Elephant National Park hiking trails: Zuurberg trails closed until further notice
• Reason: Heavy rainfall
• Zuurberg gate: Not manned during the closure
• Reopening: No date confirmed

If hiking is part of your Addo itinerary, check the latest SANParks information before travelling to the Zuurberg section. The closure affects the Zuurberg hiking area and does not mean that the entireAddo Elephant National Park is closed.

SANParks will advise when the Addo Elephant National Park hiking trails in the Zuurberg section have been inspected and are safe to reopen.

 

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