Addo Elephant National Park to undergo major road upgrades

Visitors to Addo Elephant National Park should expect temporary road restrictions as South African National Parks (SANParks) begins a major programme to upgrade roads across the park.

A contractor has been appointed to upgrade the park's tourist tar roads, together with around 20 km of gravel roads in the Main Camp and Colchester sections. Work is expected to start within the next two to three weeks.

The construction will affect normal access in some areas. According to SANParks, certain roads in Addo Elephant National Park will be temporarily closed, while others will operate under one-way traffic arrangements during the work.

The upgrades form part of a broader programme to improve Addo Elephant National Park's internal road network. SANParks' tender documentation includes repairs and resurfacing of several existing surfaced routes as well as improvements to gravel roads, including drainage and new gravel wearing surfaces.

What this means for visitors

Travellers planning a self-drive safari in Addo Elephant National Park should allow for possible delays and changes to their usual game-viewing routes once construction begins. Road restrictions may also affect the time needed to travel between different areas of the park.

SANParks is expected to provide details of individual closures and traffic arrangements as the work progresses. Visitors should therefore check the latest park notifications before setting out and follow all temporary signs and instructions from park staff.

The roadworks do not mean that Addo Elephant National Park is closed. Rather, access will be managed around the construction activities.

For visitors travelling to or from the park, the main access routes remain available. SANParks currently advises travellers from Gqeberha to use the N2 and enter via either Camp Matyholweni near Colchester or the route via Paterson to Main Camp, rather than the R335 via Motherwell.

Travel tip: If Addo Elephant National Park is part of a self-drive itinerary, build some flexibility into your schedule and check SANParks' latest notifications shortly before visiting. Temporary closures can change which loops and routes are available for game viewing.

 

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