Addo Elephant National Park hiking trails closed after heavy rain

update (13 August 2026): All hiking trails in Addo Elephant National Park's Zuurberg section have been checked and reopened. 

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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Zuurberg hiking trails closed after heavy rains in Addo Elephant National Park

update 21 May 2026:

The Zuurberg one-hour trail has been reopened. While the five-hour trail has been re-opened, visitors are advised that it is still very muddy and to take caution. 

update 07 May 2026:

Heavy rainfall has forced the closure of all gravel roads and game-viewing loops in both the Main Camp and Colchester sections of Addo Elephant National Park, South African National Parks (SANParks) has confirmed. READ MORE 

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Heavy rainfall across the Eastern Cape has once again impacted visitor access in South African National Parks' (SANParks) Addo Elephant National Park. SANParks has confirmed that all hiking trails in the Zuurberg section of the park have been closed until further notice due to ongoing wet weather conditions and safety concerns.

The closure affects all Zuurberg hiking activities, with saturated terrain, slippery paths and possible flood damage posing a risk to visitors. Travellers planning to explore the mountainous section ofAddo Elephant National Park are advised to postpone hikes and monitor official SANParks channels for reopening updates.

While the Zuurberg trails remain closed, the main game viewing areas of Addo Elephant National Park continue to offer excellent wildlife experiences, including elephant sightings, birdwatching and self-drive safaris. However, visitors travelling to the region should remain alert for further weather-related disruptions, especially after recent heavy rains across parts of the Eastern Cape.

SANParks has urged guests to prioritise safety and to avoid attempting to access closed trails or restricted areas.

 

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Addo Elephant National Park: Zuurberg hiking trails temporarily closed due to wet and rainy conditions!

Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa's Eastern Cape is renowned not only for its iconic elephants but also for its diverse hiking experiences. From short scenic walks to challenging treks through rugged landscapes, the park attracts outdoor enthusiasts year-round. One of the top hiking destinations within the park is the Zuurberg section, part of the Greater Addo area, which offers a quieter, more tranquil escape away from the main game-viewing routes.

However, South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced the temporary closure of hiking trails in the Zuurberg section due to wet and rainy conditions. The affected trails include the popular:

• Cycad Trail – a short, scenic 1-hour hike through fynbos and forest
• Doringnek Trail – a more demanding 5-hour trail offering panoramic views and diverse terrain

These trails are currently closed until further notice as park authorities assess and address weather-related impacts on trail safety and accessibility.
Visitors are advised to check with SANParks for the latest updates before planning their visit to Addo Elephant National Park. The temporary closure is a precautionary measure to ensure hiker safety and to prevent environmental degradation during wet conditions.

Addo Elephant National Park: Hiking trail closures in the Zuurberg section! [update #2]

update (25 April 2025): SANParks has confirmed that the Zuurberg section, including all its trails, has been reopened. 

update (24 April 2025): The trails are still closed due to the area being water-logged. The hope is that they'll be re-opened tomorrow morning. We'll keep you posted!

Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa's Eastern Cape offers spectacular hiking opportunities, from short scenic walks to more challenging trails through lush landscapes and rugged terrain. Located within the Greater Addo area, the Zuurberg section is a favorite for nature lovers and hikers seeking a more tranquil experience away from the main game viewing routes.
However, South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that due to recent heavy rainfall in the area, both the Cycad Trail (1-hour hike) and the Doringnek Trail (5-hour hike) in the Zuurberg section of Addo Elephant National Park are temporarily closed. The main entrance gate to this section will also remain closed. The closures are expected to continue until at least Wednesday afternoon, 23 April 2025, while conditions are assessed and trails are deemed safe for visitors.

Eastern Cape: Wildfire in Addo Elephant National Park! [update]

update (11 July 2024): SANParks has released an update on the wildfire at Addo Elephant National Park. As of 10 July 2024, there are no active fires in the National Park and mop-up operations are underway.
The wildfire that began on 08 July 2024 in the Zuurberg section of Addo Elephant National Park has been successfully managed. Teams from SANParks and the Sarah Baartman West Fire Protection Association are on site ensuring the situation remains under control.
The fire, which spread to the Nyathi section of Addo Elephant National Park due to gale-force winds, is now extinguished. There has been some damage to the boundary fence, but no animals or other park infrastructure have been affected.
An estimated 3,000 hectares have been burnt, but a thorough assessment will be conducted once weather conditions permit.

South African National Parks (SANParks) has informed the public that a wildfire broke out in Addo Elephant National Park on Sunday evening (07 July 2024) when the National Park in South Africa's Eastern Cape experienced gale-force winds. The source of the fire is unknown at this stage and teams from SANParks and the Sarah Baartman West Fire Protection Association are on site to manage the situation.
On 08 July 2024, a wildfire started in the Zuurberg section of Addo Elephant National Park and has subsequently moved over to the Nyathi section. The wind changed direction on 09 July 2024 and the fire is currently burning slowly. There is some damage to the boundary fence but no animal losses or other infrastructure damage.
SANParks is estimating that here are about 3,000 hectares that have been burnt but the teams on the ground will only be able to assess that once the weather and smoke allow. Less wind and possible rain are predicted from 10 July 2024 which will assist with containing the fire. The fires are in remote areas of Addo Elephant National Park so the public is not in danger. We'll keep you posted!

Addo Elephant National Park: Temporary closure of Zuurberg hiking trails! [update]

update (10 June 2024): The trails have dried up nicely and have been reopened.

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the two hiking trails in the Zuurberg section of Addo Elephant National Park, the Cycad Trail and the Doringnek Trail, have been temporarily closed due to wet and muddy conditions after overnight rain.
The Zuurberg Mountains are located in the northern part of Addo Elephant National Park. The area is characterized by rugged mountain terrain, deep valleys, and expansive plateaus. It forms part of the Cape Fold Belt, which is known for its unique geological formations. Wildlife in this section includes various mammals such as baboons, bushbuck, kudu, and mountain reedbuck. Predators like leopards are also present but are more elusive. The Zuurberg section is notable for its rich plant diversity. It includes ancient cycads, proteas, and a range of endemic and rare plant species. The fynbos vegetation, in particular, is a key feature of the landscape.
The Cycad Trail is a 2 kilometers hiking trail, while the Doringnek Trail is a circular route approximately 8 kilometers long.