Addo Elephant National Park

This national park was originally proclaimed to protect the thicket vegetation in the Addo area that supported the last surviving elephants and cape buffalo in the southern part of South Africa. It is now being rapidly expanded into the Greater Addo National Park that will include six of the seven biomes represented in South Africa (fynbos, karoo, forest, thicket, savannah and grassland), as well as the Algoa Bay islands. Already the park is approximately 190 000 ha in extent and includes land that stretches from Alexandria forest and Algoa Bay, to Darlington Dam 100 km inland in the karoo. However, present tourist road access is largely restricted to the original 16000 ha Elephant Park near Addo and this article will concentrate on this area.

A feature of the birding is the presence of species from both the eastern and western parts of the country, and coastal belt species mix with grassland and karoo species from inland. Most areas of the Elephant Park can be covered in a day, when you can expect to see 60-70 of the 180 species occurring.

Specials
Specials are mostly widespread species and include Southern Tchagra, Denham's Bustard, Blue Crane, Southern Black Korhaan, Secretarybird and Martial Eagle.

Habitats
Addo valley bushveld (thicket) dominates the Elephant Park, where there are also old farmlands (grassland). There is forest at Alexandria and in the Zuurburg Mountains, where fynbos occurs on the mountain tops. Karoo is found in the Darlington Dam area and at the back of the Zuurberg.

Facilities
The main rest camp north of Addo has an information centre (pamphlets and maps available), restaurant, shop, picnic site, camping site, accommodation and a bird hide. Near the rest camp is an interpretative trail suitable for the physically challenged. The Spekboom Trail within the Elephant Camp is temporarily closed. There are tourist roads in the main Elephant Park (closed after heavy rain). There are private lodges within and outside the park and in the Zuurberg mountains and there are a variety of Bed & Breakfasts in the area. There are 4x4, walking and horse trails in the Zuurberg Mountain section of the park. A new camp and entrance point is planned next to the N2 at Colchester, Sundays river.

Birding
1. The rest camp is one of the best places for birds and attracts several sunbird species and forest species difficult to see elsewhere in the park. Check bulbuls carefully as both Dark-capped Bulbul and Cape Bulbul occur. A hide overlooks a small pond, good for Black Crake, Southern Red Bishop and roosting weavers (four species, including Village Weaver and Spectacled Weaver). The buildings provide nesting sites for swallows and swifts.

2. The open scrub on the Nzipondo Loop provides better opportunities for birding than the dense thicket vegetation to the south. Predominantly western species such as Acacia Pied Barbet, Karoo Scrub-Robin, Chestnut-vented Tit-Babbler, Cape Penduline-Tit, Southern Tchagra and White-throated Canary mix with eastern species such as Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove, Black-collared Barbet, Southern Black Tit, White-browed Scrub-Robin, Red-collared Widowbird, Golden-breasted Bunting, Streaky-headed Seedeater and Yellow-fronted Canary. Look for Southern Black Korhaan, Blue Crane, Secretarybird and Pearl-breasted Swallow. Watch the sky for raptors and search game for re-introduced Red-billed Oxpecker.

3. For those with more time, explore the grasslands of the Gorah Loop (Denham's Bustard) and the dense thicket (difficult to bird) towards Hapoor waterhole, via Zuurkop. The Spekboom Trail, when open, is a full morning walk. Night drives (excellent for game) will produce Fiery-necked Nightjar and Spotted Eagle-Owl.

4. The indigenous forest on the 8 km Zuurberg Trail in the Zuurberg Mountains is good for forest species such as Knysna Turaco, Green Wood-Hoopoe, Crowned Hornbill and Knysna Woodpecker. A variety of raptors can be expected.

General
The main gate to the Elephant Park is 70 km north of Port Elizabeth and 15 km north of Addo village, it is open 07h00–19h00 and entrance is R 20 pp (2006). Zuurberg is 17 km north of the main park. The Elephant Park is signposted from all the main routes. As the park expands, so will facilities and a new entrance and camp is planned next to the N2 near the Sundays river. Open vehicle game and night drives can be booked with Bukani Tours at the rest camp, telephone +27 42 233 0091. Reception at the rest camp can provide details on the facilities available within the greater Addo National Park. Telephone +27 42 233 0556. Bird & Eco-Tours tel. +27 41 466 5698 offers a tour/guiding/ free information service in the Port Elizabeth area.

Contact Information: Tel: +27 042 233 0556/7

Website: http://www.sanparks.org

Gate opening times: 07h00 - 19h00

Paul Martin 2002.
Bird & Eco-Tours, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
www.birdtours.co.za
apmartin@global.co.za
Tel: +27 41 466 5698