Addo Elephant National Park has extended one of the walking trails in the Zuurberg section of the park to a five-hour walk. The Doringnek Hiking Trail leads hikers through the Zuurberg mountain range on a circular route, beginning at the Zuurberg permit office.
The route is now 12km in length and includes a picnic spot along the way. The route also passes Otto’s Pool where hikers can cool off on hot days.
The Zuurberg Mountains are home to four of Addo’s five biomes – fynbos, grasslands, forest and subtropical thicket. The area also has three cycad species and two yellowwood species, all endangered. Hikers will be able to spot reedbuck, red hartebeest, bushbuck and other small antelope as well as monkeys, baboons and dassies. Bird watching is also a popular activity in the area.
There is no charge for doing the hike but hikers will need to pay the conservation fee for entering the park. Only cash payments are accepted or a valid permit from one of the other sections of the park. Gates open at 07h00. Hikers must start the hike by no later than 12h30 to be finished in time for gate closure at 17h30.
