Improved access to Addo with new park

A NEW southern access road has been opened in the Addo Elephant National Park (AENP), in celebration of the park’s 75th birthday. The road will link the new gate at the AENP’s Camp Matyholweni to the existing tourist roads in the park. Minister of environmental affairs and tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, said at the opening: “The construction of this new access road was made possible by a R33m poverty relief grant by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism.” Future plans for the park were also announced during the celebrations, which include a expanding the land by 236 000 hectares of land, and 120 000 hectares of Marine Protected Area. Once completed, AENP will be the third largest national park in South Africa. Sue Lewitton (suel@nowmedia.co.za)