Addo Elephant National Park
Southern Access Road, Addo Elephant National Park
The Southern Access Road is a 27 km tar road in Addo Elephant National Park. It connects to Harvey's Loop, Mbotyi Loop, Mpunzi Loop, Ngulube Loop and Vukani Loop. Here's where it runs and where to stop along the way.
The Southern Access Road is the tarred main road through Addo's main game-viewing area, linking the Main Camp side of the park with Matyholweni Gate near Colchester and the N2. Along it are Hapoor Dam, the largest dam in the park, the Spekboom hide and tented camp, the Ndlovu and Algoa Bay lookouts, Jack's picnic site in the Botanical Reserve, and waterholes such as Marion Baree, Grahams Pan and Lismore. Most of the park's loops, including Harvey's, Ngulube, Mpunzi, Mbotyi and Vukani, branch off it. The speed limit is 40 km/h throughout.
Where the Southern Access Road runs
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Open in opspoorWaterholes and stops on the Southern Access Road
- Marion Baree Waterhole ViewpointViewpointMarion Baree Waterhole is a permanent waterhole along the road between Addo Main Camp and Matyholweni, set within the dense Albany Thicket of the southern game-viewing area. Elephants regularly…On the road
- Grahams PanWaterholeGrahams Pan is a broad grassy pan with a small muddy waterhole beside the road in the southern section of Addo Elephant National Park. The water attracts elephants and antelope, while the open…On the road
- Spekboom Tented Camp GateMain CampThe Spekboom Tented Camp Gate provides access to the fenced Spekboom Tented Camp within Addo Elephant National Park’s main game-viewing area. The camp is reached from the Southern Access Road and is…On the road
- Marion Baree WaterholeWaterholeMarion Baree Waterhole lies along the road between Addo Main Camp and Matyholweni, providing a permanent water source within the dense Albany Thicket of the southern section. Elephants regularly…On the road
- Algoa Bay LookoutViewpointAlgoa Bay Lookout is a designated stopping point in the southern section of Addo Elephant National Park, offering elevated views across the surrounding valleys and vegetation towards the distant…50 m off the road
- Lismore WaterholeWaterholeLismore Waterhole is a small waterhole in the southern section of Addo Elephant National Park, set in a basin formed by one of the area’s natural drainage lines. Its position close to the road makes…50 m off the road
- Spekboom HideBird HideSpekboom Hide is a purpose-built wildlife and birding hide overlooking a waterhole in the main game-viewing area of Addo Elephant National Park. Surrounded by pristine Albany Thicket, it provides…100 m off the road
- Matyholweni Entrance GateMain CampMatyholweni Gate is the southern entrance to Addo Elephant National Park, near Colchester and about 3 km from the N2 at the Sundays River Mouth. It is the closest entrance for visitors coming from…100 m off the road
- Spekboom WaterholeWaterholeSpekboom Waterhole lies within the fenced Spekboom Hide and Tented Camp in the main game-viewing area of Addo Elephant National Park. The waterhole is especially valuable for wildlife viewing after…100 m off the road
- Matyholweni Camp GateMain CampMatyholweni Camp Gate provides access to Matyholweni Rest Camp in the southern section of Addo Elephant National Park, near the Sundays River Mouth. The gate is separate from the main Matyholweni…200 m off the road
- Ndlovu LookoutViewpointNdlovu Lookout is an elevated viewpoint in the southern section of Addo Elephant National Park, overlooking a broad grassy and forested valley. The lookout provides a wide perspective across the…650 m off the road
- Hapoor Dam ViewpointViewpointHapoor Dam Viewpoint overlooks Addo’s largest dam and one of the park’s best-known locations for observing elephants. The open water and surrounding Spekboom thicket provide a clear view of animals…800 m off the road
- Hapoor DamWaterholeHapoor Dam is the largest waterhole in Addo Elephant National Park and one of the park’s most renowned elephant-viewing locations. The dam is regularly visited by large numbers of elephants and…800 m off the road
- Arizona DamWaterholeArizona Dam is a small intermittent dam in the southern section of Addo Elephant National Park, reached along the quieter gravel road towards the park’s southern areas. The surrounding open…950 m off the road
See every waterhole, hide and viewpoint on the map, and navigate to them, in the opspoor app.
Southern Access Road questions
Where is the Southern Access Road in Addo Elephant National Park?
The Southern Access Road is a 27 km tar road in Addo Elephant National Park. It connects to Harvey's Loop, Mbotyi Loop, Mpunzi Loop, Ngulube Loop and Vukani Loop.
How long does it take to drive the Southern Access Road?
About 41 minutes without stopping at the 40 km/h limit. Allow much longer if you stop at the waterholes and for sightings.
Are there waterholes or hides on the Southern Access Road?
Yes. Along the Southern Access Road you'll find Marion Baree Waterhole Viewpoint, Grahams Pan, Marion Baree Waterhole, Algoa Bay Lookout and Lismore Waterhole.
Can I use opspoor on the Southern Access Road without signal?
Yes. Signal in Addo Elephant National Park can be patchy, and opspoor works fully offline: you can see sightings you've already loaded and log your own, which sync when you're back in range.
Roads connecting to the Southern Access Road
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