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I know it is difficult Megan, but we do need to moan from time to time, just in case..........!

Thanx for the support Carollyn...but this is not just a moan...this is a serious request.

We will be staying in Matyholweni Camp later this month (hopefully) - unfortunately the main camp is full - are you able to leave the Matyholweni Camp early and be at the South Gate when it opens - and if so, is this at 06 h00 or 07h00? Could someone please give me the opening and closing times of the different gates for someone staying in Matyholweni? (January and February) Thanks

I confirmed this info with the duty manager of Camp Matyholweni this morning:
Residents of camp Matyholweni may enter the game viewing area through a boom gate at 06H00. The middle gates, or Addo Heights gates, 16km away, open at 06H00, where you will be able to view all the advertised animals.
Non-residents of Camp Matyholweni (i.e.: People staying at Guest Houses outside the park) can only enter the southern Gate at Camp Matyholweni at 07H00.
Hope this helps lessen the confusion. Enjoy your stay.

Thanks Apple, that does make it clear. I take it also (obvious really??), that you cannot enter at the Southern Gate -via the gravel road past Schotia that goes off the main tar road near Nanaga -without going through Matyholweni Gate first, even if you have a wild card?

Your assumption is correct.
The infrastructure is not in place to accept entry at the Addo Heights Road gates. Perhaps this will be a consideration later although missing the Matyholweni section isdone at your own peril. It really is a great strech of the Park and will enhance your visit.

I do enjoy the Matyholweni section of the park as well, but because we go to Addo so often, we do sometimes go with the main idea being of getting some nice lion sightings and photos - in these instances, it would be nice to get into the main camp as soon as possible. (we are not very lucky with the elusive lions considering the number of visits we make, but our time will come....!) We have had lovely kudu and bird sightings in the new section too, so I agree that it is a good stretch of road.

Hi,

I dont know if anyone can help but I was wondering if you arent lucky enough to be staying in the park and will be at a guest house/hostel outside does that mean you would be unable to go on the sunset guided game drive as it goes on after the closing time of the main gate??

Thanks

Hi tommo13194,

If you are staying outside the Park, I am sure you can still do a sunset drive as the drive returns to the main camp and you can leave for 'outside accommodation' from there after the drive as there is a guard at the gate 24/7.

It is possible to stay outside the park and still enjoy the sunset and night safaris as you will be allowed to exit through the main gate.
If you are staying in a Guest house in Colchester on the Southern side of the park you will have to drive the 60km back on the N2/N10/R342 through Paterson.
Hope you have a great time.

Thanks for the replies!!

Its a relief to hear that we can still do the sunset/night time drives as we were looking forward to those most!!

Thanks

try make a booking before arrival to guarentee you place.
Phone the park on 042 - 233 8600 and follw the voice prompts.
Enjoy.

I have had a look on the Addo main page for the gate opening and closing times, and either I am very blonde or they do not list them there. Can somebody please point me in the right direction or give me the times for August.
Debbie

Opening and Closing times for Gates:

@ Wannabe Nerd

We have just been to Addo and guess what - they have their own times!

Main game area open at 06:30 in stead of 07:00 as indicated above.
Do yourself the favour and phone them or just confirm on arrival the times that they follow.

Even the plastic permit that they give you when you enter is incorrect.

Please understand me clearly: I am not complaining, because this gave us 30min extra each morning!

Enjoy your visit!