Both species regularly attend fruiting fig trees near the education centre, where you should also watch out for the attractive Black-collared Barbet. Knysna Woodpecker is sometimes present in areas of denser vegetation and is best detected by its high-pitched shrill call, while the sought-after Southern Tchagra prefers scrubby vegetation. The small bird hide, situated immediately behind the restaurant and shopping area, is fantastic for both Black Crake and Southern Red Bishop. Open areas besides the underground wildlife-viewing hide are great for Crowned and Blacksmith Lapwings and occasionally the Kittlitz’s and Three-banded Plovers. The shy Southern Boubou is habituated in the campsite and can be viewed at close quarters, alongside the delightful Cape Robin-chat.

The discovery trail near the park entrance is best visited in the early morning and one could expect to see Karoo Prinia, the abundant Cape Weaver, Karoo Scrub-robin and White-throated Canary among others. Southern Tchagra calls regularly from the dense vegetation here but patience and perseverance are required to see this species. Knowledge of its calls are also essential to success. Check the small rockery at the public swimming pool near the chalets for drinking seedeaters in the heat of the day, and the roadside aloes in the winter months for Amethyst and Greater Double-collared Sunbirds.

Inside the park itself, it is important to remain in your vehicle at all times except at designated viewpoints and picnic sites. The park is blanketed in a mosaic of Albany Thicket, dominated by Spekboom, and extensive open grasslands. The open areas on the Nzipondo and Gorah Loops regularly host a few pairs of Blue Crane, Denham’s Bustard and Secretarybird while the Southern Black Korhaan can be delightfully common. Look out for large flocks of Wattled Starling, which sometimes nest in isolated trees here en mass, and Pearl-breasted Swallow flying speedily and close to the ground. The latter is frequently seen resting besides waterholes on the Gorah Loop. The reedbeds in the Hapoor Waterhole and at Domkrag Dam hold healthy populations of Cape Weaver, while the muddy edges support Three-banded Plover and Common Sandpiper.

Thickets further to the south, particularly in the Zuurkop section of the park, support Acacia Pied Barbet, Karoo Scrub-robin, Chestnut-vented Tit-Babbler (Warbler), Cape Penduline-tit, Golden-breasted Bunting, Black-collared Barbet, Southern Black Tit, Southern Tchagra and White-throated Canary. Listen for the shrill calls of Knysna Woodpecker, which is common in the denser areas in the very South of the park, and watch out for White-cheeked Bee-eaters on the western edge of Harvey’s Loop nearer the Sunday’s River. Drainage lines along the Vukani and Ngulube Loops support the diminutive African Firefinch; to see this species, it is best to park quietly and listen for the high-pitched trill calls. Red-billed Oxpecker has been reintroduced and is frequently seen attending to large herbivores, particularly Cape Buffalo and Common Eland, while the attractive Red-necked Spurfowl emerges at the road-edges in the early mornings. Jack’s Picnic Site provides the opportunity to walk through pristine thicket, where all of the forementioned species may be seen, and time spent here serves as a welcomed break from the confines of the vehicle. The nearby Spekboom Hide is also worth a visit during the heat of the day, when many birds arrive to drink.

Birds-of-prey abound in the park including Pale Chanting Goshawk, Martial Eagle, Common Buzzard (summer only), African Marsh Harrier, and Black-winged Kite. The Kadouw Lookout point – where one may leave the vehicle at own risk – is a superb location from where to scan the tops of trees. Crowned Eagle is sometimes also seen, particularly nearer the Zuurberg Lookout point. Night drives can be arranged are regularly produce both Fiery-necked Nightjar and Spotted Eagle-owl.

Addo Elephant National Park is a ‘Big 5’ reserve supporting African Elephant, African Lion, Cape Buffalo, Leopard and Black Rhinoceros. Other notable mammals to watch out for include Spotted Hyena, Common Eland, Bushbuck, Red Hartebeest, Greater Kudu, Plain’s Zebra, Cape Grysbok, Common Duiker, Common Warthog, Caracal, Black-backed Jackal, Meerkat and Yellow Mongoose. Look out for the endemic Flightless Dung Beetle.

Key species:

Southern Tchagra, Knysna Woodpecker, Denham’s Bustard, Blue Crane, Southern Black Korhaan, Secretarybird, Martial Eagle