Alexandria Hiking Trail

The Alexandria Hiking Trail is situated in the Woody Cape section of the Addo Elephant National Park, departing from the offices near Alexandria. The length is approximately 36 km which is a two day circular route of which the first day is 19.5km and the second day is 16.5 km. This is ideal for those who want a challenging walk along the coastline. Hikers carry their own provisions and the hike is not guided.

Early morning offers hikers an opportunity to investigate the signs of animals, such as jackals, duikers and the endemic hairy-footed gerbil, left on the dunes from the previous night. Tall posts guide hikers through the shifting dune fields.

By night you can listen for the haunting calls of the rare tree dassie and awake to a chorus of birds in flitting through the forest canopy. Look out for trumpeter hornbills, ground hornbills, Knysna turaco, tree dassies and bushbuck.

Keys for the overnight huts are collected at the park offices near Alexandria. Fees can be paid at Matyholweni rest camp or at the Addo main camp reception. At the Woody Cape hut, no fires are allowed and the hikers must carry their own cookers. Water at the Woody Cape hut is only for drinking and cooking as the hut relies entirely on rainwater. At least one or more of the hiking group should be able to read a map and compass, and to wear a brightly coloured jacket that can be seen from the air if a search and rescue is launched. The Langebos huts are available to hikers on the two-day Alexandria Hiking Trail, as well as those simply wanting an overnight stay in the forest. The 7km Dassie Day Trail begins at the huts and the breath-taking Woody Cape coastline of the Park is a short drive and walk away.

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Knysna’s elephants

Two hundred years ago, great herds of elephants roamed the southern Cape. Today, thanks to ruthless hunting throughout the 18^th and 19^th centuries, there are only seven left, hidden in the secretive dark-green depths of the forests around Knysna. The persistent hunting has made the tiny herd wary of humankind with the result that it is extremely difficult to locate.

It is known that the heard- the world’s most southerly – has managed to adapt to forest conditions; although these beasts belong to the dam species as the savannah elephants, their habits and lifestyle are now thought to be more similar to the elephants found in the equatorial forests of Central Africa.

The herd’s future is by  no means assured; three young elephants from the Kruger National Park were introduced in 1994, but one died shortly afterwards. Although you have to be lucky indeed to catch a glimpse of these magnificent animals, Terblans Nature Walk through the Gouna Forest just north of Knysna is a good bet. Another popular trail is the six-hour Elephant Walk that starts from the Diepwalle Forestry Station, just over a kilometre (half a mile ) from the mighty King Edward Vll Tree - another giant of the forest; a 46-metre – high (150 ft.) yellowwood whose circumference measures a stupendous 9.5 metres (30 ft.).

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