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White Southern Right Whale calf born in Algoa Bay by Raggy Charters.

After seeing calves of humpback, southern right and Bryde’s whales recently, it was great to observe a new-born white southern right calf with it’s mother in Addo’s Marine Protected Area, Algoa Bay. This is the fifth white calf they have recorded since I started Raggy Charters 25 years ago. The pair were observed in shallow water close inshore between Hougham Park and St Croix Island.

Early whalers in Algoa Bay referred to southern rights as “black whales” as this is their normal colour. While their backs are black, most animals have a white blaze on their belly around the naval. Variously sized white blazes are also found on the backs of 5% of adults of both sexes. Some animals also display grey markings on their backs which are irregular and chevron shaped, pointing towards the head. These markings are almost white at birth and difficult to distinguish from blazes, except that unlike blazes they darken with age. These marks are only present on females on about 10% of the population.

Around 3,5% of all southern right calves born are white, except for a black collar and black patterns just behind the head. According to Dr. Simon Elwin, “That rough skin on the baby is thought to play a role in initial thermoregulation (it’s a little thicker than normal skin) and appears to be shed within about a week of birth through a process known as ‘post-natal ecdysis’ “. Like the grey markings in the female, they gradually darken with age and become what is referred to as “brindled”. About 94% of these brindled animals are male. A female can only be brindled if she is the offspring of a brindled male and a female with grey markings. These markings have not been recorded in their Northern Hemisphere cousins, the northern right whales. Last year, Raggy Charters observed a “brindled” adult southern right whale in exactly the same place as they saw this calf. It is not unlikely that this whale is in fact the father of this new-born calf, as the gestation period is one year. Wouldn’t that just be a great coincidence for our beautiful Algoa Bay?

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• Top 5 Cheapest Addo Accommodation Choices.
• Top 7 Exclusive Addo Accommodation Choices.

Source: Addotourism.co.za.

The question comes up more often than you’d think…Did you know that there is an entrance to the Addo Elephant National Park at Colchester?

Yes, that’s right! Colchester lies just 40 minutes from Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) on the banks of the wide, meandering Sundays River and the Southern Gate (Matyholweni Gate) of Addo Elephant Park is just a sho’t left off the national road (the N2). It’s not a secret, it’s just that many people don’t realise the enormous size of the Addo Elephant National Park – from the Zuurberg Mountains to the Alexandria Dune Fields at the coast. It’s a veritable feast of biodiversity and game viewing opportunities!

However, Colchester offers visitors much more than access to the Matyholweni Gate, it’s a coastal and adventure paradise with long stretches of beach, enormous dunes for sandboarding, the Sundays River for fishing, cruising, paddling, birding, and swimming and a wonderful, laid-back coastal vibe that will have you relaxed and unwinding in no time at all.

Friendly residents and hosts will welcome you to the riverbank with easy grace, making the village feel homely and relaxed. Birders are in for a treat as the riverbanks, mudflats and dunes attract a fantastic mix of bush birds and waders for birdwatching. Greater Addo has over 400 different bird species and sightings in Colchester include African green pigeon, southern black tits, black-headed oriole, Knysna woodpeckers, herons, duck, and up to four types of kingfisher.
With a 100 000-year-old dune field and the coastline on one side, and a river and national park running a protective arm around the town, we think you may want to stay awhile, so we’ve rounded up some comfortable and convenient accommodation options to spend some fun days at Sundays.

Pearson Park Resort

It’s possible that Pearson Park resort offers an almost perfect slice of Addo for outdoor enthusiasts, campers and family travellers. Situated on the banks of the Sundays River, this unspoilt slice of Eastern Cape wilderness offers easy access to the beach (and Addo’s marine protected area), the river and its many activities and a short trip to the entrance of the national park. It’s quite possible to enjoy an early morning game drive, an afternoon on the beach and an evening casting a fishing line and toasting the setting sun. Guests will find a fully stocked supermarket, petrol station and fully licenced restaurant on their doorstep for convenience while fun and adventure await in the forms of boating, kayaking, fishing, sandboarding, birding, game viewing and beach trails. Pearson Park is a paradise for camping and caravanning enthusiasts offering 150 very spacious, grassed and shady sites and a few self-catering huts.

Settle Inn

For all of the attractions of Colchester and Camp Matyholweni in addition to indulgent comforts and complete serenity, Settle Inn offers self-catering accommodation in the Sundays River village of Colchester, just 40km east of Port Elizabeth. It’s just 3km from the gate of the national park while still on the banks of the Sundays River – what more could you want in self-catering convenience? Whether you’re travelling with the family, taking a girls’ weekend or meeting up with friends, this is a fantastic choice with five modern units to choose from and all of Colchester’s many charms: surf or river fishing, sandboarding, relaxing on the jetty, paddling or taking a river cruise. Additionally, the new Settle Inn Beauty & Massage service offers an extra layer of indulgence for those needing a bit of rejuvenation and pampering.

Sundune Guesthouse

If you’re looking for a warm Eastern Cape welcome then look no further, you’ve found your perfect stay in Colchester at Sundune Guesthouse where they “receive guests as guests, but our guests leave as our friends.” Comfortably nestled on the banks of the Sundays River, Sundune offers five well-appointed and neat guest rooms with a communal lounge for the social traveller. A scrumptious breakfast can be expected every morning to set you on your way to exploring the region and, in addition to tranquil settings and great hospitality, guests are a short distance from Colchester’s adventures and natural attractions, and the Camp Matyholweni Gate.

Addo Accommodation Colchester

If you’re looking for a convenient variety of self-catering options, then Addo Accommodation Colchester should have something to suit your needs. Properties offer options catering from 1-2 people and up to 12, so whether you’re travelling solo or having a little family get-together, you’re spoilt for choice in Colchester. The Adventure Addo House sleeps up to ten people and is perfect for a family getaway close to the action with a small pool and entertainment area. Other properties include luxurious cottages and smaller flats with the most popular the Addo Park View Vista Cottages bordering the national park where it’s sometimes possible to spot elephants and other wildlife from the 360° balcony.

Addo Riverview Lodge

If turning some boerewors on the braai, with a beer in your hand after a day of fishing or game viewing is your idea of heaven, then we’d recommend giving Addo Riverview Lodge a try. Nestled on the banks of the meandering Sundays River, Riverview Lodge offers both self-catering and en-suite options so you can stay for a night or set up for a week of comfortable holiday time in Colchester. You’re encouraged to make use of the facilities and feel right at home and, with the river on your doorstep, the beach down the road and the entrance to Addo Elephant National Park a little further along, you’re going to want to stay awhile.

A place where we receive guests as guests, but our guests leave as our friends.

Maggie May

If you’re looking for a romantic getaway or a unique overnight stay, hop onto the houseboat, Maggie May. You’ll fall asleep the sounds of the river and wake up to the sounds of the gulls – there’s nothing like spending a night on the water. Maggie May is moored on the Sundays River with a beautiful restaurant and adventure bookings just a short distance away and can sleep up to six people (two in a double bed, two on a sleeper couch and two in the tent on the upper deck – can you imagine waking up to views of the 100 000-year old Colchester dunes? Maggie May is a rustic and charming way to really get in touch with the natural wonders of the river and its wildlife.

Things to do in Colchester

The post Fun days at Sundays – where to play and stay in Colchester appeared first on Addo Tourism.

Choose your Addo Experience:

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Source: Addotourism.co.za.

There was great celebration this March as Addo Tourism launched a revamped attraction, the beloved Sir Percy Fitzpatrick Lookout greater Addo region. With funding from Sarah Baartman District Municipality, the Addo Tourism Association were able to revitalise the flailing Lookout area and Fitzpatrick family graves.

Sir Percy Fitzpatrick is best known for writing the beloved South African novel, Jock of the Bushveld. A well-travelled politician, mining financier and a pioneer in the fruit industry, Fitzpatrick chose the Sundays River Valley and the greater Addo region to make his home. After arriving in the valley, he established the Sundays River Settlement Company, which encouraged people to settle in this area and played a vital role in the establishment of irrigation schemes enabling agriculture to flourish and providing employment for many people in a thriving citrus economy.

At the launch in March, Duma Magxwalisa, Sarah Baartman District Municipality acting director for  Planning & Economic Development praised the project as a public–private partnership example that could stimulate the recovery of tourism in the region.  

“Covid-19 dealt us all a blow and we have very limited resources with which to recover, so it is only right to acknowledge the team that handled this project, they were able to put the space created by our existing and natural resources to good use” said Magxwalisa.

The Lookout venue came into being after Sir Percy Fitzpatrick bought a piece of land next to the river and built a platform from which his friends and guests could enjoy a panoramic view of the valley below. It is now fondly known as “The Lookout” where visitors and residents of the region can still go to marvel at the view. His daughter, Cecily, donated the land to the Sundays River Valley community and it was declared a national monument in 1953.

Offering one of the most spectacular views of the valley and orchards, the Lookout Deck has been a popular sundowner and picnic spot for many decades but had recently fallen into disrepair. Spearheading the project were Addo Tourism committee members, Julie Puttergill  of Chicane Bed & Breakfast and Tracey Stratford of Avoca River Cabins, both of whom frequent the Lookout with guests, family and friends.  

Judy Puttergill took on the project when funding was secured and said the following: “Addo Tourism identified the Lookout as an important attraction for both travellers and tourists alike. Sadly, it had become very neglected; the once-pristine indigenous bush surrounding the platform was overrun with alien plants. While COVID delayed the project for some time, it kicked off in earnest towards the end of 2021.”  

During the project all goods and labour were sourced from within the local community. Once the news got out, individuals and businesses came to the party – the old walkway gate was lovingly restored to its original beauty at no charge and a reinforced security door, made to specification at no cost and free of charge, was installed to secure “the cave” – a small room below the actual Lookout.  This area will be developed into a showcase depicting the history of the valley in a collaborative manner. 

Puttergill said that the objective behind the renovation was not just to turn the site into a must-see attraction but also to create a space that the community can enjoy, providing them with an opportunity to take ownership of and be proud of what the area has to offer. 

Tracey Stratford, responding as Addo Tourism’s vice chair said: “Not only were we able to restore the Lookout to its former glory, but we created an additional drawcard by documenting and marking the indigenous fauna and flora along the walkway.  It therefore now adds an interesting and educational aspect to the site, and we hope that the schools in the area will make use of it to provide the learners with an opportunity to get hands-on experience as part of their curriculum”.

The indigenous plants and trees were identified by Lloyd Edwards of Raggy Charters, fellow Addo Tourism committee member and chair of the Eastern Cape Dendrological Society.  Each plant or tree is now identifiable by a specially designed plaque.  He has also enlisted the help of local farmers to eradicate any existing alien plants still on the site.

ABOUT THE GREATER ADDO REGION

The Greater Addo region encompasses the Addo Elephant National Park, the third largest in South Africa, and the park is serviced by the charming gateway villages of Addo, Kirkwood, Paterson, and Colchester. Addo is the only national park in the world to boast the African Big Seven (lion, rhinoceros, buffalo, elephant, leopard, great white shark and southern right whale). 

The post Addo Tourism launches revamped tourist attraction in the Sundays River Valley appeared first on Addo Tourism.

Choose your Addo Experience:

• Top 5 Cheapest Addo Accommodation Choices.
• Top 7 Exclusive Addo Accommodation Choices.

Source: Addotourism.co.za.