Suurberg (Zuurberg) Pass -
This long and sometimes extreme gravel pass is located on a secondary road (the R335) in the Eastern Cape approximately 35 km north of Addo and 75 km south of Somerset East. At 27,5 km it is one of the longer passes in South Africa and traverses all four tiers of the dominant Zuurberg Mountain range. It was originally constructed by Henry Fancourt White in 1849, but White resigned during the construction phase to take up a post in parliament, leaving the project in the capable hands of the assistant roads engineer, Mr. Matthew Woodifield, whose name appears carved into a rock slab near the southern end of the pass.
The pass contains within its length 158 bends, corners and curves. As progress is made northwards, the road surface deteriorates to the point where low range and high clearance is required. Allow two hours (excluding stops) to complete the pass and be patient and careful as this is true puncture country. Changing a spare wheel on a steep incline is a risky affair, so it’s better to drive slower and choose your driving lines with care.
Addo Elephant Park Full Day Game Drive
Departs from Zuurberg at 08h00
Open Game Viewer vehicle
Includes entry fees, Guide, Drinks and BBQ lunch with 3 meats, salads, rooster brood and Cheese board
Returns to Hotel between 17h00 and 18h00
Half Day Morning Addo Elephant Park Game Drive
Departs from Zuurberg at 06h30
Open Game Viewer vehicle
Includes entry fees, Guide, Teas/Coffees, Drinks and Picnic breakfast
Returns to Hotel approximately 12h30
Half Day Afternoon Addo Elephant Park Game Drive
Departs from Zuurberg at 13h30
Open Game Viewer vehicle
Includes entry fees, Guide, Teas/Coffees, Drinks and Snacks
Returns to Hotel approximately 18h30
Elephant Encounters
Includes return transfer from Zuurberg
Departs from Zuurberg at 07h00, 10h00 and 14h00 (the 07h00 departure includes breakfast)
Duration with the elephants 2 hours
Please take note - Elephant Walk, Interaction and Feeding (Elephant riding is no longer permitted)
**Return transfer to Elephant Encounter Only – R380.00 per person (minimum 2 pax)**
Schotia Tooth and Claw Safari
Activity is approximately 1 hour away from the hotel. (depart in your car at 13h30)
Activity starts at 15h00
Includes Game Drive, Boma Dinner and a night Drive
Activity ends at 21h00
Amakhala Day Safari
Activity is approximately 1 hour away from the hotel. (depart in your car at 08h15)
Meet at Leeuwenbosch Country House at 09h30 for pre-drive orientation.
Depart on Game Drive at 10h00.
Includes a 3-and-a-half-hour Game Drive and two course lunch served at the lodge at 13h30
Hiking Trails
The concession area of Addo opposite the hotel is not fenced in, so they offer a 1-hour, 3-hour and 5-hour marked hiking trails. There offices open at 7am and close at 4pm, so hiking needs to be done during these hours. You will need to pay the conservation fee IN CASH as they do not have a credit card machine.
Zuurberg Garden Spa and Wellness Centre (price list and appointments are available on arrival)
Therapists are carefully selected and undergo continuous professional development in the area of Spa and wellness education. Our facility offers hydrotherapy treatments such as sauna and jet-bath therapies. In addition, we provide a selection of luxury skin and body treatments (range of massages, manicures, pedicures and facials), leaving every guest with a memorable experience.
Addo Section:
The area is classified as semi-arid to arid, receiving an average rainfall of less than 445mm per year.
Rainfall is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year, but there are two peaks, in February - March and again in October - November. Frost occurs at times during winter.
There is no natural water in this section of the park and most waterholes are fed by boreholes. There are a number of small pans in the area but these are dry except in years of exceptional rainfall.
Zuurberg Section:
Height above sea level varies from 250m to 970m. Mean annual rainfall of approximately 722mm. Peaks in rainfall are in spring and autumn. Unlike other fynbos areas, the winter months are the driest. Thunderstorms occur in summer months when lightning fires can be caused.
Darlington Section:
Average annual rainfall of 255mm. Maximum temperature in summer reaches 48 °C and minimum temperatures are just above 0°C in winter. Rainfall is mostly in the form of thundershowers and an occasional cold front from the west.
Coastal Section (Woody Cape):
The mean annual rainfall varies from 392 mm at Sundays River Mouth to 700mm near Woody Cape. Boknes to Bushmans River Mouth is the transition zone from all year rainfall to summer rainfall. The dune field occurs in a rain shadow which receives lower rainfall than both Port Elizabeth and Alexandria. Fog and mist are common, with frost being rare.
Family Manor Room - This spacious room is en suite with a bath and a shower. It has an inter-leading door and a sleeper sofa.
Luxury Village Room - Features panoramic mountain and valley views. Offers a private patio. Includes air-conditioning and underfloor heating.
Adjacent to Hotel Main Building. Original Hotel rooms furnished with genuine antiques, capturing the ambiance of yesteryear. Each with en suite bathrooms and french doors leading to private patios with beautiful garden views.
Edwardian Village Cottages, which are well appointed, with spacious bathroom with a shower, bath, his and her basins and under floor heating. Each Cottage has an outside verandah in well landscaped gardens.
BREAKFAST
A full hot and cold buffet breakfast is included in
the accommodation rates.
LUNCH
An A La Carte menu is served from 11am until 4pm. Half
price for children under 12 years. No charge for children under 3 years. Booking in advance for Sunday lunch is
essential. Kindly note the kitchen
closes at 4pm each day to prepare for dinner.
KINDLY NOTE THAT SUNDAY LUNCH OVER EASTER, MOTHER’S DAY, FATHER’S DAY, CHRISTMAS, AND NEW YEAR’S DAY WILL COST EXTRA (PRICE ON REQUEST) AS WE PROVIDE A SPECIAL MENU. PRE-BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL.
DINNER
Dinner is either a 5-course buffet carvery or a 5-course
set menu. Dinner is currently R300 per
adult and will increase to R315 per adult from 1 October 2020, and R330 per
adult from 1 October 2021. Half price
for children under 12 years. No charge
for children under 3 years. Booking for
dinner is not necessary for guests who are staying in the hotel.
KINDLY NOTE THAT THERE ARE NO SELF-CATERING FACILITIES AVAILABLE. GUESTS WITH SPECIFIC DIETARY REQUIREMENTS CAN BE CATERED FOR IF WE ARE ADVISED IN ADVANCE.
CHILD POLICY
Child rates are stated on the rate sheet. Child rates apply when sharing with at least
1 full paying adult. Children under 3
years stay free of charge. Baby cots are
available on request and should be booked in advance. Please
note that parents are responsible for their children at all times, the hotel
staff cannot be expected to watch children.
Baby-sitting services can be pre-booked at R50 per child per hour.
DRIVER/GUIDE POLICY
Maximum 2 crew members per group are accommodated on a
complimentary BB basis. Additional meals
and beverages are for their own account.
If the group have dinner at the hotel then maximum 2 crew members will
have their dinner complimentary.
CANCELLATION
POLICY
In the event of notification of cancellation, the following cancellation fee
shall apply on the full booking:
More than 30 days prior to arrival: 0%
More than 7 days prior to arrival : 50%
Less than 7 days prior to arrival : 100%
(GPS Co-ordinates: -33.351523, 25.743840)
Directions from Port Elizabeth: Distance approx. 86km. Travel time approx. 1 hr 15 minsTake the N2 towards Grahamstown and pass Blue Water Bay. Take the next exit to the R335 marked Motherwell / Markman. Turn left and continue on this road. Drive through a small town called ADDO. Travel a further 10km until you see the Zuurberg Mountain Village turnoff on your left. Turn left – the road will become a GRAVEL road. Drive 16 km up the original Zuurberg Mountain Pass until you reach the hotel. You do not need a 4x4 vehicle to drive on this gravel road (from the Addo side), but drive slowly and be on the look-out for oncoming traffic when going around the sharp, narrow bends. Keep to the left side of the road. The drive up the Pass is “naturally” bumpy, but is very scenic with expansive views of the mountains. It goes through 5 different biomes with an abundance of beautiful flora and fauna. In order to maximise your enjoyment, allow 20 minutes for this part of your journey. Be cautious when; driving up the Pass at night, when there is heavy mist and during/after heavy rainfall. We look forward to welcoming you. See you on top of the mountain! If in doubt, contact us.
ALTERNATIVE ROUTE from Port Elizabeth
- Longer but more scenic and easier driving.Distance approx.110km. Travel time approx. 1:30minsTake the N10 towards Paterson. At Paterson turn left onto the R342. Continue on this road for the next 24km. Drive past the entrance to the ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK. You will see a sign on your right hand side saying “Zuurberg”. Turn right, the road becomes a GRAVEL road. Travel a further 16 km till you reach the hotel as per instructions above.
Fantastic news we accept children of all ages, we have beautiful family rooms as well as extra beds & cots to accommodate everyone as far as possible. Please contact reservations to enquire about rates for the particular season you are wanting to come stay with us!
