Sunday's River
The tranquil and evergreen Sunday's River Valley that is home to the famous Addo elephants, is also an important citrus producing area, where mile after mile of verdant trees scent the air in springtime with their blossoms and hang heavy with fruit in winter. As could be expected, the area is renowned for its game and nature reserves. The Sir Percy Fitzpatrick Lookout at Sunland, or the Kirkwood Lookout have stunning views across the valley. Both are great places to stop while enjoying your scenic drives around the area.
At the Addo Elephant National Park, you can experience adventure, wildlife and wilderness while going on game drives (day or night drives), guided walks or guided horseback rides. Enjoy a variety of activities such as cultural dancing and watching game at floodlit waterholes.
Various private bush camps (tented or rustic cabins) on the banks of the Sunday's River, safari and hunting lodges and holiday farms offer game viewing, fishing, canoeing, bird watching, hiking, boating, horse rides, and 4x4 trails in the Zuurberg Mountains. Challenge yourself on the excellent 9-hole Kirkwood Golf Course or watch the polo tournaments at the Addo Polo Club during the winter months, at weekends.
The area has a prolific birdlife, ranging from the majestic fish eagle, osprey and African spotted eagle owl, to the jackass penguin and oystercatchers. The Sundays River Mouth is the area where the river flows through the Alexandria Dunefields. These dunes were formed some 6500 years ago, and are the highest dunes south of the Namib Desert, in places reaching 200m - these constantly changing dunes being a subject of more than fifteen master degrees. The river is tidal and navigable for canoes, stretching for about 15km upstream.
Watch the citrus being picked in the orchards and packed in the modern pack houses during the season from April through to September and enjoy the annual Citrus Festival at the end of May, followed by the Kirkwood Wildlife Festival at the end of June, which includes the Game Auction. Take part in the world-renowned Addo Rose Festival in October, with its numerous craft and food stalls.
Several historical sites can be found in the are which date back as far as 1829. the most well known site is the Old Drift House, the Inn used by most people crossing the Addo drift from the old Cape Colony into the Hinterland. Behind this Old Drift House is a graveyard of soldiers of all races, who died in the area. A modern B&B has been built on the foundations of the quarters of the old wagon smiths and their workmen. Some of the implements used by them can still be seen in the homestead. The Sundays River Valley is a malaria free region.
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