Addo Elephant Park is a finely tuned ecosystem that is sanctuary to over 450 elephants, Cape buffalo, black rhino, a variety of antelope species, as well as the unique flightless dung beetle - found almost exclusively in Addo.
Matyholweni, which means in the bush in Xhosa is located near the coastal town of Colchester at the Sundays River Mouth, 3km off the N2 highway.
Addo Elephant Park Matyholweni Camp is easily accessible and provides a second gateway into the Park. Amenities such as shops, restaurants and a fuel station are available in the nearby town.
Visitors have access to the main wildlife viewing area of the Park via the southern access road which links to Addo Main Camp. The road travels through the southern block of the park and join up with the existing tourist roads in the park.
The distance from Addo Elephant Park Matyholweni Camp to Addo Main Camp through the Park is 39km. This road is not accessible to buses and caravans.
Addo Elephant Park Matyholweni Camp has 12 accommodation units. Three of these units sleep 3 people and the rest can only sleep two persons. Two units are adapted for wheelchair users.
5 Things to seek at Addo Elephant Park Matyholweni Camp:
Bushpig
Bushbuck
Stanleys bustard
Malachite sunbird
Buffalo
Please note:
- Reception
- Each unit has its own braai stand.
- Public toilets.
Camp Matyholweni does not have a restaurant, shop or swimming pool facilities situated at the rest camp. Shop and fuel station facilities are available in the nearby town of Colchester.
Matyholweni reception is open from 07:00 to 17:00 daily, while the gate is open until 18:30.
Important Notice
1. Accommodation rates do not include Conservation Fees which are payable at the entrance gates.
2. Please ensure that you are familiar with the Rules & Regulations of National Parks before making a booking.
Gate opening and closing times:
The entrance gate is open from 07:00 to 19:00 but is staffed by a security guard between 19:00 and 07:00.
Should visitors need to enter or leave before 07:00 or after 19:00, please contact reception to inform staff.
The wildlife viewing area is open between 06:00 18:00 in summer and 07:00 17:30 in winter. Times vary according to season - please check with Reception.
Cottage (CO2): 2 single beds, Barbeque facilities, Camp reached from N2, access rd open to Main Camp, Check-in at Matyholweni itself, not Main Camp, DSTV (limited channels), DSTV (limited channels), Equipped kitchen, Fan, Fridge, Microwave, No additional persons allowed, No smoking, Open plan, WC and shower.
Cottage (CO2Z): 2 single beds, Barbeque facilities, Camp reached from N2, access rd open to Main Camp, Check-in at Matyholweni itself, not Main Camp, DSTV (limited channels), Equipped kitchen, Fan, Fridge, Microwave, No additional persons allowed, No smoking, Open plan, Unit accessible to the mobility challenged, WC and shower.
Family Cottage (FA3): Barbeque facilities, Camp reached from N2, access rd open to Main Camp, Check-in at Matyholweni itself, not Main Camp, Couch not suitable for adults, DSTV (limited channels), Equipped kitchen, Fan, Fridge, Microwave, No additional persons allowed, No smoking, Open plan, Queen size bed, WC and shower.
- No cancellation fee will be incurred for cancellations made after payment of first deposit up to and including 46 days prior to arrival.
- Cancellation fees equal to 50% of the total reservation cost is payable in a case of cancellation made between 45 days and 30 days prior to arrival.
- Cancellation fee equal to 100% of the total reservation cost is payable in a case of a cancellation made between 29 days prior to and date of arrival
- 100% of the total cost for any non-arrival/no-shows
Reservation made within 45 days prior to arrival is payable within 24 hours from the day reservation is made.
- Conservation levy is always excluded from the booking amount and needs to be settled on arrival.
It is your responsibility to check if the reservation is correct. Should the reservation be incorrect, please contact our office immediately.
If the arrival date of the itinerary is postponed prior to or on date of arrival and then cancelled at a later stage, the fees that applied at the time of amendment will be enforced if the amount is greater than the new cancellation fees.
Cancelling or downgrading of a reservation 45 days prior to or on arrival will result in cancellation fees according to a sliding scale (based on the total reservation cost) which varies between 50% and 100%.
Should the reservation not be taken up on the arrival date the accommodation will be held until 09:00 the following day after which the reservation will be cancelled and the deposit, where applicable, forfeited.
Take the N2 highway towards Grahamstown, pass Coega harbour on your right. Cross the Sundays River bridge. Turn off to your left at the sign that says Camp Matyholweni. Follow this road for about 3 km until you enter Matyholweni Gate at Camp Matyholweni.
