Kirkwood

Kirkwood is the municipal capital of the Sundays River Valley and the largest town on the Greater Addo Route. With the Zuurberg Mountains in the background, the quaint town of Kirkwood is a serious contributor to the citrus economy of South Africa. It is also the access point to the Kabouga section of the Addo Elephant National Park. During the harvest season (April to September), tractors groaning with oranges are a regular sight on the roads leading into Kirkwood and a buzz revs up the town.

An interesting side trip is to take the gravel road to the little village of Enon, which has a Moravian Mission built for the Khoi in 1818. Sacraments are still given in the little church – teak window frames, yellowwood rafters and brass hanging lamps still intact.

Kirkwood is also home to a small meat eating dinosaur nicknamed Kirky (Nqwebasaurus thwazi). The fossil was described in 2000 as one of the most complete and best preserved Cretaceous theropods described thus far in Africa.

For a great self drive route from Johannesburg to the Addo Elephant park visit ShowMe. For the ultimate guide on Port Elizabeth, visit ShowMe Port Elizabeth.