Addo Elephant National Park

Climate

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 October-November. Frost occurs at times in winter.

Temperatures: Daily max - Jan 32 °C July 18 °C Daily min - Jan 15 °C July 5 °C. There is no natural water in this section of the park and all 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 approximately 722mm. Peaks in rainfall 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:

Climate: Average rainfall 255mm/yr. Max temp in summer reaches 48 °C and min temp 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 dunefield occurs in a rain shadow which receives lower rainfall than both Port Elizabeth and Alexandria. Fog and mist are common, with frost being rare.

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