An excellent value-for-money Big Five Safari combining Addo Elephant National Park and Amakhala Game Reserve in the malaria-free Eastern Cape of South Africa.
Experience the renowned Addo Elephant Park, one of South Africa's biggest and best national parks, on extensive game drives with a professional guide. Then go on to explore the private Amakhala Game Reserve in an open-sided 4x4 safari vehicle, staying at an intimate tented camp in the reserve. Both wilderness areas are home to the Big Five and all kinds of other wild animals and birds making for an unforgettable African wildlife adventure.
This is a great option for family safaris in South Africa or as an add-on to Garden Route tours.
This morning at 8:00 am your guide collects you from your accommodation in Port Elizabeth (PE). From PE we drive straight to Addo Elephant National Park. It's about a 35-minute drive from the city to the south gate. Arriving at Addo we check-in and take a short comfort break.
Then we enter the park and the wildlife viewing adventures begin! As the name suggests, Addo Elephant National Park is an exceptional safari destination for seeing African elephants, hosting nearly 700 of these giant mammals. It's not just elephants that we'll see on our game drives, however, as Addo is home to a rich variety of wild animals including the famous Big Five. Keep an eagle eye out for buffalos, rhinos, lions, hyenas, zebras and all kinds of antelopes like kudu, eland, red hartebeest and bushbuck. We're sure to see warthogs and the world's largest flightless bird - the ostrich. Our game drive takes us north through Albany thicket and the grassy plains of Addo pausing to watch the wildlife and birds that we encounter. Your experienced guide shares in-depth knowledge about Addo and its ecosystems with you as you explore. At about lunchtime, we reach the main rest camp in Addo and head to the park's restaurant for a light lunch.
After lunch we head out in our customised safari vehicle again, continuing our search for Addo's fascinating animals and birds. This evening we return from our exciting game drive and enjoy dinner at the camp restaurant. Thereafter you are free to visit the viewpoint at the camp's floodlit waterhole to watch for nocturnal visitors or you can join an optional night game drive with SANParks, at extra cost. The game drive is conducted in an open safari vehicle adding to the thrill of exploring the bush after dark.
Rise and shine early this morning for a fresh cup of coffee or tea and rusks before our sunrise game drive. Early mornings are the best time for spotting predators roaming the bush before they settle down for the day. It's also an excellent time for birdwatching and photography so keep your cameras ready. Your guide takes you in search of wildlife action using his/her experience to improve your chances of sighting animals.
After our early morning game drive, we return to the camp for a late breakfast at the park's restaurant. Then you have some free time to relax at the camp and enjoy the facilities which include a swimming pool, an underground wildlife hide and a bird hide. There is also an interpretive centre with interesting information about Addo and its inhabitants. At about noon we have a light lunch at the camp, before setting off on an afternoon game drive in our safari vehicle. Likely sightings include buffalo, kudu, eland, warthog and, of course, elephants.
This evening back at camp we have dinner in the park's restaurant. Then you can sit back and stargaze, embark on an optional (extra cost) night game drive or visit the nearby floodlit waterhole. Listen for the call of black-backed jackal, hyena and lion as you drift off to sleep in your chalet tonight.
On day three we are up early for our final game drive. The day starts with coffee or tea and rusks (tea biscuits) before we head back out into the huge Addo Elephant Park. Five of South Africa's nine biomes can be found in this wildlife-rich national park so every game drive brings its own unique rewards. After watching the bush come alive as the birds and animals wake and the nocturnal creatures retreat, we return to the camp for breakfast at the restaurant.
Then we check-out and slowly make our way back south through the wilderness watching for mammals, reptiles, insects and birds as we go. Exiting Addo Park via the main camp in the north we head to the Amakhala Game Reserve in the Greater Addo area. Arriving at Amakhala we check-in at the three-star Woodbury Tented Camp and have lunch. Once lunch is finished you are free to relax at the camp. Take a dip in the pool, nap in your tent or unwind in the thatch-roofed lounge area.
Later in the afternoon, we set off on our first Big Five game drive in an open-sided safari vehicle. Exploring Amakhala Game Reserve with one of the camp's friendly guides we are likely to see four of the Big Five - lion, elephant, rhino and buffalo, along with cheetah, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and numerous other antelope species. After sundowners in the bush, we make our way back to camp. As night begins to fall we may be lucky enough to spot some of the nocturnal animals like bat-eared foxes.
Back at camp, it is time for dinner and a laid-back evening in the peaceful seclusion of Amakhala reserve.
Wake early on day four for an exhilarating game drive in the malaria-free Amakhala Game Reserve. In winter, breakfast will be served before heading out into the bush. In summer, you can start the day with coffee or tea and biscuits or muffins before the game drive and enjoy breakfast afterwards. Heading out with your professional guide and fellow guests as the day breaks is the ideal time for sighting animals and birds. As you explore this 18 000-acre game reserve your knowledgable guide can tell you all about this unspoilt wilderness area, its history and ecology. You will be amazed by the fascinating small mammals, birds, insects and plants that your guide points out on your drive.
Lunch is served back at Woodbury Tented Camp, followed by free time to rest, swim and enjoy the setting. Spend some time on the deck overlooking the Woodbury plains where various animals are often sighted, such as zebra, giraffe, buffalo and elephant. This afternoon we embark on a sunset game drive with sundowners, going in search Amakhala's abundant animals and birdlife. Along the way, your guide pauses so that you can take photographs of the creatures encountered and soak up the beautiful scenery. There are also light snacks and drinks for you to enjoy during the game drive breaks.
Then we return to the tented camp where dinner is served and we enjoy a quiet evening under the stars. Fall asleep to the sounds of mother nature, listening for hyenas and lions in the surrounding bush.
Day five kicks off with a final game drive in Amakhala private reserve. Now that you've been on safari for a few days, you'll see how much your wildlife spotting skills have already improved. Your guide will also be scanning the bush for signs of wildlife activity and all kinds of sightings, great and small.
Your last game drive ends back at Woodbury Tented Camp, where you'll have breakfast (served before the game drive in winter). Then it is time to pack up and return to civilisation. This well-priced Big Five safari of the malaria-free Eastern Cape ends with drop-off at your accommodation in Port Elizabeth this afternoon.
Addo Elephant Park is the third-largest national park in South Africa and the Eastern Cape's premier national park. Addo is a malaria-free safari destination which is a major plus for families travelling with children. Another major drawcard is the short driving time required to reach Addo from Port Elizabeth. At about 35 minutes from PE, Addo is one of the country's most easily accessed Big Five game parks.
What makes Addo really special is its massive elephant population, numbering close to 700 elephants. It is considered one of the best places in Africa to see elephants because of the high concentration of elephants. As if that's not enough, Addo is also home to the rest of the Big Five animals - lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo. Chances of seeing buffalos are good, whilst lions and rhinos are fairly often seen and leopards are seldom sighted. One of the most remarkable things about Addo is that it also incorporates marine habitat and thus marine life, including the iconic southern right whale and the great white shark. This combination (of the Big Five, the great white shark and the southern right whale) earns Addo Park the rare status of being a Big 7 safari destination. The national park covers 1640 km² (633 mi²) of various wild habitats along the banks of the Sundays River and down to the coast. The marine protected area section of Addo Park encompasses the waters and islands of Algo Bay. St Croix and Bird Island are two significant conservation hotspots hosting some of the world largest colonies of African penguins and Cape gannets respectively.
On this affordable Addo Park Safari, you stay inside Addo Elephant Park at the main rest camp, subject to availability. If accommodation at the popular main camp is fully booked then we stay at alternative accommodation of similar standards near Addo Park. We recommend booking well in advance (at least 6 months prior) to ensure availability inside Addo. Accommodation is in chalets or cottages when you book for two people sharing. If you are travelling as a group or family then accommodation is at one of the Addo main camp guesthouses which accommodate up to six people. The accommodation units are well-equipped, clean and comfortable, featuring twin single beds, basic kitchen facilities, fans and en-suite bathrooms. The main camp has a swimming pool, shop and restaurant, as well as a floodlit waterhole where wildlife can be viewed after dark and in-between game drives. There is also an underground wildlife hide at the waterhole and a bird hide.
Amakhala Game Reserve is located in the Greater Addo area of the Eastern Cape Province, under an hour's drive from the Port Elizabeth airport. This malaria-free reserve encompasses five of South Africa's seven biomes across 18 000 acres, which makes it incredibly diverse. The vegetation ranges from thicket to bushveld and grasslands supporting an impressive array of animals, birds and insects. The game reserve is run by the family who owns it and has lived there for five generations whilst most of the staff are locals from the area. The reserve prioritises conservation and is actively involved in environmental and community projects. There are a few different lodges tucked away in Amakhala which offer various levels of luxury, catering to different budgets.
In Amakhala Game Reserve we stay at Woodbury Tented Camp, an intimate tented safari camp. This three-star safari lodge is tucked away in the bush looking out over the floodplains of the Bushman's River. Woodbury Tented Camp has two swimming pools and a comfortable lounge and dining area with a thatched roof and a big wooden viewing deck overlooking the Woodbury plains. Accommodation is in one of ten spacious tents with en-suite shower and basin facilities and a separate private toilet. The canvas tents are set on raised wooden platforms each with their own private deck. The tents feature simple yet comfortable furnishings and amenities including a fan, electric blankets, tea and coffee station, a safe, hairdryer and running hot water. You have a choice of either twin single or king-sized beds when booking. WiFi is available in the main camp areas and laundry services on request.
Please note that you have the option of upgrading to one of the other lodges in Amakhala Game Reserve should you prefer. Alternative lodge accommodation includes 5-star lodges (Bush Lodge and Bukela Lodge), 4-star lodges (Hlosi Game Lodge, Safari Lodge and Woodbury Lodge) and the 3-star Leeuwenbosch Country House. Should you wish to upgrade to one of the alternative lodges let us know and we will send you an updated price for this safari package.
For up-to-date and confirmed pricing info for optional items, please drop us an enquiry.
This tour does take children.
Children over the age of 6 years are permitted on this safari. On the optional SANParks open-vehicle game drives (at extra cost) there is a minimum age restriction of 7 years. In Amakhala children from the age of 6 years are allowed on the game drives.
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