Addo Elephant: Full Day Safari & Braai Lunch with Pickup

Summary

Game drives, wild elephants, South African braai and open skies

You’ll ride through Addo Elephant Park with a local guide, spot lions and elephants by waterholes, pause for coffee breaks in wild country, then share a traditional braai lunch with drinks under open sky before heading back to your hotel — it’s less about ticking boxes than feeling part of something bigger.

What’s the experience like?

I never thought I’d be this close to an elephant — not in Addo, not anywhere. We’d barely entered the park when our guide, Sipho, slowed the vehicle and pointed out fresh tracks in the red dust. He grinned and said something about “early risers,” but honestly I was still waking up myself. The air smelled faintly like rain on dry grass, which is weirdly comforting if you grew up nowhere near here. There were zebras already grazing off to the left, their stripes almost flickering in the morning light. Someone behind me gasped — I think it was when we spotted a lion lounging under an acacia tree. It felt unreal.

We stopped for coffee around mid-morning. Sipho poured it from a battered thermos and handed out rusks (I dunked mine — apparently that’s what you do). He told us how Addo Elephant Park started with just 11 elephants back in the day; now there are hundreds. You could hear birds everywhere, but also this low hum of anticipation from everyone in our group — hoping for that first big elephant sighting. It took a while, actually. I kept scanning the bush until finally there they were at a waterhole: massive, quiet except for trunks sloshing water around. The calves played in the mud and one adult flapped her ears so wide she looked like she might take off.

Lunch was under a canvas awning near another stretch of bushveld. The smell of woodsmoke mixed with roasting meat (and veggie skewers for me) made my stomach growl embarrassingly loud — Sipho laughed and handed me a cold beer before I could say anything. There was rooster brood bread hot off the fire and salads that tasted way fresher than I expected out here. People chatted quietly or just stared into space for a bit; it’s hard to explain but there’s something about eating outside after watching animals all morning that makes everything taste sharper.

The afternoon drive felt slower — maybe because we were full or maybe because the sun got heavier on our shoulders. Buffalo moved through tall grass like shadows; antelope darted away as soon as we slowed down. On the way back toward Port Elizabeth, I realized I hadn’t checked my phone once all day (except for photos). That silence sticks with me more than any checklist of animals we saw.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Full day Addo Elephant Safari

• Start game drive with guide
• Spot antelope, zebra, and lion
• Tea and coffee break at 10:30
• Continue safari near waterholes
• See elephants and buffalo
• Enjoy South African braai lunch
• Resume afternoon safari
• Leave park at 18:00
• Return to accommodation

Top questions

How long does the Addo Elephant safari last?

The full day safari runs from early morning pickup until around 5-6pm when you’re dropped back at your accommodation.

Is lunch included on this Addo Elephant safari?

Yes, a traditional South African braai (BBQ) lunch is served midday, including meat or vegetarian options plus drinks.

Are hotel pickups available from Port Elizabeth?

Pickup is included from all Port Elizabeth and Colchester hotels or guest houses as well as Matyholweni Rest Camp.

Will I see elephants during this safari?

Addo is home to over 600 elephants; sightings are very likely especially near waterholes later in the morning.

What animals can be seen at Addo Elephant Park?

You may see elephants, lions, buffalo, rhino, antelope, zebra and various bird species throughout the day trip.

Are drinks provided during the tour?

Mineral water, juice, tea/coffee at breaks plus beer and white wine at lunch are all included during your safari drive.

Is this safari suitable for children or vegetarians?

The tour welcomes all ages; vegetarian lunch options are available if requested ahead of time.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your hotel or guesthouse in Port Elizabeth or Colchester (or Matyholweni Rest Camp), entrance fees to Addo Elephant Park itself, tea and coffee breaks along the way, a proper South African braai lunch with salads and freshly baked rooster brood bread (vegetarian option available), plus drinks like mineral water, juice, beer and white wine before heading back in the evening.