Addo Elephant Safari: Private game drive with Big 5

Track elephants and the Big 5 across Addo's open landscape

A private game drive through Addo Elephant National Park with a live English-speaking guide, hotel pickup and refreshments included. The park is home to the Big 5 animals, other wildlife and abundant birdlife across a landscape you explore at your own pace on a flexible 7 to 8 hour tour. Groups stay between 2 and 6 people. The vehicle type adjusts based on weather and group size.

Step-by-step itinerary

Addo Elephant Safari and Cultural Tour

• Visit Addo Elephant National Park
• Enjoy flexible game drives
• Explore historical and cultural sites
• Take coastal tour

The experience

Addo Elephant National Park sits as the only place in the world where the Big 5 roam together in a malaria-free zone, and the game drive takes you through it with a guide trained in the reserve itself. Your driver picks you up from your accommodation and the route stays flexible. You can book a 4-hour morning drive, a shorter afternoon run, or the full day tour that lets you move through different sections of the park and catch wildlife across multiple daylight hours. The landscape shifts as you travel, and the guide reads the terrain and animal movement to position the vehicle where sightings are most likely.

A full day tour includes refreshments and a traditional South African braai (barbecue) weather permitting, or a restaurant meal if conditions don't allow cooking in the field. Shorter drives come with refreshments as well. The vehicle itself may change depending on how many people are in your group and what the weather is doing that day: the operator adjusts the setup to keep sightings clear and the ride stable on the reserve's roads. Children from age 1 are welcome, though infants sit on an adult's lap.

What’s included

• Private game drive with a live English-speaking guide trained in the reserve.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• refreshments throughout the day.
• a traditional South African braai or restaurant meal on full day tours.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00 and 08:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (12 to 50 years) · Senior (60 to 80 years) · Youth (10 to 11 years) · Child (3 to 6 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 7 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Addo travel center and adventure

Is this one for you?The full day tour runs 7 to 8 hours of driving and wildlife watching, which suits travelers who want to cover different sections of the park and maximize sighting chances across multiple daylight hours. Choose the shorter 4-hour option if you prefer a morning or afternoon drive without the full commitment.

Traveler reviews

4.12★★★★★★★★★★

25 verified traveler reviews

5 ★16

4 ★3

3 ★1

2 ★3

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 11 years); Child (3 to 6 years); Infant (1 to 2 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What animals will I see on the Addo Elephant Safari?

Addo Elephant National Park is home to the Big 5 (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino) along with other animal species and abundant birdlife. The park is the only place in the world where all five roam together in a malaria-free zone.

How long is the full day Addo game drive?

The full day tour runs 7 to 8 hours. Shorter options of around 4 hours are also available if you prefer a morning or afternoon drive instead.

Does the safari include food and drinks?

Yes. Full day tours include a traditional South African braai (barbecue) weather permitting, or a restaurant meal if outdoor cooking isn't possible that day. All tours include refreshments throughout.

What is the minimum group size for a private Addo safari?

The booking requires a minimum of 2 participants and allows a maximum of 6 people per vehicle, so the group stays small enough to move freely and adjust the route based on wildlife sightings.

Is hotel pickup included in the Addo safari price?

Yes, pickup from your accommodation is included. The guide meets you there and returns you at the end of the tour.