Addo Elephant National Park Full Day Safari: Big 5 game drive

Nine hours in the park, 600 elephants, and a guide who knows where to find them

A full-day safari through Addo Elephant National Park with a FGASA-qualified guide, private transportation, park entry and a traditional South African Braai lunch with local beverages. The park holds more than 600 elephants and members of the Big 5 in their natural habitat. A nine-hour tour at a leisurely pace, suitable for all fitness levels, with time to photograph wildlife and learn about the ecosystem from your guide.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day safari in Addo Park

• Travel to Addo Elephant National Park
• Enjoy guided game drive
• Spot elephants and Big 5 animals
• Learn from experienced nature guides
• Have traditional South African Braai lunch
• Refresh with local beverages
• Practice wildlife photography
• Relax and enjoy the natural scenery

The experience

You arrive at Addo Elephant National Park and spend the full day on game drives with a guide trained in first aid and registered with the Department of Tourism and South African National Parks. The park is the third-largest in South Africa and has expanded to protect a wide range of fauna, flora and landscapes. Your guide knows the terrain and the animals' patterns, so the drives move at a pace that lets you watch and photograph without rushing between stops. Binoculars are shared on board, and the guide interprets what you see: the behavior of the elephants, the signs of other wildlife, the ecology of the place.

Midway through the day, your guide prepares a traditional Braai (BBQ) lunch on-site, with vegetarian and vegan options available. Local beverages, wines and beers accompany the meal. Tea, coffee and a traditional South African rusk come earlier in the morning. The park provides natural ground water and minimal human interference, so you are watching nature as it occurs without the overlay of heavy infrastructure.

The Big 5 (lions, elephants, black rhinoceros, Cape buffaloes and leopards) are all present, though sightings are never guaranteed. The park is also home to the Addo flightless dung beetle, found almost nowhere else on earth. Hyenas, zebras, antelopes and many other species move through the landscape. Whether you are a photographer testing your skills or a first-time safari visitor, the nine-hour window gives you real time to watch and learn instead of a rushed afternoon.

What’s included

• Private transportation to and from the park.
• park entrance fees.
• tea and coffee with a traditional South African rusk in the morning.
• a traditional South African Braai lunch with vegetarian and vegan options, accompanied by local beverages, wines and beers.
• shared binoculars on board.
• a FGASA-qualified guide with first aid training.

Options for this experience

2 options

Full-day safari in Addo Elephant National ParkGuide in English · 08:30Pickup is included, in a 4x4 SUV or a tour bus

Addo Park shore excursionGuide in English · 08:30Shore excursion for guests travelling on a cruise ship docking at Port Elizabeth Harbour. Guided safari led by a professional nature guide who speaks English. Duration: 9 hours, with start and end times flexible to fit cruise ship disembarkation and boarding times. Lunch is a traditional braai picnic with cold beverages. Port Elizabeth Harbour to Addo Park: pickup begins at the second exit gate of the Cruise Terminal, in a 4x4 SUV or a tour bus, with pickup included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 10 · max 9 per booking

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 16 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 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by African Sightings Adventure Tours & Safaris

Is this one for you?Choose this if you have a full day and want a guide who reads animal behavior and terrain. You'll position yourself where wildlife gathers rather than driving in search of sightings.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

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.

How many elephants live in Addo Elephant National Park?

The park is home to more than 600 elephants, making it one of the largest elephant populations in a single protected area. You will have multiple opportunities to see them at close range during the full-day drive.

What animals can I expect to see on the safari?

The Big 5 (lions, elephants, black rhinoceros, Cape buffaloes and leopards) all live in Addo, along with hyenas, zebras, antelopes and the unique Addo flightless dung beetle found almost exclusively in the park. Sightings depend on where the animals are on any given day.

Who is driving and guiding the safari?

All game drives are led by FGASA-qualified guides with Basic First Aid certification, registered with the Department of Tourism and accredited by Addo Elephant National Park. Your guide interprets the wildlife and landscape throughout the day.

What is included in the full-day safari?

The tour includes private transportation, park entry fees, tea and coffee with a traditional rusk in the morning, a traditional South African Braai lunch with vegetarian and vegan options, local beverages and wines, and shared binoculars on board.

How long is the full-day safari?

The safari runs for nine hours, giving you a full day at a leisurely pace to search for wildlife and photograph the animals without rushing between stops.

Can I do this safari if I am not very fit?

The safari is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You spend most of the time seated in the vehicle, and the pace is leisurely, so there is no strenuous activity required.