Big 5 Safari and Boat Cruise, Eastern Cape: Full-Day with Lunch

Three hours of game drives, one hour on the river, and lunch between them

A full-day Big 5 Safari tour at Amakhala Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape combines a guided game drive, a scenic boat cruise on the Bushman's River, and a two-course lunch with two local beverages. The day runs six hours from 9am, with a live English-speaking guide, and suits all fitness levels. Children are welcome from age 6.

Step-by-step itinerary

Big 5 Safari and Boat Cruise

• Arrive for orientation and meet ranger
• Guided Big 5 game drive
• Enjoy two-course lunch with beverages
• Transfer to Bushman’s River boat site
• Scenic boat cruise on Bushman’s River
• Transfer to entrance gate with wildlife spotting

The experience

The day starts at 9:30am with a three-hour guided game drive across Amakhala Game Reserve, where your ranger navigates the reserve in search of the Big 5 and other wildlife. You'll cover the terrain by vehicle, stopping when sightings warrant it, and the guide handles the spotting and the route. By midday you'll have seen what the reserve offers that morning.

At 12:30pm you sit down to a two-course lunch at the Day Safari Welcome Centre, with two local beverages included. A cash bar is available if you want more. The meal breaks the day in half and gives you time to talk through what you've seen. After lunch, a short game-drive transfer takes you to the Bushman's River boat site (another chance to spot wildlife on the way), and at 2pm you board for a one-hour scenic cruise. The river narrows your view but opens it to birdlife and the banks you can't reach by vehicle. A final game-drive transfer back to the entrance gate closes the day around 3:30pm, with one last window for sightings on the way out.

The tour suits all fitness levels and welcomes children from age 6. A live guide in English leads the whole day, and the itinerary is fixed, so you know when each part begins and ends.

What’s included

• A three-hour guided Big 5 game drive with a live English-speaking ranger.
• a one-hour scenic boat cruise on the Bushman's River.
• a two-course lunch with two local beverages.
• game-drive transfers to the boat site and back to the entrance gate.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Big 5 Day Safaris on Amakhala

Is this one for you?The tour departs from the Day Safari Welcome Centre at Leeuwenbosch Country House, where you'll arrive by 9am. If you're staying elsewhere in the Eastern Cape without a car, confirm the pickup and transfer arrangements when you book, as the itinerary does not specify hotel collection.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What animals am I likely to see on the Big 5 game drive?

The Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and African buffalo) are the target, but sightings depend on where the animals are on the day you visit. The guide knows the reserve and will take you where recent activity has been reported, though no sighting is guaranteed on any single drive.

How much time do I spend actually driving versus sitting at lunch or on the boat?

The guided game drive runs three hours in the morning, the boat cruise takes one hour in the afternoon, and lunch occupies one hour at midday. The remaining time covers transfers between sites, so roughly half the day is in motion looking for wildlife.

Is the boat cruise suitable for people who get seasick or uncomfortable on water?

The Bushman's River cruise is a scenic, one-hour float on a river rather than open ocean, so the motion is gentle. If you have concerns about being on water, you may want to ask the operator about the specific conditions on the day you plan to visit.

Can I bring my own drinks, or do I need to use the cash bar for extras?

Two local beverages come with lunch. A cash bar is available if you want additional drinks beyond those two, so you can choose to bring your own or purchase more on site.