Port Elizabeth: Schotia Safari & Big 5 with Addo Park Pickup

Elephants, lions and rhinos 45 minutes from the Port Elizabeth harbour

You're picked up at Port Elizabeth Harbour and driven 45 minutes to Schotia Game Reserve, where you spend the day in an open safari vehicle with a guide searching for the Big 5 and other wildlife. Snacks and water are provided, entry fees are included, and you return to the Harbour by late afternoon. No car rental, no separate guide booking, no timing to figure out yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Safari tour from Port Elizabeth Harbour

• Pickup from Port Elizabeth Harbour
• Drive 45 minutes to Schotia Game Reserve
• Explore reserve with qualified guide
• See Big 5 and other animals
• Return to Port Elizabeth Harbour

The experience

What stops most people from doing a safari out of Port Elizabeth is the logistics. You'd need a rental car, a guide, and time to figure out where to go. This tour removes all three. You get picked up at the Harbour, driven 45 minutes inland to Schotia Game Reserve, and spend the day in an open safari vehicle with a qualified guide who knows where the animals move. The reserve borders Addo Elephant National Park on its east side, which means the wildlife density is real, not a promise, but a fact of the geography.

Schotia is the oldest reserve in the Eastern Cape, and it's home to the Big 5: elephant, rhinoceros, lion, buffalo, and leopard. You'll also see giraffes, hippos, and crocodiles moving through their natural habitat. The guide won't guarantee sightings, animals don't follow a schedule, but they'll do the work of finding them. Each drive is different because the animals are constantly on the move, so you're not following a fixed route or stopping at the same viewpoints as everyone else. You sit in an open vehicle, which means you're low and exposed to the landscape, not sealed behind glass. Snacks and bottled water come with you, so you're not hunting for a lunch stop or rationing what you brought.

The day ends with a return drive to the Harbour, so you're back where you started. The whole thing (pickup, drive, safari, return) fits into one block of time without you having to coordinate transport, entry fees, or a guide separately. It's the kind of tour that works if you're in Port Elizabeth for a port day or a short stop and want to see actual wildlife without spending half the day on logistics.

What’s included

Hotel or Harbour pickup in Port Elizabeth, 45-minute transfer to Schotia Game Reserve, full-day safari in an open air-conditioned vehicle with a qualified guide, entry fees and landing facility charges, snacks and bottled water throughout the day, and return transfer to the Harbour by late afternoon.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (6 to 80 years) · Child (3 to 5 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sunday's River Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this if you're docked in Port Elizabeth or staying nearby and want to see African wildlife without arranging a rental car, separate guide, or entry tickets yourself. The pickup and all-in pricing is what makes a real safari possible in a single port day.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 5 years); Infant (under 3): free.

How long is the full tour from pickup to return?

The drive to Schotia takes 45 minutes each way. The safari itself varies, but the full day from Harbour pickup to return is typically 6–8 hours depending on animal sightings and guide pace.

Are the Big 5 guaranteed?

No. The guide will do their best to locate them, but animals move constantly and sightings depend on the day. Each drive is unique and unpredictable.

What's included in the price?

Pickup from Port Elizabeth Harbour, transport to and from Schotia, entry to the reserve, the safari drive in an open vehicle, snacks, bottled water, and facility fees.

Is the vehicle air-conditioned?

The vehicle is air-conditioned, but it's an open-sided safari vehicle, so you're exposed to the landscape and wildlife.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

Snacks and water are provided on the tour. You can bring additional items if you prefer, but there's no separate lunch stop.

What if I don't have a car in Port Elizabeth?

Pickup and return are included from the Harbour. Public transportation options are available nearby if you need to reach the Harbour first.