Schotia safari tour with Port Elizabeth pickup & guide

Summary

Safari day trip from Port Elizabeth to Schotia Game Reserve with local guide and Big 5 wildlife sightings

You’ll ride out from Port Elizabeth to Schotia Game Reserve with a local guide who knows every animal track and story. Expect close-up moments with Africa’s Big 5 (if luck’s on your side), plus giraffes and hippos in their own world. With snacks, drinks, and pickup included, it’s an easy way to get right into wild Eastern Cape — and you’ll remember those lion eyes long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I didn’t expect the lions to be that close. We’d barely bumped along the red dirt track for twenty minutes when our guide, Sipho, just stopped the open Land Rover and pointed. There was this heavy silence, except for a few birds and the wind in the grass. Then I saw them: two lionesses sprawled under a thorn tree, flicking their tails like they owned the place (which, I guess, they do). My heart was pounding so hard I almost forgot to take a photo. You know that feeling when you’re both excited and a bit nervous? That was me.

The drive out from Port Elizabeth took about 45 minutes — not bad at all. Our group swapped stories in the van; someone had never seen an elephant before and kept asking if we’d really see one. Sipho just grinned and said, “Let’s see what the bush wants to show us today.” He knew every twist of that reserve — kept pointing out tracks in the dust or some bird call I’d never have noticed. At one point he handed around these little snacks (I think it was biltong?) and cold water bottles that felt like gold after sitting in the sun awhile.

We did spot elephants eventually — huge ones, moving so quietly it felt unreal. There were giraffes too, stretching their necks into acacia trees like it was no big deal. The air smelled kind of sweet and dusty at once; hard to describe but I still think about it sometimes. The whole Schotia Game Reserve thing is unpredictable — you might see buffalo or maybe just a flash of leopard tail if you’re lucky. But honestly, even just rolling through those wide open spaces with a local guide who actually grew up nearby made it feel less like a tour and more like being let in on something special.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Safari at Schotia Game Reserve

• Pickup from Port Elizabeth Harbour
• Game drive to see Big 5 and other wildlife
• Return to Port Elizabeth Harbour

Top questions

How far is Schotia Game Reserve from Port Elizabeth?

It’s about a 45-minute drive from Port Elizabeth harbor to Schotia Game Reserve.

Is pickup included for this safari tour?

Yes, pickup from the harbor in Port Elizabeth is included in the tour.

Will we see the Big 5 animals on this tour?

You have a good chance of seeing Africa’s Big 5 at Schotia Game Reserve, but sightings can vary as animals move freely.

Are snacks or drinks provided during the safari?

Yes, snacks and bottled water are provided on every tour.

What kind of vehicle is used for the game drive?

The safari takes place in an open safari vehicle guided by a qualified local expert.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels but not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.

Can infants join this safari tour?

Infants can join but must sit on an adult’s lap during transport.

Does this day trip include entry fees?

Landing and facility fees are included as part of your booking.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from Port Elizabeth harbor, all landing and facility fees at Schotia Game Reserve, bottled water and snacks during your open-vehicle safari drive with a qualified local guide before returning back to port at the end of your adventure.