Addo Elephant National Park Tours

Our most popular Addo safari experience

The Full Day Addo Elephant Safari offers an in-depth wildlife adventure with extended game drives and more time to explore different sections of the park. This tour increases your chances of spotting lions, elephants, buffalo, and rare species.

What’s included:

Full-day guided safari experience

Lunch stop at a rest camp or restaurant

Scenic routes and wildlife photography opportunities

Relaxed pace for maximum sightings

Discover the very best of the Eastern Cape on this unforgettable 3-Day Addo Safari Experience with Rawson Touring. Designed for travelers who want maximum wildlife encounters in a short time, this carefully curated safari combines ethical animal interactions, private reserve sunset safaris, a full-day Addo Elephant National Park game drive, a scenic Sundays River cruise, and a thrilling final golden-hour safari at Schotia Private Game Reserve, renowned for its exceptional lion sightings.

This tour offers the perfect balance of adventure, comfort, and variety, making it ideal for couples, families, photographers, and international visitors seeking an authentic South African safari experience.

Tour Overview

This 3-day guided safari takes place in the iconic Addo region, including Addo Elephant National Park, the Sundays River area, and Schotia Private Game Reserve. The tour departs from Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) and surrounding areas and is conducted as a small-group experience for a more personalized and immersive safari. Guests can choose from budget, comfort, or luxury accommodation options depending on their travel style.

Day 1: Wildlife Encounter & Sunset Safari at Addo Wildlife Private Reserve

Your safari adventure begins with a scenic drive into the Addo region, where you’ll take part in a memorable wildlife encounter of your choice. Guests may opt for a guided giraffe walk, where you stroll alongside these gentle giants in a natural environment while learning about their behavior, conservation, and unique characteristics. This experience offers incredible photographic opportunities and a deep connection with nature.

Alternatively, guests may choose an ethical elephant encounter led by experienced handlers. This educational experience allows you to observe elephants up close while learning about their intelligence, social structures, and conservation. All wildlife encounters on this tour are conducted responsibly, with animal welfare as a top priority.

Following your morning activity, you’ll enjoy time to relax and settle into your lodge in the Addo area. The peaceful surroundings provide the perfect setting to unwind before the evening safari.

As the sun begins to set, you’ll head out on a guided sunset safari at Addo Wildlife Private Reserve. This is one of the best times of day for wildlife viewing, as animals become more active in the cooler temperatures. Possible sightings include elephants, buffalo, rhino, plains game, and diverse birdlife. After the safari, you’ll return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 2: Full-Day Addo Elephant National Park Safari

Day two begins with an early breakfast before departing for a full-day guided safari inside Addo Elephant National Park, one of South Africa’s most celebrated wildlife destinations. The park is home to one of the densest elephant populations in Africa, as well as an impressive variety of other species.

Throughout the day, your experienced Rawson Touring guide will navigate different sections of the park, maximizing your chances of wildlife sightings. Guests can expect to see large elephant herds, zebra, kudu, warthog, and eland, with opportunities to spot buffalo, black rhino, lions, hyena, and an abundance of birdlife.

Midday, you’ll enjoy a relaxed lunch inside the park at one of the rest camps or restaurants, often overlooking waterholes where animals gather. The safari continues into the afternoon before returning to your lodge in the late afternoon for dinner and another comfortable overnight stay.

Day 3: Scenic River Cruise or Wildlife Encounter & Final Lion Safari

On your final day, you’ll have the flexibility to choose how you’d like to spend your morning or afternoon. Guests may opt for a tranquil sunset boat cruise along the Sundays River, famous for its towering sandstone cliffs, rich birdlife, and serene scenery. This experience provides a beautiful contrast to the intensity of game drives.

Alternatively, you may choose to enjoy another wildlife encounter, either an elephant experience or a giraffe walk, offering one last opportunity for close-up interaction and learning.

The tour concludes with a spectacular sunset safari at Schotia Private Game Reserve, one of the Eastern Cape’s most iconic private reserves. Schotia is well known for its outstanding lion sightings, with a 7 out of 10 chance of seeing lions, particularly during golden hour. This final safari offers dramatic lighting for photography, diverse wildlife, and an unforgettable end to your 3-day safari adventure.

Accommodation Options

Rawson Touring offers a range of accommodation options to suit every traveler. Budget accommodation includes comfortable guesthouses or safari chalets with en-suite rooms, ideal for value-focused travelers. Comfort accommodation features quality lodges or boutique guesthouses with modern amenities, pools, and excellent dining options. For those seeking a premium experience, luxury accommodation includes exclusive safari lodges near Addo, offering spacious suites or luxury tents, fine dining, and personalized service in tranquil natural settings.

What’s Included

This safari includes the services of a professional Rawson Touring guide, all transfers from Port Elizabeth, selected giraffe walks or elephant encounters, a sunset safari at Addo Wildlife Private Reserve, a full-day Addo Elephant National Park safari, a Sundays River cruise or wildlife encounter, a sunset safari at Schotia Safaris, and two nights’ accommodation in your chosen category.