4 Day, 3 Night Game Reserve and Cultural Tour of the Eastern Cape
Day One - Port Elizabeth to Addo Elephant National Park.
Early a.m. pick up at place of residence ( Port Elizabeth). Depart for Addo National parks Matyholweni gate. Deep within the shadows of the dense valley bushveld of the Sundays River region of the Eastern Cape lies the Addo Elephant National Park. Here, the evenings are punctuated by the strident howl of the black-backed jackal, and the francolin's call heralds each new dawn. Safe from relentless persecution in the past, the grey leviathans of the bush now roam in peace.
The original Elephant section of the park was proclaimed in 1931, when only eleven elephants remained in the area - today this finely tuned ecosystem is sanctuary to over 450 elephants, Cape buffalo, black rhino, a variety of antelope species, as well as the unique flightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo. And their Addo has only just begun. with plans to expand the 164 000 ha Addo National Elephant Park into a 360 000 ha mega-park. In addition, plans include the proposed proclamation of a 120 000 ha (296 500 acre) marine reserve that includes islands that are home to the world's largest breeding populations of Cape gannets and second largest breeding population of African penguins.
Check in and begin game drive to main Lodge where we book into the accommodation. Depart for game drive in reserve in transfer vehicle. Return to Lodge for picnic lunch and a short rest before again departing on a 2 hour, sunset, game drive on a parks board open vehicle. Game to be found, African Elephant (+ 400), Lion, Black Rhino, African Buffalo, Leopard (scares), Warthog, Kudu, Red Hartebeest and Zebra amongst the many species of interesting animal and bird life in this Park.
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Evening dinner consists of a traditional outdoor braai ( Barbecue) on the open fire on your return from the bush. Overnight Addo Elephant national park.
Of interest:
* Addo Elephant ( +- 450 Elephants) park
* Black Rhino, Cape Buffalo, Lion, Leopard ( Africa’s Big 5 ). Hyena, Zebra, Kudu and many other species of game and Bird life.
* Game drives in an Open 4 x 4 Game drive vehicle
* Traditional Braai ( barbecue)under African skies.
Day Two - Addo Elephant National park to Great Fish river reserve
Early wake up, Coffee / Tea and rusks.before departure on the last Addo game drive in parks board open, game drive vehicle. Return for a traditional English breakfast, prepared on the open fire before departure. Lunch in the historical Frontier and University centre of Grahamstown.
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Enter the Great Fish River reserve, this is an isolated and spectacular reserve where to see another tourist is a special sighting in itself, crossing of the river is an adventure. If water levels are high a detour around the reserve will have to be made. Keep a look out for Black Rhino ( one of the best place in the world to view this highly endangered mammal), White Rhino, Cape Buffalo, Hippo, Eland, Leopard (scares), African Elephant, Giraffe,Warthog, Kudu, Red Hartebeest, Monkeys, Baboon and Zebra amongst the species in the Park. The terrain in the Great fish river reserve is quite different to that of the Addo and can at times be quite dramatic with stunning views over the river itself. Historical settler forts and other aspects to be viewed. All Game drives in closed transfer vehicle, walks available on request.
Arrive at lodge and evening braai (Barbecue) under the African sky . Over night Reserve lodge.
Of interest:
* Open 4 x 4 Game drive in Addo.
* Frontier / University City of the Saints, Grahamstown.
* Isolation of the Great Fish river reserve.
* River crossing.
* Military forts from a bygone era.
* Black Rhino, White Rhino, Cape Buffalo, Hippo, Eland, Leopard, African Elephant, Giraffe,Warthog, Kudu, Red Hartebeest, Monkeys, Baboon and Zebra.
* Walks in the Wild.
Day three - Great Fish River Reserve.
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Early wake up with delicious hot Coffee, Tea and Rusks before we depart on a morning game drive, viewing a wide variety of game, birds and other wonders of the natural world before we return for a tasty traditional English breakfast. After which we have the choice of staying in the park or doing a tour of the historically significant towns of Alice and the University of Fort Hare, previously the only Black university in South Africa, attended by persons such as Nelson Mandela, the ex-president of South Africa. Thabo Mbeki the second President and Robert Mugabe the President of Zimbabwe amongst the other important figures in the political scene in Southern Africa. There is an option to visit a local expert on the early Bushmen, their culture and the stunning examples of Rock art in the area. Options include the town of Fort Beaufort, it’s settler history and the now vibrant and colourful African communities found here.
The Great Fish River Nature Reserve comprises the Andries Vosloo Kudu Reserve, the Double Drift Nature Reserve and the Sam Knott Nature Reserve. These reserves are linked by a circular route and total combined size of about 45,000 hectares. The area in which the reserves are located was in the past an area of conflict and war, with the Great Fish River often forming the boundary between the Settler and Xhosa territories. As a result, the area has a rich historical background and a number of forts, signaling towers, fortified farmsteads, barracks and graves that are located within the reserve. Its open succulent valley bushveld and rugged terrain provides diverse habitats and panoramic views, boasts an abundance of game including Black Rhino, Cape Buffalo, Hippo and Kudu.
Lunch on the road at own cost. All Game drives and sight seeing in closed transfer vehicle.
Overnight Great fish River lodge. Evening meal under the African sky on the open fire in the traditional Boma.
Of interest:
* Delicious breakfast.
* Game viewing in an isolated environment.
* University of Fort Hare.
* Historic and vibrant Settler town of Fort Beaufort.
* Bushmen ( San ) culture and ancient shamanistic rock art.
* Meal in the Boma under the jeweled like African night sky.
Day four - Great Fish River reserve to Port Elizabeth.
Leisurely wake up to Hot Coffee Tea and Rusks, A short nature walk ( Optional ) in the area and return for a traditional English breakfast before packing up for our departure via the reserve to Port Elizabeth and the end of the tour. Lunch on the road at own cost.
Of interest:
* Guide ecological Game walk in the reserve.
* Scenic drive to Port Elizabeth.
Tour includes:
- All accommodation
- Transfers to and from the reserves
- Entrance fees
- Conservation fees
- Two full meals per day
- Snacks
- Light refreshments and water on the trip
- Cost of professional guide, fuel and side excursions en-route, including a visit to the Bushman museum and a guided walk to Bushman paintings.
Tour excludes:
- Three lunches on the days on the road
- Alcoholic beverages are not included but these can be ordered in advance and will be purchased on behalf of the clients and charged accordingly.
