8-Day Eastern Cape Luxury Wildlife Safari:
Port Elizabeth to Port Elizabeth

Day One – Addo Elephant National Park (D)
We will collect you from your overnight accommodation in Port Elizabeth, or from the airport in Port Elizabeth and make our way to the Addo Elephant National Park. Deep within the shadows of the dense valley bushveld of the Sundays River region of the Eastern Cape is 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. This park conserves no less than five of South Africa's seven biomes, is also home to one of the densest African elephant populations on earth and is home to the unique flightless dung beetle.
The remainder of the day will be spent on game drives into the various areas of this park which offers some of the most spectacular elephant viewing in the world.
Now the third largest national park in South Africa, Addo Elephant National Park has expanded to conserve a wide diversity of biodiversity, landscapes, fauna and flora. Stretching from the semi-arid karoo area in the north around Darlington Dam, over the rugged Zuurberg Mountains, through the Sundays River valley and south to the coast between Sundays River mouth and Bushman’s river mouth, Addo covers about 180 000 hectares (444 700 acres) and includes the Bird and St Croix Island groups.
The original elephant section of the park was proclaimed in 1931, when only sixteen elephants remained in the area. Today this finely tuned ecosystem is sanctuary to over 550 elephants, lions, buffalo, black rhino, spotted hyena, leopard, a variety of antelope and zebra species, as well as the unique Addo flightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo. And their story has only just begun, with plans to expand the Park into a 264 000 hectare (652 300 acre) mega-park. In addition, plans include the proposed proclamation of a 120 000 hectare (296 500 acre) marine protected area that includes islands that are home to the world's largest breeding populations of Cape gannets and largest breeding population of endangered African penguins. 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.

Day Two – Addo Elephant National Park (B, D)
Today will be spent on extended drives into the various areas of the park with your guide. For those times when you want the opportunity to stretch your legs in the camp, the SASOL Red Bishop Bird Hide is located opposite the waterhole in the main rest camp, offering bird watchers a view of red bishops, weavers, herons, coots and terrapins. The main game area boasts a list of 170 bird species, while the expanded park may contain as many as 450 species in a diversity of habitats. There is also a game viewing hide situated in the camp, and elephant are often seen here enjoying the water-hole.

NB! Optional. You can opt instead for the luxurious Gorah Elephant Camp instead of the Addo Restcamp. The incomparable thrill of quietly observing a passing herd of elephant while being served tea on the veranda of a stately Colonial manor house is the stuff of dreams and legends - at Gorah it’s an everyday occurrence. This exclusive safari lodge recaptures the romantic mystique of authentic safari of centuries past - the awesome natural world of Africa merged with colonial nostalgia and modern sophistication to deliver an unforgettably unique 5 star adventure. Gorah is the only private concession situated in the middle of the famous Addo Elephant National Park Gorah is malaria-free, a Big 5 lodge and a member of Relais & Chateaux.

Day Three – Mountain Zebra National Park (B, D)
After breakfast we depart for the Mountain Zebra National Park.
The craggy heights of the Mountain Zebra National Park's Bankberg embrace rolling plains and deep valleys, and have become an entrancing preserve for the Cape mountain zebra. The proclamation of the park in 1937 saved these animals from extinction, and currently their population stands at more than 300, where they roam 28 412 hectares of land. Other mammals found here include the cheetah, Cape buffalo, black rhino, eland, black wildebeest, red hartebeest and gemsbok, while mountain reedbuck and grey rhebok frequent the higher areas.
Our accommodation here is in four-bed family cottages, each with two bedrooms, bathroom and partially equipped kitchen.
This afternoon will be spent on extended game drives into this park.
The highlight of the park’s mammalian fauna is obviously the ±300 or so Cape Mountain zebra after which the park is named. These zebra differ from the plains or Burchell’s zebra, by having narrower stripes, absence of shadow stripes and orange facial colouration. Other noticeable species of the mountain plateau are the red hartebeest, eland and springbok. In the more wooded valleys we should search for kudu, and two of the park’s more recent reintroductions, the African buffalo and the black rhino.
Verreaux’s (Black) and Martial Eagle and Jackal Buzzard soar impressively over this mountain habitat. Pale-winged Starling is very conspicuous on the mountain plateau, where Ostrich, Secretarybird, Blue Crane and Ludwig’s Bustard are the larger more visible species. Grey-winged Francolin, Ground Woodpecker, Large-billed (Thick-billed) and Eastern Long-billed Lark, Cape and Sentinel Rock-Thrush, Mountain Wheatear (Chat) and Orange-breasted Rockjumper should also be searched for, while Pink-billed Lark and African Rock Pipit are less common. The wooded kloofs and acacia stands host species such as Red-fronted Tinker Barbet, Lesser Honeyguide, Red-throated Wryneck and Southern Tchagra.

Day Four – Samara Private Game Reserve. (B, L, D)
After breakfast and a short game drive we make our way to Samara, arriving there in time for lunch.
A heart stoppingly beautiful African setting waits at the award winning Samara Private Game Rreserve. Two elegant lodges are nestled on open plains between an amphitheatre of mountains. The 70 000 acres of private Karoo bushveld offers breathtaking and far reaching views, 4 biospheres, dramatic mountains, complex and diverse eco-systems, 60 mammal species including Cape Mountain zebra, giraffe, rhino, buffalo, majestic antelope, aardvark and cheetah. Part of Samara’s cheetah conservation success is the fact that Samara is free of the predator competition found in Big 5 reserves. Without the pressure of natural predators such as lion and spotted hyena, the Samara cheetah populations have been able to thrive. Samara works closely with De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust to ensure that this highly endangered species is given the best chance of survival. To this effect Samara swaps it cheetah populations with other reserves thus ensuring that the gene pool is as wide as possible.
The lodges offer exceptionally elegant accommodation with outstanding service and Karoo cuisine. Dine under the stars, picnic on a cliff top or simply enjoy private meals in a variation of secluded locations. You may also indulge in relaxing spa treatments in the Samara spa or on the waters edge and visit ancient fossil and rock art sites.
Whether ensconced in the comfort of an open game viewer, or trekking through the fragrant Karoo bush, you will feel the deep pulse of the Karoo that makes Samara truly magical. Discover the secrets of Samara as you explore the untouched Plains of Camdeboo that once staged the massive migrations of millions of Springbok. Fossils that predate the dinosaurs and well-preserved Bushman paintings offer a fascinating insight into some of the historical intricacies of our Earth’s past.

Day Five – Samara Private Game Reserve. (B, L, D)
Today will be spent on game drives and enjoying what Samara has to offer. Samara’s abundant wilderness preserves a complex and diverse ecosystem, providing habitat for over 60 mammal species. Among more common species, such as the Kudu and Duiker, the secretive Aardvark and the once-endangered White Rhino roam. Giraffes can be seen peeking over the thorny Acacia canopy, while Cheetah crouch, hidden in the grass, waiting for an opportunity to stretch their legs and test the speed of the Hartebeest. Whether ensconced in the comfort of an open game viewer, or trekking through the fragrant Karoo bush, you will feel the deep pulse of the Karoo that makes Samara truly magical. Discover the secrets of Samara as you explore the untouched Plains of Camdeboo that once staged the massive migrations of millions of Springbok. Begin the journey of revitalisation on your 'birding safari', where you can witness the hauntingly beautiful Blue Crane mating dance, soaring pairs of Black Eagles near Eagle Rock, witness the strutting Secretary Bird and marvel at the wing span of the Kori Bustard - also plant a spekboom and explore the ancient rock art before relaxing for an afternoon of indulgence with spa treatments, Karoo cuisine and sunset game drives.

Day Six – Kwandwe (or Shamwari) (B, L, D)
This morning after our last game drive at Samara and breakfast, we head out to either Kwandwe Private Game Reserve or Shamwari Game Reserve.

Kwandwe consists of 22 000 hectares (54 400 acres) of a hauntingly beautiful but previously neglected part of the African continent where the area’s natural wildlife has been painstakingly restored. A conservation victory, Kwandwe is home to thousands of animals, including lion, black and white rhino, buffalo, elephant and cheetah, as well as Africa’s famous Big Five. Meaning “Place of the Blue Crane” in Xhosa, Kwandwe is a haven for a population of these rare, highly endangered birds (South Africa’s national bird). The Reserve also provides sanctuary for other threatened species, such as the Knysna woodpecker, Cape grysbok, black wildebeest, crowned eagle and black-footed cat. A biological melting pot of various vegetation types, the reserve boasts a spectacular display of winter flowering aloes from June to August. Kwandwe flanks both the north and south banks of the Great Fish River, which meanders for 30 km (19 miles) through this pristine, private wilderness.
This diverse Big Five reserve is home to four unique lodges. Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge's nine spacious suites line the lush Great Fish River, while Kwandwe Ecca Lodge's one-of-a-kind, quirky suites are surrounded by rolling slopes. Kwandwe's two sole-use safari villas, Uplands Homestead and Melton Manor, each designed with elegance and comfort in mind, are the ideal place for families or small groups sharing a Big Five adventure. Activities at Kwandwe include:
- Twice daily game drives - explore the natural diversity of Kwandwe on early morning and late afternoon / evening game drives in an open 4x4 safari vehicle. An armed ranger and tracker team will share their extensive knowledge of the bush with you and will track the Big Five, as well as a variety of other wildlife. Morning drives begin as dawn breaks over the Great Fish River, and guests have the opportunity to see the predators winding up their nocturnal hunts and settling in for the day. Many animals take advantage of the cool morning hours to graze before the heat of the day. In the late afternoon the wildlife can often be spotted coming down to the river to drink. Night drives produces some unusual sightings, including aardvark, aardwolf, bat-eared fox and porcupine.
- Interpretive bush walks - in between game drives, take a closer look at the intricate details of the bush on a leisurely walk within easy reach of your lodge. Dense euphorbia thickets are best explored on foot, revealing a secret world of lichen, mosses and ferns. Various birds of prey and other species nest in the taller trees or in the spiny canopy. An armed ranger guides guests through up close and personal sightings of an occasional buffalo, bushbuck or bush pig.

Shamwari has received numerous international awards, including the World’s Leading Conservation Company and Game Reserve for many consecutive years. Luxury safari accommodation is offered in 7 different lodges on this private game reserve. You can choose a lodge that compliments your ideal African experience. Steeped in pioneer history, and dating back to the time when a multitude of game roamed wild and free, the 25 000 hectare reserve boasts five eco-systems, thus enabling the support of many forms of plant, animal and bird life.
Game viewing is carried out during the morning and evening when you are guided by your game ranger in an open game viewing vehicle. If you have a particular interest, please mention it to your ranger; who will be happy to merge your plans with those of the group. The game drives will take between three and four hours, with a sundowners stop at sunset and a coffee stop in the morning. It is always advisable to bring warm clothing along, even in summer. In winter, a warm jacket, beanie, scarf and gloves are advisable. Your safety is of utmost concern and your game ranger will inform you of the necessary safety precautions as you commence your game drive. Guided walks can often be the highlight of your African trip, for it is only then that you gain a true perspective of the fauna and flora around you. These walks may only be carried out by specially trained and qualified game rangers.

Day Seven – Kwandwe (or Shamwari) (B, L, D)
Today is spent on the full-day lodges’ activities, which are usually this:

• Morning Game Drive - As dawn breaks over the African bush, a gentle tap on your door will wake you to the delights of a new day. Your ranger will discuss what you hope to see that day over fragrant tea or coffee and morning biscuits or rusks. Set out in an open 4x4 safari vehicle in the company of a ranger and tracker team, who will attempt to track your favourite animals. Explore Kwandwe's diverse terrain in search of cheetah, black rhino or elephant.
• Breakfast - Return to your lodge for a delicious breakfast, with platters of fruit and cheese followed by a selection of hot breakfast dishes. Choose from eggs, oats, waffles or a number of other options.
• Lunch - If you wish, you can walk off your breakfast on a short walk near your lodge, accompanied by your ranger, who will share his insight into the smaller animals and vegetation in the area. Return to the lodge in time for lunch.
• Afternoon Tea - Cool off with a refreshing dip in the pool or indulge in an afternoon siesta. Over a late afternoon tea, your ranger will discuss what you hope to see during the afternoon game drive.
• Evening Game Drive - This game drive begins in the late afternoon and lasts until after dark, when spotlights are used for a glimpse into the nocturnal bush life. Spot the rarely seen porcupine, aardwolf or aardvark. Enjoy sundowners in a scenic location as the sun slowly sinks beneath the horizon.
• Dinner - Return to your lodge for a mouthwatering dinner around a blazing fire in a boma or in your lodge's dining area.

Day Eight (Port Elizabeth (B)
After your morning game drive and breakfast you will be dropped of at your overnight accommodation in Port Elizabeth or at the airport in Port Elizabeth in the early afternoon for your return flight.