See the Big 7 in a malaria free environment visit Schotia Safaris the Addo Elephant National Park, The Mountain Zebra National Park, the Karoo and the award winning Samara Game Reserve.
Our Company was established in 1998 to show guests, less visited and magical parts of Southern Africa, we specialize in tailor made tours often for as little as two people, this allows great personal service from our knowledgeable guides and enables guests to do as they please. We are not time bound and can spend extra time at a waterhole to get that special photograph.
We are members of SATSA (South African Touring Services Association) which requires, stringent insurance, financial and ethical controls.
Day 1 Arrive in Port Elizabeth with overnight accommodation at Beach House.
Day 2 Morning at leisure in Port Elizabeth leave after lunch for Schotia Safaris which is the oldest private game reserve in the Eastern Cape, afternoon/ evening game drive where you will come very close to the lions, evening safari meal and accommodation in the reserve.
Day 3 Morning Game Drive and breakfast we collect you and take you to the Addo Elephant National Park.
Addo Elephant National Park, has the highest density Elephant Population in the World. The Park is also being extended at an incredible rate it now covers 125,000 hectares 309,000 acres which is an area 4 times the size of Malta and is expanding to 492,000 hectares 1.2 million acres which will be 1/4 of the Size of Wales and 16 times the size of Malta. The Addo National Park now includes a coastal section home to Africa's largest penguin and gannet population, you are now able to see the "big 7" lion, elephant, rhino, leopard, buffalo, whale, and great white shark.
There is more to the Addo Elephant National Park however than the "big 7", there are countless other species, Cape buffalo, Black rhino, Eland, Kudu, Bushbuck, Red hartebeest, Grysbok and Duiker, Jackals, Antbear, Bushpig, Vervet monkeys and Zebra, to name a few. The flightless dung beetle is unique to the park, you will here a lot about theses when you visit. 6 out of the world's 7 biomes are found here and a huge number of bird species.
For the first time since 1849 lions now roam free there are six in total released in October, they have been separated in to two groups at different ends of the park. Spotted Hyenas required to dispose of the animal carcasses have also been reintroduced.
The area is completely malaria free and no medication is required,
We spend two nights at a Lodge which is situated in the Bean River Valley some 650 metres above sea level in the Zuurberg Mountain range. The property straddles the original wagon route to the interior which was constructed between 1850 and 1860 predominantly by hand and represents a remarkable feat of human endeavor and ingenuity.
The lodge is constructed on the foundations of a 100 year old farmhouse, which in its time no doubt offered refuge and comfort to many a weary traveler. This old fashioned hospitality of yesteryear continues today in the luxurious and spacious accommodation offered by Tatenda Lodge.
Day 4 Accommodation at Lodge and an elephant back safari.
Walks with the elephants through bush, ravines and forest. The walk is not strenuous and at an enjoyable pace. Walks will allow the guests to observe the elephant’s habits in their natural surroundings.
Then enjoy the thrill of riding these gentle giants to their favourite waterhole to watch them swim and make the most of the mud. Here you will be able to relax at the waterhole.
Day 5-6. Head off after breakfast to a Guest Farm close to Bedford, this is a working farm which wins many prizes for it’s wonderful Gardens.
Visit the Mountain Zebra National Park which, is yet another exceptional conservation effort. This small park (by African Standards) of 65 sq km's was established in 1937 to protect the 5 remaining mountain zebras of the huge herds that used to populate the area. Of the 5, 4 were male !!! Cabinet ministers at the time could not see a problem and dismissed the problem as "donkeys in football jerseys". Amazingly conservationists managed to establish a breeding herd and there are now 350
There are several routes through the park and in addition to Zebras there are springbok blesbok,black wildebeest buffalo, white and black rhino, cheetahs, kudu,lynx and baboon, red hartebeest and gemsbok. Mountain reedbuck and grey rhebok, majestic black eagles can also often be seen.
Day 7. Head off after breakfast for Graaff ~ Reinet. a remarkable place established in 1786, this is the forth oldest town in South Africa and was for a short time an independent republic. It has a superb architectural heritage that has been recognised and preserved. It is known justifiably as the Gem of the Karoo, housing over 200 buildings declared national monuments.
There is an excellent collection of fossil skulls of dinosaurs that roamed the area 230 million years ago.
We will stay overnight at the Drosty Hotel the former home of the Landdrost (The Cape Governor). Enjoy the excellent seven course menu in the Grand Dinning Room and the accommodation which is in Stretch's Court a cobbled lane of 19th Century cottages.
Visit the Valley of Desolation. The rocky canyon, echoing bird calls and expansive skies of the valley should not be missed. It is an ideal place to enjoy sundowners.
Day 8-9 Leave early for Nieu Bethesda and the extraordinary Owl House, the life's work of Helen Martins; you need to see it to believe it. We visit a farm with San art, dinosaur fossils and a place in Boer war history. We then go on to Samara Private Game Reserve where time stands still, inviting you to pause, breathe, reflect.
Discover the Africa one has always dreamt and read about, with vast open plains, spectacular sunsets and starry skies with the Milky Way so close you, can almost touch it. Experience the charm of a traditional Colonial homestead surrounded by 70 000 protected acres in the malaria-free Greater Karoo. Be inspired by the conservation projects which include the return of endangered species to Samara and where every effort is being made to preserve global biodiversity in this unique environment.
Luxury Colonial style Karoo cottages and rooms in the restored homestead offer relaxed comfort and style. Spend your days on safari with experienced rangers and trackers and visit the unspoilt plains of Camdeboo where the majestic cheetah reigns once more and the endangered mountain zebra wander on the endless grassy plains. Free of the restrictions of the Big 5 reserves, your professional guide will introduce you to the highly endangered Cheetah, enabling you to participate in an exclusive interaction with these graceful predators.
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 10 Morning Game Drive Breakfast and return to Port Elizabeth
Price for this itinerary based on 2 people sharing is 16,500 ZAR
Included in the tour price:- Cool drinks and snacks in the vehicle. Day 1 Collection from airport and overnight accommodation at Beach House Day 2 Breakfast at Fifth Avenue Beach House, transfer to Schotia Game Reserve afternoon/evening game drive, safari meal accommodation in the reserve Day 3 Morning Game drive and breakfast at Schotia Safaris Entrance fees to The Addo Elephant National Park dinner at Lodge Day 4 Breakfast, lunch dinner at Lodge, elephant back safari Day 5 Breakfast at Lodge accommodation and evening meal at Cavers Guest Lodge Day 6 Breakfast and evening meal at Guest farm day trip to the Mountain Zebra National Park Day 7 Breakfast and evening meal at the Drosty Hof, visit to the Valley of Desolation. Day 8 Breakfast at the Drosty visit to the Owl House, Game drive and evening meal at Samara Safaris Day 9. Game drives and all meals at Samara Safaris Day 10 Breakfast, at Samara Safaris, return to Port Elizabeth
Excluded: Telephone calls Bar account Items of a personal nature Gratuities Items not mentioned above
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I would like to say that my wife Anna and I experienced a fantastic time in my recent trip to South Africa. The country and the places I visited in particular (Cape Town/Garden Route/Port Elizabeth/Idwala Lodge were brilliant and better than I expected. My accommodation was well thought out and the tourist guidance by Colin was first class.
Colin would bend backwards in making sure that everything was fine, and I would not hesitate in using him again, for a country that I will definately be returning to sometime.
2
Client:
Paul Egerton - from United Kingdom
Trip:
currently unavailable
Rating:
rating 10/10
Comment:
Our holiday was excellent, it went very smoothly.
We had no issues with any of the bookings, the accomodation was as described and the people very friendly and accomodatiing. All details were as agreed and the operator was always helpful.
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to South Africa and felt that the 11-day itinerary arranged for us was excellent and gave us a the opportunity to see so many different places of interest, beautiful landscapes and memorable experiences. The accommodation was simply first class, and all the "optional" suggestions we found very useful. We loved the South African people - so friendly and courteous, the weather, and the delicious food.
A couple of things which were disappointing - Bush Sands no longer has predators, so although the safari was enjoyable, my much anticipated chance to see big cats in the wild did not materialise. Bush Sands removed the predators back in May 2005. Also, in Storms River, they were not doing the black water rafting - something to do with their licence, but again, this had been the case for some while, and my husband was very disappointed to miss the opportunity to experience that.
At the vineyard in Franshoek, they had a large function on the only day we were there, so we were unable to eat in their highly recommended restaurant overlooking the valley or to tour the vineyard and sample the wine.
These are disappointments which could be avoided if the operator regularly check that everything on offer is currently available.
However, overall we had a wonderful holiday and would certainly recommend this operator to our friends back in the UK.
