Forest, ocean and Big Five in three days
This short loop from Gqeberha combines the wild coastline of Tsitsikamma with two of the Eastern Cape's best safari experiences. You start among towering yellowwood forests and ocean cliffs, then trade the coast for open-sided safari vehicles in Schotia and Addo Elephant National Park, all in malaria-free country.
Day 1: Storms River and Tsitsikamma
After collection from your accommodation or the airport, travel west past Jeffreys Bay to the Tsitsikamma section of Garden Route National Park. Walk forest trails, cross the Storms River Suspension Bridge and watch the waves at the river mouth. Adventure activities can be arranged on request. Your first night is spent at a simple, friendly forest lodge just outside the park, with dinner included.
Day 2: Sundays River Valley and Schotia at sunset
Enjoy a slow morning in the forest, then cross the citrus-filled Sundays River Valley to the Greater Addo area and check into the luxury Addo Wildlife Lodge. In the afternoon, an open-sided safari vehicle takes you into Schotia Private Game Reserve as the light turns golden. Look for giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, sable, eland and kudu, then sit down to a traditional bush dinner by firelight beneath the stars.
Day 3: Addo's elephants
After breakfast, set off on a guided safari through Addo Elephant National Park, where more than 600 elephants give you excellent chances of close sightings. Lion, buffalo, black rhino, spotted hyena, red hartebeest and over 400 bird species also live here, though all sightings depend on nature. Lunch follows before your return to Gqeberha.
