Elephant House Safari Co. Addo Elephant Drives

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There are various game viewing options available in Addo and the surrounding area as well as some exceptional cultural encounters:

1. Elephant House Safari Co. Addo Elephant drives
2. Elephant House Safari Co. Valley Tour
3. Schotia “Tooth and Claw” Safari
4. “Big 5” Private Game Reserves
5. Addo Elephant Back Safaris and Walks
6. South African National Parks Addo Drives
7. Addo Elephant National Park Horse Trails
8. Helicopter trip to beach
9. "Spirits of the past" Tour
10. Crisscross Mountain Tour
11. Crisscross River Tour
12. Quad Bike Tours (for the more adventurous….)
13. Hike in the Zuurberg Mountains
14. Bushman Sands Golf Course
15. Port Elizabeth City Tour
16. Other activities and bespoke packages

1. Elephant House Safari Co. Addo Elephant drives

Our in-house field guide, an elephant expert with many years experience with the elephants of Addo conducts 2 game drives through the National Park in our open land cruiser daily, both departing and ending at The Elephant House. Drinks and snacks are provided on the game drive.

Morning Drive – 9am to 12:30pm
Afternoon Drive – 2pm to 5:30pm

R600pp per drive (includes park entry fees, drinks and snacks)

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2. Elephant House Safari Co. Valley Tour

This tour (nicknamed the “wine route tour”) is a must! Clive takes one from The Elephant House to the historic Addo Polo Club then through the famous citrus groves of the Sundays River Valley to a beautiful look out point where pioneer Sir Percy Fitzpatrick is buried. We then move on to have sundowners and snacks overlooking a dam on a private plantation.

The trip ends with a visit to an amazing garden and tavern in the Nomatamsanqa Township. Departs 4pm and returns in time for a pre-dinner drink.

R450pp (includes all drinks and snacks)

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3. Schotia “Tooth and Claw” Safari

Schotia Private Game Reserve lies adjacent to Addo’s eastern boundary. This reserve has numerous antelope species as well as lions (the lion sightings here are renowned).

The “Tooth and Claw” safari runs from 3pm to 7pm followed by a barbeque in their boma Schotia is a half an hour’s drive from The Elephant House. Self-drive to Schotia. Transfers can be arranged.

R600pp (including barbeque and drinks) – children all ages welcome

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4. “Big 5” Private Game Reserves

There are several other “big 5” private game reserves within a 45 minute drive of Elephant House – all of these offer excellent half day safaris (including a meal), which we can book for you. They are:

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5. Addo Elephant Back Safaris and Walks

Addo Elephant Back Safaris have a base camp in a remote valley in the Zuurberg Mountains. They offer a unique experience “Walk with the Elephants” – where one walks through the bush with the elephants and their very knowledgeable and experienced minders. The walk is not strenuous and at an enjoyable pace.

This is a wonderful way in which to learn more about these giant pachyderms as they go about their business of walking, feeding and watering in their natural environment. Departure times 08:00, 11:00 and 15:30.  The drive to the Zuurberg is about an hour and a half on a gravel road; however we highly recommend that you take advantage of the transfer so that you may enjoy the spectacular scenery en route.

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6. South African National Parks Addo Drives

The park guides offer superb morning, afternoon, sunset and night drives of 2hrs each in open vehicles through the Addo National Park. On the night drives, apart from the nocturnal species, one often encounters black rhino and buffalo.

Winter Safaris at 7am (R170pp), 9am (R170pp), 12pm (R170pp), 3pm (R170pp), 3pm (R170pp), 6pm (R255pp), 7:30pm (R190pp)

Summer Safaris at 6am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, 8pm. Please check rates at reception when booking.

NOTE: No children under the age of 6 years allowed on game drives.

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7. Addo Elephant National Park Horse Trails

The Addo National Park offers morning and afternoon safaris on horseback through the reserve accompanied by a ranger, one often has the opportunity of viewing game close up on the trail through the elephant area.

Beginner rides at 8am-10am at R170per person and Advanced Rides from 2-5pm – cost R220pp. They also offer horse trails in the Zuurberg Mountains. Please enquire at reception for times & rates.

NOTE: No children under 10 years allowed.

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8. Helicopter trip to beach

We are able to arrange a helicopter trip to a beautiful unspoiled beach on the Indian Ocean for a beach picnic and swim. You are picked up and brought back to the front lawn of Elephant House by helicopter. Your flight to the beach lasts about 15 – 20 minutes and you will see the Addo Elephant Park (although one is not allowed to fly directly over it) from the air.

You will probably be the only person on the beach - this is indeed a very special experience! The chopper takes a maximum of 3 passengers. It is also easy to arrange a second chopper if you have a larger party. You are only charged for actual flying time, in other words one can spend as long as one likes on the beach at no extra expense.

R8 000 (including drinks & picnic).

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9. "Spirits of the past" Tour

This is a story that must be heard of frontier wars, pioneering spirits and heroic people bound together by indomitable determination and gritty humour.

Recapture the Spirits of the Past renowned historian and raconteur Alan Weyer whose captivating narrative of this region’s proud history of spectacular battles and courageous people will add a new dimension to a visit to the Eastern Cape

Half Day Frontier Country Tour

On the hills surrounding the City of Grahamstown we examine the many peoples and cultures that have influenced the region and the effect that they have had on South African History. This tour is ideal for the traveller who has limited time but would like to get a comprehensive and informative overview of the region. Refreshments are included on the tour.

(*THIS TOUR IS HIGHLY RECCOMMENDED BY ELEPHANT HOUSE)

R895 per person

Full Day Frontier Country Tour

The morning is spent on the hills surrounding the City of Grahamstown. We examine the many peoples and cultures that have influenced the region and the effect that they have had on South African History.

With this background we head out into Frontier Country and the historic Hamlets of Salem and Bathurst, visiting forts, St John's Church (refuge during Frontier Wars), the Toposcope and places of interest. Refreshments and lunch at a local Bathurst pub are included.

R1250 per person

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10. Crisscross Mountain Tour

Guests are collected at Elephant House by local adventure guides Gary Fitzpatrick & Christopher Pickles and taken into a remote, pristine section of the nearby Zuurberg Mountains (the drive takes one through a section in the Greater Addo Elephant Park where one may encounter the endangered Black Rhino) to "Otto's Pool" - where one can enjoy a leisurely stroll along a bubbling mountain stream that bypasses caves, waterfalls, rock pools and a natural fountain. (The more energetic are able to hike through the indigenous forest up to open grasslands). A delicious lunchtime braai (BBQ) is served beside a clear deep mountain pool where one can have a relaxing dip into the water or float on a tube. Bird watching here is phenomenal!

Duration: 9am - 4pm

R650pp (inclusive of park entrance fees, drinks, snacks, braai and transfers from and back to the lodge)

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11. Crisscross River Tour

Guest are collected at Elephant House by Gary & Chris and are taken for a very scenic paddle down the Sunday's River. Explore a different world down on the river - view game and birds along the riverbanks (great birding here too - especially look out for the riverine species including various King Fisher species as well as Goliath Herons and African Fish Eagles - while your guides paddle you down some of the most scenic parts of the valley.

MORNING PADDLE: 9am - 12am R300pp
SUNDOWNER PADDLE: 3:30pm – 6:30pm R300pp

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12. Quad Bike Tours  (for the more adventurous….)

Various Quad Bike tours – experience something different! Guests ride through the orchards of a working citrus farm and even pick your own bag of oranges in season! For the more adventurous, take a splash through the river on a quad. Helmets & Goggles provided.

Quad bike tour of farm including snacks (+- 1,5hrs) R150pp

Extended farm quad bike tour includes river crossing & snacks (+-2hrs) R225pp

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13. Hike in the Zuurberg Mountains

In the beautiful Zuurberg section of the Addo Elephant National Park there is a scenic hiking trail through the valleys and onto the fynbos ridges of the mountains. Normal park entry fees apply.

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14. Bushman Sands Golf Course

Bushman Sands is an exciting partnership between Shamwari and the Government in which they have revived and created wonderful employment opportunities in the dormant old railway town of Alicedale – 40min drive from Elephant House.

A magnificent 18-hole (“Bushveld links”) Gary Player design golf course is a feature of the hotel. Please enquire at reception for golf bookings. Bushman Sands Hotel also has a day spa.

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15. Port Elizabeth City Tour

The Indian Ocean Rim city of Port Elizabeth has a fascinating history being the landing point of the 1820 British Settlers and latterly a very significant centre in the anti apartheid movement. A tour to Port Elizabeth where you will visit central Port Elizabeth’s historical and natural attractions, combined with a visit to the townships (which will take you to some famous sites in the struggle against apartheid) is indeed extremely fascinating.

Optional visits to the Dolphinarium, Intsimbe Beads, Ron Belling Art Gallery, The Horse Memorial, No. 7 Castle Hill (a restored Settler Cottage) and St Georges Park – the famous cricket ground (where the first cricket and rugby test matches in South Africa were played) can also be included on your tour.

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16. Other activities and bespoke packages

We will try to tailor your stay to suit your needs as much as possible in order for you to get the best chance to experience all the area has to offer, for example, in season, we are able to arrange a visit to a citrus farm to watch the picking, a chukka of polo at the Addo Polo Club, a round of golf at Kirkwood Golf Club or if you are suffering from “safari fatigue” even a visit to the famous Volkswagen factory in Uitenhage!

Please feel free to discuss any special activities that will enhance your stay with us. Of course, you may simply want to DNA (do nothing at all!)

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NOTES:

All rates include VAT and are subject to change without notice.

• The success of most of these tours is dependent on favourable weather; as a result, in the event of inclement weather a tour may be cancelled at short notice.
• Occasionally, on the advice of the ranger, we may vary the departure time of a safari to ensure that the guest gets the best possible experience.