5-Day Addo Park & Kariega Big 5 Safari – Eastern Cape, South Africa
Experience the ultimate Big 5 safari in the Eastern Cape on this unforgettable 5-day Addo and Kariega tour. Combining the renowned Addo Elephant National Park with the scenic Kariega Private Game Reserve, this affordable safari takes you into the heart of two of South Africa’s finest malaria-free game parks. Spot elephants, lions, and rhinos on game drives, enjoy guided bush walks, go canoeing, and stay at well-appointed lodges in prime wildlife areas.
Quick Overview
- Game drives in Addo Elephant National Park – famous for its large elephant population
- Open 4×4 game drives in Kariega Private Game Reserve
- Professional safari guides throughout the tour
- Accommodation inside Addo Park and at Kariega’s 4-star Main Lodge
Itinerary: 5-Day Addo & Kariega Big 5 Safari
Day 1: Port Elizabeth to Addo Elephant Park
Your Eastern Cape Big 5 safari begins with a transfer from Port Elizabeth to Addo Elephant National Park. After entering through the southern gate, enjoy your first game drive en route to the main rest camp. Spot elephants, buffaloes, lions, and various antelope species. After lunch, head out again for an afternoon game drive. Optionally, join a SANParks night safari (additional cost) for a unique nocturnal wildlife experience.
Meals: Lunch
Accommodation: Chalet or cottage in Addo Main Camp
Day 2: Full Day in Addo Elephant National Park
Begin the day with a sunrise game drive – the best time to see predators in action. After breakfast, enjoy leisure time or explore the park’s hides and viewing areas. In the afternoon, set off on another game drive to spot more Big 5 animals and rare species like the flightless dung beetle. Optional night drive available.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Chalet or cottage in Addo Main Camp
Day 3: Addo to Kariega Game Reserve
Enjoy one last morning game drive in Addo before traveling to Kariega Game Reserve near Kenton-on-Sea. Settle into the luxurious Main Lodge and relax before heading out on your first open 4×4 game drive in this private Big 5 reserve. Look out for close-up sightings of elephants, rhinos, and lions in their natural habitat.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Kariega Main Lodge (en-suite chalets)
Day 4: Safari Adventures in Kariega Game Reserve
Today is all about exploring Kariega’s rich wilderness. Start with a morning game drive, followed by brunch and optional activities like guided bush walks or canoeing. In the afternoon, head out on another game drive that ends with a scenic sundowner stop. Evening game viewing may reveal nocturnal species like hyenas, leopards, or bush babies.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Kariega Main Lodge
Day 5: Kariega to Port Elizabeth
On your final day, enjoy a sunrise game drive followed by a relaxed breakfast with views over the reserve. Afterwards, transfer back to Port Elizabeth where your Big 5 safari in South Africa comes to an end.
Meals: Breakfast
About Addo Elephant National Park
Addo is South Africa’s third-largest national park and a top destination for malaria-free Big 5 safaris. Located just 35 minutes from Port Elizabeth, it’s especially popular with families and Garden Route travelers. Addo is best known for its 700+ elephants, making it one of the best places in Africa to see these gentle giants. The park is also home to buffalo, lions, leopards, and black rhinos – completing the Big 5 – along with unique species like the endangered dung beetle and the flightless Addo warthog. Addo also protects marine life, offering the chance to spot the ‘Big 7’ including great white sharks and southern right whales.
About Kariega Private Game Reserve
Kariega is a family-run game reserve near the coast of the Eastern Cape, offering exceptional wildlife encounters in a malaria-free environment. Set in a diverse landscape of thickets, riverine forest, and grasslands, it is home to all of the Big Five and more. Wildlife sightings frequently include giraffes, zebras, hippos, and various antelope species. The two rivers running through the reserve – the Kariega and the Bushmans – add to the scenic beauty and enable activities like canoeing.
Accommodation Highlights
Addo Elephant Park Accommodation
You’ll stay inside the park at the main rest camp in chalets or cottages, subject to availability. Each unit features en-suite bathrooms, kitchenettes, and access to a pool, shop, restaurant, and a floodlit waterhole for evening wildlife viewing. Guesthouse upgrades are available for families or groups.
Kariega Main Lodge
The 4-star Main Lodge offers comfortable, air-conditioned log chalets with private viewing decks. Chalets feature en-suite bathrooms, fireplaces, and most include satellite TV and plunge pools. Lodge facilities include a swimming pool, bar, lounge with fireplace, and an outdoor boma. Activities such as bush walks and canoeing are included in your stay.
Optional Extras
- SANParks night game drive in Addo
- Spa treatments at Kariega Main Lodge
- Children’s activity program at Kariega
Child Policy
Children aged 6 and older are welcome on this safari. At Kariega, a tailored children’s program is available. For SANParks night drives in Addo, the minimum age is 7 years.
Book early to secure your spot on this incredible Big 5 safari in the Eastern Cape, combining national and private reserves for an unmatched South African wildlife experience.