Schotia: Open Safari Jeep – Full Day Safari with Lunch

The best reason to choose this safari is the mix of wildlife and local food. You ride in an open safari vehicle through Schotia Private Game Reserve, next to Addo Elephant National Park, then stop for coffee and rusks before a guide-prepared South African braai. Lions are a key target, and the reserve also gives you animals not found in Addo, including giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, and white rhinos.

I like the quieter feel created by the reserve’s no-self-drive rule, and I like that lunch is part of the day rather than an afterthought. Guide Joel Manjoko receives repeated praise for careful driving, clear explanations, and attentive service. The main drawback is the long, full-day schedule, with an early start and changing weather, so bring sunscreen and a warm top.

Key points at a glance

• Open vehicle, clear views: The customized safari vehicle leaves you with a wide view of the bush and animals.
• A better chance of seeing lions: Schotia’s setting beside Addo adds another place to search for predators.
• Animals beyond Addo’s usual list: Look for giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, white rhinos, wildebeest, sable, and other antelope.
• No self-drive traffic at sightings: With public self-drives not permitted in the reserve, animal encounters can feel calmer.
• Braai lunch in a large open-air lapa: Watch the meal being prepared, help if you wish, and choose from meat or plant-based options.
• A true full-day outing: Port Elizabeth pickup begins at 8:00 am, and the safari returns to its starting point around 5:00 pm.

Why Schotia makes sense beside Addo

Addo Elephant National Park is the famous name in this part of the Eastern Cape, but Schotia gives you a different kind of safari day. The private reserve sits next to Addo and covers animals that are not available in the national park experience described here.

That difference matters. You are not simply repeating an Addo game drive in another vehicle. At Schotia, the search includes giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, white rhinoceroses, wildebeest, and sable antelope, along with lions and other members of the Big Five.

The reserve also limits public self-drive access. That means fewer cars gathering around an animal sighting, which can make the experience calmer and less crowded. You still need luck and patience, of course. A safari never guarantees a particular animal, but the quieter viewing conditions are a useful advantage.

The open vehicle is another strong point. You are not looking through a closed window or over the roof of a standard car. You get broad views in several directions, which helps when animals appear at the side or behind the vehicle. It also makes the ride feel more connected to the bush, though you should expect sun, wind, dust, and possible rain.

The 8:00 am pickup from Port Elizabeth

If you stay in Port Elizabeth or along the route to Schotia, complimentary transport picks you up at 8:00 am. This is useful if you do not have a rental car, and it removes the need to arrange a separate transfer to the reserve.

If you are staying elsewhere, meet at Schotia Safaris Reception beside the N10 motorway, near Nanaga Farm Stall, at 9:00 am. After the short arrival process and a restroom stop, you board the open safari vehicle.

The schedule is not suitable for a cruise ship visit. The timing depends on spending the full day at the reserve, so this is best booked on a day when you have no ship departure to catch. It is also not suitable for children under three or for wheelchair users.

Bring sunscreen, and pack a warm top even if the morning looks mild. The vehicle is open to sudden weather changes. Warm waterproof ponchos are supplied, which is a thoughtful touch, but a personal layer still helps during a cool morning or wet spell.

Chapter One: morning wildlife and coffee with rusks

The first safari section begins after you leave reception. Your guide drives through the reserve in search of free-roaming wildlife, explaining what you see and watching for tracks, movement, and animals hidden in the brush.

This is the best time to settle into the pace of an African safari. You may spend a while moving slowly through the reserve, then stop suddenly when an animal appears. That contrast is part of the appeal. The day is not a fixed parade of guaranteed sightings.

Predators receive special attention. Schotia is presented as a strong place to look for lions in the Addo area, and the reduced vehicle traffic can help at sightings. The search also includes other Big Five animals, but you should treat the Big Five as a goal rather than a promise.

At about 10:00 am, the vehicle stops at a large open-air lapa for tea or coffee. Cappuccino is also available, along with traditional rusks. These are hard, homemade-style biscuits designed for dunking in a hot drink.

This stop gives you a chance to warm up, use the facilities, and stretch your legs without losing the character of the safari. The lapa is described as one of the largest in South Africa, so it is more than a quick roadside coffee stop. It provides a comfortable base while still keeping you outdoors.

The morning section is also when the reserve may feel most private. One booking party had the vehicle to themselves and found the morning particularly enjoyable before more people arrived later in the day. You should not expect a private vehicle every time, but the small-group feel can add a lot when it happens.

Chapter Two: a South African braai at lunchtime

After the coffee break, you return to the vehicle and continue through the reserve until about noon. The scenery changes as you cover areas not visited during the first part of the day, and your guide continues the search while keeping an eye on the clock for lunch.

The midday stop takes place at another lapa, where your nature guide also works as the chef. A traditional South African braai is prepared with fresh ingredients from local farmers. The meal includes a selection of three grilled meats, a variety of side food, fruit juice, and a bar with cold drinks.

This is one of the most appealing parts of the experience because you are not simply handed a packed lunch. You can watch the food being prepared, take photographs, and help with the cooking if you wish. The activity gives the meal a local connection that a standard restaurant stop would miss.

The food receives particularly strong praise, and the guide’s cooking is a major part of that. Joel Manjoko is singled out for both his guiding and his care with the meal. The setup is still a picnic, so do not expect formal table service. That is part of the charm, but it also means the experience is casual and outdoors.

Vegetarian and vegan plant-based grilled alternatives are available when requested in advance. Tell the operator about allergies or dietary needs before the day. This is important because the meal is prepared as part of the safari, not selected from a full restaurant menu at lunchtime.

The cold drinks bar, bottled still water, tea, coffee, cappuccino, and 100 percent fruit juice are included. You do not need to buy drinks along the way. That helps the $196 price feel more reasonable, especially since entrance fees, transport from Port Elizabeth, a guide, binoculars, and the full meal are included too.

Chapter Three: afternoon predators and the return drive

After lunch, the cooler afternoon hours bring another chance to find predators and scavengers. The vehicle covers parts of the reserve not visited during the earlier sections, so the second half is not just a repeat of the morning route.

This timing can work well for animal watching. The heat of the middle of the day has eased, and the guide can focus on areas where predators or scavengers may be active. Again, conditions change from day to day. The value is in having several hours and multiple search areas, not in a fixed list of guaranteed sightings.

The final section leads into a sunset safari and returns to the starting point at about 5:00 pm. You finish at Schotia Safaris Reception, unless you are using the provided Port Elizabeth transfer, in which case the included pickup and drop-off arrangement brings you back along the same route.

A full day gives you more time than a short game drive, but it also asks more of you. Sitting in an open vehicle for several hours can be tiring, especially in rain or strong sun. The warm ponchos and drinks help, but comfortable clothing and realistic expectations matter.

Joel Manjoko and the guide experience

The guide can make or break a safari, and Joel Manjoko is the name to know for this experience. He is praised for explaining what is happening, driving safely, paying attention to individual wishes, and keeping the day moving even in rain.

That combination is important. A good nature guide must search patiently, but also know when to explain, when to pause, and when to let you watch. Joel is also responsible for the braai, so his role reaches beyond animal spotting.

The guide speaks English. Binoculars are provided, which is useful when animals remain at a distance or when you are scanning open ground. You may still want a camera with a useful zoom, but you do not need to bring your own binoculars.

The small-group character is another positive. The exact group size is not stated, so I would not book this expecting a guaranteed private vehicle. Still, the experience has been described as a small-group outing, and the reserve’s traffic rules help keep animal sightings from turning into a line of vehicles.

What $196 includes, and where the value lies

At $196 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day near Addo. The price makes more sense when you count the long duration and the number of included elements.

You receive:

• Port Elizabeth pickup and drop-off, where applicable
• Entrance fees
• An English-speaking professional nature guide
• The open safari vehicle
• Binoculars
• Warm waterproof ponchos
• Bottled still water
• Tea, coffee, and cappuccino with rusks
• A traditional braai lunch
• Three types of grilled meat
• Vegetarian and vegan grilled alternatives by advance request
• Fruit juice and cold drinks

The value is strongest for someone without a car who wants one organized day with transport, food, and guiding handled together. It also suits you if you want a private-reserve setting rather than a self-drive visit.

The price is less compelling if you only want a short wildlife outing or if you already have a vehicle and plan to spend most of your time in Addo. This safari is built around a full day, a cooked lunch, and a broad search for species beyond the national park’s usual offering.

A guide tip is not included, so budget separately for that if you feel the service deserves it. No other meal or drink purchases should be needed during the scheduled day.

Practical comfort and what to bring

The open vehicle gives you excellent visibility, but it exposes you to the weather. Sunscreen is specifically recommended, and a warm top is wise because temperatures can change quickly. Waterproof ponchos are supplied if rain arrives.

Wear practical clothing that can handle dust and changing conditions. The information provided does not specify a dress code, so comfort is the sensible priority.

Drones are not allowed. Leave yours at home rather than trying to use it at the reserve.

The safari is conducted in English. Food allergies and special diets should be reported ahead of time, especially if you need vegetarian or vegan alternatives. Children under three cannot take part, and the vehicle and format are not suitable for wheelchair users.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies are useful if your Eastern Cape plans are still shifting, but the more important planning point is the early start and the full-day commitment.

Who should book this safari?

I would choose this experience if you want more than an animal checklist. The open vehicle, quieter reserve rules, guide-led search, and live braai preparation make the day feel varied.

It is a good fit for:

• First-time safari visitors who want a guided introduction
• People staying in Port Elizabeth without a rental car
• Food lovers who want a traditional meal built into the day
• Wildlife watchers hoping to see lions and species not found in Addo
• Visitors who prefer a smaller, calmer setting than a busy self-drive route
• Couples and adults who are comfortable with a long outdoor day

I would think twice if you dislike early starts, open-air rides, weather exposure, or long periods of waiting for wildlife. I would also choose another plan if you need wheelchair access, are traveling with a child under three, or must return to a cruise ship on a fixed schedule.

Should you book Schotia Open Safari?

Book it if you want a full-day safari with a strong food element and a good chance to explore a less congested reserve beside Addo. The combination of lions, animals beyond Addo, an open vehicle, and a proper braai gives the day a clear identity.

The strongest reasons to go are the no-self-drive setting, the variety of included food and drinks, and Joel Manjoko’s attentive guiding. Just allow for the realities of safari: sightings are never guaranteed, the weather can turn, and the schedule runs from morning until late afternoon.

At $196, I see this as a worthwhile splurge for visitors who want transport, entry, guiding, refreshments, lunch, and a full day handled in one booking. If that sounds like your kind of safari, Schotia offers a well-rounded way to see the Eastern Cape beyond the usual Addo route.

FAQ

Where does the safari start?

The safari starts at Schotia Safaris Reception beside the N10 motorway near Nanaga Farm Stall. Visitors staying in Port Elizabeth and along the route can use the complimentary pickup service.

What time does the safari begin?

Pickup from Port Elizabeth is at 8:00 am. If you meet at Schotia Game Reserve Reception, arrive for a 9:00 am start.

What animals might I see?

The safari searches for lions and other Big Five animals, plus white rhinoceroses, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, wildebeest, sable antelope, and other wildlife.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is a traditional South African braai with three grilled meats, and vegetarian and vegan grilled alternatives are available if requested in advance. Fruit juice, cold drinks, and water are also included.

Is the safari suitable for children and wheelchair users?

The experience is not suitable for children under three or for wheelchair users.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve-and-pay-later booking is also available.