The BIG 7 Safari - 1 Day Tour (Code B7FD1)

Addo Elephant National Park and Algoa Bay

A Full Day Safari - Start with a Whale and Dolphin watching boat trip from Port Elizabeth on the Sunshine Coast of the Eastern Cape, South Africa searching for the marine members of the BIG 7, the seasonal Southern Right Whales and Humpback Whales, circumventing St Croix Island with its colony of African Penguins. Returning to Port Elizabeth and the Harbour for a light lunch after which we drive to the Addo Elephant National Park to look for the land based members of the BIG 5, over 700 free roaming African Elephants, Lion, Buffalo, Leopard and Black Rhino found amongst the many fascinating animals, birds and reptiles in this African sub-tropical thicket environment.

The Original BIG 7 Safari - Marine Tour and Addo Elephant National Park Safari

BIG 7 Safari; meet and greet by the BIG 7 Team for your pick up at 07h30 from your accommodation in Port Elizabeth (rates for the other centres on request). We transfer to the Yacht Club in Port Elizabeth Harbour where we check in and board the boat for an awe-inspiring marine safari into the sheltered waters of Port Elizabeths Algoa Bay. Here we have the chance of spotting the seasonal Southern Right and Humpback Whales, Seals, Dolphins and Sharks all of which can be found in abundance in the protected waters of the Bay.

Under the guidance of the professional boat Captain, we circumnavigate St Croix Island, home to the largest breeding colony of the endangered African Penguin.

The worlds largest Gannetry (nesting colony of Gannets) of Cape Gannets occurs further north east in Algoa Bay on Bird Island, the largest of 4 islands in the group (not included in the tour). These striking birds can be seen performing spell binding aerial acts to dive deep, at over 100 km's per hour into the water to catch sardines that often occur in concentrated bait balls.

We return to the Harbour for a satisfying light lunch at a restaurant in this old working harbour or nearby, where the food is great and the setting, superb. Addo Elephant Bull

After lunch, we board the tour vehicle and depart for the Addo Elephant National Park for an exciting safari where we search the sub-tropical thickets for the land-dwelling members of the BIG 5, Elephant, Black Rhino, Cape Buffalo, Lion and Leopard.

After checking in, we immediately start our game viewing experience, searching for the many and diverse creatures on the open plains and in the dense thicket while learning about the habitat in which they survive.

The Reserve is renowned for its population of over 700 African Elephants, Lions, herds of Cape Buffalo, Black Rhino and Leopard amongst the many species of antelope, Plains Zebra and Warthog as well as the rich and diverse bird and reptile life that inhabit this expanded National Park, one of the most popular in South Africa.

(read article by Chris Marais)