{Note: I actually got told off for sticking my head out of the jeep. This is how you get attacked by lions... don't follow my example hahah!}
Personally, going on a safari was one bucket lister i didn't think i'd be crossing off for a long time yet.
Why?
I guess I've always associated Safaris as being a high end luxury holiday, one that is going to cost a fortune. The reasons I get to travel so much are:
1. Because of my blog
but mainly
2. Because i like to and do travel on a budget wherever possible.
1. Because of my blog
but mainly
2. Because i like to and do travel on a budget wherever possible.
Thank you SA, for proving me wrong not once, but twice...
1. I got the chance to go on Safari way before i ever dreamed i would
2. I was shown how you can indeed encounter a safari on a budget.
How much do you think a sundowner safari game drive would be? (The one I did)
Bearing in mind it includes a guide, refreshments and alcoholic beverages of your choice?
Bearing in mind it includes a guide, refreshments and alcoholic beverages of your choice?
£150? £100? £70?
440 Rand.
Go on, open a new tab and and translate that into pounds on google translator.
Go on, open a new tab and and translate that into pounds on google translator.
Yes that is 100% right, no typo.
You can come here and experience exactly what i did (with variations that i will go onto in a second), for the same price as a 2.5 month subscription to Spotify or a couple of dinners out at a highstreet restaurant.
The Sunset Game Drive at Addo National Park
Departure time: 18:00 in the Summer + 16:00 in the Winter
Duration: 2 hours
Duration: 2 hours
Booking Required? Always recommended
Includes: Guided tour + snacks + drinks
Price: 440 Rand (£21)
Price: 440 Rand (£21)
Our Sundowner Safari Drive (mid May '16):
On our sunset drive we saw an abundance of antelope + pigs and got to pitch up next to the most stunning two lions as they woke from their nap, cleaned themselves and lay hazily on the terrain.
{Unfortunately I lost a few of my photos due to the damage to my hard drive in my desert crash in Arizona - but there's still some cracking ones here...}
{Unfortunately I lost a few of my photos due to the damage to my hard drive in my desert crash in Arizona - but there's still some cracking ones here...}
After an hour and a half of on and off road spotting, your driver will pull up (somewhere safe and away from the lions) and you will all disembark from the jeep. A pre-chosen beverage of your choice will be ready and waiting in the cool box alongside a selection of nibbles to feast on as you watch the sun disappear beneath the horizon.
My Game Drive experience was one i will remember for a long time and was of my ultimate highlights from this visit to South Africa.
Now... what are you waiting for?
The memories are there waiting to be made, and they have YOUR name written all over them :-)
::
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARK:
Now the third largest National Park in South Africa, Addo Elephant National Park covers over 444,700 acres!
MASSIVE!
WHAT ELSE YOU CAN DO AT THE PARK:
-Hiking and nature walks
- 4X4
-Horse Riding
- Birding
- Water Activities
- Self guided safari drives
See more information here on the website
WHAT ELSE YOU CAN DO AT THE PARK:
-Hiking and nature walks
- 4X4
-Horse Riding
- Birding
- Water Activities
- Self guided safari drives
See more information here on the website
THE ANIMALS HERE AT ADDO:
'The original elephant section of the park was proclaimed in 1931, when only eleven elephants remained in the area. Today this finely-tuned ecosystem is sanctuary to over 600 elephant, lion, buffalo, black rhino, spotted hyena, leopard, a variety of antelope and zebra species, as well as the unique Addo flightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo.
The park can exclusively claim to be the only national park in the world to conserve the “Big 7” – the Big 5 as well as the southern right whale and great white shark off the Algoa Bay coast.'
The animal that inhabit the terrains at Addo National Park roam freely and wildy. The rangers here only interfer with the animal is if there is a problem inflected by humans. So nothing is done to prevent the deteriation of animals through old age, animal fighting or natural illness... they simply let human nature take its own cause.
Observing the incredible diversity of animals in their natural habitat brings an array of unique sightings. A week before we were at the park, a lady elephant had died of an illness near the watering hole. Safari goers got to witness the incredible sighting of lions and hyenas that came to feed on the elephant carcus. Even as we drove round the park our guide pointed to dried out elephant bones lying around.
Like I said, they don't interfere with the environment.
The size of these bones is an incredible sighting in itself and that's before you've seen any animals...
One small disadvantage to a game drive here at Addo...
(which is not a complaint but a result of the natural habitat you are blessed with),
is that you cannot be guaranteed animal sightings, particularly not on the 2 hour sunset game drive.
The vast expanse of the park means the animals could be anywhere and 2 hours isnt anywhere near enough to cover the parks grounds. Of course, the driver may have an incline of where the animals are and he will do his very best to show you as much as possible but it isnt guaranteed.
There are however, some tips and tricks if you have a desire to see something in particular:
- If you want to see Elephants for example, they tend to wander the park when the sunshine is out as they love the warmth. So if elephants are something you are set on seeing, game driving at midday is apparently your best bet.
- Do a couple of drives at different times in the day to see different animals. I headed out into the Park with our guide at 6am for asunrise drive (which unfortunately had poor visibility but it meant I got to see the Zebras!)
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- Do a couple of drives at different times in the day to see different animals. I headed out into the Park with our guide at 6am for asunrise drive (which unfortunately had poor visibility but it meant I got to see the Zebras!)
- Book an overnight stay camping or in one of the lodges / cottages Addo National Park have on offer so that you can do two consecutive days in the reserve and increase your sightings! See the accommodation options here.
P.s. The reception and lodges at Addo Elephant National park are in their own isolated enclosure (so you dont have to worry about hyenas knocking down your door).
I stayed in one of the cottages which was gorgeous, I only wish I had more time to enjoy it!
{P.s. apologies for not making the bed, SUPER tight time schedule as per}
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I stayed in one of the cottages which was gorgeous, I only wish I had more time to enjoy it!
{P.s. apologies for not making the bed, SUPER tight time schedule as per}
::
May I also mention the restaurant on site {Cattle Baron Grill + Bistro} if you come to Addo Elephant National Park because it is UNREAL. The salads and steaks are some of the BEST ive ever tasted. And guess what? Each dish is only between £6-£12!
::
The guides and staff here are amazing and will assist you in making your plans, be it a self guided safari, a group game drive or simply an over night stay here.
To see the different types of Game drives available here at Addo Elephant National Park click here
For more information and bookings visit the official site here:
THANK YOU FOR READING...
+ stay tuned for the next SA post!
Have you guys been to SA before?
Where would you recommend?!
Happy adventuring :)
♡
Mollie xxxx
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