Schotia: Open Safari Jeep – Full Day Safari with Lunch

Schotia’s appeal is simple: you get a full day in an open safari vehicle with fewer cars around wildlife sightings than you would find on a busy self-drive route. The reserve sits beside Addo Elephant National Park, but it also holds animals Addo does not, including white rhinos, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, wildebeest, and sable antelope.

I like the relaxed three-part rhythm, with morning wildlife viewing, tea and rusks in a huge open-air lapa, then a proper South African braai prepared by your guide. I also like the chance to see lions in the Addo area without joining a long line of vehicles. The main drawback is the long day, from about 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the reserve, and the open vehicle can feel chilly or wet when weather changes.

Key points to know before booking

• Open vehicle, clear views: The customized safari vehicle gives you an unobstructed look at animals and the surrounding bush.
• A different animal mix from Addo: Schotia offers the possibility of seeing giraffes, white rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, wildebeest, and sable antelope.
• Fewer vehicles at sightings: Public self-drives are not allowed in the reserve, which can mean calmer encounters.
• Lunch is part of the experience: Your nature guide also prepares a traditional braai with three grilled meats, plant-based options, juice, and cold drinks.
• Joel Manjoko may be your guide: His attentive guiding, clear explanations, and cooking were especially praised in the supplied feedback.
• Best for an unhurried full day: The safari runs through morning, midday, and cooler afternoon hours, ending around 5:00 p.m.

Why Schotia adds something different beside Addo

If you are already planning to visit Addo Elephant National Park, Schotia can fill a useful gap. Addo is well known for elephants, and its public roads can bring several vehicles together at a good sighting. Schotia offers a more controlled private-reserve setting, with no public self-drive traffic at animal stops.

That does not guarantee better sightings. Wildlife is wildlife, and you cannot order up a lion or a sable antelope. What Schotia does give you is a strong chance to look for species that are not found in Addo, plus the comfort of having a guide handle the route, animal watching, and timing.

The open vehicle matters. You are not looking through a closed window or over the roof of a standard car. You get wide side views and a better feel for the bush around you. Bring sunscreen, and carry a warm top because the air can change quickly. Warm waterproof ponchos are supplied, which is useful if rain arrives.

The experience is conducted in English. If your guide is Joel Manjoko, you can expect a guide who explains what you are seeing, pays close attention to requests, and helps make lunch part of the day rather than treating it as a quick stop.

Starting near Port Elizabeth at 8:00 or Schotia at 9:00

The day is easiest for independent land-based visitors staying in Port Elizabeth or along the route to Schotia. Complimentary pickup and drop-off transport is offered from Port Elizabeth and areas along the way. Pickup begins at about 8:00 a.m.

If you are staying elsewhere, you meet at Schotia Safaris Reception at 9:00 a.m. The reception is next to the N10 motorway, close to Nanaga Farm Stall. After the short administrative check-in and a restroom stop, you board the open safari vehicle.

This arrangement is practical, but check your accommodation location before booking. The included pickup is not a general transfer from every place in the Eastern Cape. Cruise ship visitors should not book this outing, since the timing is not designed around ship arrivals and departures.

The morning start gives you a good chance to see animals before the heat of the day. The first section is also when the reserve may feel quietest. One piece of direct feedback noted that the morning was the strongest part of the day, while more vehicles appeared later. That makes an early start worth protecting.

Chapter One: morning wildlife viewing and tea at the lapa

The first safari section takes you through the oldest private game reserve next to Addo. The guide searches for animals that move freely through the reserve, while also pointing out the bush, open spaces, and changing conditions that affect sightings.

The Big 5 are a key target. That means lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo. The tour gives you an increased chance of seeing lions in the Addo area, but no safari can promise a particular species. The sensible approach is to value the full range of animals, not only the famous five.

Schotia’s animal list is one of its strongest selling points. You might see white rhino, giraffe, hippo, crocodile, wildebeest, sable, and other antelope that are not available in Addo Elephant National Park. You may also encounter scavengers and other members of the reserve’s wildlife community.

At about 10:00 a.m., the vehicle stops for tea or coffee with traditional rusks. A rusk is a hard homemade-style biscuit, usually made for dunking into a hot drink. It is a small detail, but it gives the morning a distinctly South African touch.

The break takes place in a large open-air lapa, described as one of the largest in South Africa. You get a chance to stretch, use the facilities, warm up with a drink, and enjoy the setting without rushing back into the vehicle.

There is a tradeoff here. A full-day safari means you spend many hours seated in an open vehicle. The lapa stop breaks up the morning, but anyone who dislikes long rides should think carefully about the duration.

Chapter Two: a traditional braai prepared in the reserve

After the morning break, the safari continues until about noon. Then your guide takes on a second role as cook and prepares a traditional South African braai in another lapa picnic setting.

A braai is more than a basic packed lunch. It is a social barbecue built around cooking over a fire, and here it becomes part of the cultural side of the outing. The meal uses fresh ingredients sourced from local farmers and includes a variety of three grilled meats.

You can watch the preparation, take photographs, and help if you want to. This cook show element gives the midday stop a hands-on feel without turning it into a formal cooking class. You can also enjoy a cold local beverage from the bar while the meal is prepared.

The included drinks are generous for a safari lunch: bottled still water is available throughout the day, and the lunch service includes 100 percent fruit juice and a cold beverages bar. Tea, coffee, and cappuccino are served earlier with the rusks.

Vegetarians and vegans are catered for with plant-based grilled alternatives. You need to share food allergies or special dietary needs in advance. Do not wait until you sit down to eat, since the kitchen needs notice.

The food is one of the tour’s most praised elements. The direct feedback repeatedly singled out the lunch as delicious, and that matters because midday meals on safaris can often be an afterthought. Here, lunch is one of the main reasons the day feels like a full cultural outing rather than only a wildlife drive.

Still, this is not the fastest possible safari. The braai takes time to prepare and enjoy. If your only goal is to maximize driving hours, you may prefer a shorter wildlife-focused outing. If you want food, conversation, and a sense of place, the stop earns its length.

Chapter Three: afternoon predators and the return at 5:00

After lunch, the temperatures should be cooler, and the vehicle covers areas not visited during the first two safari sections. The guide turns attention toward predators and scavengers, while continuing to look for any animals missed earlier.

The later hours can offer a different feel from the morning. Light changes, temperatures drop, and animals may become more active after the hottest part of the day. The afternoon section also gives you another chance at a lion sighting if the morning search comes up short.

The tour is described as a sunset safari, though the exact amount of sunset light will depend on the season and the day’s timing. You return to the starting point at about 5:00 p.m.

This is where the length can work in your favor. A short game drive may give you one narrow window for sightings. This tour gives you three chapters, with rest, food, and changing conditions between them. The drawback is that you lose most of a day, so plan your Port Elizabeth schedule around it.

What the open safari vehicle is really like

The customized open safari vehicle is the heart of the experience. You have clear views from the sides and a raised position for watching animals. You also feel more connected to the sounds, wind, and temperature of the reserve than you would in an enclosed vehicle.

That openness brings practical concerns. The supplied warm waterproof ponchos protect against sudden rain, but you should still bring a warm layer. Sunscreen is essential, even on a cooler day, because you are exposed for many hours.

Binoculars are supplied, which saves you from packing your own pair. Even so, take care with phones and cameras. The vehicle is open, and wildlife sightings can come suddenly, so keep equipment secure and ready rather than buried in a bag.

The reserve’s no-self-drive rule is important. You are not dealing with a queue of public vehicles all trying to angle into the same spot. That can lead to less stressed animals and a quieter viewing experience. It does not remove all other vehicles, especially later in the day, but it reduces the traffic problem found at some public-park sightings.

How much value do you get for $196?

At $196 per person, this is not a cheap morning game drive. It is a full-day package that combines transport from Port Elizabeth, reserve entry, a professional English-speaking guide, an open safari vehicle, binoculars, weather ponchos, drinks, tea, rusks, and a full braai lunch.

The value is strongest if you want one substantial safari day and do not want to arrange separate meals or transport. A three-part outing also gives you more time to search for wildlife than a quick drive. The lunch and local food element add something you would not get from a basic vehicle tour.

The price is less compelling if you already have a private car, plan to self-drive elsewhere, and mainly want a short look at elephants. In that case, paying for a full day beside Addo may feel excessive.

I would view the cost as payment for convenience, access, time, and a guided private-reserve setting. You are paying for more than a seat in a vehicle. You are paying for the guide’s wildlife search, the reserve experience, the meal, and the chance to see species outside Addo’s usual offering.

Small-group conditions can make the price feel better still. One direct account described having the animals largely to themselves, but group size and sighting conditions can vary. Do not book on the assumption that you will have a private safari.

Food, guides, and the human side of the day

The guide has a major effect on a full-day safari. You want someone who can explain animals clearly, keep the vehicle safe, respond to requests, and make the lunch stop feel natural. Joel Manjoko received especially strong praise for doing all four.

Specific comments described Joel as attentive, safe, and good at explaining what was happening. His role as both nature guide and chef also gives the day a personal link between wildlife and local food.

The guide cannot control the weather. One account described a rainy day that still produced many animal sightings because Joel stayed focused and helpful. That is a useful reminder to dress for conditions and judge the day by the whole experience, not by sunshine alone.

The meal also adds a welcome social pause. You can assist with preparation or simply watch while enjoying a drink. If you are interested in photography, the braai preparation offers a different subject from animal portraits and open bush views.

Who should book this Schotia safari?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• You want a full-day safari near Port Elizabeth.
• You are interested in lions and a wider animal mix than Addo may provide.
• You prefer a guide-led outing to driving yourself.
• You enjoy South African food and want a traditional braai included.
• You value fewer vehicles at animal sightings.
• You are comfortable spending most of a day in an open vehicle.

It may not suit you if you need wheelchair access, since the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. It is also not suitable for children under 3, and the long day may be too much for very young children even when they meet the age requirement.

Bring sunscreen and a warm top. Drones are not allowed. Tell the operator about allergies and dietary needs before the day. The tour is offered in English, so make sure that works for everyone in your party.

Should you book it?

Book this safari if you want a complete day rather than a quick wildlife drive. The best reasons are the open vehicle, the lower chance of traffic jams at sightings, the possibility of seeing animals not found in Addo, and the excellent traditional braai setup.

I would be more cautious if your schedule is tight or if you only want elephants. The 8:00 a.m. pickup and 5:00 p.m. return take up most of the day, and wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.

For the right visitor, the $196 price is fair because it covers transport, entry, guiding, refreshments, and a substantial lunch. If Joel Manjoko is leading your vehicle, you can also expect an attentive guide who treats the food and wildlife parts of the day with equal care.

FAQ

Where does the Schotia safari start?

The main meeting point is Schotia Safaris Reception next to the N10 motorway, close to Nanaga Farm Stall. The activity ends back at this meeting point.

Is pickup available from Port Elizabeth?

Yes. Complimentary pickup and drop-off transport is offered from Port Elizabeth and areas along the way to Schotia Game Reserve Reception. Pickup from Port Elizabeth begins at about 8:00 a.m.

What time should I arrive if I am not staying in Port Elizabeth?

If you are staying outside Port Elizabeth and outside the pickup areas, meet at Schotia Game Reserve Reception at 9:00 a.m. You board the open safari vehicle after administration and restroom use.

What animals might I see?

The safari searches for the Big 5, including lions, and may also offer sightings of white rhinos, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, wildebeest, sable antelope, and other animals not found in Addo Elephant National Park.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is a traditional South African braai prepared in a lapa picnic setting. It includes three grilled meats, and vegetarian and vegan grilled alternatives are available when requested in advance.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen and a warm top for sudden weather changes. Warm waterproof ponchos, binoculars, bottled still water, tea, coffee, cappuccino, juice, and cold beverages are included.

Is the safari suitable for children, wheelchair users, or cruise ship visitors?

The activity is not suitable for children under 3, wheelchair users, or cruise ship visitors.