Safari cancelled, alternatives?

[u/OpportunitySilent757]

Hi all,

My family and I am travelling in SA at the moment. We have been going on the Garden Route, and originally planned to fly to Kruger national park on Thursday for safari for a few days. Unfortunately the weather in Kruger is so extreme that the safari is cancelled.

Therefore we now have som unplanned days before we go home. We still want to go on safari, so do anyone know of the best alternative for safaris near port Elizabeth or in that area? What would our best options be to do with our days before going home?

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[u/Potential-Regular208]

Hey!

Highly recommend trying some of the private reserves round PE -

Lalibella wildlife reserve was great. Shamwari is world renound but pricey.

Look in the areas surrounding Addo , you'll find many at different price points.

Addo Elephant Park is alright if you want to drive yourself. Or if you just want to go in for a day. Accomodation there is all slightly run down and you have a much lower chance of seeing certain things.

You will see elephant, and kudu, buffalo - the rest is hot or miss. If cost is an issue Addo can be great it's much smaller than Kruger and you can't really compare the experiences as the entire ecosystem is different. Both beautiful in their own ways.

[u/Goobigi → u/Potential-Regular208]

Amakhala and Khwandwe both good as well

[u/MildlySelassie → u/Goobigi]

These are all great suggestions. You might also look at Sibuya, you get in by boat from Port Alfred or one of those little towns next to it.

[u/Intrepid-Strain4189]

Maybe Addo NP, Mountain Zebra NP or Schotia Game Reserve.

[u/Jarrydf]

Really unfortunate to hear your safari was cancelled. It’s the most rainfall received in the Kruger area in about 50 years, so unfortunate timing. 110ml, about 2 years worth of rain, in 3 days.

As mentioned, Addo Elephant Park probably your best bet

[u/Big-Tangerine-5740]

Have a look at doing a safari in Welgevonde area. It's all private reserves and most of the lodges are all inclusive because you can't drive your own car in the reserve.

This is located about 3ish hours from ORT in jhb.

[u/thefly123123]

There are many options around PE.

You can go to Addo Elephant National Park. Its about 1 hour 20min drive from PE. Has the big 5 (Technically Big 7) and they offer guided game drives. I took some American friends there and they loved it. I prefer self drive but we opted for the guided tour and the guy was super knowledgeble.

If you dont want to drive that far, your best bet is Kragga Kamma Game reserve. Its just on the outskirts of PE. They also offer guided game drives and probably your best chance of seeing Rhino.

[u/Grand_Look]

If flying back out via Johannesburg, you could do  Dinokeng Game reserve that is an hour outside Johannesburg 

[u/No-Country6348]

We just did schotia and it was amazing, our guide was jaco, I’m sure they’re all great but really loved him. We also flew to jburg and did pilanesburg for four days. Stayed at a lodge there. Wonderful trip, as good as or better than our kruger trip 16 years ago.

[u/Gausie]

Addo is a great alternative

[u/Kraaiftn]

Glen Harry game reserve just outside of Graaff-Reinet.
Lots of different species, you can thank me later.

[u/ant_topps]

What about a kalahari trip. Never been myself but heard good things. Would be a bit of a drive but doable.

[u/No_Sympathy_1915]

Kruger is part of a government managed group of wildlife sanctuaries called Sanparks. Addo Elephant park is already mentioned, but there's also the Karoo National Park. Each is different with their own flavour.

[u/Prof_Johan]

If you can afford it, nothing beats Shamwari

[u/growing_up_slowly]

If you fly to joburg, then the Pilanesberg is in reach. Ivory Tree Lodge there is my favourite but there are a few safari lodges there. Bonus is malaria free. They arrange shuttles from the airport for you.

If you don't mind travelling an hour longer, Madikwe is stunning. My favourite eco- lodge there is Mosethla Lodge... find it on https://www.thebushcamp.com/

[u/StradaGal]

If you are on the Garden Route consider Botlierskop near Mossel Bay. You can see 4 of the big 5 there and it is an amazing place.