Schotia: Open Safari Jeep – Full Day Safari with Lunch

Animals are only half the story. Schotia’s full-day open safari combines a quieter Big Five search with a traditional South African braai, making it a strong choice beside Addo Elephant National Park. I especially like the open safari vehicle, which gives you clear views and a better sense of the bush, and the lapa lunch, where your guide prepares fresh food over the fire. The main caution is the long day in an exposed vehicle, so bring sunscreen and a warm top for sudden weather changes.

At $196 per person, this is not a cheap park outing, but the price includes transport from Port Elizabeth, reserve entry, a professional English-speaking guide, drinks, binoculars, and a full lunch. The small-group feel can also make a real difference. Anissa described having the animals to themselves, while Mary praised the small group, lunch, and guide. If you want to drive yourself through Addo, this is not that kind of safari. If you want a guided day with fewer vehicles around sightings, it has clear appeal.

Key points to know before booking

• The day runs from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Schotia’s reception, with pickup from Port Elizabeth at 8:00 a.m. for eligible accommodations.
• The open safari vehicle gives you unobstructed views, but you should prepare for sun, wind, and changing weather.
• Schotia adds animals not found in Addo Elephant National Park, including white rhinoceros, giraffe, hippopotamus, crocodile, wildebeest, and sable antelope.
• A traditional braai is part of the experience, with three grilled meats, plant-based alternatives by request, fruit juice, and a cold drinks bar.
• Guide Joel Manjoko receives especially strong praise, with particular attention given to his explanations, care, and ability to keep the day enjoyable in rain.
• The morning may offer the calmest viewing, while the afternoon can bring more people and less private animal watching.

Why Schotia offers a different kind of Addo safari

Schotia Private Game Reserve sits next to Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. That location makes it easy to pair with an Addo visit, but Schotia is not simply another entrance into the national park.

The reserve gives you a chance to look for animals that are not available in Addo, including white rhinoceros, giraffe, hippopotamus, crocodile, wildebeest, and less common antelopes such as sable. You may also search for lions and other members of the Big Five in a setting with fewer self-drive vehicles at sightings.

That last point matters. In a large public park, a popular animal can draw a line of cars. Here, public self-drives are not allowed, which can reduce traffic around sightings. You are still looking for wild animals, and sightings are never promised, but the setting may feel less hurried and crowded.

I like that this safari is built around more than a checklist. You get a full day in the reserve, meals in an open-air lapa, and a guide who handles both the wildlife search and the cooking. It feels closer to a hosted bush outing than a quick morning game drive.

Starting at Schotia’s reception near Nanaga

If you stay in Port Elizabeth or along the route to Schotia, complimentary pickup and drop-off transport begins at about 8:00 a.m. The meeting point for those arriving independently is Schotia Safaris Reception, next to the N10 motorway near Nanaga Farm Stall.

Independent arrivals meet at 9:00 a.m. After the basic administration and a restroom stop, you board the customized open safari vehicle. The activity returns to the same reception point at about 5:00 p.m.

The timing is useful to understand before you book. This is a full-day outing, not a short add-on that leaves you with most of the afternoon free. That long format gives your guide more time to cover different areas of the reserve and search for predators, scavengers, and large herbivores at different points in the day.

The transport offer is also part of the value for people based in Port Elizabeth. You do not need to arrange a separate taxi to the reserve if your accommodation is within the stated pickup area. Cruise ship passengers should not book this experience, since the schedule is not designed for a ship visit.

Chapter One: the open vehicle and first animal search

The customized OSV, or open safari vehicle, is the heart of the outing. With no solid windows blocking your sightline, you can watch animals from a more open position and take in the sounds and air around you.

The tradeoff is simple: an open vehicle gives you better views, but it also exposes you to the elements. Sunscreen is essential. A warm top is wise, too, since the weather can shift quickly. Waterproof ponchos are supplied, which is a useful touch if rain arrives during the day. Giulia’s experience with Joel showed that wet weather does not have to end the safari, although you should still dress for changeable conditions.

The first section focuses on the reserve and its animals. Your nature guide searches for species freely moving through the area, with the Big Five among the main goals. Schotia’s location beside Addo helps broaden the animal list, rather than simply repeating the same elephant-focused experience you might have elsewhere.

Joel Manjoko is the guide name to remember. The strongest praise centers on his care, clear explanations, safety, and effort to fulfill specific animal-viewing wishes. That matters on safari because your guide controls the pace, explains what you are seeing, and decides how to respond when conditions change.

At about 10:00 a.m., the vehicle stops for tea or coffee with traditional rusks. A rusk is a hard homemade biscuit, commonly enjoyed with a hot drink. The break takes place in a large open-air lapa, described as one of the largest in South Africa.

This stop gives you a chance to stretch, use the facilities, and warm up with a drink without losing the bush setting. Cappuccino is also included, along with bottled still water. For many people, this is a small but important comfort during a long outdoor day.

The lapa break is more than a snack stop

The lapa gives the safari a sense of place. Instead of eating from a packet beside a vehicle, you pause in a large open shelter and enjoy a local snack in a setting designed for group meals and rest.

The rusk is worth trying even if you have never had one. It is firm and dry, so dipping it into tea or coffee is part of the point. This is a modest food detail, but it helps connect the outing to South African everyday eating rather than serving only standard tourist fare.

The break also divides the day into manageable sections. You start with an early animal search, pause around midmorning, then return to the reserve with more time to explore. If you are worried about sitting in an open vehicle for eight hours, these stops make the rhythm easier.

Chapter Two: a South African braai at midday

After the morning break, the safari continues through about noon. The guide then prepares a traditional South African braai in another lapa setting.

A braai is a barbecue, but here it is also part of the day’s cultural experience. The guide doubles as the cook, and you are welcome to help with the lunch preparation. You can also take photos or record the cooking demonstration if you wish.

The meal includes three grilled meats made with fresh ingredients sourced from local farmers. Vegetarian and vegan guests can request plant-based grilled alternatives, but you should provide details about dietary needs and allergies in advance. That advance notice is important, especially for specific food allergies.

Drinks are included throughout the tour. You receive bottled water, 100 percent fruit juice, and access to a cold beverages bar. The lunch package also includes the hot tea and coffee service from earlier.

I like this part because it slows the day down. Safari drives can become a string of vehicle stops and quick animal sightings. Preparing food together gives you time to talk, watch the fire, and enjoy a meal that feels connected to the region.

The lunch is also one of the most praised parts of the outing. Joachim called the food delicious, and Martin singled out the meal as amazing. Those comments fit the structure of the experience: the food is not an afterthought, but one of the main reasons this safari feels different from a standard drive.

There is one practical limitation. If you prefer to eat quickly and return to animal watching, the lunch preparation may feel like a long pause. Most people booking this experience will see it as a benefit, but the format is social and unhurried rather than strictly wildlife-focused.

Chapter Three: cooler afternoon searching and sunset return

After lunch, the vehicle heads into areas not covered earlier in the day. The cooler afternoon temperatures can make the final safari section more pleasant than the hotter middle hours.

This part focuses especially on predators and scavengers, while continuing the search for the reserve’s wider range of animals. The change in areas gives you another chance at species missed in the morning and keeps the day from following one short route.

The return is planned for about 5:00 p.m. The later drive is described as a sunset safari, so the changing light adds a final scenic element before you return to the starting point.

The timing also explains a useful piece of advice from Anissa: the morning may feel best for private animal viewing, while more people can arrive during the afternoon. You should not treat that as a promise that the afternoon will be crowded, but it is a fair reason to value the early hours.

If seeing animals with minimal vehicle traffic is your top goal, pay close attention during the morning chapters. If you care just as much about a full day, lunch, and varied animal habitats, the afternoon remains an important part of the package.

What you may see beyond elephants

Addo is famous for elephants, but Schotia’s appeal is its wider mix of animals. The reserve offers a chance to look for white rhinoceros, giraffe, hippopotamus, crocodile, wildebeest, sable, lions, and other Big Five animals.

That variety is valuable for anyone who has already visited Addo or plans to visit it separately. You can compare two nearby wildlife areas rather than treating one park as your only chance to see South African animals.

Still, a safari is not a zoo visit. The information promises an increased chance of seeing lions and access to animals not found in Addo, but it does not promise a particular sighting. Your experience will depend on animal movement, weather, timing, and the guide’s decisions.

I would book this for the overall setting and the quality of the day, not for one guaranteed animal. If you need a lion photograph above all else, no responsible safari can offer certainty. If you want a well-supported search with time to cover more ground, Schotia makes good sense.

Guide Joel Manjoko and the human side of the day

A guide can turn a basic drive into a memorable outing, and Joel Manjoko receives unusually warm praise in the available feedback. He is described as attentive, careful, safe, and clear in his explanations.

Giulia specifically appreciated his effort during rain, when he continued looking for animals and kept the day enjoyable. Martin valued the way he explained things, while Joachim praised his attention to individual wishes. Those details suggest a guide who pays attention to the people in the vehicle, not just the route.

That personal care is especially useful in a small group. Mary praised the small group format, and a smaller vehicle load can make it easier to hear the guide and find a clear angle for viewing.

The exact group size is not specified, so I would not assume you will have the vehicle to yourself. One booking had a very private day, but that was a fortunate circumstance rather than a stated feature. Book for the small-group atmosphere and reduced traffic, not a guaranteed private safari.

Is $196 a fair price?

At $196 per person, Schotia costs more than simply entering a public park and driving yourself. The comparison is not quite equal, though.

Your price includes pickup and drop-off from Port Elizabeth and eligible areas, entrance fees, a professional English-speaking guide, binoculars, warm waterproof ponchos, bottled water, hot drinks, rusks, a full braai lunch, fruit juice, and cold beverages.

You are also paying for a full day rather than a short game drive. The guide covers several sections of the reserve, handles the animal search, prepares lunch, and takes care of the practical flow of the day.

I see the value most clearly if you do not have your own vehicle, prefer not to drive on safari, or want a guide to explain the animals and manage the route. It is also a good fit if the braai and local food matter to you.

The value is weaker if you only want a quick animal drive, already have a rental car, or plan to spend the day in Addo on your own. In that case, the cost of a private reserve experience may feel high. The strongest reason to pay is the combination of wildlife access, fewer self-drive vehicles, transport, and lunch.

Guide gratuity is not included, so set aside a tip if Joel provides the kind of attentive service described here.

Who should book this safari?

I would recommend Schotia for:

• First-time safari visitors who want a guided day with transport and meals included.
• People staying in Port Elizabeth who prefer not to arrange their own route to the reserve.
• Families with children aged three or older, provided they can manage a full day outdoors. Children under three are not accepted.
• Anyone interested in South African food as well as wildlife.
• Visitors who want animal species that are not available in Addo Elephant National Park.
• Photographers and animal watchers who value open views and fewer vehicles at sightings.

I would think twice if you use a wheelchair, since the experience is not suitable for wheelchair users. It is also not appropriate for cruise ship guests, and drones are not allowed.

Bring sunscreen and a warm top. The supplied ponchos, water, binoculars, food, and drinks reduce the amount of gear you need, but you are still spending most of the day outside.

Should you book Schotia?

Book this safari if you want a complete day rather than a quick drive. The strongest reasons are the open vehicle, the chance to see animals beyond Addo’s usual range, the reduced traffic at sightings, and a genuine braai prepared during the outing.

I would give special weight to the guide. Joel Manjoko’s care and flexibility appear to be a major part of the experience, particularly in poor weather and during animal searches. A good guide cannot control what appears, but can make the waiting, watching, and changing plans worthwhile.

Skip it if you want a low-cost self-drive or a short, tightly timed safari. At $196, Schotia asks you to pay for the full package. For someone who values food, guiding, transport, and a quieter private-reserve setting beside Addo, that package offers solid value.

FAQ

Where does the Schotia safari start?

The safari starts at Schotia Safaris Reception next to the N10 motorway, close to Nanaga Farm Stall. It ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the safari begin?

Guests staying in Port Elizabeth and areas along the route can receive pickup at about 8:00 a.m. Guests arriving independently meet at Schotia’s reception at 9:00 a.m.

What time does the safari finish?

The safari returns to the starting point at approximately 5:00 p.m.

Is transport from Port Elizabeth included?

Yes. Complimentary pickup and drop-off transport is included for land guests staying in Port Elizabeth and areas along the way to Schotia Game Reserve Reception.

What food is included?

The tour includes tea, coffee, cappuccino, and traditional rusks, followed by a traditional South African braai with three grilled meats. Fruit juice and a cold beverages bar are also included.

Can vegetarian or vegan guests join the lunch?

Yes. Vegetarian and vegan plant-based grilled alternatives are available, but you should provide information about allergies or specific diets in advance.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen and a warm top in case the weather changes suddenly. Waterproof ponchos are supplied, along with binoculars and bottled still water.

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

Children under three are not accepted. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or cruise ship guests. Drones are also not allowed.