Addo Elephant Day Safari – Shore Excursion from Port Elizabeth
Description
Experience South Africa’s third-largest malaria-free national park on a relaxed small-group safari designed exclusively for cruise passengers. With direct harbour pickup and drop-off perfectly timed to your ship’s schedule, travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned closed vehicle with an experienced local guide who brings Addo Elephant National Park to life with fascinating insights into wildlife, and its unique ecosystems. Spot elephants, lions, zebras, antelope, and abundant birdlife while exploring varied terrain, from dense bush and open plains to scenic lookout points with views of dunes and coastline. Enjoy stops at the visitor centre and curio shop, and a relaxed lunch at a nearby restaurant (own account). Prepaid park entrance fees let you skip queues and maximise your safari time. This stress-free, well-paced small-group safari is perfect for cruise passengers seeking comfort, expert guiding, unforgettable wildlife encounters, and breathtaking landscapes.
Tour Options
Itinerary
As you travel, you’ll pass the impressive Campanile, a landmark at the entrance to the railway station and docks on Strand Street. This iconic tower commemorates the arrival of the 1820 British Settlers in Port Elizabeth and features striking Italian architecture, making a lasting impression on the cityscape.
Meet your Into Tours guide at the Port Elizabeth cruise ship parking area at 8:50 AM, welcomed with a sign and brief orientation. Depart shortly after 9:00 AM, aligned with your ship’s schedule, and travel 35 minutes to Matholweni Gate. No queues—entrance fees are prepaid. Enjoy a fun, educational safari in a comfortable, air-conditioned closed vehicle with a passionate guide sharing stories about the park’s wildlife, history, and conservation. Drive along gravel roads and winding loops, stopping frequently to photograph animals at watering holes, and abundant birdlife. Explore dense bush, open plains, rolling hills, and coastal dunes, with occasional restroom breaks. Stop midday at the main camp for lunch (own account) and browse the curio shop and visitor centre. Return to the park for further exploration before exiting south and heading back to the cruise ship terminal. This 8-hour small-group safari offers a personalised, immersive, and stress-free wildlife adventure.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Meet your guide at the Port Elizabeth Harbour parking lot, just a short walk from your cruise ship. Look for the guide holding the Into Tours signboard. Contact Number: +27 60 986 7612
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(62)
Arrived in Port Elizabeth via a World Cruise and had a tour booked to the Elephant Park via Into Tours On arrival at the meeting point nobody seemed to know what was going on and it took around ten minutes for the Drivers to decide what was happening Our Transport for the day was totally inadequate for the purpose. Bearing in mind we were standing in temperatures of around 30 degrees we were put onto what can only be described as a school mini bus which was also a hire vehicle There was no air conditioning very little Leg Room and very high backed seats that some struggled to see over. We had to try and sit sideways on the seats to allow room for our legs. It was unbearable to the point that we did ask to be taken back to the ship but the driver refused and told us we could wait at the Park Gatehouse for around 5 hours until he returned. He did ring the Company Owner and she told him to tell us to open the windows. We did this and then it became harder for many to see out as the windows were the sliding version which meant some of the passengers had to look and take photos through double thicknesses of glass On return I contacted the lady at Into via WhatsApp and she eventually replied some days later and advised feedback would follow which it never did. After various attempts to contact with no reply I gave up I would NEVER use this Company again they take your money and are not bothered from that point onwards
No jeep, only minibus where you could hardly open the windows and no giraffe walk, although paid............
It was a tour very well planned by the guide, everything was quiet, there was no stress whatsoever. We received a lot of information and could look at the animals without risk. In any case, a recommendation.
Our driver Jonathan was very good. Very informative. We managed to see 3 of the big 5 and plenty of other wildlife as well. Jonathan made sure we had plenty of opportunities to photograph all the animals we saw, even turning around so people on both sides of the vehicle had good views.
Hi Janet, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that Jonathan made your day memorable and that you enjoyed seeing 3 of the Big Five along with so much other wildlife. It’s great to know he made sure everyone had the best views and photo opportunities. We hope to welcome you on another safari soon! Warm regards, Janina & the Into Tours Team
Were there by ship and easily saved half. Everything worked out and a great day with countless elephants up close! Friendly staff and friendly staff
Hallo, Vielen Dank für Ihre wunderbare Bewertung! Wir freuen uns sehr, dass Sie einen reibungslosen und spannenden Tag mit so vielen Elefanten hautnah genießen konnten und dass unser Team Ihren Ausflug noch schöner gemacht hat. Wir hoffen, Sie bald wieder auf einer Safari begrüßen zu dürfen! Herzliche Grüße, Janina & das Into Tours Team Hi, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled you enjoyed a smooth, fun day with so many elephants up close, and that our team made your experience even better. We hope to welcome you on another safari soon! Warm regards, Janina & the Into Tours Team
Had a great time with King Elvis what a (hoot) very knowledgeable of all the animals. The lunch was awesome. The photo ops were every where all day.
Hi Diana, Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so glad you had a great time with King Elvis and enjoyed his passion and knowledge about all the animals. It’s fantastic to hear you loved the lunch and had photo opportunities everywhere throughout the day. We hope to welcome you on another South African adventure soon! Warm regards, Janina & the Into Tours Team
Choose Into Tours, our guide was great, he does everything to make you have a good day, he knows very well the Park and the places to stop to see as much and as well as possible. In small groups, everyone can see, and the schedule was managed perfectly.
Bonjour Sylvie, Merci beaucoup pour votre magnifique avis ! Nous sommes ravis d’apprendre que vous avez apprécié votre journée avec Into Tours et que votre guide a rendu l’expérience inoubliable. C’est super de savoir que vous avez apprécié le format en petit groupe, les connaissances expertes et le programme bien organisé. Nous espérons vous accueillir bientôt pour une nouvelle aventure ! Cordialement, Janina & l’équipe Into Tours Hi Sylvie, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed your day with Into Tours, and that your guide made the experience memorable. It’s great to know you appreciated the small-group format, expert knowledge, and well-planned schedule. We hope to welcome you on another adventure soon! Warm regards, Janina & the Into Tours Team
1. Terrific park! Many animals! Excellent tour guide! 2. Best lunch on an excursion we’ve ever had! But… 3. Vehicle was not conducive to good viewing. Cramped van, small windows. If you want a better viewing experience, check out a company with more ‘open’ vehicles. 4. Terrible plan to fill vans as we got off the ship. They set it up so that they had 10 specific people assigned per van, and a van didn’t leave until all 10 were on board. This, of course, was a complete failure, as 1 or 2 people who didn’t get on the customs line early held up the rest of the van. We waited about an hour until we and several other almost-full vans loudly complained. Only then did they start combining partially filled vans, and sending vans as they filled with people came off the ship. Overall an excellent tour, but this operator easily could have done better.
Gary was the best guide for the great tour😀I felt transported back to my childhood with Daktari.The size of the park makes the difference.
Very informative and enjoyable! Saw so many elephants! Also saw plenty of Wart hogs and Zebra. Driver had loud talk radio on in the van while driving us( in another language) - very annoying! He didn’t have much to say to or from the park, and when you’re in a new city, it would be nice to get this info.
