South Africa Guide
The Eastern Cape
Schotia Private Game Reserve
Schotia Private Game Reserve ( 
042 235 1436, 
www.schotia.com ; Price: R1001-2000), on the eastern flank of Addo, is the smallest but possibly the busiest of the private reserves, on account of the excellent value it offers. While Schotia is not a Big Five reserve, it is able to offer a Big Five experience with packages that include excursions to Addo Elephant National Park. Full-day safaris (R1200 per person) involve a game drive through Addo followed by lunch and an evening game drive and dinner at Schotia, after which guests are returned to their accommodation. Overnight stays (R1800 per person) include all this plus accommodation at Schotia in one of the three chalets or eight double rooms. If you're pushed for time or money you can opt for the afternoon game drive (R600 per person) in Schotia, which kicks off at 3pm and ends at 9pm. The evening excursions are full of shining eyes caught by powerful lamps, with dinner cooked on an open fire in a thatched courtyard.
Schotia's wildlife includes six lions, giraffes, rhinos, hippos, zebra and a dozen or so species of antelope. Visitors can arrange to be collected from Port Elizabeth or anywhere in the Addo vicinity; if you're driving, you're collected from a secure car park 2km up the N10 from the N2/N10 intersection.