Eastern Cape River Bend Safari | South Africa | Eastern Cape

This Eastern Cape safari departs Port Elizabeth for three nights on safari at River Bend game Lodge. Situated inside the Addo Elephant National Park, the elegant but understated Riverbend Lodge offers a chance to unwind, enjoy fine cuisine and relax in a peaceful atmosphere. Relax on the enormous veranda, as the sun sets over the Cocks Comb Mountains in the distance and watch zebra, numerous antelope species, as well as the elephant, rhino and buffalo. Enjoy game drives with experienced and informative rangers in open landrovers as well as fascinating game walks. River Bend has made a name for itself for its child-friendly safaris and ambience. Rather unusually River Bend allows children under 6 years to join their parents on game drives. Nights can be easily added.

Meals	Full Board & Game Drives
Accommodation	5 star game lodge in a colonial style
Departure Dates	On request
Transport	Air-conditioned road transfer from PE
Price Includes	Meals and accommodation as shown in text, transport, services of a ranger, 4x4 game drives & activities on safari
Price Excludes	International & domestic flights, visas, items of a personal nature, drinks
Minimum Number	1
Climate	Temperate - hot humid summers and cold winters. Some chance of rain throughout the year as Eastern Cape is the transition between the winter rain of the Western Cape and the summer rains of KwaZulu Natal.
Best time to go	Temperate - hot humid summers and cold winters. Some chance of rain throughout the year as Eastern Cape is the transition between the winter rain of the Western Cape and the summer rains of KwaZulu Natal.
Health Requirements	Non-malaria area. Sun block essential
Combines well with	Mellow Cape self-drive tour Magic of the Cape escorted tour Coast and Karoo self-drive tour
Other Ideas
Notes	Daily flights London to Port Elizabeth with SAA or BA from £650 including taxes

Day 1 : Transfer from PE to River Bend Game lodge for 3 nights, Full Board & Game Drives
You will be collected from Port Elizabeth airport by our representative and transferred to River Bend Game Lodge for a three night stay. Situated inside the Addo Elephant National Park, the elegant but understated Riverbend Lodge offers a chance to unwind, enjoy fine cuisine and relax in a peaceful atmosphere. This is Africa at its best with the rugged Eastern Cape bush combined with the sheer elegance of a fine country hotel. The lodge is situated within the 17,000ha Nyati private concession of the Addo Elephant National Park and offers game-viewing in its own concession; in the public part of Addo; and also in its own private game reserve, Intsomi, home to an additional 12 species of mammal. Relax on the enormous veranda, as the sun sets over the Cocks Comb Mountains in the distance and watch zebra, numerous antelope species, as well as the elephant, rhino and buffalo. Self drive trips to the historic Grahamstown and the Indian Ocean coast are also a possibility. The eight en suite bedrooms are individually decorated in colonial style and offer a combination of old-fashioned luxury and modern convenience with satellite TV, DVD player, telephone, minibar and air-conditioning. All rooms have private patios with wide open views over the bushveld. Breakfast is served either in the dining area or in your room. Lunch and high tea are informal occasions around the pool or on the veranda, while dinner is served in colonial tradition in the dining room. Other facilities include a Vitality Studio offers guests a range of treatments from facials, massages, mud wraps and hot stone therapy, a well-stocked library with fireplace and internet access and a day room with comfortable couches and big screen TV. RiverBend has made a name for itself for its child-friendly safaris and ambience. Rather unusually River Bend allows children under 6 years to join their parents on game drives. They try to put two families together on a vehicle for a relaxed family atmosphere. At the lodge, children are accommodated with an extra bed in the room or in interleading rooms. They have a playroom with toys ideal for younger children under 6 years, children's videos available to watch either in your room or in the TV/games room.

Day 2 : On safari for 2 full days (Days 2 & 3)
You generally take your game drive immediately after early morning tea and coffee, as the animals rise early to hunt in the cool of the day. The two to three hour drive finishes in time for a late breakfast, which will be keenly appreciated after your early morning start! After breakfast, you can go on an optional guided walk into the bush with a ranger, or you can simply relax around the lodge during the heat of the day. The pool is fenced and there's a children's menu for both lunch and dinner.

After afternoon high tea, a late afternoon game drive will introduce you to some of the nocturnal animals and their predators before enjoying at atmospheric dinner back at the lodge.

Younger children particularly enjoy the rehabilitation centre where they can see many species at close quarters but in a safe environment.

Day 4 : Return to Port Elizabeth
After a last game activity and breakfast, you are transferred back to the Port Elizabeth airport in time for your onward travel arrangements.

We particularly recommend a safari at River Bend if you are a family with younger children who like the idea of having a game drive as a family. One of our consultants will gladly help you with any questions you may have.