Night safari starts before sunrise. This Schotia Tooth and Claw open-vehicle drive mixes daytime wildlife with a focused night game drive so you can chase animals most people miss. I love the small-group feel (up to 10 in the open vehicle) and the chance to see night behavior like hyenas, aardvark, and even a possible shy black rhino. One thing to consider: this is an early start, and night wildlife runs best with good weather.

I also like how this is run by a locally owned operation with mature, fully qualified guides, and the owner has worked at top guest lodges such as Woodall Country Lodge, Elephant House, Hitgeheim, Gorah Elephant Camp, and Riverbend Country Estate. You’ll get more than sightings too, including time for learning about the African galaxy as part of the outing. The main drawback is simple: open vehicles mean you’ll feel the elements, so you’ll want to dress for comfort.

Key Highlights You’ll Feel From The Start

• Up to 10 people in the open vehicle: easier spotting and less noise than big safari buses.
• Day + night game drive focus: you’re not just doing a quick loop in daylight.
• Night predators and oddballs: hyenas, aardvark, and cats are specifically part of the night aim.
• Big 5 encounter possibility at Schotia: giraffe and different antelope sightings are part of what you can expect.
• Dinner included in the package: you’re not scrambling for food after wildlife hours.
• Walter’s guide style: clear communication, on-time pickup, and extra time effort to maximize sightings.

Schotia In An Open Vehicle: Why The Small-Group Setup Matters

The standout here is the open safari vehicle and the tight group size. With a maximum of 10 people on the drive, the guide can work the vehicle like a mobile viewing platform. You usually get fewer heads blocking views, and you tend to hear instructions better when everyone is closer.

That small-group setup also helps with the rhythm of game driving. When a new sighting pops up, you’re not waiting for a long queue of people to settle down or shuffle seats. You’re more likely to be ready—camera up, eyes forward—when the moment happens.

And yes, open vehicles do come with tradeoffs. There’s less barrier between you and the air, the light, and the dust. But if your goal is real wildlife viewing (not just passing by a viewpoint), this format fits.

Port Elizabeth Morning Pickup: Plan Around A 6:00 am Start

The schedule begins early. Your start time is 6:00 am, with pickup from the Boardwalk Hotel, Casino and Convention Centre on Beach Road in Summerstrand (Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth). The activity runs long enough to include daytime wildlife and a night segment, so you should expect a full outing even if the total duration is listed as about 4 to 6 hours.

Two practical things help your day go smoothly:

• Be ready at pickup time. One guide feedback mentioned being on time and keeping communications clear, which is a good sign for the rest of the experience.
• Dress in layers. Because you’ll be out during early morning hours and later at night, temperatures can swing. Even if it feels fine at 6:00 am, it can feel different later.

The good news is that the trip ends back at the same meeting point, so you don’t need transport planning afterward.

Schotia Tooth And Claw: What “Big 5 Encounters” Looks Like In Real Time

The outing centers on Schotia Tooth and Claw Safari and focuses on Big 5 safari encounters. That promise is always “possible,” not guaranteed—but the way this drive is structured is designed to put you in front of the right habitats at the right times.

Here’s what you can anchor yourself on from the information you’ve got:

• You should have a strong chance of seeing giraffe.
• Different antelope species are part of the expected wildlife.
• The drive is built for real sighting opportunities across multiple time windows (day and night), not a single quick viewing period.

What I like about framing it this way is that it changes how you plan your expectations. Instead of thinking, today I must see a specific animal, you can think, today I’ll watch a system—how animals move and feed when light changes.

A small detail that’s worth taking seriously: because you’re in an open vehicle, the guide’s scouting and positioning become even more important. When the guide calls out a direction, you’ll be able to react fast—turn your head, track movement, and spot subtle movement in the grass.

The Night Game Drive Payoff: Hyenas, Aardvark, And The Shy Rhino Chance

The night segment is where this trip gets interesting in a very practical way. Daytime is great, but it’s also when many animals are more visible in the easiest locations. Night brings a different crowd and different behavior.

The night game drive is specifically aimed at animals you normally won’t see in daylight patterns, including:

• Hyenas (active hunters and scavengers)
• Aardvark (the famously elusive digger)
• Cats (the night activity version of big cat life)
• Lions and what they hunt at night (the focus shifts from daytime sightings to night behavior)
• Elephants that graze and browse at night
• The shy black rhino (not the easiest target, but specifically mentioned as something that can be sighted at night)

Why this matters for you: night wildlife watching forces you to look differently. You’re reading smaller movement cues, listening more, and noticing how animals use the dark. If you enjoy the “how do I spot that?” side of safari, this is the segment that rewards attention.

And if you’re on a trip where you’ve already done a standard daytime drive, the night portion can feel like a whole second safari—same landscape, totally different rules.

A quick note about comfort

Night viewing can mean low light, cooler air, and sudden vehicle stops for short windows of viewing. Open vehicles amplify that experience. Bring a comfortable layer and keep your essentials easy to grab.

Learning The African Galaxy: Why This Isn’t Just Wildlife Watching

One of the less obvious parts of the experience is the educational angle: you’ll learn about the African galaxy with qualified guides.

Even if you’re not a stargazing expert, this is a smart add-on because it changes the “waiting” time into something useful. Instead of just listening for animals, you’re also using the dark sky to learn about what’s up above—an easy way to make the evening feel fuller.

This is also a good reminder that the guides are thinking beyond a checklist. When guides structure the evening to include both wildlife and sky talk, it usually means they’re aiming for a more complete experience rather than a rushed drive.

Dinner Included: The Practical Finish After Long Wildlife Hours

Dinner is included. That’s a real value point because safari days can mess with meal planning—especially when you’re out past normal dinner time.

What I’d expect based on how the trip is organized: dinner comes after the main wildlife experience, so you can focus on the drive rather than hunting down food near the end. It also makes the outing feel like a packaged experience instead of “transport + animals + good luck.”

If you have dietary needs, it’s smart to check directly when you book, since the information you have here confirms dinner inclusion but not specific meal details.

Price and Value: Is $198.71 A Fair Deal?

At $198.71 per person, this isn’t a budget impulse buy. But it also isn’t priced like a luxury lodge safari.

To judge value, I look at what you get that usually costs extra:

• Pickup and round-trip return to the meeting point
• Open vehicle safari with a small group (max 10 in the vehicle)
• A structured day-to-night viewing approach
• Admission ticket included
• Dinner included

When a tour includes both transport logistics and a meal, the effective cost often feels more reasonable. The open-vehicle format can also limit how many people fit comfortably, which makes the small-group number meaningful rather than just marketing language.

You should still budget mentally for one more thing: guide tips are not included. That matters because safari guides do real work—spotting, positioning, communicating, and keeping the group moving safely.

Overall, the price feels most justified if your goal is specifically night wildlife viewing plus a small-group open vehicle setup.

Who This Safari Fits Best (And Who Might Want Another Plan)

This experience is a strong match for you if:

• You want wildlife viewing that includes night animals, not just daytime “big show” sightings.
• You prefer smaller groups and an open-vehicle feel.
• You’re okay with an early start (6:00 am) in exchange for a full day and evening safari.

It may not be your best fit if:

• You hate early mornings or long days.
• You strongly dislike open vehicle conditions (wind/dust can be part of the deal).
• You’re only interested in a single daytime highlight. The power of this outing is the day-to-night contrast.

It’s also a good choice for people who enjoy guidance. The experience emphasizes qualified guides and highlights one guide by name—Walter—who is praised for clear communications, being on time, and going beyond scheduled time to maximize what you can see.

Practical Tips For A Smoother Open-Vehicle Game Drive

Open vehicles are fun, but they ask for a little prep. Here are the practical steps I’d take so nothing breaks your focus:

• Check the vehicle windows when you board. One piece of advice was simple: make sure windows are clean and working properly before the drive. That affects photos and comfort.
• Wear layers and close-toed shoes. You’ll be on the vehicle for long stretches, and you want to move comfortably when the guide stops.
• Bring a camera plan. If you want phone shots, wipe the front window area if needed and keep your lens protected. Night photos can be tricky, so practice in good light before you expect miracles in the dark.
• Listen for the guide’s cues. On night drives, the best sightings often come from sudden silence and the guide pointing out movement you’d otherwise miss.

Also: because the drive is designed for wildlife at night, be ready for occasional pauses and slow moments. That’s normal. Wildlife doesn’t act on your schedule.

Should You Book This Schotia Open Vehicle Game Drive?

If your top priority is night wildlife and you like the idea of a small-group open vehicle, I think this is an easy yes to consider. The combination of Big 5 encounter chances at Schotia, a day-to-night schedule targeting animals like hyenas and aardvark, and dinner included makes it feel like a complete safari package rather than a half-day ride.

I’d book it if you’re comfortable with a 6:00 am start and you’re prepared for the open-vehicle side of things. The possible drawback is comfort: open vehicles and night conditions mean you need to dress for real outdoor time, not a quick scenic stop.

If you want an “animals only in daylight” safari, you may feel this is longer and more variable than you need. But if you want the night edition of South African wildlife—where the shy black rhino chance and predator behavior at night are part of the plan—this one is worth putting on your shortlist.

FAQ

What time does the safari start?

The pickup/start time is 6:00 am, with departure from the Boardwalk Hotel, Casino and Convention Centre on Beach Road in Summerstrand (Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth).

How long is the experience?

The duration is listed as approximately 4 to 6 hours.

Where do I get picked up and where does it end?

Pickup is offered, starting at the Boardwalk Hotel, Casino and Convention Centre. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is dinner included?

Yes, dinner is included.

What animals are you aiming to see on the night drive?

The night game drive aims to see animals such as hyenas, aardvark, and cats, along with elephants grazing and browsing at night. The shy black rhino is specifically mentioned as something that can be sighted at night.

Is the safari vehicle open?

Yes. The safari is conducted in an open safari vehicle, and the drive is described as maximum 10 pax.

Is admission included?

Yes. Admission to Schotia is included.

Are guide tips included in the price?

No. Guide tips are not included.

What if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

What if I need to cancel?

Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund; within 24 hours, the amount paid is not refunded.