ABOUT CRISSCROSS ADVENTURES

THE ADDO TOUR COMPANY

Crisscross Adventures is an Addo Tour Company specialising in Tours of Addo, South Africa since 2004. With their impeccable safety record, Crisscross Adventures offer quality, safe and affordable adventure tours of the Greater Addo Region in the Eastern Cape or Customized Tours of South Africa. Crisscross Adventures is a company built on the passion, and with being the third generation in the area, its owner has always wanted to promote the diversity of Addo through providing activities which showcase this. The local Addo Tours feature Addo Elephant National Park game drives, as well as a variety of other Addo Activities such as:  Sundwner river cruises on the Sundays River, Eco Quad biking, Sand boarding.

Crisscross Adventures recognise that Addo offers some of the world’s best photographic opportunities and the pace of the tours keep this in mind, giving you time to absorb the scene and linger for that perfect shot.

THE ADDO TOUR COMPANY

WHAT MAKES CRISSCROSS ADVENTURES DIFFERENT?

Crisscross Adventures mission is to encourage visitors to enjoy the many different activities available in the Addo area, and to have a holistic experience of the diversity Addo has to offer, specifically within the Addo Elephant National Park, whilst educating them about the environment and nature conservation.

The Eastern Cape has become the wildlife and adventure holiday destination of choice, due to the fact that it is malaria free, and home to one of the largest National Parks in South Africa, the Addo Elephant National Park. The Eastern Cape is synonymous with: breath-taking scenery, wide open spaces, prolific bird life, the only province in South Africa to host 5 biomes of vegetation, a serene refuge from the stresses of daily life, and it is the playground of Crisscross Adventures.

Crisscross Adventures is committed to ensuring that you receive a safe, fun-filled, affordable tour and that your experience of Southern Africa is truly memorable.

Crisscross Adventures was started by Christopher Pickels in 2004. For Chris, the concept behind the business really started as a young boy when he would seek adventure and explore the Sunday’s River and Addo Area. Being the 3rd generation in his family to grow up in this magnificent environment he learned the secret spots to explore, he got off the beaten track, and learned the truly special characteristics of the area. The business is ultimately an extension of his passion. That passion has been passed onto his wife Terri (business partner), their great staff, and all who join their tours. All Crisscross Adventure guides are qualified and experienced field guides with FGASA qualifications, are legally registered with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, first aid trained, and have written and passed the Addo Elephant National Park Exams.

 

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY?

Fantastic weekend from start to finish, Beautiful day on the River, Excellent game drive through Addo, and an afternoon in the Mountains- what a Perfect weekend! Will be sure to spread the word around!

Michael and Valentina, United Kingdom

Very nice canoe paddle through Nature! We both enjoyed it a lot! Thanks to you we’ll have some great photo’s to show!

Dave and SueAnne Cohenn, Michigan U.S.A

We had such a fanstastic time with you guys last year, that we just had to do it again, We weren’t disappointed, we had a brilliant time floating down the River and seeing all the wildlife!

Becca and Rob Hoblinson, Sheffield U.K

What a Stunning weekend, I learnt to Ski at Sundays Mouth, tried a bit of fishing, and camped overnight- was an exceptionally chilled out and great time.

Kurt Wolhuter, Johannesburg, South Africa

5days with Chris and Terri in Addo, we have seen many places, experienced the nature, and seen things we would not have seen without you. It was amazing, but next time we come back we will call you a month earlier to get fit (to ride your mountain bike uphill) Thank you so much!

Michaela Kuhlen and Ulrika Richter, Germany

My girlfriend and I just spent one month in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape area of South Africa from the 7 Dec 09′ until 7th Jan 10′. We decided we wanted to spend a couple of those days in the Addo Elephant National Park area. A fellow traveler we met on a reserve we were volunteering at recommended a company called “Crisscrossadventures” to help us experience the Addo Park, since he himself had had such a positive experience with them.

We called Chris the owner and explained that we had two days to see and experience as much of Addo Park as possible. We definitely wanted to see plenty of elephants, but we wanted a local, off the beaten path, experience. Not only did Chris and his girlfriend Terri deliver in every way but they were two of the friendliest people you could ever hope to meet! They are both locally born and bred in this area and not only are they very knowledgeable and passionate about all it has to offer, but we could tell straight away that they loved nothing more than to share their love of this area with others.

We were picked up by Chris and Terri in their off road van on a Saturday morning and off we went to the Park area. For the morning they took us up into the mountains, where they are fortunate to have access to a privately owned area within the park, and it was just the four of us hiking and enjoying the views, bird life and fauna in the area. Lunch was spent at a really cool mountain lake surrounded by mountain rock formations and trees and while we enjoyed chilling out in the water Chris and Terri cooked us a traditional South African Braii on the open fire. From our raft on the lake we spotted a family of Baboons sitting on the rocks just checking us out!!
The next day we spent the morning canoeing down the Sunday’s River, just enjoying the peace and quiet, with Chris pointing out the amazing sights, sounds and history of the area. After lunch we were off to Addo Elephant Park, where Chris and Terri ensured we not only saw plenty of elephants but also lions, which we would have never seen if it wasn’t for their keen eyes. This is definitely where it helps to have a local with you as not only can they spot the wildlife quickly and easily but they can tell you a lot of interesting facts about them.

By late afternoon we had made our way down to the coastal part of the National Park. Chris and Terri had loaded the fishing rods in the van so we walked down to the shoreline with these amazing sand hills surrounding us and did a spot of fishing with the other locals while watching another beautiful African sunset over the water.
An amazing weekend and we can’t recommend them highly enough. They took care of every little detail for us- food, drinks, accommodation, transportation- all for a reasonable price. A must do for anyone who wants to experience the real South Africa!

Andrew Shanks and Samantha Wood, Santa Monica, CA USA

We stayed only 3 days in Addo, and did the River Safari with Chris and Terri, It was superb! We saw many birds guided by Chris, the best: fish eagle and crowned eagle. Chris was a true Gentle man, he helped and told us interesting things about the birds and animals on the river, we even saved a drowning turtle!!!Thank you both very much for this nice, beautiful, interesting day with you.We wish you both all the best!

Gabriella, Stefan, and son Nico, Wetzlar Germany

It was an awesome trip, we saw so many elephants and other animals, thanks so much for your detailed information, we really enjoyed it!

Sandra and Roman Niggli, Berne Switzerland

ABOUT CRISSCROSS ADVENTURES

THE ADDO TOUR COMPANY

EQUIPMENT

Crisscross Adventures offers guests’ quality adventure equipment including: custom designed canoes, professional Sand boarding equipment, fishing equipment, Automatic Yamaha Grizzly Quad Bikes , electric Quad Bikes and more. They offer a variety of spacious, closed, comfortable Touring vehicles which feature high ground clearance, air- conditioning, and they are custom designed 10 seater Toyota Land cruisers . Crisscross Adventures has a license for Chrislin African Lodge for two open- Land Rovers in the Addo Park and as such are able to offer ½ and full day Park safaris in the Addo Park in this way.

LOCATION

Crisscross Adventures has a home based Headquarters approximately 12km’s from the Addo Park Main camp gate. This great location enables the company to service all the  Addo GuesthousesAddo B&B’s, Addo backpackers, Lodges and establishments in the area. We also service the surrounding game reserves and service clients staying in Port Elizabeth.

CAPACITY

Crisscross Adventures has the ability to accommodate big groups (more than 30pax) as well as smaller personalised groups or couples. With our range of different Tour vehicles and equipment, we can accommodate even the strangest requests.

SAFETY

All guests are covered by Crisscross Adventures extended public liability and passenger liability insurances through OutSurance. Indemnity forms are given to every guest and our tour vehicles are regularly serviced as safety is always our number one priority.

REQUIREMENTS

We require a minimum of 2 people per tour, and we accept children of all ages. Please check on our latest policy for Children under 2 years, as this often has to be updated in accordance with the SANPARKS requirements.

Cancellation Policy:

  • 3 weeks prior to booked and confirmed activities – 50% of full amount
  • 2 weeks prior to booked and confirmed activities – 75% of full amount
  • 1 week or less prior to booked and confirmed activities – 100% of full amount

AFFILIATES