From KSh747,229 pps
Bayethe Tented Lodge
Eastern Cape, South AfricaActivities travellers enjoyed
Bird watching | Fishing | Canoeing
HomeDestinationsEastern Cape
Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape is the malaria-free Big Five alternative to Kruger: private reserves, Addo, and a coast that does not require malaria tablets.
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Discover the Wild Beauty of an Eastern Cape Safari
Just a short drive from the popular beaches and seaside towns of the Garden Route lies South Africa's Eastern Cape Province, a place of traditional villages, abundant wildlife, big smiles and no crowds.
The Eastern Cape's biggest draw is its reserves. As the newest addition to South Africa's safari circuit, this once-overlooked province has now become a top big game destination in its own rights. Most of its reserves boast the Big 5 in easy-to-see habitats and offer a variety of safari activities ranging from game drives and river cruises to horseback and walking safaris.
Kid-Friendly Wildlife Encounters: Making Memories in the Eastern Cape
Moreover, being a malaria-free region, the Eastern Cape is certainly one of the best places for a hassle-free family safari. Many of the lodges offer tailor-made activities for children that include guided nature walks and treasure hunts under professional supervision and there are plenty of educational experiences too.
But it's not just families who fall in love with this part of South Africa: any visitor on an Eastern Cape safari is sure to enjoy expertly-led game drives in search of big game, the diverse and beautiful scenery, and the agreeable temperate climate. And as for accommodation, take your pick from traditional thatched lodges, romantic tented camps or stylish boutique hotels offering indulgent spa treatments, butler service and private plunge pools.
The Eastern Cape's best known reserve is Addo Elephant National Park, most famous of course for its large elephant herds. But for good big cat sightings and luxurious accommodation, we'd recommend one of our hand-picked private reserves: Kwandwe has no fewer than four award-winning lodges; Shamwari – with its two big cat sanctuaries – is renowned for its conservation initiatives; while Pumba is home to rare white lions.
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Ready to plan the perfect Eastern Cape safari for you?
To organise a perfect Eastern Cape safari, simply chat to someone who's been there: our Africa Safari Experts can give you personal recommendations and put together a holiday to suit your style and budget. And for a best-of-both-worlds safari and beach break, we’d suggest combining the reserves of the Eastern Cape with a self-drive journey along the Garden Route – starting or ending in South Africa's favourite city, Cape Town – just ask us how.
What travellers most enjoyed about Eastern Cape
Bird watching
Scenery
Wildlife and safari
Where to Go in the Eastern Cape
There are several Big 5 safari destinations to choose from in the Eastern Cape but the most famous is Addo Elephant National Park, situated about a 45-minute drive from Port Elizabeth and now, thanks to the incorporation of a marine reserve, home to an extraordinary bio-diversity.
For exclusive game viewing away from the crowds, we recommend staying in one of Addo’s private concessions or at one of the private reserves listed below. These destinations are where to go in the Eastern Cape for stress-free family safaris or indulgent honeymoons as each reserve has a range of tailored accommodation and activities to suit all visitors.
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Situated at the eastern end of the Garden Route, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve is home to the Big 5 (including both black and white rhino) as well as other classic African mammals such as cheetah, hyena and giraffe plus rarely-seen species such as aardvark, porcupine and aardwolf.
You’ll explore the grassy uplands and dense forest thickets of malaria-free Kwandwe on day and night game drives and can enjoy guided nature walks along the bird-filled banks of the Great Fish River but there’s more to the reserve than just wildlife: Kwandwe Private Game Reserve lies at the heart of Settler Country, a region that echoes with colonial history not to mention ancient rock art and a fascinating indigenous culture.
Shamwari Private Game Reserve
Shamwari has all the ingredients necessary for the perfect safari: the Big 5; all manner of other big game such as hippo, giraffe, cheetah and zebra; great guides and game rangers; and a generous range of accommodation, all contained within 25 000 hectares of exclusive wilderness.
One of South Africa’s eco-tourism and conservation success stories, Shamwari has invested in local education and research and has fostered environmental awareness among local communities, thus providing a model for other Eastern Cape reserves to follow.
What's more, Shamwari Private Game Reserve offers a range of activities specifically designed for children which, added to its accessibility from Port Elizabeth or the Garden Route as well as its malaria-free status, make it a popular safari choice for families.
Amakhala Game Reserve
Amakhala was created in 1999 as a joint conservation initiative between the owners of six lodges to allow for the reintroduction of wild animals to a region in which they once roamed freely. Today Amakhala’s animal population includes the Big 5 as well as cheetah, giraffe, zebra, and wildebeest, all of which can be viewed on guided day and night game drives.
Moreover, the Bushman’s River cuts through the reserve and offers water-based game-viewing and excellent bird watching. And with its convenient location less than an hour's drive from Port Elizabeth airport, malaria-free Amakhala is an ideal add-on to a Garden Route holiday.
Pumba Private Game Reserve
Pumba supports a rich biodiversity including the Big 5 and other familiar African animals such as giraffe, hippo, cheetah, spotted hyena and the rare wild dog. The most notable residents of Pumba Private Game Reserve are however their famous ‘white lions’, top of the must-see list.
Malaria-free and combining effortlessly with a Garden Route, Cape Town or KwaZulu Natal holiday, Pumba Private Game Reserve is very accessible and offers a range of activities including day and night game drives, guided nature walks, hiking and fishing. The bird watching is excellent and the night sky phenomenal – little wonder that stargazing sessions often provide the perfect end to a day at Pumba.
Sibuya Game Reserve
The secluded Sibuya Game Reserve is located on the banks of the Kariega River, less than a 2-hour drive from Port Elizabeth but there’s a surprise: Sibuya is accessed by boat. The adventure starts when guests are collected at the river’s mouth in the nearby town of Kenton-on-Sea and are transported upstream to the reserve.
The floodplains and thick coastal forest at malaria-free Sibuya are home to a wide variety of wildlife including the Big 5 as well as nearly 400 bird species; the game viewing in this reserve, set against magnificent ocean and forest vistas, is truly unique. And its coastal location also makes Sibuya where to go in the Eastern Cape for daily game drives combined with swimming, beach walks, canoeing and deep-sea fishing.
Lalibela
Although small in comparison with other South African reserves, Lalibela is the only private reserve in the Eastern Cape without a public road running through its property. The reserve encompasses no fewer than five ecosystems, resulting in a wide diversity of flora, and its undulating grasslands and dense forests are consequently home to a rich variety of animals, including the Big 5, which roam freely throughout the reserve.
In addition, it’s only an hour's drive from Port Elizabeth and is easily accessed from the N2, the region’s major highway, making it a convenient, malaria-free safari add-on to a Garden Route holiday.
Kariega Game Reserve
With its accessible location, magnificent scenery and Big 5 game viewing, Kariega Game Reserve is the perfect safari add-on to a trip along South Africa's world-famous Garden Route or even as a fly-in destination from Cape Town.
What's more, this family-owned private reserve lies in one the country's richest bio-diverse regions and the presence of the Kariega and Bushman's Rivers means you can complement your daily morning and afternoon game drives with a sunset boat cruise or a peaceful kayak paddle.
Great Karoo
The Great Karoo, a huge expanse of semi-arid wilderness and marginal farmland, is the largest ecosystem in South Africa and spans both the Eastern and Western Cape. Yet despite its forbidding appearance, the Great Karoo is home to an abundance of birdlife as well as a variety of animals that include several regional specialities such as the rare mountain zebra and large numbers of springbok, the latter serving as a reminder of the massive herds that once traversed the Karoo during their annual migration.
You could spend weeks exploring the secrets of the Great Karoo but if it's a safari you're looking for, head for the Karoo’s eastern region where there are several game-rich Big 5 wildlife reserves in scenic, malaria-free settings.
When to go
Year round
Game viewing works in every month. Summer is beach weather. Winter is greener and quieter, and a sensible pair with the Cape.
Travel advice
Health
This is the region people choose specifically to avoid malaria. Confirm the reserve, not just the province, with a clinic.
Driving
Self-drive is normal. Drive on the left, and do not start the Garden Route the hour you land.
Eastern Cape Tours & Holidays
A destination of deserted beaches and exclusive game reserves, home to friendly coastal towns and remote safari lodges and offering family holidays, decadent romance and malaria-free Big 5 safaris, South Africa’s Eastern Cape province is well known for its phenomenal diversity. Enjoy brilliant night skies in the starkly beautiful semi-desert of the Karoo, search for lions and elephant in private reserves and stroll on wild beaches whilst watching dolphins in the waves.
One of our Eastern Cape tours and holidays could mark the start or finish of an unforgettable journey. This little-visited region of South Africa lies at the end of the beautiful Garden Route – make your way there from Cape Town on an organised tour or self-drive adventure, and be sure to include a detour through the Cape Winelands or along the Whale Coast.
We have a comprehensive selection of tours and safaris in the Eastern Cape that include Big 5 safaris and luxurious honeymoons but if you can’t find what you’re looking for, simply let one of our Africa Safari Experts tailor-make your holiday to your budget and interests.
Recommended Eastern Cape Tours & Safari Holidays
From $5,755 to $6,590 pps
Highlights
Stay in the cosmopolitan heart of Cape Town. Explore Cape Town's beaches & vineyards.
Destinations visited
From $22,135 to $30,710 pps
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Full-day family fun tour in Franschhoek. Explore Cape Town & the scenic Winelands.
Destinations visited
From $15,635 to $18,105 pps
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Encounter Big 5 game in private concessions. Guided walking safaris & game drives.
Destinations visited
From $13,015 to $15,445 pps
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Unforgettable Big 5 game viewing . Guided walking safaris & game drives.
Destinations visited
From $12,620 to $16,640 pps
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Explore a private reserve in the malaria-free Marakele National Park. Delight in the food, wine & history in Franschhoek.
Destinations visited
From $12,640 to $15,680 pps
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See the Boulders Beach penguins. Enjoy fine wines & cuisine in Franschhoek.
Destinations visited
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From $5,755 to $6,590 pps
Click to save to your wishlistAffordable Cape, Whale Coast & Garden Route
11 daysHighlights
Stay in the cosmopolitan heart of Cape Town. Explore Cape Town's beaches & vineyards.
Destinations visited
Cape Town Cape Winelands Garden Route South Africa Whale Coast
From $5,755 to $6,590 pps
Highlights
Stay in the cosmopolitan heart of Cape Town. Explore Cape Town's beaches & vineyards.
Destinations visited
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From $22,135 to $30,710 pps
Click to save to your wishlistFamily Cape Town, Winelands & Garden Route
12 daysHighlights
Full-day family fun tour in Franschhoek. Explore Cape Town & the scenic Winelands.
Destinations visited
Cape Town Cape Winelands Eastern Cape South Africa
From $22,135 to $30,710 pps
Highlights
Full-day family fun tour in Franschhoek. Explore Cape Town & the scenic Winelands.
Destinations visited
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From $15,635 to $18,105 pps
Click to save to your wishlistSouth Africa's Luxury Kruger, Cape & Kwandwe Safari
11 days This Positive Impact Safari includes a donation to a Community initiative This safari is a Hidden GemHighlights
Encounter Big 5 game in private concessions. Guided walking safaris & game drives.
Destinations visited
Cape Town Eastern Cape Kruger Private Concessions South Africa
From $15,635 to $18,105 pps
Highlights
Encounter Big 5 game in private concessions. Guided walking safaris & game drives.
Destinations visited
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From $13,015 to $15,445 pps
Click to save to your wishlistSouth Africa's Kruger, Cape Town & Kwandwe Safari
Ready-To-Book 11 days This Positive Impact Safari includes a donation to a Community initiativeHighlights
Unforgettable Big 5 game viewing . Guided walking safaris & game drives.
Destinations visited
Cape Town Eastern Cape Kruger Private Concessions South Africa
From $13,015 to $15,445 pps
Highlights
Unforgettable Big 5 game viewing . Guided walking safaris & game drives.
Destinations visited
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From $12,620 to $16,640 pps
Click to save to your wishlistSouth Africa’s Big Five, Wine & Conservation Safari
11 days This safari is a Trip With A PurposeHighlights
Explore a private reserve in the malaria-free Marakele National Park. Delight in the food, wine & history in Franschhoek.
Destinations visited
Cape Winelands Eastern Cape Franschhoek South Africa
From $12,620 to $16,640 pps
Highlights
Explore a private reserve in the malaria-free Marakele National Park. Delight in the food, wine & history in Franschhoek.
Destinations visited
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From $12,640 to $15,680 pps
Click to save to your wishlistLuxurious Cape, Wine, Whales & Garden Route
16 days This Positive Impact Safari includes a donation to a Community initiative This safari is a Hidden GemHighlights
See the Boulders Beach penguins. Enjoy fine wines & cuisine in Franschhoek.
Destinations visited
Cape Town Cape Winelands Eastern Cape Garden Route South Africa
From $12,640 to $15,680 pps
Highlights
See the Boulders Beach penguins. Enjoy fine wines & cuisine in Franschhoek.
Destinations visited
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Popular tours and safaris in Eastern Cape
Priced itineraries that pass through this place. Nights can still change when the quote is drawn up. Nothing is paid until you accept it.
From KSh307,072 to KSh448,597 pps
Sustainable Cape Luxury
4 daysHighlights
A visit with a local community.
Destinations visited
Cape Town | South Africa
From KSh369,395 to KSh510,271 pps
Eco-Retreat: The Grootbos Experience
4 daysHighlights
Morning and afternoon game drives on each full day on safari. Park and permit fees for the places on this route.
Destinations visited
South Africa | Western Cape
From KSh523,904 pps
Train Journey to Vic Falls
4 daysHighlights
Morning and afternoon game drives.
Destinations visited
Botswana | South Africa | Zimbabwe
From KSh425,226 pps
Pretoria to Cape Town Journey
4 daysHighlights
Morning and afternoon game drives on each full day on safari. Park and permit fees for the places on this route.
Destinations visited
Cape Town | South Africa
From KSh523,904 pps
Train Journey to Vic Falls
4 daysHighlights
Morning and afternoon game drives on each full day on safari. Park and permit fees for the places on this route.
Destinations visited
Botswana | South Africa | Zimbabwe
From KSh557,014 to KSh603,107 pps
5-Day Essential Kruger Park Safari
5 daysHighlights
Morning and afternoon game drives on each full day on safari. Park and permit fees for the places on this route.
Destinations visited
Kruger Private Reserves | South Africa
From KSh810,851 to KSh814,097 pps
Mid-Range 5-Day Essential Kruger Park Safari
5 daysHighlights
Morning and afternoon game drives.
Destinations visited
Sabi Sands Game Reserve | South Africa
From KSh1,470,438 to KSh1,663,900 pps
Luxury 5-Day Essential Kruger Safari
5 daysHighlights
Morning and afternoon game drives.
Destinations visited
Sabi Sands Game Reserve | South Africa
Best Eastern Cape Lodges & Camps
Eastern Cape accommodation is predominantly centred around the region’s parks and private reserves where luxury camps and family-friendly lodges provide the base for exceptional malaria-free, Big 5 safaris. Many of the lodges offer babysitters and safari programmes for kids, making for great hassle-free family holidays.
Accommodation in the Eastern Cape is not limited to safari lodges however; comfortable guest houses on the coast at St Francis Bay or Port Elizabeth offer the perfect pre- or post-safari break as well as providing accommodation options for the eastern half of the Garden Route.
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Eastern Cape stays
4 stays. The rate is per person sharing.
- Eastern Cape, South Africa
From KSh1,641,178 to KSh1,683,376 pps
Kwandwe Ecca Lodge
Eastern Cape, South AfricaActivities travellers enjoyed
Cultural visits | Historical tours | Bush dining | Boat excursions | Fishing | Canoeing
From KSh2,874,008 pps
Kwandwe Fort House
Eastern Cape, South AfricaActivities travellers enjoyed
Conservation projects | Bird watching | Wine tasting | Fishing | Hiking | Horse riding
From KSh1,638,581 to KSh2,030,048 pps
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge
Eastern Cape, South AfricaActivities travellers enjoyed
Fishing | Cultural visits | Historical tours | Bird watching | Picnics | Scenic flights
Costs
A private Eastern Cape reserve sits below a Sabi Sand peak week and above a national-park rest camp.
Malaria-free is a reason to choose it, not a discount. International flights are outside the quote.