Eastern Cape SafarisShamwari Game ReserveAmakhala Game ReservePumba Private Game ReserveKariega Game Reserve

Eastern Cape Safaris

The safari lodges of South Africas Eastern Cape offer a malaria-free safari experience close to Cape Town and the popular Garden Route.

Shamwari Game Reserve

The 25,000 hectare, multi-award-winning Shamwari Reserve is the longest established of the private reserves in the Eastern Cape, and offers some of the best game-viewing and acccommodation in South Africa.

Amakhala Game Reserve

The 7,200 hectare Amakhala Game Reserve is an ideal environment for an unforgettable safari with wildlife including rhino, lion, elephant, cheetah, lion, buffalo, giraffe, black wildebeest, zebra, and over 16 antelope species.

Pumba Private Game Reserve

Pumba Private Game Reserve stretches over an area of 6,500 hectares. Home to the Big 5, the Reserve offers visitors the chance to experience the wonders of Africa - from the graceful giraffe to the near extinct white lion.

Kariega Game Reserve

Kariega Game Reserve is a 10,000 hectare malaria-free Big 5 game reserve, located in the spectacular Kariega River Valley.

Eastern Cape Safaris

Malaria-Free Safaris near Port Elizabeth and The Garden Route

One of the main attractions of the Eastern Cape is the opportunity to visit one of the many private game reserves and see the Big 5 (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard) in a malaria-free environment

Game Drive in ShamwariBetween a 60-90 minutes drive from Port Elizabeth, these reserves and their luxury safari lodges are ideal for people who wish to combine the ever-popular Cape Town and Garden Route with an unforgettable safari experience.

The reserves are all privately owned, and range in size from 5,000 hectares to over 25,000 hectares. They all operate independently of each other, and each therefore have their own wildlife stock - the larger reserves such as Shamwari and Kwandwe can obviously sustain more wildlife in terms of actual physical numbers, but the privilege of this is reflected in the rates.

Eastern Cape

Mother LoveThe smaller reserves such as Amakhala, Lalibela, Pumba and Kariega, which tend to be around the 5,000 to 9,000 hectare size, do have to limit the number of predators - for example, a small reserve can only sustain one or 2 small prides of lions, or else they would find their entire buffalo or zebra population is wiped out very quickly by hungry lions!

Some are also 'spilt' reserves, which means the more 'dangerous' wildlife are kept in separate fenced off parts of the reserve. 

Certain reserves such as Pumba and Amakhala also offer day visitor programmes, which are ideal as a day visitors staying in Port Elizabeth who still want a safari experience, but who have limited time or budget.

The famous Addo Elephant National Park is also a one hour drive from Port Elizabeth, and is perfect for anyone who wants the thrill of driving through a National Park in their own car in search of the elephants and other wildlife that can be found here.

 

 
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Samara Karoo Lodge

Safari Lodge

Guest Rating: 4.0 / 5.0 based on 1 ratings

The Lodge Suites are situated in the main homestead and are light and airy, all opening out on to the wide wrap-around veranda. Each has a luxury en-suite bathroom and is air-conditioned.


 

Kuzuko Lodge

Safari Lodge

All of the 24 en-suite and air-conditioned private chalets are beautifully furnished and fully equipped to ensure your absolute comfort. Relax on your own private patio, star gazing and listening to the sound of the bush settling for the night.


 

Quatermain's Camp

Safari Lodge

Relax on your own private deck, and if you are lucky you may see an elusive bushbuck or hear the cry of the African fish eagle. Each en-suite tent is equipped with military campaign style furniture similar to that used by the early explorers.

 
Quatermain's Camp: Stay 3 nights for the price of 2
Valid:   1 May 2013  -  30 September 2013.
 

 

Woodbury Tented Camp

Safari Lodge

Guest Rating: 4.3 / 5.0 based on 16 ratings

The Woodbury Tented Camp is set in the heart of the reserve, and the tranquil surroundings of the open bushveld allow you to truly experience a quiet getaway. The centre of the camp is an airy, thatched entertainment area, where you can soak up the African sun.

 
Woodbury Tented Camp: Stay 3 nights for the price of 2
Valid:   1 May 2013  -  30 September 2013.
 

 

Reed Valley Inn

Safari Lodge

Guest Rating: 5.0 / 5.0 based on 4 ratings

The 4 comfortable en-suite bedrooms at Reed Valley Inn are positioned in the tranquil working farmyard just on the outside of the reserve's game fences, and are completely separate from the main homesteads to ensure guests' peace and privacy. All meals are taken at Bush Lodge, which is about a 5 or 10 minute drive from Reed Valley Inn into the reserve.

 
 

 
Eastern Cape Safaris

At A Glance

  • Big 5 Safaris
  • Malaria Free Area
  • Easy Access From Cape Town
  • Drive From The Garden Route
  • Wide Choice of Safari Lodges

Special Offers

Selected Special offers for Eastern Cape

Shamwari Game Reserve: Protect & Save from only R3000

Valid:   1 May 2013  -  30 September 2013.

Shamwari Game Reserve: Forever Wild from only R3650

Valid:   1 October 2013  -  19 December 2013.

Shamwari Explorer Camp - Book for 6 people and 2 stay FREE

Valid:   15 April 2014  -  15 September 2014.

Shamwari Explorer Camp - Book for 4 people and one person stays FREE

Valid:   15 April 2014  -  15 September 2014.

Pumba Game Reserve: Stay 3 nights for the price of 2

Valid:   1 October 2012  -  30 September 2013.

Confused?

It's great to have choice, however sometimes it can all be a litte confusing when you are planning your first trip to an unfamiliar area.

If you'd like to talk to one of our friendly experts, then please give us a call on +44(0) 1932 428380 or alternativley you can enquire via the website.

When to Visit

The weather in this part of South Africa is at its best from October to April, when the region enjoys long warm summer days.

Having said this the weather is frequently warm and dry throughout the winter months of May to September with average highs still above 20c, and this is also the best time of year to find a special offer or lower price as a safari lodge.

Getting There and Away

There are regular flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth, and from there it will take 45 mins to 90 mins to get to your safari lodge by road.

Many visitors choose to start their holiday in Cape Town, and then drive along the garden route before ending with a safari in the Eastern Cape.

If you are driving along the Garden Route, it will take about 2h 45 from Knysna to Port Elizabeth, and then a further 45 mins to 90 mins derpending on where you are going to.

Top Tip: If you book with Travel Butlers, we will ensure you have the most appropriate transport arrangements for your safari.

Holiday Ideas

The Spirit of the Cape

Shamwari Game Reserve and Cape Town.

7 day itinerary.

Prices from GBP £ 1,203 US$ 1,864 ZAR 18,280 EUR 1,419 pp*

Saving Africa's Wildlife

Shamwari Game Reserve, Cape Town, The Garden Route, Hermanus and The Cape Winelands.

12 day itinerary.

Prices from GBP £ 1,301 US$ 2,017 ZAR 19,783 EUR 1,536 pp*

Classic Cape Charm

Shamwari Game Reserve, Cape Town and The Cape Winelands.

9 day itinerary.

Prices from GBP £ 1,770 US$ 2,743 ZAR 26,903 EUR 2,088 pp*

Vintage Cape Explorer

Shamwari Game Reserve, Cape Town, The Garden Route and The Cape Winelands.

12 day itinerary.

Prices from GBP £ 2,096 US$ 3,249 ZAR 31,865 EUR 2,474 pp*

Unveiling the Luxurious Cape

Shamwari Game Reserve, Cape Town, The Garden Route and The Cape Winelands.

14 day itinerary.

Prices from GBP £ 3,110 US$ 4,820 ZAR 47,268 EUR 3,669 pp*

Guest Photos

 

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