Eastern Cape Private Game Reserves, Eastern Cape, South Africa

The Eastern Cape Private Game Reserves have become very popular in the last few years – mainly for two reasons. They are all malaria-free and they lie within close driving distance of the Garden Route so that you can add an Eastern Cape safari to the end of your holiday without having the relative hassle of checking in for a flight to the northern parts of South Africa. 

There are now several malaria-free Eastern Cape private game reserves. These include Shamwari, Kwandwe, Lalibela and Kariega game reserves. Thousands of hectares have been returned to natural bushveld that supports predators as well as abundant plains species. You enjoy game drives in open-vehicle game drives with an experienced ranger who can give you a deeper understanding of the wildlife and the natural cycles of the bush. Drives are in the early morning and late afternoon when game is most likely to be active.

Most lie between Addo, Grahamstown and the coast and are very easily accessible from Port Elizabeth (between 45 minutes and 1½ hours drive). However some offer a more remote wilderness experience in the Karoo interior such as Blaauwbosch, Samara (near Graaff Reinet) and Kwandwe. These may take longer to reach, but offer a greater sense of open bushveld plains.

This accessibility is both a blessing and a curse. Some are perhaps a little too accessible so that you struggle to feel that you’re really in the bush when on safari. As we have visited every game lodge in the Eastern Cape, we are experts at advising you which lodge will suit your needs. Some specialize in family safaris with special kid’s safari activities. Prime examples are Mark's Camp and Shamwari Riverdene Lodge

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