Eastern Cape

Big Five safaris in the malaria-free Eastern Cape game reserves. The Karoo interior offers stunning scenery, wilderness safaris and frontier history.

Overview

The Eastern Cape is known for its scenic diversity and adventure. It is packed with raw beauty ranging from lush coastal forests to arid desert landscapes.

A focal point of the Eastern Cape is its malaria free game reserves. On the Coast, the attractive sandy beaches of the Wild Coast, the Ciskei and St Francis Bay are backed by forested dunes, and rolling pastures, offering some of the most unspoilt coastal scenery in South Africa. Inland lies the immensely beautiful Karoo with its majestic panoramas and frontier history.

The Eastern cape offers malaria free game-viewing and stunning scenery. The temperate climate and gently undulating hills lend themselves to game viewing.  With fewer trees obscuring sightings, no malaria, and better vantage points, it is easy to see why. There is a choice of game lodges to suit everyone from honeymoon couples to families. Groups of friends or family parties can enjoy some of the smaller safari lodges on an exclusive basis.

The Eastern Cape is one of the prime malaria free safari areas of South Africa. The Addo Elephant Park with its large and relaxed elephant herds is joined by several private game reserves. All offer big five safaris orientated towards families.

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Sonja Brand

Africa Travel Specialist
Our experienced band of Safari Planners can create a bespoke plan for you. More enriching, more restorative and making more of a difference. Discover how working with a specialist adds value to your African adventure.
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Features

Why you may love it

  • Malaria-free safaris.
  • Long sandy beaches at Kenton, Port St Alfred and St Francis Bay.
  • Family safaris & kid’s activities at many Eastern Cape game lodges.
  • Majestic Karoo scenery with superb star-gazing & cheetah sightings.
  • Superb links golf courses at Port Elizabeth, St Francis and Port St Alfred.

Where to go in Eastern Cape

These are some of the best rated places to visit in Eastern Cape based on popularity and experience rating by our travelers

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Addo Elephant Park

Addo offers close-up elephant encounters and malaria free safaris as well as horse-riding and hiking in the beautiful Zuurberg mountains.

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Eastern Cape Game Reserves

Enjoy Big Five game-viewing on day and night drives in one of the malaria-free private game reserves of the Eastern Cape.

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Graaff-Reinet & the Karoo

If you like getting off the beaten track, head to Graaff-Reinet or the surrounding Great Karoo, with its dramatic landscape, frontier history and huge skies.

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Port Elizabeth & St Francis Bay

Port Elizabeth & St Francis are the gateway to the Eastern Cape and offer sandy beaches, cultural tours & great links golf courses.

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The Wild Coast

The Wild Coast offers a striking remote coastline. Families & walkers particularly enjoy this area with family-friendly coastal resorts on offer.

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Explore the Eastern Cape map

When to visit Eastern Cape

 

November to March

Summer in Eastern Cape

The Eastern Cape is in the transitional climate zone between the Summer rainfall region of the north and east of South Africa and the Meditterranean climate of the Western Cape. The main characteristic is that rain is more evenly spread between summer and winter. Summer tends to be warm and humid with moderate rain. Game-viewing in the Eastern Cape is thus less seasonal than elsewhere in Southern Africa. This rainfall is quite high along the Wild Coast, whereas the interior of the Karoo tends to dry and hot.
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AVG RAINFALL 44 mm
AVG DAYLIGHT 8 Hours
MAX TEMP 24 ℃ / 75 ℉
MIN TEMP 19 ℃ / 66 ℉
 

April to mid-May

Summer in Eastern Cape

This is a good time to visit as well as temperatures remain very pleasant and the rain is moderate.
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AVG RAINFALL 55mm
AVG DAYLIGHT 7 Hours
MAX TEMP 21.5 ℃ / 71 ℉
MIN TEMP 13.5 ℃ / 57 ℉
 

Mid-May to August

Winter in Eastern Cape

These is our winter months which are characterised by cold winter nights, especially away from the coast but pleasant winter days of 20-22C. Though there is not much rain during the winter, game-viewing can be quite a cold experience. However many game lodges offer safari offers to warm up the experience.
TALK TO US
AVG RAINFALL 59 mm
AVG DAYLIGHT 7 Hours
MAX TEMP 18 ℃ / 64 ℉
MIN TEMP 10 ℃ / 50 ℉
 

September to October

Summer in Eastern Cape

This is an attractive time to visit. Whales visit the coastal areas from July to November, peaking in number between September and October. The nights are much warmer and the days are sunny and warm but not hot. Great time for game-viewing.
TALK TO US
AVG RAINFALL 63 mm
AVG DAYLIGHT 8 Hours
MAX TEMP 21 ℃ / 69 ℉
MIN TEMP 14 ℃ / 57 ℉

Popular tours & safaris

We arrange trips to more than 100+ destinations throughout the African continent.

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Mellow Cape Self-drive Safari

This popular and leisurely self-drive tour begins in Cape Town and meanders through the Winelands, the whale country around Hermanus, taking Route 62 to the Little Karoo and the Garden Route and...

WHEN Aug - Apr
DURATION 13 Nights
FROM $ 2,675
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Water Babies Family Self-drive

This relaxing tour, using moderate accommodation, is ideal for the South African summer, spring and autumn. As the Western and Eastern Cape is malaria-free, this holiday is ideal for babies upwards.

WHEN Aug - May
DURATION 13 Nights
FROM $ 12,673
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Gourmet & Boutique South Africa

The Gourmet & Boutique South Africa tour focuses on staying at smaller boutique lodges and enjoying both the fine wine and gourmet food that South Africa is famous for, as well as its superb...

WHEN Aug - May
DURATION 11 Nights
FROM $ 4,915
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Rovos Rail African Golf Collage luxury train journey

This glorious 10 day luxury train journey on Rovos Rail winds its way through some of the most scenic parts of South Africa: the Kruger National park, Swaziland, KwaZulu Natal, Addo Elephant Park,...

WHEN Oct - May
DURATION 9 Nights
FROM $ 6,319
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Winter Wonderland Offer

Enjoy this winter offer which adds up to a magnetic 12 nights for the price of only 8! Visit four of the highlights of any South African holiday, having some extra time to really explore by making...

WHEN Apr - Sept
DURATION 12 Nights
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Accommodation

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Eastern Cape Game Reserves

Kariega Settlers Drift Lodge

Kariega Settlers Drift Lodge comprises nine spacious tented suites, each with stunning views and secluded viewing decks. Gazing down from the decks overlooking the Bushman's River, it feels as if...

PRICE (PPS) $ 590
RATING Luxury
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Eastern Cape Game Reserves

Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge

Kwandwe Game Reserve offers 22,000ha of pristine malaria-free wilderness with a magnificent, ecologically varied landscape resulting in a diverse range of game: elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo well...

PRICE (PPS) $ 727
RATING Luxury
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Eastern Cape Game Reserves

Kwandwe Ecca Lodge

Kwandwe Game Reserve offers 22,000ha of pristine malaria-free wilderness with a magnificent, ecologically varied landscape. This results in a diverse range of game including elephant, lion, rhino,...

PRICE (PPS) $ 727
RATING Luxury
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Eastern Cape Game Reserves

Lalibela Kichaka Lodge

Kichaka Game Lodge is an exclusive five star luxury lodge located within the Lalibela game reserve which covers five ecosystems, giving a breathtaking diversity of fauna and flora. You see a wide...

PRICE (PPS) $ 491
RATING Luxury
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Eastern Cape Game Reserves

Kariega River Lodge

Kariega River Lodge is Kariega's superior four star game lodge with a stunning riverside setting. Perched on the banks of the Bushmans River, it offers spectacular river views from its ten...

PRICE (PPS) $ 393
RATING Premier
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Eastern Cape Game Reserves

Amakhala HillsNek Lodge

Positioned in a secluded corner of the Amakhala Game Reserve in the malaria-free Eastern Cape of South Africa, lies HillsNek Lodge. This intimate family-run lodge is set on the banks of the...

PRICE (PPS) $ 392
RATING Luxury
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Brilliant safari in Eastern Cape

"Our safari on the Eastern Cape was brilliant – we would have had to sacrifice a day of safari for a day of travel if we had gone to the larger/better known areas and we are so glad that we didn’t, and that we were advised that safari on the Eastern Cape would be just as good." Ms Winter, UK

Experiences in Eastern Cape

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Addo Elephant Park day tours

You can visit the Addo Elephant Park either as a half day safari with a pick-up from the country hotels in the Addo area, or as a full day tour either from Port Elizabeth or Addo. The expansion...

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Wild Coast Meander

This unique Eastern Cape walking trail offers you the opportunity to walk a section of the magnificent Wild Coast, a nature lover's paradise. This is one of a number of ‘slackpacking’ walking...

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Addo River Trip

Explore a different side of Addo on the Addo River Trip and view game on the riverbank while you drift down some of the most scenic parts of the Sunday’s River in a custom designed, comfortable...

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Zuurberg Mountains – Mountain Biking & Hiking

There are some great outdoor options in Addo Elephant Park include mountain biking and hiking in the lovely Zuurberg mountains. This is a remote, pristine, and lush forest section of the greater...

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Schotia Safaris Private Game Reserve

This is a good day safari to combine with a visit to Addo Elephant Park. It’s not the most ‘exclusive’ of experiences as it focuses mainly on day visitors but we do recommend it for families...

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Dolphin & Whale-watching ocean safaris in Port Elizabeth

Enjoy a morning ocean safari from Port Elizabeth where you have the chance to spot whales in season as well as dolphins and penguins. Funds generated from whale watching boat cruises and other...

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Day tours in Port Elizabeth

If you find yourself in Port Elizabeth for a day or so, there are a number of half and full day tours we can book for you (in conjunction with accommodation.) These explore the history, art,...

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Did you know
  • HealthMalaria free
  • Famous peopleBirth and resting place of Nelson Mandela

Eastern Cape Articles

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Affordable & Romantic Honeymoon Lodges in South Africa - check out 8 lodges to love

We love places that offer value for money! That’s why we’d like to share some affordable yet romantic honeymoon lodges in South Africa with you. Let’s face it, when you dream about your...

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Malaria Free Game Reserves in South Africa

South Africa is unique in Africa in offering several malaria free Game Reserves and parks. These are ideal if you have young children under six, or you cannot take anti-malaria medication. There...

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The Road Less Travelled in South Africa – 5 Must Sees

Let’s face it, for many of us the idea of venturing off into the vast unknown is an attractive daydream. No people, no hassle, no traffic – just wide open vistas and gaping silence. Plus the...

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Gloria Darvall

Africa Travel Specialist

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