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032 Eastern Cape South Africa

In many respects, the Eastern Cape is a microcosm of the best of South Africa.

Its varied geography includes surf-lashed beaches, such as those found along the Wild Coast and Sunshine Coast, and large industrial cities like Port Elizabeth and East London. Additionally, the region boasts arid desert landscapes, exemplified by the Great Karoo, and lush green walking trails traversing mountain passes and coastal cliffs, particularly in the Tsitsikamma and Hogsback areas.

The Eastern Cape's climate is equally diverse, ranging from the temperate conditions along the coast to the semi-arid conditions of the inland areas. This variation in climate contributes to the unique ecosystems found throughout the province, supporting an array of plant and animal species.

Wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate the numerous national parks and game reserves scattered across the Eastern Cape. The reserves here are more compact than elsewhere, but what they lack in scale they make up for in an abundance of wildlife — including all the Big Five. Addo Elephant National Park, renowned for its thriving elephant population, also hosts lions, buffaloes, rhinos, and leopards, completing the Big Five experience. The Mountain Zebra National Park, located near Cradock, is home to the Cape mountain zebra and other endemic species.

Going on safari in the Eastern Cape always feels a little like cheating. But why shouldn’t we see elephants and big cats and other safari specials not far from world-class beaches and the peerless city of Cape Town? Smaller reserves add to the sense of safaris that are custom-made for slotting into an all-round South African holiday.

With easy access from major travel hubs, excellent tourist infrastructure and the possibility of slotting beaches, Cape Town and other attractions into the mix, the Eastern Cape is one of the most rewarding and deservedly popular wildlife destinations in South Africa, with a range of parks to explore.

Hidden gems in Eastern Cape

Eastern Cape

Pumba Game Reserve

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler
Place

Best game reserve for: The Big Five and big city access Being very close to the sprawling city of Port Elizabeth and open to day guests (though only those who take one of the reserve’s organised safaris), means that Pumba Game Reserve receives a lot more visitors than some of the region’s remoter parks. As with any Eastern Cape reserve worth its salt, Pumba has all the Big Five as well cheetah, hippo, 300-odd bird species and unusual white lions. Alongside safaris, other activities include walking safaris, nocturnal game drives, specialist birding safaris, fishing, archery — and there’s even a spa for good measure.

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Eastern Cape

Lalibela Game Reserve

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler
Place

Best game reserve for: The Big Five and big city access Spanning five different ecosystems and home to an impressive range of plants and animals, this malaria-free, Big Five reserve is the only private reserve in the Eastern Cape that has no public roads running through it. This means that the wildlife here (which as well as the Big Five also includes zebra, impala, giraffe, cheetah and jackal among others) can be seen in a still and pristine environment that feels a long way from human hands. Fortunately though, civilisation and a gin and tonic are always on hand at one of the park’s luxury lodges. Being only about an hour from Addo Elephant National Park and the city of Port Elizabeth, means that Lalibela is easily reached.

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Eastern Cape

Kwantu Private Game Reserve

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler
Place

Best game reserve for: Family holidays and Big Five safaris At 6,000 hectares, the Kwantu Private Game Reserve is a relatively small reserve by African standards, but with all the Big Five present as well as a host of less celebrated creatures it’s easy to fill several safari days here. As with many Eastern Cape reserves, a heart-pumping vehicle safari is not the only reason to visit. The reserve also offers swimming pools, top-class accommodation, a domestic animal “touch” farm, herb garden, reptile centre, museum and sports. This is also a highly recommended family safari park. The reserve is open to day visitors (although they must use park vehicles and have a guide) which can reduce the exclusivity aspect a little.

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Eastern Cape

Kariega Game Reserve

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler
Place

Best game reserve for: Big city access and self-drive safaris The family-owned and managed Kariega is a 10,000-hectare private reserve made up of former ranch and farmland. Restocked, as almost all the parks and reserves in Eastern Cape have been, with native wildlife that was wiped out in the 1800s and 1900s, Kariega today has thriving populations of all the classic large mammals of southern Africa. The coastal bush and lush river valleys give the reserve a rare scenic beauty. With a combination of quality accommodation, superb guides, lots of different activities and proximity to the beaches of the Garden Route, Kariega is almost the perfect destination for a short safari break.

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Eastern Cape

Shamwari Game Reserve

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler
Place

Best game reserve for: Family holidays and luxury lodges Perhaps the best regarded — and most exclusive — of all the private game reserves in the Eastern Cape, Shamwari is a short drive to the east of Addo Elephant National Park. Like that park, it is home to a large number of classic African safari mammals including rhinos, elephants and lions. What makes this park really stand out from the wildebeest herd is the range of activities available alongside classic safari drives. There’s a rhino awareness centre, a big cat sanctuary, plus field guide courses and conservation volunteer opportunities for those who want a deeper look at South African conservation techniques. With a dedicated children’s coordinator and a range of child-friendly activities, this is one of the better family safari destinations in the country. Shamwari is only open to guests at its very plush lodges and the Edwardian manor house.

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Eastern Cape

Addo Elephant National Park

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler
Place

This, one of South Africa’s largest national parks, is best known for its namesake elephants. But this diverse park, which includes river valleys, mountains, savannahs, forests and beaches, has much more to offer. A few lions saunter in and out of the shadows, and buffalo, various antelope and even rhino are all present, but there are also plenty of unexpected safari animals including Cape fur seals, penguins, southern right whales and — for those brave enough to go for a paddle — great white sharks. But it’s those elephants that most people come to see. When the park was formed back in the 1930s there were fewer than a dozen elephants here. Today there are more than 600 and sightings are almost a given. As well as fantastic wildlife, Addo has excellent tourist facilities and accommodation, easy access, a good road network and, with hiking, kayaking and horse riding, plenty of activities to get you out of the cramped safari vehicle. This is also one of the better family safari destinations.

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Eastern Cape

Kwandwe Game Reserve

Anthony Ham
Anthony Ham
Place

This 220-sq-km reserve is larger than most in the eastern Cape, and yet has just two small lodges in which to stay: overcrowding at wildlife sightings just doesn’t happen here. I’ve often had big cat and rhino sightings to myself here; the rhinos in particular seem oblivious to vehicles and I’ve been so close, I could have leaned out to touch them. And I just love the night drives: there’s nothing quite like seeing a porcupine waddling along a night road, confusing the hell out of lions.

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Eastern Cape

Amakhala Game Reserve

Anthony Ham
Anthony Ham
Place

Of all the private reserves in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, Amakhala is my pick. Relatively unheralded and yet filled with animals, it offers the kind of safari experience that will appeal to families as well as to veteran safari visitors. Big cat, elephant and rhino sightings are consistently excellent, and the habitat here enables an unusual range of activities, from standard game drives in an open-sided 4WD to walking safaris and boat trips.

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Eastern Cape tours

The Southern African Experience
Southern Africa

The Southern African Experience

Explore Africa's most stunning destinations, including the Victoria Falls and the Okavango Delta
12 days From $4,300 pp
Wonders of South Africa
South Africa

Wonders of South Africa

15 days from Port Elizabeth to Kruger
15 days From £4,125 pp
Family self-drive along the Garden Route
Eastern Cape

Family self-drive along the Garden Route

13 days From $6,900 pp
South Africa Safaris
South Africa

South Africa Safaris

Tailor-made safaris to match your budget
3 – 14 days $950$8,950 pp
South Africa small group safaris
South Africa

South Africa small group safaris

Escorted small group safari tours
8 – 24 days £1,125£5,150 pp
South Africa Self-Drive Highlights
South Africa

South Africa Self-Drive Highlights

Take in the highlights at your own pace on this awesome road trip.
17 days From £2,435 pp

Eastern Cape travel companies

Africa

Wayfairer

Tailor-made luxury travel
Zambia

Absolute Zambia Safaris

Custom safari holidays to Zambia
Africa

Wild Frontiers

Safaris into East, West and Southern Africa
Botswana

African Wild

Botswana tours and safaris
Africa

Take Me To Africa

Experts in small group travel to Africa
Central America, Africa, Central Asia

YellowWood Adventures

Sustainable travel for the modern-day explorer
Africa

African Encounters

South America, Africa, Europe (and 1 more)

The Adventure People

The Most Inspiring & Exciting Adventure Holidays On Earth.

Places to go in Eastern Cape

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