The Greater Kruger is not the only option for a safari in South Africa, despite it being the largest wildlife conservancy in Africa and prime destination for game viewing. There are plenty of other private big five game reserves dotted throughout South Africa, many of which can be found extending across the coast and inland of the Eastern Cape. A safari to the Eastern Cape is the perfect option for holidaymakers that simply don’t have the time to fly to the Kruger if they’re living it up in Cape Town and the Garden Route region.
The Kruger is wild and expansive with a different biome to the Eastern Cape. The Kruger is quite arid with plenty of mopane and an abundance of species, while the Eastern Cape reserves have a combination of Karoo scrub and coastal vegetation. One of the major draw-cards of the Eastern Cape is that it is declared a malaria-free zone, making it an ideal safari destination for families. The reserves are more confined and don’t share unfenced borders with neighbouring reserves, which means game doesn’t migrate.
Apart from the Addo Elephant Park that offers self-catering options for the more budget conscious safari, the reserves scattered in the Eastern Cape region provide a more exclusive, luxury experience. This caters for those wanting the idyllic safari experience with daily game drives, boma dinners, sundowners, bush walks and knowledge from guides.
Here are our top five big 5 safari options in the Eastern Cape :
Shamwari is steeped in safari history and offers its visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves in complete luxury, while learning about the various conservation initiatives undertaken by the group. Shamwari offers a variety of different styles of safari, catering for all types of safari-goer. There is the Explorer Tented Camp which offers guests the chance to enjoy a 3 day guided walking safari between October – April. This is ideal for the more adventurous guest that enjoys the creature comforts of home.
Sarili Lodge is perfect for families and has sweeping views of the Bushmans River, while Riverdene Lodge also caters for families but is designed to look more like a homestead; and the Lobengula Lodge is a tranquil retreat hiding deep within the thickets of the lush bushveld. The lodge has been designed to resemble an African kraal, and is ideal for couples. The Longlee Manor is an Edwardian style manor house ideal for both business and leisure travellers, and is neatly perched on perfectly manicured lawns. Eagles Crag is Shamwari’s premier lodge and offers an exclusive sense of privacy combined with a unique location.
The standard daily game drives, with sundowners, boma dinners and more can be expected at Shamwari.
The beauty of Lalibela Game Reserve is that it boast 5 different eco systems spanning across 9000 hectares of private reserve. This means there’s a wide variety of game, vegetation and incredible views. There are three accommodation options, with a fourth one opening up shortly.
All accommodation is luxurious, but each with a different type of safari theme. “Treetops” has canvas and wood constructions eye level with the trees, and joined via rustic wooden walkways. There’s an expansive lounge with a view over the waterhole and valley below, making it the perfect place to unwind after your morning game drive.
Lentaba is the lodge on the hillside, which offers an intimate safari experience catering for just 20 people in secluded thatched chalets. There are private decks overlooking manicured gardens and it offers a peaceful oasis in the midst of the ‘veld. Mark’s Camp also sleeps 20 people and is the quintessential spot for birders, who quite literally flock to the camp to observe waders congregating at the huge waterhole.
Re-launching soon is the 100 year old Edwardian Mills Manor, a private homestyle manor ideal for a small group seeking exclusivity.
The best thing about Lalibela? It has its own private airstrip!
The closest town to Samara Private Game Reserve is Graaff-Reniet, which is situated at the end of the Garden Route and start of the Eastern Cape. Located in the arid Karoo region means visitors can expect vast landscapes on Samara’s 70,000 acres of wilderness. This is a great place for children – there is even a kids activity centre and programme that encourages conservation from a young age.
Visitors can expect game drives, guided walks, sleeping under the stars, wilderness picnics, bird-watching, mountain biking and conservation programs. There are two 5 star luxury game lodges, one of which is the Karoo Lodge – a restored and renovated farmstead overlooking the mountains. The Manor is an exclusive villa with a private pool, butler and game ranger.
The Amakhala Game Reserve is situated in the greater Addo region and expands over 7,500 ha of pristine reserve. There are a wide variety of accommodation options in the reserve that cater for a different budgets. There’s an array of 3, 4 and 5 star lodges, tented camps and private villas. Overall there are 11 accommodation options scattered throughout the reserve. A few of these lodges include the Bukela Game Lodge, Carnarvon Dale Lodge and Quartermain’s 1920’s Safari Camp.
Pumba Water Lodge in Pumba Private Game Reserve overlooks Lake Kariega and offers a traverse of 6000 ha, making it the third largest privately owner game reserve in the Eastern Cape. The Pumba Water Lodge is a luxury lodge offering a range of activities – guests can even enjoy archery!
Visitors will be pleased to know that there are white lions in this reserve, thanks to Pumba’s White Lion project which seeks to establish a sustainable self-sufficient pride of lions comprising white and split gene species. Pumba Private Game Reserve has been listed as one of the top safari destinations in the world due to its conservation efforts.
In terms of accommodation, there are 12 stone walled thatched chalets with timber footpaths adjoining main areas. Each chalet has its own verandah, outdoor shower and plunge pools. Bathrooms are indulgent and offer an escape for the world-weary traveller.
