SOUTH AFRICA’S EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE IS HOME TO THE FAMOUS ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK AS WELL AS AN OUTSTANDING SELECTION OF PRIVATE CONCESSIONS AND AWARD-WINNING PRIVATE GAME RESERVES. IT IS WHERE BIG FIVE SAFARIS AWAIT IN MALARIA-FREE AREAS THAT ARE EASY TO ACCESS FROM CAPE TOWN AND THE GARDEN ROUTE. IN FACT, MANY TRAVELLERS START OR CONCLUDE THEIR GARDEN ROUTE ROAD TRIP WITH A WILDLIFE ADVENTURE IN THE PROVINCE. THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF SUBLIME ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS FOR COUPLES, FAMILIES AND GROUPS. TRACKING GAME IN OPEN 4X4 SAFARI VEHICLES, GUIDED BUSH WALKS, SUNDOWNER BOAT CRUISES, NIGHT DRIVES AND DINING UNDER THE STARS ARE BUT SOME OF THE EXHILARATING EXPERIENCES ON OFFER.
Addo, established in 1931, is a haven for more than 600 elephants that roam freely, often in large herds which makes for a humbling sight. Having gained a marine reserve with its incorporation of the Woody Cape Nature Reserve, the park is now home to the Big Seven: Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, Lion, Rhino, Whale and the Great White Shark! Supporting ‘actors’ include zebra, hartebeest, antelopes and hundreds of birds that all revel amongst rolling green hills and meandering rivers.
Expansive game reserves such as Kwandwe and Shamwari sustain a significant amount of wildlife. Excellent cheetah sightings and its population of highly endangered blue cranes make Kwandwe Game Reserve popular, especially for birders. In addition to the Big Five, the award-winning Shamwari Game Reserve is a sanctuary for wild dog, cheetah, hyena, hippo, giraffe and zebra. The reserve is also renowned for responsible tourism and its opulent Bayethe Lodge.
The smaller, family-owned Kariega is an undeniably breathtaking private game reserve with superb suites set between the Kariega and Bushman’s rivers. It is synonymous with incredible flora and abundant fauna—including the Big Five and a marvellous variety of birds—spread across five different ecosystems. On top of two game drives a day, rangers facilitate kayaking adventures and wildlife-spotting cruises.
Flanked by the Great Fish River, Kwandwe Game Reserve is home to a wealth of unique and interesting animals as well as the famous five. Night drives and interpretative bush walks are top attractions here. Smaller reserves such as Amakhala and Pumba offer day visitor safaris. Amakhala is also admired for its unique conservation initiative while Pumba attracts visitors with a range of activities that include archery, fishing and star-gazing.
Addo, established in 1931, is a haven for more than 600 elephants that roam freely, often in large herds which makes for a humbling sight. Having gained a marine reserve with its incorporation of the Woody Cape Nature Reserve, the park is now home to the Big Seven: Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, Lion, Rhino, Whale and the Great White Shark! Supporting ‘actors’ include zebra, hartebeest, antelopes and hundreds of birds that all revel amongst rolling green hills and meandering rivers.
Expansive game reserves such as Kwandwe and Shamwari sustain a significant amount of wildlife. Excellent cheetah sightings and its population of highly endangered blue cranes make Kwandwe Game Reserve popular, especially for birders. In addition to the Big Five, the award-winning Shamwari Game Reserve is a sanctuary for wild dog, cheetah, hyena, hippo, giraffe and zebra. The reserve is also renowned for responsible tourism and its opulent Bayethe Lodge.
The smaller, family-owned Kariega is an undeniably breathtaking private game reserve with superb suites set between the Kariega and Bushman’s rivers. It is synonymous with incredible flora and abundant fauna—including the Big Five and a marvellous variety of birds—spread across five different ecosystems. On top of two game drives a day, rangers facilitate kayaking adventures and wildlife-spotting cruises.
Flanked by the Great Fish River, Kwandwe Game Reserve is home to a wealth of unique and interesting animals as well as the famous five. Night drives and interpretative bush walks are top attractions here. Smaller reserves such as Amakhala and Pumba offer day visitor safaris. Amakhala is also admired for its unique conservation initiative while Pumba attracts visitors with a range of activities that include archery, fishing and star-gazing.
