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Easily attached to a Garden Route itinerary, the Eastern Cape has perhaps done more than any other area to put conservation on the map in South Africa.
Addo Elephant National Park and Shamwari Game Reserve
Led by the Addo Elephant National Park and Shamwari, increasing numbers of former farms are being turned over to conservation, fences are coming down and the land is being restored to its natural state. Much of the area is characterised by Karoo vegetation, a semi-arid environment of thick scrub and rolling hills, dotted with weird succulents.
The Big Five
Most of the reserves are now home to the Big Five, and wild dog are making a welcome return as well.
The favourable location, quality accommodation, lack of malaria and good game viewing have contributed to a surge in popularity for Eastern Cape safaris.
who's been there
Start planning your tailor-made trip to the Eastern Cape Game Areas by calling one of our South Africa specialists on 01993 838 550
Places to visit in the Eastern Cape Game Areas
Featuring heavily on our experiences of visiting the Eastern Cape Game Areas, these selected places are destinations that also prove consistently popular with our travellers. Our specialists can help you choose how to include them in your wider trip, based on your preferences.
Addo Elephant National Park
Amakhala Game Reserve
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Shamwari Private Game Reserve
Suggested itineraries featuring the Eastern Cape Game Areas
Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in the Eastern Cape Game Areas, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Discover South Africa
Explore South Africa's bustling Cape Town, and journey along the scenic Garden Route, ending your trip with a safari in the Eastern Cape.
Highlights of South Africa self-drive
Explore the delights of Cape Town, beautiful Winelands Region and Garden Route on a self-drive itinerary, with time to view big game in the Eastern Cape at the end.
Map of the Eastern Cape Game Areas
Places & hotels on the map
Places in and around the Eastern Cape Game Areas
- Addo Elephant National Park The Eastern Cape Game Areas
- Amakhala Game Reserve The Eastern Cape Game Areas
- Kwandwe Private Game Reserve The Eastern Cape Game Areas
- Pumba Private Game Reserve The Eastern Cape Game Areas
- Shamwari Private Game Reserve The Eastern Cape Game Areas
- Port Elizabeth 54 miles away
- East London 99 miles away
- Tsitsikamma Forest 152 miles away
- Plettenberg Bay 174 miles away
- Knysna 191 miles away
- Coffee Bay 195 miles away
- The Klein Karoo 196 miles away
- Wilderness 217 miles away
- Port St Johns 228 miles away
- The Cango Caves & Swartberg Pass 235 miles away
- Oudtshoorn & Surrounds 236 miles away
- Calitzdorp 265 miles away
- Lesotho 295 miles away
Photos of the Eastern Cape Game Areas
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![Eastern Cape Game Areas, South Africa]()
Eastern Cape Game Areas, South Africa -
![Game drive in Kwandwe]()
Game drive in Kwandwe -
![Elephant family in Addo Elephant Park]()
Elephant family in Addo Elephant Park -
![Hippo, Shamwari]()
Hippo, Shamwari -
![White rhino, Eastern Cape]()
White rhino, Eastern Cape -
![Game drive in Kwandwe]()
Game drive in Kwandwe -
![Addo Elephant National Park]()
Addo Elephant National Park -
![Leopard, Shamwari]()
Leopard, Shamwari
Accommodation choices for the Eastern Cape Game Areas
We’ve selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit the Eastern Cape Game Areas. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.
Great Fish River Lodge
Relax and gaze over endless views of the reserve from your private plunge pool high above the Fish River. This is a place of space and tranquility to enjoy between game drives in search of the Big Five.
Shamwari Bayethe Tented Lodge
A luxury tented African safari lodge that offers a complete bush relaxation experience, situated in the malaria-free Shamwari Game Reserve.
Ecca Lodge
Ecca Lodge is found on a vegetated hillside in the heart of Kwandwe Reserve. The lodge has been decorated to the highest standards with a strong African influence infused with bright colours.
Camp Figtree
This luxury colonial lodge is set on top of the stunning Zuurberg Mountain Range, making the views from Camp Figtree superb; the atmosphere is also very relaxed.
Eagles Crag Lodge
A stunning lodge, which gets you amazingly close to nature, housed amongst the forest itself. The suites are a delight, very comfortable and spacious, with a really unique design and great views.
Riverdene Lodge
Riverdene is ideal for families, allowing children age four upwards on safari. They run a children's programme and have a playroom at the lodge, as well as extensive baby-sitting facilities.
Long Lee Manor
A graceful and elegant place to stay while on safari, Long Lee is larger than the other lodges on the Shamwari Reserve and offers a convivial atmosphere without compromising on comfort or service.
The Elephant House
The Elephant House can be found moments away from the Addo Elephant National Park Main Gate and is a lovely place to return to after touring around viewing wildlife throughout the day.
Kuzuko Lodge
This is a lovely lodge in a good spot in Addo, with great views. It is very family-friendly, and offers great value for money with a good standard of accommodation and good variety of safari activities.
Amakhala Bush Lodge
Amakhala Bush Lodge is a luxury tented camp in the Amakhala reserve. Each room overlooks the nearby waterhole where guests can watch visiting wildlife between game drives.
Kariega River Lodge
Kariega is a vast private game reserve in the Eastern Cape, which contains the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant). The lodge has ten thatched suites which are all superbly appointed.
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve - Great Fish River Lodge
Kwandwe is situated in a private reserve totaling an impressive 22,000 hectares, offering a visitor density far lower than most other game parks and reserves in the Eastern Cape.
Amakhala Bukela Game Lodge
Bukela Game Lodge is a five star lodge based in the Amakhala Reserve nestled in a hidden valley tucked away amongst indigenous bushes and trees. The thatched buildings are connected by wooden walk ways and the lodge has a very tranquil relaxed feel ideal for resting in between your game drives.
Amakhala Hillsnek
Hillsnek is a small, intimate safari camp consisting of just three tents, meaning that the entire safari experience here is very exclusive and personalised.
Amakhala Leeuwenbosch
The lodge is in a fenced compound within the reserve and is very family friendly with beautiful gardens, with pool, to relax in between game drives, as well as Bill's bar for unwinding after dinner.
Amakhala Woodbury Tented Lodge
Woodbury Tented Lodge consists of ten spacious tents; each is a simply furnished with the essentials you need. Sleeping under canvas gives you an authentic safari experience hearing the sounds of the African bush.
Amakhala Safari Lodge
Safari Lodge has just 11 rooms, each a luxury thatched hut with en-suite bathroom, with bath and outdoor shower, air-conditioning and private patio area. The décor has strong African touches, lending the lodge an authentic safari ambience.
Amakhala Woodbury Lodge
Woodbury Lodge consists of six spacious rooms; each a thatched chalet with en-suite bathroom, air-conditioning and a private deck. The rooms have a traditional African feel giving an authentic safari experience.