Elephant are one of the Big Five you can see in the Eastern Cape

Visit the Eastern Cape Game Areas, South Africa

Visit the Eastern Cape Game Areas, South Africa

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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

Private Game Reserve, Eastern Cape Game AreasMost 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.

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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.

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.

Map of the Eastern Cape Game Areas

Places & hotels on the map

    Places in and around the Eastern Cape Game Areas

    Photos of the Eastern Cape Game Areas

    • Eastern Cape Game Areas, South Africa
      Eastern Cape Game Areas, South Africa
    • Giraffe
      Giraffe
    • Mother and baby elephant
      Mother and baby elephant
    • Roaming leopard in The Eastern Cape
      Roaming leopard in The Eastern Cape
    • Male leopard in The Eastern Cape
      Male leopard in The Eastern Cape
    • Stalking leopard in The Eastern Cape
      Stalking leopard in The Eastern Cape
    • Lions relaxing in The Eastern Cape
      Lions relaxing in The Eastern Cape
    • Elephant playing in The Eastern Cape
      Elephant playing in The Eastern Cape

    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.

    • Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge,Eastern Cape Game Areas

      Great Fish River Lodge

      Deluxe

      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.

    • Kwandwe Ecca Lodge deck

      Ecca Lodge

      Deluxe

      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.

    • Shamwari Eagles Crag Lodge

      Eagles Crag Lodge

      First Class

      A stunning lodge, which gets you amazingly close to nature, housed among the forest itself. The suites are a delight, very comfortable and spacious, with a really unique design and great views.

    • Shamwari Riverdene Lodge, Eastern Cape Game Areas

      Riverdene Lodge

      First Class

      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.

    • Garden room, Shamwari Long Lee Manor, Eastern Cape Game Areas

      Long Lee Manor

      First Class

      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.

    • Amakhala Woodbury Tented Lodge. Viewing Deck

      Amakhala Woodbury Tented Lodge

      Medium

      Sleep under canvas to the sounds of the African bush at Woodbury Tented Camp. Located in the malaria-free Amakhala Game Reserve, you can head out on excellent game drives in the surrounding area.

    • Bayethe Tented Lodge, lounge area

      Shamwari Bayethe Tented Lodge

      First Class

      A luxury tented African safari lodge that offers a complete bush relaxation experience, situated in the malaria-free Shamwari Game Reserve.

    • Amakhala Bukela Game Lodge, Eastern Cape Game Areas

      Amakhala Bukela Game Lodge

      First Class

      Bukela Game Lodge is a five star lodge based in the Amakhala Reserve nestled in a hidden valley tucked away among 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, Eastern Cape Game Areas

      Amakhala Hillsnek

      First Class

      Hillsnek is a small, intimate safari camp consisting of just three tents, meaning that the entire safari experience here is very exclusive and personalised.

    • Kuzuko Lodge, The Addo Elephant Park

      Kuzuko Lodge

      Medium

      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.

    • Camp Figtree, The Addo Elephant Park

      Camp Figtree

      Medium

      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.

    • Boma, Amakhala Safari Lodge

      Amakhala Safari Lodge

      First Class

      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, Eastern Cape Game Areas

      Amakhala Woodbury Lodge

      First Class

      Woodbury Lodge consists of seven 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.

    • The Elephant House, The Addo Elephant Park

      The Elephant House

      Simple

      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.

    • Kariega River Lodge

      Kariega River Lodge

      First Class

      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.

    • Amakhala Bush Lodge, Eastern Cape Game Areas

      Amakhala Bush Lodge

      First Class

      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.