Epic safaris in a malaria-free area

It means that the game reserves in the Eastern Cape are outside the zones where malaria is endemic; visitors don’t need to take anti-malarial medication solely because of being in those reserves. It’s a safer option, especially for families with small children, pregnant travellers, or those who prefer avoiding malaria risk.

You can expect to see the Big Five (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, and leopard), plus a wide variety of herbivores (zebra, giraffe, antelope, wildebeest), other predators (hyena,caracal), and a rich birdlife (over 400 species recorded in some reserves). Please note: Leopard sightings are rare and not as frequent as in Kruger and Botswana. Leopards roam freely around the Eastern Cape region and do not necessarily stay within the boundaries of the private game reserves – (with the exception of Kwandwe Private Game Reserve where there are regular leopard sightings)

The Eastern Cape is a year-round safari destination, with great wildlife sightings in each season. Rainfall is spread throughout the year and winters and summers are quite moderate. Winter (June-August) can be quite chilly, especially on early morning game drives; bring layers!

By road: These lodges are easily accessible by private road transfer from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) or from the end of our 5 Day Garden Route group tour. We can also include any of these lodges as part of our customized private tour packages.

By air: You can also fly directly into Port Elizabeth. Once there, we’ll arrange a road transfer to take you to the lodge, which is about 1 – 1.5 hours’ drive east of the city. Daily flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth Airport are available, operated by Airlink and FlySafair.

This schedule varies by season and by lodge, but a general idea of what to expect is:

Arrival day:

• 13:00: arrival at the lodge
• 13:30: lunch served
• 15:00: high tea and snacks; time to meet your ranger
• 15:30: depart on afternoon game drive
• 19:00: return from game drive, and dinner served

Following day:

• 5:00: wakeup call
• 5:15: Coffee/tea and greet your ranger
• 5:30: depart on morning game drive
• 9:00: return from morning game drive; breakfast served
• 9:30: time to relax and enjoy the lodge
• Continue with lunch and afternoon schedule

Safari vehicles in the Eastern Cape private reserves are open Toyota Land Cruisers or Land Rovers, designed for comfort and great visibility. Most lodges limit vehicles to 6 guests, giving everyone a side seat for unobstructed views. Some lodges allow up to 9 guests per vehicle (3 guests per row); please ask your consultant about this detail when booking. All vehicles are open-sided, without windows.

These lodges are mostly 3, 4 or 5-star graded, but some lodges choose not to be star graded. It can be difficult to understand the level of the lodge and experience, especially since they are so unique. We have therefore rated lodges according to personal experience, to help our guests choose the level that suits them best.

Rustic: No star rating or 3 star (basic & rustic lodges)
Classic: No star rating or 4 star
Luxury: 5 star
Superior Luxury: 5 star +
Premium: 5 star ++

The Eastern Cape is a great choice for an authentic, family-friendly safari. Because it’s a malaria-free area, it makes a great option for safaris with children. There are several lodges that specialize in safari with children, offering things like junior ranger programs, family rooms, and child-minding services; ask your consultant for recommendations.

We recommend booking at least a two-night safari, for several reasons. Firstly, a two-night safari will include four game drives; this gives you ample opportunity to see the variety of different wildlife on a reserve. If the weather or the animals aren’t playing along on one drive, at least you have other chances later in your stay! Secondly, a two-night safari will give you time to relax and enjoy the beautiful lodge midday on your “middle” day. This makes for a more relaxing and present experience, and allows you to get a sense of the place rather than rushing in and out.

Recent videos on social media showing large crowds gathered around wildlife sightings in East Africa (Serengeti & Masai Mara) have made many travelers wonder — will my safari be this crowded?

You do not have to worry about crowds in the private reserves in the Eastern Cape. You will have excellent sightings for yourself as these reserves are not open to the general public and only guests staying at lodges on the reserve are allowed on game drives. Only one or two vehicles are allowed at a sighting at a time, and guides rotate quietly and respectfully to give everyone quality time without crowding the animals. Guides and trackers are excellent and professional and communicate via radio with other vehicles and rotate vehicles subtly and quietly, ensuring every guest enjoys quality time with the sighting, without disturbing the animal or crowding the area. Guides always prioritise the wildlife’s comfort and natural behaviour, keeping a safe and respectful distance and never interfering. This ensures an intimate, ethical, and authentic safari experience, where both guests and wildlife are respected.

The main difference lies in the location, size of the reserves, and the overall wildlife experience.

Safaris in the Eastern and Western Cape are malaria-free, easy to access, and ideal for families or first-time safari travellers. These reserves are generally smaller and more contained (ranging from about 10,000 to 60,000 hectares), which means wildlife is concentrated and sightings are frequent, but the overall wilderness area is more managed.

Many of the Cape reserves have undergone successful wildlife reintroduction programs, restoring the “Big Five” and other species to their natural habitats. The terrain here is stunning – rolling hills, fynbos-covered valleys, and dramatic mountain backdrops – and the lodges are stylish, family-friendly, and focused on comfort, relaxation, and conservation.

These lodges are also fairly easy to reach, with good roads and convenient locations that make them easy to combine with a Cape Town or Garden Route trip.

The Greater Kruger region is South Africa’s ultimate safari destination covering more than 2 million hectares, and a real wilderness experience. The private reserves around Kruger (like Sabi Sands and Thornybush) share unfenced boundaries with Kruger, allowing animals to roam freely between them, and exhibit their natural behavior of moving to find water, food, or mates.

Here, you’ll find some of the best and most consistent Big Five game viewing in Africa, combined with exceptional guiding, luxurious lodges, and strict vehicle limits at sightings. The diversity of habitats, from open savanna to riverine forest, supports abundant wildlife and predator activity, offering a more authentic, wild, and exclusive safari atmosphere.