Epic safaris in a malaria-free area
Your African bush experience
Eastern Cape Safaris
Many of our guests want to include a safari in their South African travels, and the malaria-free Eastern Cape is an excellent choice. This region is home to several private game reserves, offering the chance to see iconic South African wildlife up close. During your Eastern Cape safari, you can spot animals like lions, giraffes, African buffalo, zebras, hippos, and much more. These reserves are easily accessible from the Garden Route or Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), making them a great addition to a South African itinerary.
Shamwari Private Game Reserve
Riverdene Family Lodge
The newly renovated Riverdene Family Lodge is a family-friendly lodge situated in Shamwari Private Game Reserve. Enjoy beautiful African sunsets while your children are immersed in nature.
Closest airport: Port Elizabeth: +/- 1.5 hours’ drive (transfers can be arranged)
Perfect for: Families (children of all ages welcome)
Budget: From R55180 per 2 bedroom unit (2 adults & 2 children under 12)
Earthstompers rating: Superior Luxury Lodge
Exclusivity: Small lodge; 9 suites; 6 guests maximum per game drive
Eagles Crag Lodge
Eagles Crag Lodge This magnificent and secluded lodge is situated in a beautiful valley in the reserve. The lodge is surrounded by lush vegetation and rocky cliffs. Viewing pods offer great views of surrounding rock faces.
Closest airport: Port Elizabeth: +/- 1.5 hours’ drive (transfers can be arranged)
Perfect for: Families & Couples (children older than 12 welcome)
Budget: From R17100 per person per night
Earthstompers rating: Superior Luxury Lodge
Exclusivity: Small lodge; 9 tented suites; 6 guests maximum per game drive
Sindile Lodge
The luxurious tented camp at Sindile Lodge blends in beautifully with the surrounding veld. The lodge offers breathtaking views over the Bushman’s River and surrounding plains.
- Closest airport: Port Elizabeth: +/- 1.5 hours’ drive (transfers can be arranged)
- Perfect for: Couples & honeymoon; children older than 16 welcome
- Budget: From R18690 per person per night
- Earthstompers rating: Superior Luxury Lodge
- Exclusivity: Small lodge; 9 tented suites; 6 guests maximum per game drive
Sarili Private Lodge
Shamwari’s exclusive-use Sarili Private Lodge offers private luxury with family and friends. This 5 bedroom lodge has great views over the surrounding grassy plains and the Bushman’s River. The lodge comes with a private chef, ranger and dedicated host.
- Closest airport: Port Elizabeth: +/- 1.5 hours’ drive (transfers can be arranged)
- Perfect for: Families & small groups (children of all ages welcome)
- Budget: From R237000 (exclusive use for 10 guests)
- Earthstompers rating: Superior Luxury Lodge
- Exclusivity: Small lodge; 5 suites; exclusive use only
Kariega Private Game Reserve
Main Lodge
The beautiful family-friendly Main Lodge is situated on the top of a hill in the 10,000 hectare Kariega Private Game Reserve. The lodge is well blended into the environment and offers spectacular views over the valley below from the chalet’s and lodge’s decks.
- Closest airport: Port Elizabeth: +/- 1.5 hours’ drive (transfers can be arranged)
- Perfect for: Families & big groups (children of all ages welcome)
- Budget: From R6700 per person per night (children pay 50%)
- Earthstompers rating: Classic Lodge (4 star)
- Exclusivity: Big lodge; 24 chalets; 9 guests maximum per game drive
Ukhozi Lodge
The newly renovated Ukhozi Lodge is a small, romantic lodge with breathtaking views over the river valley teaming with wildlife below.
- Closest airport: Port Elizabeth: +/- 1.5 hours’ drive (transfers can be arranged)
- Perfect for: Families & couples (children older than 10 welcome)
- Budget: From R8400 per person per night (Children pay 50%)
- Earthstompers rating: Classic Lodge (4 Star Superior)
- Exclusivity: Small lodge; 10 suites; 6 guests maximum per game drive
Settlers Drift Lodge
The luxurious and unique Settlers Drift Lodge is located in a remote and untouched corner of Kariega Private Game Reserve. The perfectly located tented suites and lodge overlook the Bushman’s River and offer great game viewing from all the decks.
- Closest airport: Port Elizabeth: +/- 1.5 hours’ drive (transfers can be arranged)
- Perfect for: Families & couples (children older than 10 welcome)
- Budget: From R12000 per person per night
- Earthstompers rating: Superior Luxury Lodge – 5 Star tented
- Exclusivity: Small lodge; 9 tented suites; 6 guests maximum per game drive
The Homestead
Kariega’s exclusive-use lodge The Homestead is set in a remote part of the reserve. The 7 bedroom lodge offers luxury and privacy to small groups & families. The lodge come with a private chef, ranger and dedicated host.
- Closest airport: Port Elizabeth: +/- 1.5 hours’ drive (transfers can be arranged)
- Perfect for: Families & small groups (children of all ages welcome)
- Budget: From R55000 per night for group of ten guests
- Earthstompers rating: Classic Lodge (4 star)
- Exclusivity: Small lodge; 7 suites; exclusive use only
Lalibela Private Game Reserve
Marks Camp
Bring the kids! Marks Camp is Lalibela’s family-friendly lodge. The lodge has 8 pan-African style stone thatched chalets. Enjoy great views of wildlife coming to the waterhole in front of the lodge.
- Closest airport: Port Elizabeth: +/- 1.5 hours’ drive (transfers can be arranged)
- Perfect for: Families. Children of all ages welcome
- Budget: From R9680 per person per night (children pay 50%)
- Earthstompers rating: Classic Lodge (4 star)
- Exclusivity: Small lodge; 8 chalets; 9 guests maximum per game drive
Treetops Safari Lodge
The unique and small tented Treetops Safari Lodge is perched on thatched platforms at treetop level, and has great views over the densely forested valley below. Keep your eyes open for the elephant visiting the small watering hole at the lodge.
- Closest airport: Port Elizabeth: +/- 1.5 hours’ drive (transfers can be arranged)
- Perfect for: Singles, couples & friends – (children older than 16 years welcome)
- Budget: From R10120 per person per night
- Earthstompers rating: Classic Lodge (4 star)
- Exclusivity: Small lodge; 5 luxury tents; 9 guests maximum per game drive
Kichaka Lodge
The 5-star Kichaka Lodge is built with stone that blends in beautifully with the surrounding landscape. Enjoy excellent views and wildlife from the lodge’s deck and bar area that overlooks the watering hole.
- Closest airport: Port Elizabeth: +/- 1.5 hours’ drive (transfers can be arranged)
- Perfect for: Couples & friends (children above 16 years welcome)
- Budget: From R13750 per person per night
- Earthstompers rating: Superior Luxury Lodge (5 star)
- Exclusivity: Small lodge; 10 chalets; 6 guests maximum per game drive
Inzolo Lodge
Lalibela’s Inzolo Lodge is set in a beautiful, remote part of the reserve. The lodge and chalets are built on a rocky outcrop to make the most of the surrounding views. The 4 bedroom lodge offers luxury and privacy to small groups & families. The lodge comes with a private chef, ranger and dedicated host.
- Closest airport: Port Elizabeth: +/- 1.5 hours’ drive (transfers can be arranged)
- Perfect for: Families & small groups (children older than 12 welcome when booked exclusively)
- Budget: From R10120 per person per night
- Earthstompers rating: Classic Lodge (4 star)
- Exclusivity: Small lodge; 4 chalets; can be booked for exclusive use
Addo Elephant National Park
Gorah Elephant Camp
The historic Gorah Elephant Camp is situated in the only private concession Addo Elephant National Park. Look out for herds of ellies; Addo has the densest population of elephant on earth.
- Closest airport: Port Elizabeth: +/- 1.5 hours’ drive (transfers can be arranged)
- Perfect for: Families & couples (children older than 10 welcome)
- Budget: From R 12125 per person per night (children pay 50%)
- Earthstompers rating: Superior Luxury Lodge
- Exclusivity: Medium lodge; 11 tented suites; 6 guests maximum per game drive
Amakhala Private Game Reserve
Quartermains Safari Camp
Enjoy a genuine bush experience at Quartermains Safari Camp, a rustic, small and intimate family-run “1920’s safari camp”. The camp is in a remote and quiet corner of Amakhala Private Game Reserve, run by knowledgeable and passionate owners Julie & Riaan Brand.
- Closest airport: Port Elizabeth: +/- 1.5 hours’ drive (transfers can be arranged)
- Perfect for: Families, friends & couples (children older than 12 welcome)
- Budget: From R4600 per person per night
- Earthstompers rating: Rustic Lodge (3 star)
- Exclusivity: Small lodge; 6 rustic tents; 9 guests maximum per game drive
Woodbury Tented Camp
Woodbury Tented Camp is a rustic family-run tented lodge in Amakhala Private Game Reserve. Enjoy beautiful views over the Bushman’s river flood plains from your tent’s private deck or the lodge’s pool area and deck.
- Closest airport: Port Elizabeth: +/- 1.5 hours’ drive (transfers can be arranged)
- Perfect for: Families, friends & couples (children older than 6 welcome)
- Budget: From R4600 per person per night
- Earthstompers rating: Rustic Lodge (3 star)
- Exclusivity: Small lodge; 10 rustic tents; 9 guests maximum per game drive
Safari on foot
Shamwari Explorers Camp
Shamwari Explorers Camp offers an authentic walking safari in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. Explore the bush on foot, guided by expert rangers, and encounter iconic wildlife while staying in a classic tented camp. It’s a unique, eco-conscious adventure in a premier conservation area.
- Closest airport: Port Elizabeth: +/- 1.5 hours’ drive (transfers can be arranged)
- Perfect for: Friends & couples (children older than 16 welcome)
- Budget: From R8000 per person per night
- Earthstompers rating: Rustic tented bush camp (3 star)
- Exclusivity: Small lodge; 3 rustic tents; 6 guests maximum per walk
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
How to get to the Eastern Cape safari lodges
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 to 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.
Earthstompers ratings
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 ++
Typical schedule on safari
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
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.
Lodge Locations
MAP
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