South Africa is home to a diverse range of regions, offering everything you'd want as a keen traveller.
From the popular cosmopolitan city sights of Cape Town to the incredible game viewing opportunities found in Kruger National Park, you're sure to fall in love with its unique offering just the way we have.
Largely neglected by international holidaymakers despite its myriad charms, the Eastern Cape offers vast white beaches, immense sand dunes, rolling pastures, majestic mountains, river gorges and more.
Not only that, but you can also enjoy an excellent safari in the Eastern Cape. Head out across the rugged Karoo plains or into the lush Tsitsikamma Forest, searching for the abundant game on display – from the iconic Big Five of lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo to giraffe, zebra and antelope.
To plan your own itinerary, discover our guide to Eastern Cape safari holidays.
Our Eastern Cape Safari Guide:
– Where is the Eastern Cape?
– Why Choose a Safari in the Eastern Cape?
– Where are the Best Eastern Cape Game Reserves?
– Where to Stay on an Eastern Cape Safari
– Adventure and Activities in the Eastern Cape
– Eastern Cape Safari vs Kruger: What’s the Difference?
Where is the Eastern Cape?
To get to the Eastern Cape in South Africa from the UK, you can't fly directly to Port Elizabeth Airport. So, in most itineraries, you'd take an overnight flight between London and Johannesburg, or London and Cape Town. From here, make a connecting flight to your chosen regional airport.
So, where is the Eastern Cape in relation to the rest of South Africa?
PICTURED: A map of where the Eastern Cape in South Africa is located.
As you can see in this illustration, the Eastern Cape is situated along the southern coastline on the Indian Ocean, bordered by the Western Cape, Northern Cape, Free State, Lesotho and Kwazulu-Natal.
With easy access to these regions, a tour of the lower half of South Africa is as seamless as it is exhilarating, culturally insightful and rewarding. The Eastern Cape's host of charming main cities and towns include the likes of Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), East London and Makhanda (Grahamstown).
Why Choose a Safari in the Eastern Cape?
An Eastern Cape safari is excellent if you have a family or are a first-time safari-goer, thanks to the malaria-free game reserves, diverse scenery and wildlife, and tailored activities like game drives. It's also a great ‘year-round’ safari destination, making wildlife viewing great regardless of the time of year.
The abundant wildlife, including the Big Five, is incredibly relaxed around safari vehicles. Head of Rainbow, Candice, was lucky enough to see a leopard on her first game drive here: a truly memorable experience! Within Pumba Private Game Reserve, her luck continued with a sighting of rare white lions, a moment in which you also learn about the important conservation work conducted to vary the big cats' gene pool.
A safari in the Eastern Cape is a spectacular addition to your itinerary after you've explored Cape Town and the Garden Route. The Garden Route features enchanting beaches, lakes, rivers, indigenous forests and mountain scenery, perfect for relaxing after wildlife watching.
Head of Rainbow
"I first visited South Africa's Eastern Cape to see how it compared to the country's various safari destinations. Unofficially, the misconception is that a safari in the Eastern Cape is inferior to other areas, which I can now say I disagree with! While the Eastern Cape has environmental differences, such as scenery and vegetation, wildlife viewing is excellent, and the various accommodation providers are superb. The area also has the added benefits of being malaria-free and family-friendly."
Where are the Best Eastern Cape Game Reserves?
Some of the best Eastern Cape game reserves include Kariega Game Reserve, Addo Elephant National Park, Shamwari Private Game Reserve and Kwandwe Private Game Reserve.
It's possible to stay just in the Eastern Cape and still create a varied trip. This is because the game reserves and private concessions are all relatively close to Port Elizabeth, about a two-hour drive, making it easy and convenient to travel. Kariega Game Reserve, an Eastern Cape private reserve in the Kariega River Valley, is only 15 minutes from the stunning ‘Sunshine Coast’ beaches at Kenton-on-Sea, if you fancy seaside relaxation after your safari adventure. Best of all, the area is malaria-free.
Addo National Park is home to more than 600 elephants, making it one of the most densely populated in all of Africa. Simply watch from your 4×4 as the gentle giants roam graciously through the lush forest or relish in a messy mud bath – heartening scenes considering the fact that only 11 individuals existed back in 1931.
Your Eastern Cape safari holidays may also take you to Shamwari Private Game Reserve, wherein a wide variety of plant, bird and animal life such as spoonbills and hippos co-exist across five eco-systems.
Kwandwe Game Reserve is vast: approximately 20,000 hectares of wilderness vast in a fantastic undulating landscape of dense valley bushveld, studded with giant euphorbias and aloes. Your venture here may treat you to the sighting of anything from wildebeest to lion, wild dog, rhino or giraffe. And, if you're interested, you can take part in additional conservation projects, such as rhino monitoring or rhino conservation. Speak with one of our Travel Specialists to learn more.
Where to Stay on an Eastern Cape Safari
PICTURED: Giraffe in Kariega Game Reserve. Image Credit: Settlers Drift.
If you're unsure of where to stay on an Eastern Cape safari, speak with one of our Africa Travel Specialists to give them an idea of what you're hoping of experiencing. There are plenty of excellent family-friendly, romantic and luxurious accommodation options available to you across the region.
Are you someone who wants to wake up to incredible views of nature surrounding you? Then Amakhala Safari Lodge is an ideal fit, with a safari hut presiding over a waterhole and chances to spot small game.
Other safari lodges in the Eastern Cape include Pumba Game Reserve, where you can stay in a water lodge set by a charming lake, and Settlers Drift, from which you're able to uniquely view wildlife on two beautiful rivers. Its infinity edge pool with views across the plains completes what is a superb property.
Discover our range of Eastern Cape safari lodges.
Adventure and Activities in the Eastern Cape
Imagine following in the footsteps of a lion, trailing the royal beast as it hunts its prey into the dense thicket of the bush and watching as it latches on with its powerful, crushing jaw, killing in a singular bite.
An Eastern Cape safari serves up a rush of adrenaline you just seem to get lost in. Whether it's guided bush walks, game drives or river cruises, the plethora of safari activities on offer immerse you in this rugged and unforgiving kingdom of the wild. Its spectacular nature is a sanctuary for flora and fauna.
On top of walking safaris and wildlife watching in a 4×4 vehicle, other activities to do include birdwatching, stargazing and horseback riding. The area provides unparalleled diversity of natural, cultural and historical treasures for you to discover—a true microcosm of the country as a whole.
Then, after your safari in the Eastern Cape, a great idea to wind down after all this excitement is to relax on the beaches. Or, how about exploring more of the country through coastal hikes and culture visits?
Africa Travel Specialist
"Nothing beats the heart-pumping thrill of tracking a lion, watching in awe as it roams the African bush. In South Africa, opportunities to enjoy the best-quality safari experiences like this are booked up well in advance, so it's best to finalise plans six to twelve months beforehand to guarantee your place. The Rainbow Nation is also home to diverse natural habitats for you to explore."
Eastern Cape Safari vs Kruger: What’s the Difference?
What's the difference between an Eastern Cape safari vs Kruger National Park?
A Kruger safari is almost unmatched in Africa. Since it's the largest wildlife conservancy on the continent, you can reliably spot an abundance of game in a wild and rugged eco-system. Whereas with an Eastern Cape safari, you'll enjoy a more intimate experience. The area is lesser known than its Kruger counterpart, meaning fewer crowds to disturb the resident animals and more spaces in accommodation.
Kruger is also an excellent choice for couples. A sample itinerary you can tailor-make is our Kruger Safari & Mozambique Beach Classic, wherein you have a great chance of spotting the ‘Big Five’ – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. Other wildlife to keep an eye out for are the big cats of Sabi Sand Game Reserve.
If you're travelling with family, an example of the best safari in the Eastern Cape you can experience is our Family-Friendly Cape Town & Eastern Cape Safari. Ideal for a half-term break, the excitement of city exploration in Cape Town combines with the thrill of an off-road safari adventure in the Eastern Cape.
Our Verdict: We recommend Kruger for a more classic safari experience, but the Eastern Cape for an alternative approach to wildlife watching and for ease of access from the Garden Route or Cape Town.
Ready to Plan Your Eastern Cape Safari?
Whether you’re drawn to the region’s malaria-free reserves, intimate lodges or incredible wildlife experiences, an Eastern Cape safari offers something truly special.
At Rainbow, our Africa Travel Specialists can help tailor-make a trip that suits your preferences – from a stay at a particular wildlife lodge to an excursion you've always dreamed of doing.
Simply 'Call Us' or 'Enquire Now' so we can create a bespoke quote for you.
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