Wake to a dawn chorus of birdsong, stirring yourself up with a sip of your morning coffee on your lodge’s private deck as elephants meander across the plain below; this truly intimate safari moment, that feels like the heartbeat of Africa, is typical of what the Eastern Cape can offer.
South Africa is home to a diverse range of regions like this, from the popular cosmopolitan city sights of Cape Town to the incredible game viewing opportunities found in Kruger National Park.
Yet the Eastern Cape is still largely neglected by international holidaymakers despite its myriad charms, such as its vast white beaches, immense sand dunes, rolling pastures, majestic mountains, river gorges and more. You're sure to fall in love with its unique offering just the way we have.
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 abundant game – including the iconic Big Five of lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo as well as 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 you Should Choose to Safari Here
– Where are the Best Game Reserves?
– Where are the Best Places to Stay?
– Adventure & Activities: What to Do
– Eastern Cape Safari vs Kruger: What’s the Difference?
Where is the Eastern Cape?
Here's where the Eastern Cape is 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 coast 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).
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.
Why you Should Choose to 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 ‘year-round’ safari destination, making wildlife viewing great regardless of the time of year.
Graceful antelope move silently through golden grasslands, while the distant roar of a lion hints at the untamed wilderness beyond. Days unfold at a leisurely pace, with game drives that linger on striking sightings. Evenings return you to comfortable lodges, where open decks, indulgent dining and warm hospitality frame the surrounding bush, making every moment feel intimate and unhurried.
The abundant wildlife, including the Big Five, is relaxed around safari vehicles – something Head of Rainbow, Candice, was lucky enough to find out when she saw a leopard on her first game drive! Within Pumba Private Game Reserve, her luck continued with a sighting of rare white lions, learning about the important conservation work conducted to vary the big cats' gene pool.
Plus, a safari in the Eastern Cape can make 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 unwinding after wildlife watching.
Expert Insight
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, Shamwari Private Game Reserve, Addo Elephant National Park and Kwandwe Private Game Reserve.
– Kariega Game Reserve: winding river valleys where morning coffee comes with panoramic wildlife views
– Shamwari Private Game Reserve: elegant lodges offering spa indulgence, fine dining and immersive conservation experiences
– Addo Elephant National Park: vast bushlands where elephants roam freely against dramatic, open horizons
– Kwandwe Private Game Reserve: intimate safaris that reveal hidden predator encounters and quiet, unhurried moments in the bush
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 fact. This is 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.
Our six-night Family-Friendly Cape Town & Eastern Cape Safari includes a stay in Kariega Game Reserve. You'll have three nights to experience guided bush walks, where abundant game reside; some you may see are giraffe, zebra, eland and wildebeest!
Where are the Best Places 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? Then Amakhala Safari Lodge is an ideal fit, with a safari hut presiding over a waterhole and chances to spot small game.
Morning game drives begin as the landscape warms with the rising sun, your guide pausing to read fresh tracks and lingering on the sight of your first wildlife encounter. By night, candlelit dinners unfold beneath star-filled skies, the distant sounds of the bush carrying across the reserve as nocturnal creatures emerge.
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 view wildlife on two beautiful rivers. Its infinity edge pool with views across the plains completes the superb property.
Enjoy wildlife watching in Amakhala Game Reserve on our 12-night Cape Town, Garden Route & Safari. Across the course of three nights on the Eastern Cape, you could spot lion, rhino, elephant, cheetah, buffalo, giraffe and black wildebeest among others.
Adventure & Activities: What to Do in the Eastern Cape
Picture yourself following a lion’s track pattern, trailing the royal beast as it moves with quiet precision into the dense thicket of the bush, every paw print heightening the sense of anticipation.
An Eastern Cape safari serves up a rush of adrenaline you 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 afterwards is to relax on the beaches. Or, how about exploring more of the country through coastal hikes and culture visits?
Expert Insight
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?
Here are the differences between an Eastern Cape safari vs Kruger National Park:
A Kruger safari provides reliable game sightings in a wild and rugged eco-system. Whereas with an Eastern Cape safari, you'll enjoy a more intimate experience.
Eastern Cape experience
This is a safari shaped by smaller reserves, fewer vehicles and a slower pace that allows you to linger longer at a sighting. Personalised encounters feel unrushed, enhanced by malaria-free peace, diverse landscapes and cosy lodges that place comfort and calm at the heart of the wilderness.
Kruger Park experience
This is a classic African safari on a grand scale. Vast plains and varied ecosystems create a powerful sense of adventure, with legendary Big Five sightings and an untamed energy that speaks to safari tradition, exploration and the thrill of covering immense, wildlife-rich territory.
Who is Kruger Park for?
Kruger is 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.
Who is the Eastern Cape for?
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 classic safari experience, but the Eastern Cape for an alternative approach to wildlife watching and 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. 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.
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