Africa

Eastern Cape

Scenic diversity is one of the most striking characteristics of the Eastern Cape, ranging from the lush, evergreen Tsitsikamma Forest to the rugged Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area, the southern slopes of the Drakensberg and the arid Great Karoo. The region boasts a wealth of fauna and flora, including the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) in a malaria-free environment in conservation areas such as the Addo Elephant National Park and the Mountain Zebra National Park and private game reserves such as Shamwari, Gorah and Kwandwe.

The tranquil landscape of Settler Country, studded with historical towns and villages such as Grahamstown, Bathurst and Salem, invites a close scrutiny of its intriguing background of conflict, courage, despair and success. This is where the Xhosa, Dutch and British had their first encounters, leading at first to frequent clashes and later to a cultural learning curve and mutual acceptance. Cape Dutch homes, ornate Victorian buildings and the lime-washed homesteads of the rural Xhosa provide tangible symbols of three vastly different cultures coming together in peaceful coexistence.

The Eastern coastal regions enjoy hot summers and moderate winters.

Our preferred malaria-free safari lodges in this area include:

Camp Figtree

Elephant House
River Bend Lodge
Gorah Elephant Camp
Samara Private Game Reserve
Shamwari Game Reserve
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve

Amakhala Game Reserve

Mount Camdeboo Private Game Reserve