Eastern Cape Game Reserves

Tailor-made Eastern Cape Game Reserves Holidays

It’s in the Eastern Cape game reserves you’re reminded how divergently beautiful South Africa is – zebra, giraffe and the breathtaking Big Five live cheek by jowl on the vast sepia toned savannah. And if you want to experience an African safari with your children, this region is blissfully malaria-free.

There’s no better way to discover South Africa than to see up close the fierce beauty of its most magnificent animals. Safari brings all your senses to life. You’ll hear the wolf-like wails of jackals and the unnerving coughing call of lion at night. You’ll feel the tense anticipation of the hunt and the thunderous vibrations of the catch. And you’ll become accustomed to the earthy smells drifting up off hot dust and the unique aromas of territorial markings.

The Eastern Cape’s thicket, forest and fynbos yield a dense population of game. Led by expert rangers and trackers who know the sounds and soul of the bush intimately, you’ll slip into the flow of sunrise and sunset game drives. And when the sun swaps shift with the moon, there’s campfire camaraderie and the thrill of falling asleep among the largest land predators on earth.

Our specialists have stayed in the luxury camps within private reserves and travelled with the trackers who will get you close to the most majestic wildlife in the bush. When you want a wild at heart safari, we’ll ensure you get the best.

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Things to do in Eastern Cape Game Reserves

Game drives and bush walks at Shamwari Private Game Reserve

— by Jacques Human

Trips to take

Wildlife

Eastern Cape Game Reserves

Visit the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuaries at Shamwari Private Game Reserve

— by Catherine Gillson

Trips to take

Wildlife

Eastern Cape Game Reserves

Meet the team at Shamwari's Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

— by Lisa Horn

Trips to take

Wildlife

Eastern Cape Game Reserves

Exploring Shamwari’s walking trails

— by Jacques Human

Active

Adventure

Trips to take

Wildlife

Eastern Cape Game Reserves

Look for wildlife from your private plunge pool at Shamwari’s Sindile Safari Lodge

— by Kalelani Ranwashe

Places to stay

Wildlife

Eastern Cape Game Reserves

Views and Edwardian elegance at Shamwari’s Long Lee Manor

— by Lize-Mari Dykema

Places to stay

Wildlife

Eastern Cape Game Reserves

Kids on Safari at Shamwari Riverdene Family Lodge

— by Rozelle de Wet

Places to stay

Wildlife

Eastern Cape Game Reserves

See more things to do in Eastern Cape Game Reserves

Plan your holiday withAlfred&

Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Laura, who's travelled extensively in South Africa. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember - ex banker who can show you the hottest foodie spots in Cape Town, the award-winning young sommelier who can introduce you to Stellenbosch's finest wines and the walking safari ranger who can guide you to the best game.

Laura Preston

Travel Expert for Alfred&

Having travelled extensively through Africa, Laura has a wealth of experience. She is passionate about Tanzania’s diversity from the quiet wilds of Ruaha that feel completely private to the silvery sands of Zanzibar and Stone Town’s spice-laced streets. In South Africa, she sought out the best views over Table Mountain, cocktail in hand, as well as the lesser-visited Kruger conservancies for more exclusive safaris. But her favourite place in the world has to be the Serengeti for its wide-open plains and incredible game that epitomise that feeling of Africa.
Wayne Howarth

Head Safari Guide at Kariega Game Reserve

Wayne loves being outdoors and has spent most of his life between the family farm and working on Private Game Reserves in the Eastern Cape. He has been guiding at Kariega for 12 years. His qualifications include Field Guide Association of South Africa (FGASA) Level 2, Advance Rifle Handling, Skippers Licence Category R and first aid. One of his career highlights was becoming a finalist in the 2021 Safari Guide of the Year competition.
Rupesh Kassen

Founder and guide of Eat Like A Local

Rupesh Kassen abandoned his decade-long career in banking to move to East Africa, where he trained and worked as a chef. He later became immersed in South Africa’s food scene and worked as a food critic before setting up Eat Like A Local in Cape Town. Rupesh now offers guided food tours to showcase the city and its diverse culture and history through food.
Fundi Ziqubu

Sommelier

Fundi was born in Durban and fell in love with wine when it was introduced to her by a few Capetonian friends. On discovering her passion she got the chance to study wine with the department of tourism in collaboration with the Sommeliers Academy. Being appointed sommelier at Lanzerac was a career highlight and in 2019 Fundi was named most up-and-coming wine steward by the Distell Inter-Hotel challenge.
Ntobeko Ntshingila

Duty Manager at Three Tree Hill Lodge

Ntobeko has been part of the Three Trees family for 13 years and describes it as a lovely journey with lots of room for growth and experience. She has her own family, including a daughter of 18, and a son, aged three. She lives in a nearby village with her parents, four siblings and three nephews. When not spending time with her family she manages her broiler chicken business, which brings her extra income.
Cheryl Blackburn

Owner and guide, Three Tree Hill Lodge

Being born in the Kruger National Park instilled in Cheryl a love of nature and wildlife. Having lived and worked as a guide in the Kruger reserve, and also in Botswana, she eventually got the opportunity to run her own lodge, with her growing family, in the lush KwaZulu Natal Drakensberg region. She still finds time to guide guests on foot, tracking white rhino in the neighbouring Spioenkop Game Reserve.