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© Shamwari Private Game Reserve
© Shamwari Private Game Reserve
© GweGwe Beach Lodge

Eastern Cape Reserves

The private reserves of the Eastern Cape offer malaria-free Big Five safaris close to the coast. Paired with the Garden Route, they’re perfect for a seamless family adventure that blends bush and beach.

© Explorer Camp - Shamwari Private Game Reserve, Eastern Cape, South Africa

The Eastern Cape’s private reserves offer an inviting blend of accessibility, conservation, and ease - perfect for travellers looking to add a malaria-free safari to a coastal or Cape Town-based trip.

The Eastern Cape’s private reserves offer an inviting blend of accessibility, conservation, and ease – perfect for travellers looking to add a malaria-free safari to a coastal or Cape Town-based trip. Once farmland, the region has been carefully restored to its natural state, and today supports a growing range of wildlife, including all of the Big Five.

Reserves like Kwandwe, Shamwari, and Amakhala are known for their strong conservation ethos, excellent guiding, and beautifully run lodges. Many offer specialised programs for families, with child-friendly game drives, interactive bush walks, and educational activities. While the terrain is less dramatic than Kruger’s, the experience is relaxed, scenic, and highly rewarding – especially for those on a self-drive Garden Route trip or seeking a shorter safari as part of a broader itinerary.

Eastern Cape Reserves Weather

A temperate climate offers mild winters and warm, rainy summers.
May - September
Dry Season
Cooler, drier months with clear days and chilly evenings make for relaxed family safaris.
October - April
Green Season
Warm, greener months bring easy travel conditions and vibrant landscapes, perfect for younger travellers.

Places to Stay

in Eastern Cape Reserves
Bayethe – Shamwari Private Game Reserve

Bayethe combines the seclusion of luxury tented suites with a spa-inspired retreat in the heart of Shamwari Private Game Reserve, where tranquil bush surrounds and a waterhole outlook set the stage for an intimate Eastern Cape safari.

Explorer Camp – Shamwari Private Game Reserve

Shamwari’s Explorer Camp revives the spirit of safari on foot — a seasonal, back-to-basics tented camp where evenings by the fire and days on guided walking trails bring the wilderness thrillingly close.

Eagles Crag – Shamwari Private Game Reserve

Eagles Crag is Shamwari’s most exclusive retreat — nine glass-and-stone suites cocooned in soaring cliffs, where privacy, luxury, and panoramic wilderness views meet in perfect harmony.

GweGwe Beach Lodge – Mkambati Nature Reserve

On a pristine Wild Coast concession in Mkambati Nature Reserve, GweGwe Beach Lodge pairs barefoot luxury with private pools and the rare magic of bush and beach in one.

Your Safari, Your Way

Ready to begin? Let’s craft your perfect safari together.

Every Wildseeker journey is designed from scratch, shaped around your interests, travel style, and budget. While we often share sample itineraries for inspiration, the real magic lies in creating something just for you: from handpicked lodges to seamless logistics and insider offers.
No two trips are ever the same, because no two travellers are.

Start Planning