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The landscape is extremely diverse. The western interior is largely arid Karoo, while the east is well-watered and green. The Eastern Cape offers a wide array of attractions, including 800 km of untouched and pristine coastline along with some particularly splendid beaches, and “big-five” viewing in a malaria-free environment.
The Tsitsikamma National Park is an 80 km long coastal strip between Nature’s Valley and the mouth of the Storms River. In the park the visitor finds an almost untouched natural landscape. Near the park is the Bloukrans Bridge and Bloukrans Bridge Bungy which is the world’s third highest bungee jump,

Jeffreys Bay is an area with some of the country’s wildest coastline, which is backed by some of Africa’s most spectacular sub-tropical rainforest. Famous for its “supertubes”, probably South Africa’s longest and most consistently good wave, it’s charged with a surf vibe as relaxed as it is friendly, and this tends to soften the effect of the wealthy set who have made this part of the coast their own.

Aliwal North, lying on a splendid agricultural plateau on the southern bank of the Orange River, is one of the country’s most popular inland resorts and is famous for its hot springs.

The rugged and unspoilt Wild Coast is a place of spectacular scenery, and a graveyard for many vessels.

Whittlesea, Eastern Cape, situated in the beautiful Amatola Mountains, is now famous for the first wine estate in the province.

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In the 19th century most land in the Eastern Cape was used for stock farming. Fearing for their families and livestock, settlers living in the area began hunting and exterminating the surrounding African wildlife. In the last few decades there has been a radical change in the attitude toward wildlife conservation. This shift has been coupled with an increase in private game reserves across the continent, not excluding the Eastern Cape.

So where to within the Eastern Cape? Let’s look at some of the top reserves:

Addo Elephant National Park is a diverse wildlife conservation park situated close to Port Elizabeth and is one of the country’s 19 national parks. Addo is home to more than 600 elephants, 400 Cape buffaloes, over 48 endangered black rhinos, as well as lion and spotted hyena. The largest remaining population of the flightless dung beetle is also located within the park!

The Amakhala Game Reserve is renowned for its truly unique topography and wildlife. This reserve offers a wide variety of 3, 4 and 5-star owner-managed experiences. The park offers guests a choice of 10 luxury accommodation options, day and night game viewing trips under guidance of professional game rangers, and the opportunity to see the Big Five, as well as cheetah, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and plenty of antelope species.

Shamwari Game Reserve is one of the most successful private conservation initiatives in Southern Africa. Shamwari incorporates 6 luxury lodges, all of which are 5 star graded. Each one, has its’ own unique energy and essence, designed in harmony with their surroundings. In addition to a Big 5 safari experience, guests have the opportunity to enjoying a first-hand encounter with their passionate on-site vets, who care for young, injured and abandoned animals, which are to be re-released back into the wild.

Lalibela Game Reserve and Safari Lodge spans 5 ecosystems, resulting in a breath-taking diversity of flora and fauna. Blessed with vast African plains, Lalibela has multitudes of zebra, giraffe, warthog, impala, wildebeest, blesbuck and various other antelope species. Lalibela brings you the charm of authentic Africa and is a perfect blend of the formal and informal with five different lodge options.

Kariega Game Reserve is a family-owned and operated game lodge incorporating 10,000 hectares of pristine African wilderness, as well as two abundant rivers – the Kariega and the Bushmans rivers. The reserve offers five safari lodges to suit all needs.

Eco friendly Pumba Game Reserve provides an intimate African safari experience never to be forgotten. The reserve is home to Africa’s Big 5 as well as rare white lion, hippo, hyena, cheetah, giraffes, various antelope and more than 300 bird species. Guests get a real feel the heartbeat of nature as they explore the reserve in custom land rovers or on guided walking safaris. Water Lodge offers waterfront chalets overlooking Lake Cariega while Bush Lodge is set on a floodplain with scenic mountain views offering luxury thatch and glass chalets.

Sibuya Game Reserve is an eco destination that is positioned approximately 130 kms from Port Elizabeth or East London. Guests are either based at one of the two solar-powered, secluded luxury tented camps tucked away in the forest on the banks of the Kariega River or at stunning Bush Lodge situated just outside the main Reserve in a pristine, densely forested valley.

Kwandwe Private Game Reserve is a 22,000 hectare pristine private wilderness that stretches either side of the Great Fish River. Kwandwe Private Game Reserve is home to five award-winning safari lodges and villas, each with its own distinctive charm and character. Families or small groups of friends can choose to enjoy an entirely intimate and exclusive safari experience at one of Kwandwe’s three gracious sole-use safari villas.

Samara Private Game Reserve is a passionate conservation undertaking, the leader in its area and a catalyst for change in the Great Karoo region of South Africa. Samara is a 2.5-hour drive from Port Elizabeth and just 40 minutes from the historical town of Graaff-Reinet, rich in culture and heritage. The reserve encompasses 70,000 acres of wilderness in the Great Karoo, and offers guests everything from game drives, guided walks, mountain biking, bird watching and wilderness picnics.

Kwantu Game Reserve offers a value for money Big 5 African adventure with five-star hospitality. It is home to five of the seven biomes and boasts a past as rich as its abundant wildlife population. The game reserve also allows for day visit trips which include experiencing the Big 5 and the abundance of wildlife, birds and flora the reserve has to offer.

South Africa’s magical heartlands, the Eastern Cape is a must-visit destination.

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The picturesque mountains beyond gently embrace the phenomenal, all encompassing vista of the bay. Recently Voted in the London Times as “ One of the top 20 views in the world ( with a room) “

The main house of Ocean Eleven was built with all the high ceilings, tall windows and teak floors that made colonial architecture so utterly elegant. All these features and thus the grace and style have been retained to this day.

Ocean Eleven boasts beautifully appointed rooms that have an all-embracing sea view over Walker Bay.

Luxuries include 100% cotton percale linen, tea & coffee trays, mini-bars, heated towel rails, fans as well as heating which will all ensure a comfortable stay at Ocean Eleven.

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We loved seeing these first official images of the new Victoria Falls Safari Club.

Enjoy!

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With the addition of the two new chalets, the luxury camp will now have seven chalets, which can accommodate up to 14 guests. The new chalets are expected to be completed by mid-May.

The central dining and lounge area has two decks, providing a magnificent view across the dry riverbed and to the waterhole below. A hide offers close up views of game.

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Katja Haase, Marketing Manager, told Tourism Update that it had been forced to close the lodge at least for the next six days, or until further notice.

“The water levels have gone down a bit.  However, it is not enough to reopen, since it is expected to rain again over the weekend,” Haase said.

Parts of the Main Area is still under water. The lodge was closed this week.

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The Cultural Township Development Drive will launch in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, on April 27. Guests will be able to choose from a range of experiences that include a township tour run by Khayelitsha Travel, a visit to the Makukhunye Art Room, a bicycle tour run by Sporting Code in collaboration with Ride2Empower, a township gardens and art tour run by Khayelitsha resident, Juma Mkwela, or a tour of the 18 Gangsters Museum.

The meal will pair a fine-dining experience with an upbeat township vibe. The Development Drive will assist in curating the existing gems within Khayelitsha’s growing tourism industry. It is also hoped that it will inspire and encourage more people to explore the tourism industry.

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At the four-star Spier Hotel in the Stellenbosch Winelands, guests aren’t just offered a bed and a morning meal; they’re promised a full farm-style experience.

Tucked away on one of the oldest and most celebrated wine farms in South Africa, the family-friendly lodging has 1100 hectares of pastoral pastures, leafy vineyards and spectacular scenery at its doorstep, and guests are invited to get lost in the bucolic beauty of the grounds.

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The second oldest town in South Africa has fondly been called ‘Eikestad’ or city of oaks and its streets are lined with some of the most beautiful surviving examples of Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian architecture in the Cape.

Dorp Street is a national monument and taking the time to walk around this cosy old part of Stellenbosch, with its secluded lanes, water furrows, cosmopolitan restaurants and coffee bistros, with superb views of mountain, vineyards and orchards, is an idyllic morning venture.

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