Eastern Cape – South Africa

Eastern Cape, South Africa: Malaria-free safari after the Garden Route

The Eastern Cape is one of South Africa’s most interesting regions for experiencing an authentic safari in a malaria-free area.

Situated at the end of the famous Garden Route, it offers the chance to combine Cape Town, the ocean, nature and a safari in the African savannah in a single trip.

It is an ideal destination for families, couples and first-time travellers to Africa who wish to see African wildlife without having to travel to Kruger National Park.

With South African Dream, we organise bespoke trips to the Eastern Cape, selecting private reserves, lodges and itineraries thanks to our direct presence in South Africa.

Why choose a safari in the Eastern Cape

The Eastern Cape offers a complete safari experience that can easily be incorporated into a road trip.

During your trip, you’ll be able to enjoy:

• Big Five safaris
• malaria-free private reserves
• game drives with rangers
• lodges surrounded by nature
• The Garden Route and safaris
• family holidays
• self-drive holidays in South Africa

A perfect solution for those seeking nature, comfort and ease of travel.

Malaria-free safaris in the Eastern Cape

One of the great advantages of the Eastern Cape is that it is one of South Africa’s main malaria-free safari areas.

This makes it particularly suitable for:

• families with children
• travellers who prefer to avoid areas affected by malaria
• first-time African safaris
• Cape Town and Garden Route itineraries

A malaria-free safari does not mean compromising on the quality of the experience: many reserves offer excellent lodges and superb wildlife sightings.

Garden Route and Eastern Cape Safari

The Garden Route and Eastern Cape combination is one of South Africa’s most popular itineraries.

A trip may include:

• Cape Town
• Cape of Good Hope
• Winelands
• Hermanus
• Knysna
• Tsitsikamma National Park
• Eastern Cape Safari

A comprehensive itinerary with no domestic flights, also ideal for a self-drive holiday.

Addo Elephant National Park

Addo Elephant National Park is one of the best-known parks in the region.

Established to protect elephants, today it offers the chance to observe numerous African species.

It is a very interesting stop for those travelling along the Garden Route towards the Port Elizabeth area.

Private reserves in the Eastern Cape

Private reserves are the best choice for those seeking a more comprehensive safari experience.

They offer:

• open-top safaris
• professional rangers
• a more exclusive experience
• lodges in the savannah

Among the best-known areas are:

• Shamwari Game Reserve
• Kariega Game Reserve
• Amakhala Game Reserve
• Kwandwe Private Game Reserve

Each reserve has its own unique characteristics and is chosen according to the style of the trip.

Shamwari Game Reserve

Shamwari is one of the most famous private reserves in the Eastern Cape.

It is known for:

• the Big Five
• wildlife conservation
• luxury lodges
• comprehensive safari experiences

An ideal choice for both couples and families.

Kariega Game Reserve

Kariega is highly regarded for its combination of safaris and natural landscapes.

It offers:

• game drives
• river activities
• scenic lodges
• family-friendly programmes

Kwandwe Private Game Reserve

Kwandwe offers one of the most exclusive experiences in the region.

It is ideal for those seeking:

• privacy
• exceptional service
• photographic safaris
• a luxury experience

The Eastern Cape with children

The Eastern Cape is one of the best family safari destinations in South Africa.

The main advantages:

• no malaria
• short distances
• child-friendly lodges
• easy to combine with the Garden Route

For many families, it’s the perfect first taste of an African safari.

The Eastern Cape or Kruger: which to choose?

They are two different experiences.

Kruger offers:

• vast territory
• great biodiversity
• a wilder safari experience
• world-famous private reserves

The Eastern Cape offers:

• no malaria
• ease of travel
• a perfect combination with the Garden Route
• excellent family-friendly options

The choice depends on the type of trip.

When to visit the Eastern Cape

The Eastern Cape can be visited all year round.

Thanks to its favourable climate, it is a very flexible destination and easy to fit into South African itineraries.

The best time to visit depends mainly on the rest of your trip, such as Cape Town, the Garden Route or any extensions.

How much does a safari in the Eastern Cape cost?

The cost depends on:

• the reserve chosen
• the lodge category
• the duration of the safari
• the time of year
• the services included

Various options are available, ranging from family-friendly lodges to luxury experiences.

Organise your Eastern Cape safari with South African Dream

With South African Dream, we create fully bespoke trips to the Eastern Cape.

Thanks to our first-hand experience in South Africa, we select the best combinations of Cape Town, the Garden Route and safaris.

A trip designed to let you experience the thrill of African wildlife with the comfort of a tailor-made itinerary.

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