The Cape isn't one of the top destinations for game viewing in Africa; there are wilder places in the countries further north. However, if you would like a few days of game-viewing in the Cape, then there are several options – all of which are malaria-free. Just over an hour's drive north of Port Elizabeth, on the eastern end of the Garden Route, the Addo Elephant Park has expanded to cover 1,250km2 of undulating grasslands interspersed with dense evergreen thickets. Though the very relaxed elephants are the attraction here (over 350 of them), you'll also find good numbers of black rhino, buffalo, eland, red hartebeest, kudu, (recently reintroduced) lion, and a rich diversity of birdlife.

There are two very comfortable places to stay here - Gorah Elephant Camp occupies a private concession within Addo Elephant Park, and Elephant House outside the park, is ideal as a base for your own drives into the park.

Kwandwe Private Game Reserve covers 160 km2 and is home to all the big five (elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and white rhino). There are three separate lodges here and activities include game drives in open 4WD vehicles, night drives and guided walks. The lodges' local historian, Alan Weyer, is an entertaining authority on the frontier battles and rock art of the area.

Finally, Shamwari Game Reserve, is an old favourite covering a similar area but with 56 rooms split into six separate lodges. It's ideal if you want a few days safari, without anything too wild.


^ Top of page