Experience Big Five Safaris and some of the best wildlife South Africa has to offer in the Eastern Cape Game Reserves
Tourists and locals alike visit Eastern Cape Game Reserves to for experience some of South Africa’s best Big Five Safaris.
The Eastern Cape is comprised of some of the best Game Reserves that South Africa has to offer, with visitors coming to view The Big Seven which comprises of an additional two marine animals added to the Big Five, a game viewing experience unique to Eastern Cape Game Reserves.
The ‘Big Five’ term was originally coined by hunters, naming the five of Africa’s greatest wild animals that were particularly dangerous to hunt. These extraordinary animals are now ‘hunted’ by local and international tourists for game viewing rights and as such Big Five Safaris are highly sought after. The Lion, Leopard, Elephant and Buffalo bring delight to game viewers and rangers during fortunate sightings.
The Eastern Cape Game Reserves have a coastally-unique addition to the Big Five – the Great White Shark and the Southern Right Whale, making the Eastern Cape home to the spectacular Big Seven! There are various Game Reserves throughout the Eastern Cape that offer both guided and self-guided game drives, bird watching, marine life watching, as well as specific wildlife conservation efforts at rehabilitation centres throughout the region.
Eastern Cape Game Reserve Highlights
The province offers many Eastern Cape Game Reserves to cater to every wildlife-seeking individual, here we highlight just some of the nature and wildlife experiences that one can locate in the region.
ALAN TOURS offers personalised Eastern Cape Safaris, with a specific focus on Port Elizabeth and the Eastern Cape. Their qualified nature and culture guides provide informative wildlife and nature tours, and just this year earned their Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame.
Their speciality tours range from Addo Elephant National Park Tours, to Garden Route Tours and Original Big Seven Safaris. The Addo National Park is the third largest national park in South Africa, and is home to the world famous Garden Route and members of the Big Five. This Eastern Cape Game Reserve is also made up of the Woody Cape dune Fields, the coastal dune forests and the Marine protected environment in Algoa Bay. The entire experience of the Addo National Park offers local and international visitors the unique opportunity to view the Big Seven in their wild, natural state!
The world famous Garden Route is renowned as a treasure chest destination in South Africa. The Garden Route stretches from the Capital City, Cape Town, to the coastal paradise of Port Elizabeth on the sunshine coast. Filled with Game Reserves, Elephant Sanctuaries, Predator Parks and birds to transport the avid bird watcher into a heavenly atmosphere! The Garden Route also boasts numerous Eastern Cape Game Reserves that offer visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal with nature on Big Five Safaris in open top game drive vehicles.
The Garden Route National Park lies along the South Coast of the continent and boats one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline the world has to offer. This Eastern Cape Game Reserve comprises of the Tsitsikamma and Wilderness sections of the Eastern Cape as well as the Knysna Lake section, a variety of mountainous region and Southern Cape indigenous forest. The Garden Route National Park is one of the most diverse natural and cultural heritage sites with a mixture of sea, mountain and forest landscapes for visitors to indulge in! This Eastern Cape Game Reserve is managed by the South African National Parks and has a wide variety of accommodation and activity options to intrigue any who decides to visit.
Secluded and luxurious, Hopewell Game Reserve is one of the Eastern Cape Game Reserves where you can hideaway in unspoilt nature with all the luxuries to ensure a lavish stay. This private game reserve is booked exclusively for a specific group of guests (from 2 – 12 guests) at a time, ensuring complete privacy and a tailored schedule to suit your requested arrangements for game viewing, meals and other activities.
The private suites of Hopewell Game Reserve enable guests to wake up to sweeping views of Eden and the sounds of the wild African bush. Guided Eastern Cape Safaris with experienced rangers ensure that guests experience the very best of all landscapes, wildlife and bushveld for a wholesome African safari experience. This Eastern Cape Game Reserve has a noteworthy opportunity to experience cheetah up close and personal, as well as guarantees for elephant, hippo, giraffe, zebra, antelope and other indigenous specie sightings.
These Eastern Cape Game Reserve highlights only touch on the tip of the iceberg for the nature and wildlife experience opportunities of the province. The vast landscapes of the region provide for a wide array of animal, bird, plant and marine species to be viewed and interacted with during guided or self-guided game drives and the notable Big Seven Safaris that are unique to the region.
Visitors, both local and international, will delight in the nature and wildlife experiences to be found in the Eastern Cape. Whether you’re seeking a relaxed African safari experience to get in touch with nature and the outdoors, or you prefer to experience the Eastern Cape wildlife with a luxurious and relaxing setting, the opportunities in the region are endless.
For more information on other Eastern Cape Game Reserves or Big Five Safaris, or even more unique – Big Seven Safaris, you can visit the Eastern Cape Tourism website for more information and recommendations.
