Eastern Cape Safaris
Part of our offerings at Earthstompers Adventures include safaris in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.
This region of the Eastern Cape, about 1–2 hours drive from Port Elizabeth, boasts numerous private game reserves, and has the advantage of being malaria-free. We have partnered with two fantastic private game reserves offering 3 to 5 star lodges with amazing service and staff. The reserves have incredible scenery, well-trained and caring rangers, and a great variety of wildlife including the “Big 5”.
A highlight of working as a Tour Consultant at Earthstompers is the opportunity to go on a site visit to places we recommend to our clients.
Consultants Storm and Fazlin recently had the opportunity to visit, and learn all about what the lodges have to offer.
WHEN DID WE GO? 21–24 June 2019 (3 nights)
WHERE DID WE GO?
AMAKHALA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
Our first night was spent at Amakhala’s Woodbury Tented Camp (3-star).
This Lodge transfers you to a magical place and allows you to experience an amazing safari getaway like you have never experienced before.
Woodbury Tented lodge is not really camping, but glamping
Electric blankets, warm duvets, indoor shower where the water seeps through the floors back into nature. The hospitality is amazing; as you arrive you are greeted by the super friendly and helpful staff that make you feel right at home.
On our second evening at Amakhala we stayed in the incredible 4-Star Hlosi Lodge (4-star).
The rooms are beautiful, cozy and tastefully decorated. You step onto your private deck where you can soak up the beautiful views and maybe even catch a glimpse of any animals that are roaming around. Children are welcome at Hlosi Lodge with their amazing children’s programs, giving parents time to go on safari while the little ones are entertained and well looked after.
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KARIEGA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
For our third and final evening we moved to Kariega Private Game Reserve.
We stayed at the magnificent Ukhozi Lodge (4-star). This lodge stole our hearts with its amazing views and wonderful staff taking care of our every need. This lodge is newly renovated from top to bottom! The rooms were sparkling clean, neat and really spacious. The bed was massive, with a panoramic view over the reserve. The rooms are comfy, cosy and have everything you can need for a 2–3 night stay, or more!
Game Drives:
This is by far the most exciting part of the Safari! Knowing the animals could be somewhere right around the corner, it’s like a treasure hunt to find them! You never know what you are going to see as nothing is guaranteed, but with the amazing rangers at both Amakhala and Kariega we were lucky enough to experience the safari we could’ve only dreamed of. There were times when we got extremely close to the animals but we always felt safe with our rangers.
Besides the 3 lodges we stayed overnight at, we also paid visits to:
- 4-Star Amakhala, Woodbury Lodge
- 5-Star Amakhala, Bukela
- 3-Star Amakhala, Leeuwenbosch Country House
- 5-Star Kariega, Settlers Drift
- 4-Star Kariega, River Lodge
- 4-Star Kariega, Main Lodge
We feel very privileged to have had this experience and want to remind and encourage other South Africans to explore what’s on their doorstep. We have an incredibly beautiful country with amazing offerings, waiting to be explored!
Thanks for reading our blog
-Storm & Fazlin
