
Eastern Cape Lodges
A land of rolling hills, endless sweeps of rocky coves and sandy beaches and towering mountains. Mountain Zebra Park, Addo Elephant Park, Shamwari Game Reserve, Amakala Game Reserve and Port Elizabeth are some of the many attractions on offer. The Eastern Cape South Africa also offers the great benefit of being malaria-free and hence is perfect for those 'Big 5' family-friendly safaris.
Centrally located, all game reserves and national parks are within easy reach of the coastline and provides the perfect beginning or end to a journey along the famed Garden Route.
The Uyaphi team has chosen a select portfolio of Eastern Cape lodges, camps and intimate hotels for your enjoyment.
The best safari Camps And Lodges In The Eastern Cape
Lalibela Marks Camp
Rates from R6 050.00 pp
Lalibela Marks Camp sleeps up to 20 guests in four individual chalets and four family chalets (8 chalets in total). Lalibela Game Reserve consists of 7,500 hectares and is home to the "Big 5" (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo & leopard).Shamwari Lobengula Lodge
Rates from R8 385.00 pp
Shamwari Lobengula Lodge is a beautiful and tranquil space tucked away in the depths of the valley bushveld; the Villa mirrors a traditional African "kraal" which enclosed by breath-taking views. All six suites can sleep a maximum of 2 adults per suite.Lalibela Lentaba Lodge
Rates from R6 050.00 pp
Lalibela Lentaba offers up magnificent wildlife and birdlife sightings in a Game Reserve that is famed for "Big 5". Lalibela is only one hours drive from Port Elizabeth making it the perfect destination for those on a self-drive safari.Shamwari Riverdene Family Lodge
Rates from R8 505.00 pp
The colonial-style, Shamwari Riverdene Family Lodge with nine inter-leading luxury rooms, swimming pool, supervised playroom, spacious green lawns and jungle gym facility ensures entertainment for the whole family.Lalibela Tree Tops Lodge
Rates from R6 050.00 pp
Raised walkways join safari tents perched high on thatched platforms at "treetop" level and offer spectacular views of the thickly-wooded valley. Lalibela Game Reserve is unique in that no public roads are running through the property.Shamwari Sarili Lodge
Rates from R11 825.00 pp
Sarili Lodge boasts amazing views of the Bushman’s River and the grassy plains of the surrounding Shamwari Reserve all the while offering up exciting, luxury safari accommodation that’s suitable for the whole family. 5-star luxury family travel.The Elephant House
Rates from R3 100.00 pp
The Elephant House, situated in the Sundays River Valley, set on a beautiful property, surrounded by rolling lawns and indigenous trees. The House, a thatched colonial style lodge, offers guests all the splendour of a bygone era. 45 minutes from Port Elizabeth.Shamwari Eagles Crag Lodge
Rates from R10 750.00 pp
Shamwari Eagles Crag is nestled in a valley and provides the ultimate luxury for the most discerning of travellers. Each of the nine superior rooms has been built to maximize the privacy of the guest in the most tranquil of settings.Samara Karoo Lodge
Rates from R6 500.00 pp
Samara's abundant wilderness preserves a complex and diverse ecosystem, providing habitat for over 60 mammal species. Samara is right up there is the very best Eastern Cape Accommodation that we offer on Uyaphi, that is without a doubt.Shamwari Bayethe Tented Lodge
Rates from R8 835.00 pp
Shamwari Bayethe Tented Lodge is a splendid stone walled and thatch-roofed lodge with a large deck area overlooking a waterhole. The nine luxury tents are camouflaged under trees allowing for ample privacy and unsurpassed comforts.Sibuya Bush Lodge
Rates from R4 550.00 pp
Sibuya Bush Lodge is a stylish bush destination, which mushrooms from an indigenous forested valley within the Malaria-Free Sibuya Game Reserve. A "Big 5" safari destination with a high density of animals and one of the best game-viewing experiences in the country is guaranteed.Shamwari Long Lee Manor
Rates from R8 925.00 pp
Long Lee Manor is a reminder of an era of gracious living, the flagship lodge within Shamwari. The Manor originally built in 1910, offers a distinctive Colonial experience offering 38 guests lodging in 15 elegant rooms and three luxury suites.Sibuya Forest Camp
Rates from R4 399.00 pp
Sibuya Forest Camp in the Sibuya Game Reserve offers up a "Big 5" and "Malaria-Free" safari experience that is up there with the best in the country. Forest Camp is perfectly positioned on the banks of the famed Kariega River.Amakhala Hlosi Lodge
Rates from R5 435.00 pp
Amakhala Hlosi Lodge offers guests that true African hospitality mixed with all the luxuries that one could wish for in an upmarket safari lodge. From the moment you arrive, one gets that sense of belonging. The entire lodge is fenced in by a small electric fence.Kariega Homestead
Rates from R41 000.00 pl
The Kariega Homestead is a private lodge which offers its guests all the comfort, convenience and luxury of their own home. With a dedicated game ranger and chef, guests have the flexibility to plan their day according to their own specific needs.Amakhala Hillsnek Lodge
Rates from R5 580.00 pp
Amakhala Hillsnek Lodge is ideally positioned in a remote corner of the Malaria Free Amakhala Game Reserve offering up a private and intimate safari lodge experience. HillsNek is the ideal lodge for small groups of friends, families.Kariega Settlers Drift
Rates from R8 900.00 pp
Located in a remote and untouched valley within the Kariega Game Reserve one comes across a small and intimate 5-star safari lodge. Kariega Settlers Drift is situated above the Bushman’s River with views out and over this amazing "Big 5" Reserve.Amakhala Bush Lodge
Rates from R6 190.00 pp
Feel invigorated by the sounds and fragrances of the African bush, while lounging on your personal deck, or viewing from within your plunge pool. Built in the bush, against a backdrop of aloe's and indigenous fauna and flora, makes the Bush Lodge the perfect African retreat.Kariega Ukhozi Lodge
Rates from R6 000.00 pp
Kariega Ukhozi Lodge is a small luxurious and vibrant safari destination with modern African style decor surrounding. The Ukhozi Lodge sits high on a hill overlooking the Kariega Game Reserve with her rolling hills and valleys.Amakhala Bukela Lodge
Rates from R6 190.00 pp
This four-suite Amakhala Bukela Lodge offers an exclusive game viewing experience which, combined with our luxurious, secluded accommodation, and variety of dining options, creates a remarkable, private retreat in which to regenerate body and mind.Kariega Main Lodge
Rates from R4 950.00 pp
Kariega Main Lodge offers families, friends and couples a relaxed and friendly environment to enjoy the African bush. Offering 9,000 hectares of pristine African wilderness, incorporating the picturesque Kariega and Bushmans Rivers.Amakhala Woodbury Lodge
Rates from R4 990.00 pp
Amakhala Woodbury Lodge offers an intimate and tranquil experience of the Eastern Cape riverine bushveld at its best. Experience a memorable safari in an area steeped in history and beauty. The lodge has recently received a four-star grading in recognition of its standards.Kariega River Lodge
Rates from R6 000.00 pp
Kariega River Lodge is one-of-a-kind. Ten spacious, air-conditioned and tastefully appointed thatched suites meander along the banks of the Bushman's River, offering the most discerning of guests luxurious peace and tranquillity.Amakhala Safari Lodge
Rates from R5 580.00 pp
Amakhala Safari Lodge is an intimate thatched lodge with its unique air-conditioned safari huts offers all the comforts of a luxury 5-star lodge and is an undisturbed retreat where you can regenerate your soul and tune into the sounds of nature.Kwandwe Uplands House
Rates from R52 630.00 pl
With rolling lawns dominated by a stately home cradled in a valley among the untamed hills of Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, The family-friendly Uplands House strikes a perfect mix between the genteel and the wilds of Africa.Kwandwe Melton Manor
Rates from R54 180.00 pl
Kwandwe's family-friendly "Melton Manor" with sweeping views of the river and mountains in three different directions, Melton Manor is a whimsical mix of old and new, a contemporary frontier farmhouse with a modern touch.Kwandwe Great Fish River
Rates from R10 370.00 pp
Great Fish River Lodge overlooks a majestic vista that stretches far into the horizon within the Kwandwe. With expansive viewing decks, every moment offers an opportunity to explore more of the wonders of the bush.Kwandwe Ecca Lodge
Rates from R10 370.00 pp
Kwandwe Ecca Lodge offers a breathtaking view onto an escarpment of steep shale cliffs. Expansive wooden viewing decks provide the ideal setting to soak up the bushveld atmosphere with a leisurely lunch or a sundowner drink.
Samara Game Reserve Review
About three hours drive northwest of Addo National park (see Tuesday's blog) lies a different country. If Addo enjoys a lush and verdant environment, Samara Game Reserve is the opposite. Its semi-desert environment is more akin to Namibia. Yet here we are in the middle of the Great Karoo near the historical farming town of Graaff Reinet.Addo Elephant Back Safari
I have been travelling in Africa for over three decades. In that time, I have been on countless safaris; by Land Rover, on foot, by canoe and horseback, up and down mountains and valleys. The sense of wonder and appreciation of natural beauty has never left me. There are, of course, individual animals which I prefer above all others. Some are large, very large and some small but all, for some reason or other, have endeared themselves towards me. I will start with the very large.Kwandwe Game Reserve Review
My husband and I were fortunate enough to visit the Kwandwe Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It had been many years since I had been on safari in the Eastern Cape and I was eager to see how the experience had changed. We flew from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth where we picked up our rental car and drove the 2 hours to Kwandwe Private Game Reserve. From the moment we arrived at reception, we experienced the service that this Relais and Chateaux property is famous for. We were met with a welcome drink, a cold towel and fresh homemade cookies accompanied our check-in.Death of a Cheetah
When you live in Africa, love the smell of nature and its strong call, and perhaps even more importantly, understand the natural cycles; you see the death of wildlife as part of the natural order. The strong conquer the weak, the old give space to the young. When you look at a magnificent animal and predator die in an area which is desperately (and successfully) trying to rehabilitate natural corridors of flora and fauna over a previously devastated land, no one would think less of you for shedding a tear.