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Etali Safari Lodge, Madikwe Game Reserve

Etali Safari Lodge is the perfect combination of Animals, Romance & the African Bush.

We regard Etali as one of the best Safari Lodges that we have stayed at. A combination of peerless accommodation, excellent food (not always present at even some of the most expensive safari lodges), wonderful ambiance and superb game viewing. Above all, Etali has some of the most helpful staff that we have encountered makiong this a truly memorable experience. The very private accommodation is in 10 separate, thatched lodges. Each has comfortable living and sleeping quarters and a generous bathroom complete with double indoor shower and a private outdoor shower too. The deck is ideal for game viewing or just gazing at the splendid southern hemisphere stars – but don’t be surprised if the odd giraffe tries to ‘sneak’ past in the dark! The private plunge pool on your deck is, in fact, a heated Jacuzzi! This is truly your own 5 star heaven in the bush. The central facilities are excellent and include a fully equipped outdoor gym and an adjacent wellness centre.

About Etali’s Location

The experienced rangers and trackers will guide you on your game drives and, if you prefer, a bush walk. Dinner is in the boma close to a waterhole and we were particularly impressed by the impromptu show from a lone elephant that appeared committed to enjoying a drink and a shower while the guests / onlookers enjoyed their breakfasts.

River Bend Country Lodge, Addo National Park

Great accommodation close to The Addo National Park

As a place to stay, now within the borders of the recently enlarged Addo National Park, and be pampered this small hotel of just 8 luxury suites offers their guests a calm and relaxed environment. The hotel’s rooms are exquisitely decorated and are in bungalows set around a central courtyard.

About the Location

After a morning’s game drive, return and have a leisurely breakfast overlooking the beautiful scenery of the Sunday’s River Valley, maybe relax beside the pool and then visit the health and beauty facilities before taking another game drive in the late afternoon. We advise an early and late drive because you will see different varieties of game. In the early morning you will see many different antelope including the massive, but normally shy and reclusive, Eland. Springbok, Kudu and Hartebeest abound and you are quite likely to spot a pair of jackal returning after a hard night’s work! Elephants will be walking to the waterholes for a morning’s refreshment and you will also see Warthog, Zebra, Meerkat, Ostrich and the extraordinary Secretary birds as the search for snakes! In the late afternoon you should see Rhino and Cape buffalo and, as they are introduced, Lion.

Elephant House, Addo National Park

Elephant House is a charming retreat close to the Addo National Park

Elephant House has a very African feel. The seven rooms are arranged around a courtyard and are thatched with deep verandas; there is also a separate cottage. The rooms are simply, but effectively decorated to a very high standard and they are larger than average. They have a pleasantly cool feel, which is necessary during the summer heat. The pool is very welcome after a hot day spotting game in the nearby Addo Park. We believe the value represented by The Elephant House will amaze you.

About the location

You can take an organised game drives into the Addo National Park with an experienced ranger or maybe you would like to drive yourself into the reserve. Elephant House can also arrange safaris into the private game reserves such as Schotia, Shamwari, Lalibela and River Bend. These will provide a different experience with the rangers able to drive off the main paths into the bush to find game.

Kariega Private Game Reserve,Nr. Kenton-on-Sea

A great option for families seeking a safari

This is a perfect safari location for families. Accommodation is in three lodges. The largest, Main Lodge, has log cabin style accommodation with large central dining facility and boma (open fenced area for wonderful evening meals around a log fire) and a great infinity pool looking over the characteristic Eastern Cape bush with views across the Bushman’s River and the Indian Ocean in the distance. Ukhozi Lodge is smaller; just 10 log cabins, and are more refined lending itself to older families. River Lodge is more exclusive with just 5 luxurious suites and is reached by boat for an even more exotic ‘feel’. The Homestead is for families who want the seclusion of their ‘own’ accommodation complete with their ‘own’ staff.

About the Location

The Game Reserve is divided into two. The area that includes the three lodges does not have the large predators, which means that walking safaris are arranged with children in mind for a special up close encounter with a wide range of plains animals. The lodge also has a boat for river-based safaris on the Bushman’s River. Game drives into the other part of the reserve will provide guests with memorable encounters with the ‘Big Five’ including Lion, Elephant Rhino and Cape buffalo. The remaining member. Leopard, are endemic to the region but tend to be very shy so sightings happen only occasionally. The game is managed on this reserve and we understand that the big predators are fed by the management. Although reducing the authenticity of the ‘Safari Experience’, this will help to conserve the usual prey of the big cats.

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Gorah Elephant Camp, Addo Elephant National Park

Gorah provides ultimate luxury in the African Bush where you can wake up to the sound of a lion’s roar

Gorah is part of the Hunter’s, Tsala group of Hotels. If you are looking for ultimate luxury, and a price that reflects this, then Gorah is the place for you. The location can’t be bettered. It is located inside the original park and that means that is near the middle of the enlarged Greater Addo National Park. There are 11-tented suites, which are the ultimate in luxury. These provide a very romantic setting and are fully equipped complete with sitting area, with views over the surrounding countryside, and a beautiful bathroom. The standard of cuisine is some of the highest in South Africa and is served in the old manor house overlooking a waterhole. You are quite likely to see an elephant or Cape Buffalo grazing around your tent. Accommodation is all inclusive of your meals, sundowner on your game drive and local beverages. Our clients have regarded their stay as a very special experience.

About Gorah’s Location

You will see a wealth of animals on your two 3 1/2 hour game drives a day, especially elephant. Addo boasts the densest elephant population on earth! This is a ‘Big Five’ reserve so you will see lion, cape buffalo, rhino as well as numerous antelope, giraffe, zebra and ostrich as well as the occasional and utterly charming meerkat. The rangers are very experienced and they will instruct you on the local medicinal plants and even get you crunch into a tasty termite! The sky at night is incredible and we will never forget seeing the moons of Jupiter through the ranger’s binoculars. Sundowners will be provided on the game drive and few will forget the sight of a table being laid with a pristine table cloth in the bush! You can also ask about a bush walk guided by an experience ranger.

Lalibela Private Game Reserve, Near Addo, Eastern Cape

Lalibela has been one of the most consistent private game reserves in The Eastern Cape – a firm favourite!

Lalibela is close to Shamwari and the Addo National Park. The reserve is under new management and as of June 2017 will be undergoing extensive renovations. The accommodation promises to provide you with a real ‘African’ feel. There are three camps with one comprising luxury tented accommodation. Mark’s Camp is the main lodge and sleeps 16 people in four individual, thatched chalets and two family chalets. Lentaba Lodge is more secluded based on 8 individual, thatched huts with private observation decks. For those lazy afternoons there is also a swimming pool in each camp overlooking the surrounding bush. The Tented Camp accommodates 16 people in 8 tents. Accommodation here is all-inclusive and the cuisine is first class providing a blend of Africa with some sophistication.

About Lalibela’s location

Game viewing is excellent and includes the ‘Big Five’ and as you can see from the pictures you should be ensured some spectacular memories. The Game Rangers are knowledgeable and very enthusiastic. The vegetation is undergoing extensive rehabilitation. Much of this part of South Africa was farmed and the reserve is undertaking a program removing alien species. The reserve is conveniently situated near to the main highway between Grahamstown and Port Elizabeth. The airport is only an hour’s drive away. this region is called the Settler Region and there is much historical context with the British settlers who were encouraged to farm in 1822 but who endured much hardship.

Shamwari Private Game Reserve, Near Addo

Very popular non malarial safari with international tourists

This was established as one of the first private reserves near Addo and has grown over the last few years to include a number of very individualistic camps – including one with luxury tents. The accommodation is a very high standard and includes the larger, exclusive Longlee Manor, the beautifully sited Riverdene, the tented Bayethe and the more expensive but romantic Eagle Crags.

About the Location

The game drives are among some of the most productive we have encountered in South Africa providing great opportunity to view the ‘Big Five’ but without the added concern of malaria. The game rangers are experienced and will help your enjoyment of the safari. Shamwari is justly renowned for its cuisine and given its relatively close proximity to Port Elizabeth, less than an hour’s drive, makes it an ideal safari either at the beginning or end of your journey along the Garden Route.