If you have decided to embark on the iconic Garden Route in South Africa, then we recommend including a Big Five Safari in your travel itinerary. The Garden Route typically runs from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape province to Storms River Bridge in the Eastern Cape province and there are plenty of game reserves nearby that are within reasonable driving distance. In this article we will offer a selection of game reserves for you to choose from that will add excellent value to your Garden Route trip.
Game Reserves to visit along the Garden Route
Some of the best game reserves to visit while touring the Garden Route are situated in the malaria-free Eastern Cape Province. Our recommendation is to allocate a minimum of two nights at one of these reserves to get a taste of the safari lifestyle.
Amakhala Game Reserve
Amakhala is a private game reserve located just over two hours from Storm’s River bridge, and within one hour from Port Elizabeth International Airport. The reserve was established in 1999 as a conservation project between six lodge owners. Originally a sheep and cattle ranch, part of this passion project was to restore the original fauna and flora back to the land and reintroduce wildlife to where they once roamed freely. Today you will find all of Africa’s Big Five here, along with ten unique properties that offer 3, 4, & 5 star accommodation.
Accommodation: From R3510 – R6190 per person sharing (inclusive of meals and safari activities)
*A mandatory conservation levy, usually around R150-R200, is payable on a per person per night basis.
Gondwana Game Reserve
Gondwana Private Game Reserve is a five-star reserve about a 25 minute drive inland from Mossel Bay. Alongside the Big Five you will also find other animals such as: eland; red hartebeest; endangered Cape Mountain Zebra and springbok. Along with luxury accommodation, the Cape Fynbos vegetation also offers a unique safari experience and great photographic opportunities. This child-friendly reserve is the first of this region to have wild elephants born in 200 years.
Activities on the reserve include game drives; junior ranger programme; tented bush spa; mountain biking; fynbos walking experience; guest conservation experience; and birding safaris.
Check in: 2pm-3pm
Check out: 10am-11am
Rates from: R7777,50 per person sharing per night, inclusive of luxury accommodation/meals/safari activities
Kariega Game Reserve
Situated in the Eastern Cape, at the end of the Garden Route (if you are starting in Cape Town) is the malaria-free Kariega Private Game Reserve. This is a fabulous addition to a Cape Town Garden Route holiday if you are looking to include a Big Five safari into your itinerary. The reserve stretches over 10,000 hectares of Eastern Cape Wilderness with a collection of luxury safari lodges sprinkled across the land.
If you were to stay in the Main Lodge, these would be the seasonal rates:
These rates are based on the following:
Rates from: R6100 per person sharing per night, including safari activities and meals
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve
Travelling along Route 62, about 3.5 hours from Cape Town, you will find the extraordinary Sanbona Wildlife Reserve - a luxury safari experience made up of 62000 hectares of land in the Little Karoo. Although Sanbona does not officially fall on the Garden Route, it is the perfect start to your Garden Route adventure and pairs well with a stay in Oudtshoorn - the land of the Ostriches. This a nature reserve with conservation at its core and visitors can expect to be blown away during their stay.
Rates from: R8100 per person sharing per night, all inclusive.
Shamwari Game Reserve
Recognised for its ecological diversity and exceptional conservation efforts, Shamwari is a Big Five game reserve that is home to 7 luxury lodges, 1 explorer camp and 2 unique education and rehabilitation facilities. Along with the traditional safari experience, guests can also visit the Animal Rescue and Education centres on the reserve that raise awareness of the horrific treatment of wild big cats in captivity. For those looking to support a cause while on holiday in South Africa, staying at Shamwari at the end of your Garden Route tour is a worthy addition. Rates from: R8505 per person sharing per night, all inclusive.
Safaris For Africa Tips and Advice
When planning a Garden Route tour in South Africa, inclusive of a safari, we recommend a minimum of 8 days. This will allow time to stop over at places along the Garden Route, as well as allocating two nights sor a safari. If you have more than 7 days available, then spending a few days in Cape Town and in the Cape Winelands prior to heading along the Garden Route is worth it. For those with greater flexibility, visiting more than one reserve along the Garden Route is also a super option. One of the reasons we provide a guided service of the Garden Route is that our local guides know the roads and routes very well, and this allows our guests to sit back and enjoy this exceptional part of the world. It is also important to note that some of the reserves are better accessed with 4x4 vehicles. If you would like us to custom design a Garden Route itinerary for your holiday to South Africa please pop us an email.
If you are visiting South Africa for the first time or are returning but are wary of venturing beyond your comfort zone, we encourage you to explore the Garden Route and the safari lifestyle this part of the world offers.
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