The Eastern Cape Province combines an excellent climate with some superb Indian Ocean beaches. However, it is for the high quality game reserves that surround Port Elizabeth that the area is now most famous. These reserves are malaria-free and are growing in popularity for those looking for a great gaming experience without the tablets. The biggest reserve is the Addo Elephant National Park while the private reserves listed are world-renowned for both their game drives and important conservational work. In addition, the National Festival of Arts at Grahamstown during July is South Africa’s largest annual arts festival and would be a great event around which to plan your stay with good winter special offers available in all reserves. The Eastern Cape combines comfortably with the Garden Route and Plettenberg Bay is just two hours’ drive away, while Cape Town is just an hour’s flight from Port Elizabeth.
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A private reserve, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve is found set in 22,000 hectares of rolling hills dissected by Botha's River, east of Grahamstown. A member of Relais & Chateaux, the reserve offers four lodges, each with plenty of space and all offering excellent food.
Family-owned and managed, these three lodges are set in 10,000 hectares of pristine African wilderness incorporating the picturesque Kariega and Bushman’s Rivers. The reserve offers a combination of ‘Big Five’ and general game viewing and an extensive variety of fauna, flora and birdlife.
Privately-owned, Shamwari game reserve is set in the rolling hills around the Bushman’s River and covers a vast 20,000 hectares of verdant bush. It is just one hour north east of Port Elizabeth and is perhaps the most internationally renowned of the Eastern Cape reserves.
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