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    Pristine coastline

    800 kilometres of coastline

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    Malaria-free

    For stress-free safaris

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    Family-friendly

    Ideal for the whole family

    Handy reserves and the sun soaked 'Wild Coast'

    Once a region side-stepped by most travellers in favour of the Garden Route and Big Game Country of the north, South Africa’s Eastern Cape continues to win visitors over with its pristine coastline, accessible and malaria-free wildlife reserves, picturesque villages and surreal hinterland landscapes.

    As the second largest province in the country it also boasts 800 kilometres of sun-soaked coastline including at its most northern end, the lush 174-kilometre long ‘Wild Coast’; a stretch of shoreline termed as such thanks to a delightful lack of development, rivers ending in expansive estuaries, long sandy crescent beaches, rocky headlands, coastal dunes and many a shipwreck to dive.

    With the most of the region’s Big Five game and nature reserves being malaria-free and all within a 45 minute to 1.5-hour drive from Port Elizabeth, the Eastern Cape is a safari experience well-suited to families or those looking for a more straightforward trip. Among these are Shamwari Kwandwe Private Game Reserves which boast some of fine luxury and Afro-chic lodges, and the fabulous Settlers Drift Lodge in Kariega Private Game Reserve.

    The region’s interior hinterlands are also what shape the Eastern Cape as a distinct destination and are worth mentioning for its endless horizons and desolate scrublands creating quite a dreamlike lunarscape interrupted with picturesque old settlement towns such as Graaff-Reinet.

    The Jacada Difference

    Seamless organisation, every step of the way

    Journeys as meaningful as they are memorable

    Remarkable stays, handpicked by our experts

    Why do I love South Africa so much? Apart from the fact that I called it home for a number of years, I think it’s also the friendliest, most beautiful and diverse country in Africa. Where else can you enjoy international food and wine pairing one day, and a safari in Big Five territory the next?

    Jody van Merode headshot

    Jody van Merode

    Senior Travel Designer

    Luxury accommodation in Eastern Cape Safaris

    There are many incredible places to stay in Eastern Cape Safaris. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

    Why book with Jacada?

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    Safari expertise

    Our experts bring decades of first-hand expertise. They’ve lived and travelled across Africa and are regularly on the ground reviewing the most exclusive camps and experiences. You’ll also have the support of a personal concierge, based in region.

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    Unforgettable guides

    We handpick the most knowledgeable guides, who bring each destination to life with care and passion. They’re chosen for their ability to provide unrivalled insight into the region’s wildlife and landscapes as well as a genuine, memorable experience.

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    Positive impact

    By travelling with us, you directly support a range of initiatives spanning wildlife conservation to community engagement. Our luxury trips are designed to prioritise experiences that are positive for you and the places you visit.

    Ready to plan your adventure?

    Whatever you want from your Eastern Cape Safaris adventure, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

    Where else to go in South Africa

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    Cape Town

    Vibrant and beautiful, Cape Town is an essential stop on any South Africa trip. Table Mountain dominates the skyline and offers exciting outdoor pursuits while the streets below are full of history, culture and buzzing bars and restaurants.

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    Drakensberg Mountains

    The Drakensberg mountains are an epic and exciting place to visit. Huge tabletops, massive ranges, ancient san rock-art sites and crashing waterfalls can be explored on hikes, exhilarating zip lines and expedition horse rides.

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    Durban thumbnail

    Durban

    A subtropical climate, beautiful beaches and laid back atmosphere makes Durban a great city to spend time in. It also holds plenty of cultural and political importance as the capital of the KwaZulu Natal region.

    Discover more
    Johannesburg thumbnail

    Johannesburg

    South Africa‘s ‘Big Apple’, this sunny city is not only one of the world’s largest urban areas and South Africa’s commercial and economic hub, it’s also been branded the new capital of cool.

    Discover more
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    KwaZulu Natal

    Known as the ‘Kingdom of the Zulu’, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa’s most north-easterly coastal province, quite literally has it all.

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    Limpopo Province

    Known as ‘The Great North’ Limpopo is characterised by majestic scenery, ancient landscapes and millions of hectares of protected land. There are numerous outdoor activities including some of the best horse riding safaris in the country.

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    Luxury Rail Travel

    Luxury trains cut through dramatic landscapes, enjoyed from the comfort of stylish carriages. Any journey through South Africa will be a beautiful one and taking the journey by train delivers a wonderful sense of calm or romance.

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    Madikwe

    Madikwe, in the northwest corner, boarding Botswana and the Kalahari desert is a hidden gem for safari-goers. A great spot for families with little children as there’s no malaria-free area.

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    Northern Kruger National Park

    The Makuleke is the northernmost section of the Kruger National Park. It is something of an open secret among safari aficionados, a diverse and dramatic region that is perhaps the park’s most beautiful, yet kept wonderfully quiet thanks to its remoteness and community run concession status.

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    Phinda

    Phinda is a private reserve offering exclusivity, conservation-lead hospitality and exciting wildlife encounters. A varied collection of habitats attracts plenty of wildlife and with its proximity to the coast, beach and bush combine perfectly.

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    Pretoria

    Located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, this handsome city is one of South Africa‘s three capital cities. Pretoria is made up of grand buildings, large, leafy green suburbs and wide, tree-lined streets.

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    Sabi Sands

    A private reserve spanning 600,000 hectares and boarding the game-rich Kruger Park means safari experiences here are exclusive and full of wildlife. A place of leopards and wild dogs, luxury lodges and endless savannahs.

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    The Garden Route

    The Garden Route is a place of magnificent natural beauty. The coastline is made up of small bays, beaches and quaint towns. In the distance rolling, green hills and forestland runs down to meet the coast, laden with marine life.

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    The Kalahari

    The Kalahari showcases the massive diversity of the country's landscapes. Unique desert species roam the arid plains, waiting for the rains to bring dry land to life with a flurry of desert flowers.

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    The Kruger

    A world famous national park, and for good reason. The wildlife in the Kruger is abundant, the big five reside here in large numbers. The park is home to many luxurious lodges for a once-in-a-lifetime safari experience.

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    The Western Cape Mountains

    The Cape Mountains span the northern and southern capes, taking in the Cederberg mountains and most of the Karoo plateau. A perfect place for jaw-dropping road trips on the famous route 62 and all just a convenient distance from Cape Town.

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    The Whale Coast

    On the Atlantic shoreline of the western cape there’s a beautiful collection of bays, towns and villages. Whale watching boat trips can be arranged to spot southern right whales and evenings are spent in fine restaurants and stylish hotels.

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    The Winelands

    Pretty towns and villages punctuate the green rolling hills of South Africa’s Wine Region. Home to fantastic wine, restaurants and plenty of outdoor activities that make the most of the stunning landscapes.

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    Meet your Africa experts

    When to visit South Africa

    Cape Town and along the Garden Route are great to visit any time of year, but early summer when the winds drops are particularly pleasant. If you’re visiting for safari, the dry winter months are often considered the best but the wetter summer months bring full waterholes, lush bushveld and lots of newborn animals.

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    Wildflowers

    August - September

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    Safari

    May - October

    Cape Town main icon

    Cape Town

    October - April

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    Winelands

    February - March

    When is the Best Time to Visit South Africa?

    When is the Best Time to Visit South Africa?

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    Plan your trip to Eastern Cape Safaris

    Whatever you want from your adventure in Eastern Cape Safaris, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

    Herd of zebra in the grasslands in the golden light, TanzaniaHot air balloon over Marrakech in the sunset light.

    Plan with peace of mind

    When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.

    If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.

    Find out more
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