“The only man I envy is the man who has not yet been to Africa – for he has so much to look forward to”. People say once you visit Africa, its spirit will remain in your veins forever. And nowhere is that truer than in the wilderness of the bush.

The Eastern Cape is a province in south-central South Africa, bordered by scenic mountain ranges, with lush valleys carved by streams and rivers on their way to the Indian Ocean. Historically the entire region was private farmland and whilst plenty of this remains, these days it is predominantly known for its impressive population of Big 5 wildlife.

Due to its location, it makes for the perfect end to South Africa’s iconic Garden Route drive. Starting in cosmopolitan Cape Town, this route typically incorporates the rolling vineyards of the Cape Winelands, the whale watching capital of Hermanus, the desert town of Oudtshoorn and the sandy shores of Plettenberg Bay, before ending with a once-in-a-lifetime safari. If that wasn’t enough, the Eastern Cape is also malaria free, making it a popular choice for families and couples alike.

But of course the main reason for going on safari is the wildlife.

I’ve been lucky enough to do a few safaris in my time but this was my first visit to the Eastern Cape. - and I was utterly impressed! Overall, the game viewing was absolutely outstanding. You would have to be unlucky to not see at least 4 out of the Big 5 (that’s elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard - the last of which is the potential exception due to its elusive nature).

Of course it is fantastic to see the Big 5 and that’s many people’s goal. But when it comes to the ‘circle of life’ on the African plains, the Little 5 (also known as the Small 5 or the Shy 5), contrary to their name, play a huge role in this impressive ecosystem. Your ranger will cleverly bring all of this to life – from the big to the small. Who knew you could be so mesmerised by a dung beetle?!

All of the reserves in the Eastern Cape are privately owned and fenced. Whilst one may argue that this takes away slightly from the ‘wild’ aspect of a safari that you would experience on the vast plains of the Masai Mara in Kenya or in most areas of Kruger National Park in northern South Africa, the huge advantage of this is conservation. The fenced reserves mean that the wildlife population is able to be effectively managed with conservation efforts at the forefront and the Eastern Cape is proudly home to some of the greatest pioneers of conservation in Africa. Happily, these conservation efforts also provide a greater understanding of the animals’ habits and movements, meaning an increased chance of wildlife sightings.

When it comes to accommodation, there’s a plethora of lodges and camps to choose from. So, where to start?

Whilst you’re bound to have an unforgettable experience wherever you stay, there are definitely clear differences between the lodges. My advice is: be clear on what your budget is. Lodges can range between 300-3000 a night and on paper it can be hard to know what the differences are.

When it comes to the accommodation itself, it’s all about personal preference. Do you prefer modern and contemporary or are you after the most authentic tented safari experience possible? Then there’s the dining. Some offer romantic candlelight dinners in a traditional dining room, others offer an outdoor boma experience around the fire, at some the ranger dines with the guests, others offer private dining experiences in the bush.

However, what it really comes down to for me is the little touches which ‘make’ the whole safari experience. The top end lodges will provide fleece ponchos and hot water bottles on the morning game drives, request your favourite drink in advance for the sundowner drinks, greet you warmly on return to the lodge, whilst remembering your name and your preferences throughout.

This truly is what you pay for and that is - for me - where the real difference comes in between the 4* and 5* lodges.

Here is an overview of the main reserves across the Eastern Cape and their highlights:

Why choose this national park? Large elephant population; unique meerkat viewing experience.

Topography: Mixture of thick vegetation and low, open plains which provide a better chance of animal sightings.

Top pick lodge: Gorah Elephant Camp, 5* 

Why? Golden era of safari from the early 1900s; authentic tented accommodation; exceptional levels of service; active waterhole opposite the lodge’s viewing deck.

Why choose this reserve? Luxury lodges and large variety of accommodation options and settings; highly trained rangers; high density of wildlife within largest reserve; home to Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and Born Free Education Centre.

Topography: Thick bush and lush, green mountains towards the north of the reserve.

Top pick lodge: Shamwari Long Lee Manor, 5* 

Why? Combines contemporary resort-style accommodation with authentic safari elements; one of largest pools at a safari lodge.

Why choose this reserve? Great selection of lodges to suit every type of traveller; budget friendly; warm friendly service.

Topography: Mixture of thick vegetation and low, open plains in the east of the reserve.

Top pick lodge: Amakhala Bukela Lodge, 4*+ 

Why? Choice of suite and tented options; stunning views from top of a lush valley.

Why choose this reserve? One of the biggest populations of plains game in the Eastern Cape; very traditional South African cuisine with friendly, communal dining; cosy lodge accommodation.

Topography: Mixture of thick bush, lush mountainous valleys and open plains.

Top pick lodge: Lalibela Kichaka Lodge, 5* 

Why? Huge waterhole in front of the lodge with a group of resident hippos.

Why choose this reserve? Large population of rare white lion; lovely lodge settings nestled at bottom of a valley; all rooms offer private plunge pools.

Topography: Mountainous lush terrain plus unique woodland area.

Top pick lodge: Pumba Water Lodge, 4*+ 

Why? Unique location on the bank of Lake Cariega where hippos roam; spacious rooms; perfect for families and couples alike.

Why choose this reserve? Beautiful reserve with unique river setting; wide variety of accommodation options from lead in to luxury.

Topography: Hilly, mountainous and lush, with scenic river running through.

Top pick lodge: Kariega Settlers Drift, 5* 

Why? Super modern and architecturally striking; extremely high levels of service; stunning forest setting.

For more inspiration, take a look at our South Africa Safari Holidays pages.