Overview

We personally visit each of our recommended places of accommodation to ensure they offer the exceptional service you expect whilst travelling. This also enables us to recommend the best rooms, activities, transport etc. so that your holiday is the best it can possibly be.

We are here to help you discover all the Garden Route adventures you can handle, the tranquillity and beauty (and of course the delectable wines!) of the Cape Winelands and exhilarating safari expeditions unlike anywhere else on earth…

Keep reading or go directly to our specials page and see how you can save thousands on your next holiday!

A holiday with no hitches, plenty of fun and excitement needs the help of an expert!

East Cape Tours is the friendly support that you will find indispensable whilst away from home. We give you all the space and freedom you require to relax (or go wild!) on your holiday, but are right there whenever you need assistance.

Our extensive knowledge and experience enables you to save money whilst taking full advantage of the spectacular Garden Route:

• Famous hiking trails, such as the Otter Trail.
• Gorgeous scenery.
• Knysna seafood delicacies (oysters).
• Popular family attractions – Tsitsikama National Park, Birds of Eden, Monkeyland, the Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary and the Knysna Elephant Park.
• An abundance of marine life and activities, including whale watching and shark-cage diving.
• Scenic horse-riding trails.
• World-class golf courses.
• The highest bungee jump in the world!
• Romantic, fun and exhilarating water activities and sports.
• Stunning and friendly seaside accommodation.

We will offer you the ultimate journey through the Cape Winelands:

Fascinating tours of the top Wine Estates

We often visit the superb game reserves in the Eastern and Western Cape, just to check they continue to offer the first-class service we know you expect when travelling and to keep our personal connection with the owners. Partner with us and we guarantee that you will have the best safari experience of your life. Whether you are an avid game reserve visitor or someone who is yet to venture into the untamed wilderness, we will offer you an unforgettable escape, honeymoon or family adventure.

East Cape Tours is your one-stop holiday shop in the lovely Eastern Cape. We have helped many people to discover all the wonderful, beautiful and fascinating aspects that make up this part of South Africa, and would love to do the same for you! Below we have mentioned the game reserves we recommend in both the Eastern and Western Cape.

Can’t decide where to go? Call us or email us. We are here to help you create magical memories. Your successful journey is our goal!

The Eastern Cape

The Eastern Cape is a marvellous area of South Africa that includes the spectacular Garden Route and a surprising number of splendid malaria-free game reserves. Without the worry of malaria it is so much easier for anyone to come and visit the abundance of wildlife that roams in the famous Big Five national parks of the Eastern Cape.

Shamwari is a 5-star game reserve that is extremely popular amongst local and international travellers, and covers a huge area of over 20,000 hectares. Six lodges, each unique in their design and service, make up the accommodation facilities, while further attractions include the Born Free Centre and the Ian Player Rhino Awareness Centre.

Beautiful and rare white lions are one of the main drawcards of Pumba Game Reserve, although a great number of other animal species are viewed on game drives. Pumba is also rated as a 5-star establishment and is highly regarded for their environmentally-friendly operations. Guests will stay at either the Bush Lodge or the Water Lodge – both offer beautiful views.

For persons who love to be at the water’s edge, we often recommend either Kariega Game Reserve or Sibuya Game Reserve, nearby the small coastal town of Kenton-on-Sea. Kariega Game Reserve has recently added a new lodge to their list, by the name of Settlers Drift, with luxury tented accommodation available. Guests of Kariega can explore 9,000 hectares of wilderness, enjoy river cruises and indulge in treatments at the Kariega Wellness Spa. Sibuya is a magnificent place that is only accessible by boat! Activities at Sibuya include game-drives, deep-sea fishing excursions, horse-riding, spa treatments, guided bird walks and historical tours.

While many of the game reserves in the Eastern Cape are family-friendly, two very popular choices for those with children are the Addo Elephant National Park and the Amakhala Game Reserve. Addo is famous around the world for its large elephant population. It is also the third largest national park in the country. Here you can expect lovely accommodation and picnic spots and plenty of wildlife in action. The stunning Kuzuko Lodge falls within the Addo Elephant National Park. Amakhala is 7,000 hectares of wilderness adventure along the tranquil Bushmans River. It includes a number of first-class lodges and is a natural extension of the Garden Route.

Kwantu Private Game Reserve is another highly-recommended holiday destination along the Bushmans River, and Kwandwe Private Game Reserve is found nearby to Grahamstown. It therefore offers a great opportunity to learn more about the history of the region (including the 1820 Settlers). Last, but certainly not least, Kichaka Private Game Reserve is never short of fantastic views, spacious and attractive accommodation and friendly game rangers who take guests on daily drives through the reserve.

Contact us for expert advice – We’ve been there!

We only recommend places where we’ve had first-hand experience of remarkable service.

 The Western Cape

The Western Cape thrives on both natural and man-made attractions. Its largest city, Cape Town (also fondly referred to as ‘the Mother City’), is a favourite destination for international visitors. While this impressive city with its ever-popular Table Mountain and vibrant atmosphere steals the hearts of millions of tourists, the wildlife reserves nearby are not forgotten. (The Western Cape is another malaria-free area of South Africa).

The Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is considered as one of the premier wildlife destinations in South Africa, and is just a three hour drive from Cape Town. The reserve is a huge 54,000 hectares that includes some fascinating rock formations. Unique and ancient rock paintings can be found in seven different places, and Sanbona is the only reserve in the world with free, self-sustaining white lions. It is also an area of conservation for the endangered Riverine Rabbit.

Even closer to Cape Town, and just 30 minutes from Hermanus, is the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. It is so nearby to the ocean that it includes the ‘Marine Big Five’ – whales, sharks, dolphins, seals and penguins. For their significant efforts in conservation and for the 5-star service they provide, Grootbos is considered as a world leader in responsible tourism. Accommodation is offered in several luxury lodges within the reserve, including the Grootbos Villa and Grootbos Garden Lodge.

Contact us for expert advice – We’ve been there!

We only recommend places where we’ve had first-hand experience of remarkable service.

Enquire Now!

 For immediate assistance fax or call or us on one of the numbers listed below

South Africa:
00 +27 (0) 41 581 6260
08 009 824 93 – Toll Free
00 +27 (0) 86 763 7120

International Numbers:
03 2880 173 – New Zealand
08 6205 3016 – Australia
04 9322 2109 1520 – Germany

International Toll Free Numbers:
08000 563 119- United Kingdom
1800 558 291 – Ireland
1866 8000 583 – US & Canada
00 08001 003 518 – India