4 unforgettable safari experiences in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Wibke Helfrich
6 days ago
3 min read

South Africa Safari Lion Jeep Animal Encounter

It doesn't necessarily have to be Kruger National Park to see the Big Five.

The Eastern Cape in South Africa is one of the country's most diverse safari regions – and often considerably quieter than the well-known parks in the north. Between expansive national parks, private game reserves, and the rugged coastline, a wide variety of safari experiences can be combined. In this article, I'll introduce you to four special safari experiences in the Eastern Cape – from classic game drives and walking safaris to safaris on the water.

South Africa Safari Elephant Animal Encounter Addo Elephant National Park

1. Addo Elephant Park – Safari in the Realm of Elephants

Addo Elephant National Park is one of the most famous safari destinations in the Eastern Cape. Besides elephants, with a bit of luck you can also spot buffalo, lions and many other wild animals – ideal for both self-drive and guided safaris.

Today, on a guided tour or with a rental car, you can watch over 600 elephants splashing around at the waterholes.

The country's third-largest national park is famous for its enormous elephant herds . In 1931, only eleven of the world's largest mammals remained in this region. Ivory hunters and ambitious agricultural projects had wiped out most of them. Fortunately, those harsh times are over for the pachyderms. You'll need a bit more luck to see the rest of the Big Five.

👉 You can find a detailed guide to Addo Elephant Park here.

South Africa, beautiful lion, proud, safari

2. Schotia Safari – Big Five Experience in a Private Reserve

The Schotia Game Reserve almost guarantees sightings of the Big Five on a game drive . I did the Tooth & Claw Safari and saw everything that's anyone in the bush – okay, except for a leopard, but they're just so good at hiding.

The funniest thing was a rhinoceros and an elephant lying next to each other in the waterhole.

But the little lions, the water buffalo, the many zebras, and the antelopes were also a fantastic experience. Our guide had an interesting and funny story to tell about every animal sighting. Between the two main game drives, there's a coffee break followed by a typical South African braai (barbecue). A shorter night drive, where you search for animals in the dark with flashlights, takes you back to the parking area. If you wish, you can also stay overnight.

A really cool experience, less than an hour away from Elisabeth!

Click on the first image to start the photo gallery.

3. Whale Safari – Whale watching along the coast

South Africa Whale Watching Humpback Whale Mother with Calf

The Eastern Cape is the only place in the world where you can see the "Big Seven" in a single day. This includes not only lions, rhinos, water buffalo, elephants , and leopards , but also, in the water, great white sharks and southern right whales . The African penguins are also really cool , and depending on the season, you might even spot humpback whales .

👉 You can find all the information about the best time to travel and whale watching safaris in my detailed article.

4. Bellevue Forest Reserve – Giraffe safari in a special atmosphere

South Africa Walking Safari Giraffe Selfie Wibke Helfrich wibkestravels

A truly special experience is a walk with giraffes. You can do this in the Bellevue Forest Reserve. I felt it was a great privilege to approach these enormous animals on foot.

When you see a giraffe that can be up to 6 meters tall on foot, you really realize what a giant it is.

Even from afar, their heads are visible above the trees. The animals gaze serenely at the visitors with their large, thickly eyelashed eyes, before resuming their grazing on the leaves of the thorny bushes. They wrap their tongues, which can be up to half a meter long ( giraffes have the strongest tongues of any mammal ), around the branches, tearing off the leaves. "Doesn't that hurt them?" I ask our guide. He shakes his head: "Their tongues and lips are designed so they don't injure themselves." Just a few meters away, a calf runs past with its mother. It eyes us curiously. The interest is reciprocated: we enthusiastically photograph the graceful, adorable creature. You can also stay overnight here.