Eastern Cape safaris, tours & holiday packages
Wild Coast and malaria-free wildlife viewingCustom Eastern Cape
- Describe your dream trip
- We'll source the best value
- Book when you're ready
Large and ecologically varied, the Eastern Cape combines a wonderful coastline with excellent game-viewing opportunities in the malaria-free Greater Addo Elephant National Park and environs
The Eastern Cape is best known for its spectacular coastline, which runs north-east from the dramatic Storms River Mouth to the southern border of KwaZulu-Natal. En route, it takes in the surfing mecca that is Jeffrey's Bay, the sleepy port cities of Port Elizabeth and East London, and the extensive coastal forests and dunefields around Port Alfred and Alexandria. Crossing the Kei River, highlights of the unspoiled Wild Coast include the rather artsy retreat of Port St Johns on the mouth of the Mzimvubu River, the florally diverse Mkhambati Nature Reserve and the stunning sea-eroded Hole in the Wall rock formation.
(P.S. If you're looking for affordable Eastern Cape holiday destinations, we've got some great travel deals for you.)
Popular Eastern Cape safaris
These popular itineraries can be customised to match your budget and travel dates
South Africa's Garden Route Odyssey (14 days)
Discover one of South Africa’s best kept secrets - the Garden Route
$ 5,482
£ 4,306
R 93,710
€ 4,699
per person
14 days
“Two of my favourite parts of the Eastern Cape are the Wild Coast and Addo. The Wild Coast genuinely lives up to its name, being just far enough off the beaten track to retain a very untouristy feel, while Addo must rank among the top three places in Africa for close-up elephant encounters.”
More on Eastern Cape holidays
The interior of this malaria-free province is a popular centre for Big Five game viewing. Its conservation showpiece, the Greater Addo Elephant National Park, is best known for intensive close-up elephant viewing, but it also incorporates five of South Africa’s seven terrestrial biomes.
Nearby, the private Shamwari and Kwandwe reserves offer exclusive safari experiences comparable to the best in Sabi Sand, in the Greater Kruger Park. Further inland, the Mountain Zebra National Park is a stronghold for endemics such as Cape mountain zebra, black wildebeest and orange-breasted rockjumper. For art enthusiasts, the National Arts Festival held in Grahamstown every July is a rewarding blend of classical European and contemporary African influences. Worth a detour at any time of year, Graaff Reinet, founded on the Sundays River in the heart of the semi-arid Karoo in 1786, today boasts more than 200 buildings preserved as national monuments.
Altogether different, the quaint and remote montane village of Hogsback is known for its alternative eco-friendly vibe, as its otherworldly landscapes also reputedly inspired several scenic descriptions in The Hobbit and related works by the South African-born writer JRR Tolkien.
Eastern Cape Map
Eastern Cape's location on Google Maps
Frequently Asked Questions about Eastern Cape
Wildlife viewing in Shamwari Game Game Reserve is good throughout the year. However, the best wildlife viewing is during the driest winter months of June to September. The lack of water in the bush drives animals to open water sources -… go there.
October to March is the best time to visit Zebra National park - It is easier to spot the wildlife, since there is less vegetation and the wildlife congregates around the waterholes - as well as migratory birds are present. go there.
Botswana: Electric plug M 230V and 50Hz Kenya: Electric plug G 240V and 50Hz Malawi: Electrical plug G 230V and 50Hz Mauritius: Electrical plug C & G, 230V and 50Hz Mozambique: Electrical plug C,F,M, 220V and 50Hz Namibia: Electric plug… go there.
Whether you are in the Southern or East Africa you will generally be able to see the big five. The difference really comes in when considering antelope as they are based on your chosen location. go there.
This is all dependant on the countries that you will be visitng and due to the status of certain vaccinations changing at times, please consult our experts before getting vaccines. go there.
In some parts of Southern Africa it is safe to drink the tap water, however it is highly recommended to stick to bottled water (mostly supplied) during your trip as even drinkable African water is completely different in taste and… go there.
The dry season winter months of May to September is the best time to visit the Addo Elephant National Park. The wildlife will gather around waterholes as water becomes a scarce resource, and in turn, producing excellent game viewing opportunities. go there.
Reviews on our Eastern Cape safaris
Every one was so helpful in making the arrangements. The booking people helped in all the questions we had, they were polite and helpful. The tour and lodge were amazing. Every one was helpful and very interesting to talk to. They made our…
Shelia
from United States of America
It was my husband's dream to travel to Etosha National park in Namibia. We had travelled a lot as a couple but now we were travelling with a 1-year-old. I wanted to speak to an expert so I contacted the Discover Africa Group. From the minute…
Daemi Family
from Australia
Our family (5 adults and 3 children) went to the Kruger with Discover Africa and all I can say is that it was outstanding! The service, the attention, the arrangements, the site, the lodge ... everything was absolutely perfect thanks to…
Verkijk Family
from Spain
Related Articles
Travel Tips: 12 hours in Port Elizabeth
Whether you’re coming from the stunning Garden Route, or heading for the nearest city from the Addo Elephant National Park or the starkly beautiful Karoo, chances are you’ll end up in the friendliest of South Africa’s cities; Port… read more
Four fantasy forests to explore in South Africa
Afromontane forests cover less than 0,50% of South Africa’s land area and are concentrated in areas that receive plenty of rainfall and lie near coastal regions of the country. These forests are diverse ecosystems, supporting birds and of… read more
A short guide to Addo Elephant National Park
Conveniently located an hour from the city of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, Addo Elephant National Park should not be missed on a safari in South Africa. As the third largest park in the country, it’s well… read more
Discover the South African village that inspired The Hobbit
“As their eyes became used to the dimness they could see a little way to either side in a sort of darkened green glimmer. Occasionally a slender beam of sun that had the luck to slip in through some opening in the leaves far above, and still… read more
__1920x864.jpg){kind=link}
