Having never been to South Africa before, I had the opportunity to join 100 other agents from around Australia & New Zealand on the South Africa Mega Lekker famil to experience one of 10 regions for the very first time. We were so lucky to get the Eastern Cape / Garden Route area with private game reserves throughout the area, all working together to rewild the region and eventually with cooperation from the individual owners – remove the fence lines between the reserves.
As these are privately owned reserves many of the more unique animals wear tracking devices around their necks so that they can be monitored and protected against poachers.
We flew Qantas from Sydney to Johannesburg which went quite smoothly. Customs in J’burg was interesting, as it was not very well set up with only a few officers on duty. Pack your patience here just in case it happens when you travel too.
Our connecting flight to Port Elizabeth was a quick re-check in at the domestic terminal.
We arrived at Port Elizabeth and our coach driver for our adventure met us outside for our 1-night stay at Mantis No.5 hotel. It was a late arrival and for me when my day started at 4.30am in Brisbane it was a long one!
Mantis No 5 Hotel
The Mantis No 5 is a gorgeous art deco hotel, just one block back from the beach. The huge rooms and bathrooms were fabulous. The only international plug was around by the desk – so not bedside. I would definitely recommend getting a separate South African plug, as they are different with three round pegs.
This hotel has a 16-seat theatre, lovely lounge areas and a breakfast room – plus a pool! On our way back to J’burg we went and had lunch before our flight down in the cellar room, which is spectacular.
After breakfast we packed up again and went on our journey to the game reserves. On the way we stopped at Bellevue Forest Reserve for a Giraffe Tracking Experience.
Bellevue Forest Reserve
As first-time South Africa visitors, we were all in awe of these beautiful animals. We came across a mum and her baby enjoying dinner and learnt a lot about the giraffes and the area they are living in.
The conservation work that many of the reserves are participating in is fabulous. Rewilding areas that were cleared for farming many years ago plus putting back into the local communities is what they are all about.
Karoo Lodge
Next stop is Samara Private Game Reserve, and we stayed at the Karoo Lodge. Exquisite is the word that comes to mind for this lodge. Wonderful staff that couldn’t do more for you and all they want is for you to have a fabulous time. Individual suites that are very well appointed with huge king-size beds, lounge area and wonderful bathroom with a tub, separate shower and outside shower as well. The suites have an outside sitting area but be mindful of the monkeys and baboons. They are plentiful so keep the doors closed! The lodge is fenced so no problems there, but you do need to be walked back to your suites by a staff member at night to be safe.
Karoo Lodge does offer a family suite with two bedrooms and separate bathrooms that would suit two couples or a family. They don’t have any facilities for under 12s though, so keep this in mind.
Like all our stays, Karoo Lodge is fully inclusive for all meals and drinks, plus it includes two game drives a day. One for sunrise, that leaves around 5.30am and the other for sunset, leaving around 4.30pm. This is when the animals are most active, so it makes sense but geez, it was cold, so don’t forget your jacket and layers. Karoo Lodge safari trucks have polar fleece blankets and ponchos that we all wore to keep warm. They have a driver and spotter / tracker onboard and will fit up to six passengers at a time. They can offer private trucks for smaller groups as they are not a large lodge, so it is very intimate.
Samara is known for the Big Five (lion, rhino, buffalo, leopard and elephant) but they are best known for their cheetahs. First game drive and we saw a cheetah stalk, chase and kill a springbok for her four cubs. It was spectacular to say the least and often pax don’t see this, so we were super lucky. We were even allowed out of our vehicle and walked to about 50m from the cheetah and her cubs to photograph. Truly fabulous and something I won’t forget for a long time!
Back after the drive we had a South African Boma (BBQ) outside so no need to change – just stay warm. There was wonderful local meats, vegetables and salad – plus dessert. No time for jet lag as we were up early for a morning drive up to their savannah plain to encounter zebras, wildebeest and impalas galore. Breakfast on the ends of the cliff was spectacular with mimosas and a wonderful spread supplied.
Mt Camdeboo Private Game Reserve
Next stop was only 10 minutes up the road at Mt Camdeboo, where they have four different types of accommodation. Main Lodge, Courtyard Lodge, Settlers Hill Lodge and two independent pods that are set out on the Savannah completely away from the lodges. Again, two of the lodges are fenced for wild animals but not monkeys (Main and Courtyard) so you can walk between them for dinner and breakfast, but Settlers Hill is outside, so you have to be driven there and back. Wild animals are around you so you will hear lions roaring throughout the night. Elephants and other animals are known to drink at the pool here! Lodges have separate bedrooms with private ensuites, main living areas and kitchens – plus pools to enjoy. All rooms have tea and coffee making facilities like Karoo Lodge.
Once we had lunch and settled in, we were off on another game drive. Fleecy ponchos were on board if you needed them - and we sure did! Our night drive was freezing so in the morning we got hot water bottles which made a huge difference. Again, the wildlife is amazing but still no lions! We were becoming fussy, but it was fun to see if we could find them.
In this part of the Eastern Cape, we also saw the rare Mountain Zebra which doesn’t have stripes under its belly and black backed wildebeest. It is interesting how the different areas have different types of animals. Giraffes galore again which just pop up from behind a bush while they are munching away. Lots of babies for all animal types and our first up close encounter with elephants. Coming out of the bushes and surrounding our truck. So cool!
This place continues to blow your mind, to think you are so close to these magnificent animals is surreal. After three nights in different places, we were off to Kariega Private Game Reserve for a 2-night stay. This is on the other side of Port Elizabeth from where we had been. On the way we did a quick site inspection of Dorstdy Hotel in Graaff-Reinet which was the closest town to the first two game reserves. A reasonable sized town offering plenty of cafe / restaurants and shopping.
Drostdy Hotel - Graaff-Reinet
Our journalist Catherine was required to write about the Valley of Desolation so off we went and took our coach up as far as possible which apparently wasn’t recommended but this is South Africa, and we are here to push the limits of man and vehicle!
Gorgeous vistas from up on the viewing platforms and a relatively easy walk along the paths. Worth the stop with a picnic and drinks (we didn’t do that!) Tables and benches aplenty, and public toilets as well.
Valley of Desolation
Back on the bus and off to Kariega we go! Long day again but we arrived with the fabulous welcome you get at all lodges straight to a Boma for dinner as we were so late.
Kariega Private Game Reserve - River Lodge
Kariega Game Reserve is malaria-free like our other reserves and situated on 11,500 hectares. It offers five different lodges at varying price points starting from $600 a night. Main Lodge where younger children are welcome with a ‘kids club’ provided on site and specially arranged animal encounters for them as well, Ukhozi Lodge adjacent to the Main Lodge with stunning rooms with private plunge pools, River Lodge, Settlers Drift which is a six star tented lodge and again stunning plus The Homestead.
All lodges have their own pools for use throughout the day between safaris plus the River Lodge has the kayaks as well if you are keen. These lodges are either on the east or west reserves but have the opportunity to explore both with quick easy access through electric fenced gates. All-inclusive like the other lodges and they have a wonderful Kariega Foundation programme that trains locals to become guides, along with many other opportunities and also gives back to these communities to help with the habitat expansions and restorations they are doing. Like all reserves, they are very much into the protection of the Rhino and work with locals to keep poachers at bay as much as possible.
We stayed at the River Lodge which as the name suggests is on the river. Gorgeous property with plenty of wildlife just outside your doors literally. I woke up to a family enjoying breakfast just outside and there were a few Impalas hanging around under stairways! Monkeys everywhere as well so again doors closed at all times, but they are crafty enough to work their way through the thatched roof of the main building to get in for some morning muffins.
Private reserve safaris morning and night along with a trip down the river to the sea at Kenton-on-Sea. A gorgeous beach location much like we have here in Australia that has beautiful ‘beach houses’ for the South Africans to enjoy. We saw the most amount of animals on this reserve as it is longer established and a bigger area for them all. Finally, lions and a hippo which truly were magnificent. Surrounded by elephants and animals all mixing together as you would expect. Kariega Game Reserve is very easy to get to as well from Pt Elizabeth, so if you didn’t want to go further inland you would definitely get the Big Five here.
Founders Lodge by Mantis - Shamwari Private Game Reserve
Our final stop on the Eastern Cape was at Founders Lodge by Mantis in the Shamwari Private Game Reserve. Another magnificent lodge catering for the finest in life. Beautifully appointed newly renovated rooms with a vista of the savannah in front of each room. They have placed a waterhole right out the front where you have the opportunity to go into the bunker, to spy at water level, the animals drinking and bathing just a couple of meters away. So cool and can be enjoyed at night as well with red lighting so not to be noticed. We had so many rhinos there, which for us was the first time we had been so close to these huge animals.
Founders Lodge also have a train carriage set up for the opportunity to stay in with all its own facilities. Such a great experience completely away from the rest of the lodge – truly spectacular!
Again, we were very spoilt here with game drives afternoon, night and morning which is a normal occurrence when staying at all of these amazing lodges. The sunsets are unreal! Amazing dancers and singers greet you on your return to the lodge for you to get ready for dinner, night cap and bed.
Our final wrap up for the famil was a catch up with the other 90 agents from around South Africa at Sun City with a game drive through Pilanesberg National Park and to hear everyone’s adventures. We had been so lucky with our previous game drives, but it was fabulous experiencing one that is only an hour out from Johannesburg for those that might be a little more time poor, know that you are also going to have amazing animal views in the national park. Sun City is the resort in the movie Blended, if you have seen it, and it is pretty true to the movie. Amazing staff to greet you throughout the resort – there is even a casino here, so many locals use it as their getaway holiday location. There is a fun water park for the families to enjoy and lots of other amazing experiences for all.
Our last day was filled with time visiting Soweto on a private tour after a night in Johannesburg prior to our flight back to Sydney. Very worthwhile and a great way to fill in the last few hours of this beautiful country, to learn more about its history from a local’s point of view.
Truly a destination for all travellers especially if you are an animal lover and looking for a malaria-free location. I have so many photos and amazing memories so please do yourself a favour and make sure South Africa is on your list of places to visit if you haven’t already!
Truly Blessed,
Cathy
P.S. - When we book this type of holiday for our clients you will get longer stays at the lodge and not be on the move so often. You will be able to enjoy the pools and lodges throughout the day prior to your afternoon / evening game drives.