Its location at the end of the popular Garden Route means that the Eastern Cape is where many people choose to experience safari in South Africa: a simple drive from Plettenberg Bay or Knysna, rather than a flight to one of the other safari areas. It is an area of rolling hills covered in low bush and scrub, cut through with the occasional spectacular canyon or ridge offering amazing views over the surrounding landscape. The largest reserve here is the Addo Elephant National Park, and there are numerous private reserves as well, the largest of which is the famous Shamwari Game Reserve. The Big Five have been reintroduced in all the parks and reserves we would recommend, however the Eastern Cape does have one or two species it is perhaps best known for. Cheetah sightings are good in this part of the world, and the Addo was originally created to protect elephants, as the name suggests. Less common antelope like the red hartebeest can also be seen quite easily. As well as traditional safari drives, some places offer walking safaris, horse-back safaris, and you can self-drive in the Addo. The Eastern Cape is also rich in early European settler history, and you can explore this either on your own or in the company of an expert guide and raconteur.
