Eastern Cape Game Reserves Holidays

One of the special features of Kariega Game Reserve is they can offer guests boat cruises on the Bushman and Kariega Rivers. Taking a cruise on the river is a peaceful experience and a great way to see the wildlife from a different perspective. The bird life is prolific. Dependent on the time of the cruise, you can stop for a morning coffee or a gin and tonic as the sun sets, the perfect time to reflect on your beautiful surroundings.

Look out for colourful kingfishers and cormorants which are often seen perched on the riverbanks with their wings spread out. Guests can also explore the rivers at their own pace by taking out one of the canoes for a leisurely paddle. A guide can escort you to point out any wildlife.

In the cooler parts of the day, a guided bush walk is offered. This gives you the opportunity to immerse your senses by taking a closer look at the flora and fauna. There are five different ecosystems at Kariega including fynbos, woodland, forests, riverine and grasslands, each with its own diversity of creatures great and small.

There is something quite special when the sun starts to rise and the light is just perfect for some early-morning photography. Join a guided photographic safari and learn how to capture the moment during wildlife encounters. Seeing an animal in the perfect light, set against the beauty of the reserve is a wonderful way to experience Kariega.

To maximise the photography experience, guests need to stay a minimum of three nights at any of the Kariega lodges on the reserve. No previous photography experience is necessary although guests will need to bring their own equipment and it would help if guests had a basic idea on how to orient themselves around their camera and how to change the settings. As you head off on safari, your guide will discuss the best settings to use and how to create the perfect composition. All focal lengths are welcome from wide-angle to telephoto.

The vehicle used for the photographic safari is open-topped and is equipped with gimbals and clamps for longer lenses, although a simple bean bag remains the best as it is quicker to use, giving more time to catch the action as it unfolds. If guests have the correct lenses, tripods and filters they can also offer landscape and night photography. Many guests travel with laptops so when you are back at the lodge, you guide can assist them with editing.

Kariega Game Reserve has a dedicated Anti-Poaching and K9 unit and guests may be able to meet some of the team to learn about the vital work they do. The Anti-Poaching Team patrol the reserve on foot and on horseback. Another important role of the team is to educate and so they give talks in schools and demonstrate how they work with the dogs.

In 2012, sadly three rhinos were poached on Kariega. Thandi (meaning courage and to be loved in isiXhosi) was the only survivor. Since then, she has become a mother to four calves and is now also a grandmother. Kariega welcomes school groups to the reserve so that they can see the benefits of protecting the animals and their habitats for future generations.

Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary and Education Centre was established in partnership with Virginia McKenna’s Born Free Foundation. Guests of Shamwari Private Game Reserve can visit the centre to learn the importance of keeping wildlife in the wild.

Behind each of the big cats in their care, there is often a traumatic story. The rescued lions and leopards at the sanctuaries have grown up in appalling conditions of captivity. Whilst they should have been born in the wild, where they belong, unfortunately re-wilding them is not possible. With a dedicated team to monitor them as they adapt to their new surroundings, the sanctuaries give them a better home than they have ever known.

There are two centres that Shamwari guests can visit. Located in the southern part of Shamwari Private Game Reserve, the Julie Ward Centre was established in 1999 and provides sanctuary for the rescued cats. Education is also a vital role of what they do and at the Jean Byrd Education Centre, in the northern part of the reserve, guests, local schools and colleges come to learn about South Africa’s wildlife and the importance of conservation for future generations.