Best hotels in Eastern Cape

This modern yet bush-stylish lodge is a wilderness away, though easily accessible along South Africa's well traversed Garden Route. Tucked into a deep ravine in the rich Eastern Cape thicket, the lodge cultivates luxury and intimacy while capturing the best of African expansiveness. With a high likelihood of seeing free roaming Big Five and the rare brown hyena, the game viewing rivals any in the region. Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centres allow for close encounters and hands-on participation in conservation. Blending comfort, a big game experience and the highest of conservation ethics, this is truly one of the most well-rounded safari experiences.

A tranquil mountain hideaway with a colonial air, Camp Figtree lies the folds of the Zuurberg mountains and overlooks Addo Elephant National Park, home to the world's highest density of elephants. This pretty setting allows for a dynamic experience of South Africa's Eastern Cape Province, with its highly underrated wilderness areas – and no concerns about malaria. With refined hospitality, great cuisine, rooms with every comfort, big views, and flawless attention to detail, Camp Fig Tree is a treat-yourself destination that will not disappoint.

This is one of four lodges situated within the 30,000-hectare Kwandwe Private Game Reserve. Set on a bushy gorge overlooking the Great Fish River, the lodge has sweeping views of the river and the hills beyond it. It's a visually appealing retreat built in traditional safari style with thatched roofs, solid walls and foldaway glass doors that open on to expansive viewing decks. Explore the wilderness on a game drive or take a walking safari or a shorter bush walk to look for birds and other small creatures.

This elegant country house is situated in a historical farming area of the friendly Eastern Cape. The special region, known as the Great Karoo, was once settler country, discovered by the Dutch in the late 1800s. The vast expanse of farmland, which previously supported dense herds of springbok and wildebeest, has once again been reclaimed for conservation. Settle into the lovingly restored homestead for a relaxing “bush” experience.

Shamwari Private Game Reserve is one of the best known private reserves in South Africa’s malaria-free Eastern Cape, and tucked away in a secluded part of the rolling landscape is Riverdene Family Lodge. The elegantly-restored homestead is surrounded by manicured gardens, and views of the scenic Bushman’s River Valley are beautiful. As the name suggests, Riverdene is geared toward families and there's plenty of space for kids to play out on the (fully-fenced) lawns, and an epic "Kids on Safari" program. Game viewing is excellent, in particular cheetah and black and white rhino, and there’s the opportunity to visit the wildlife rehabilitation centre for something a bit different.

In the vast, privately owned Shamwari game reserve, Long Lee Manor displays the stately charm of a bygone era. It offers a refined experience in the rugged Eastern Cape, easily accessible by road, just east of South Africa's famed Garden Route. Part restored farmland, part dense valley thicket with the Bushman's River meandering through it, this reserve is a conservation success story. Not only is it home to the free roaming Big Five, but it's a haven for other rare species such as brown hyena and aardvark. Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centres allow for close encounters and hands-on participation in conservation.

Imagine a classic, 19th century farmhouse, high in the hills and surrounded by lush, manicured gardens. The whitewashed walls glint in the sun and a shaded veranda looks out across a tranquil valley. Inside, antique furniture sits atop polished wooden floors and rich, damask linens are draped across luxurious leather armchairs. We’re pleased to say it really does exist in the form of Kwandwe’s Uplands Homestead, a private three-bedroomed Cape Dutch farmhouse in the heart of the reserve. Available for sole-use by families or small groups, this is an idyllic retreat for those looking for privacy, flexibility and an all-round outstanding safari.

Open-plan luxury tents cleverly designed to magnify the seclusion and expanse of the African bush. A habitat could scarcely be more diverse: open plains of grazing buck yield to dense, bird-plenty thickets, sudden plummets of rocky ravines are carved by the Bushman's River. Conveniently located along the Garden Route, this lodge is an easy-to-access thoroughgoing wilderness with Big Five game viewing and a host of other general and rare wildlife to boot. Shamwari is known for its conservation ethics, offering additional educational activities through its Animal Rehab Centre, Born Free Big Cat Sanctuaries and Ian Player Rhino Awareness Centre.

Kwandwe Fort House is one of five lodges within the Eastern Cape’s Kwandwe Private Game Reserve. With its three exclusive-use villas, Kwandwe taps into the popular family safari market, and rightly so – being malaria-free and only 160km from Port Elizabeth, the 30,000 hectare reserve is a very realistic option for a family wilderness trip, and ideal as an add-on to Cape Town and the Garden Route. With sweeping views of the Great Fish River Valley, Kwandwe Fort House is a hybrid between a (rather posh) modern home and a safari lodge – including private staff to keep everyone happy.

Quatermain’s 1920s Safari Camp is a delightfully authentic recreation of the adventurous safaris made famous by the fictitious and intrepid explorer, Allan Quatermain, more than a century ago. The camp itself has just three tents, so it’s an intimate setting, and a good choice if you’re looking for a true bush experience far from present day intrusions. Situated within the malaria-free Amakhala Game Reserve, Quatermain’s is a wonderful base from which to explore the surrounding wilderness on foot just like the olden-day explorers would have done, with the welcome modern option of guided game drives.