Best hotels in Eastern Cape

With a history dating back to the early years of last century, this country homestead and converted shearer’s shed offers a distinctively different safari experience, with a generous helping of Eastern Cape frontier history. Situated within the Amakhala Game Reserve, guests can enjoy the best of elegant country living together with fine game viewing in this ecologically diverse region which consistently lives up to its reputation of delivering a range of exciting safari experiences. Easily reached from Port Elizabeth, this malaria-free reserve spans a staggering range of habitats in beautifully scenic surroundings.

Amakhala Safari Lodge is a luxury lodge tucked away in the remote northern reaches of the Amakhala Private Game Reserve. This is a bush retreat with a distinctively tribal feel, featuring a charming combination of traditional rustic safari style and African designer art. Signature stone-capped thatched roofs give an unusual twist to each of the eleven guest suites and sprawling guest areas. Inspired by the owners’ love of local art, the attention to detail is evident at every turn in this comfortable well-established family-run lodge which is perfect for couples, families or larger groups of friends travelling together.

Sibuya Game Reserve is just a few miles inland from the quaint coastal town of Kenton-on-Sea, in South Africa's Eastern Cape. River Camp lies on a lush peninsula surrounded by the twists and turns of the Kariega River. To get there, you'll board a boat at the river's mouth in Kenton and take a 45-minute cruise upstream to camp. Care has been taken to create an authentic bush-camp feel, though the reality is that this is not the wildest place in Africa, with much of the reserve being reclaimed farmland. Nevertheless, it is extraordinarily beautiful and has the added convenience of being close to the Garden Route as well as some stunning beaches.

The astounding variety of landscapes and things to see and do in South Africa’s Eastern Cape make this region a good choice for an easy-to-reach safari destination – and a malaria-free one at that. Kariega Game Reserve, wedged between the winding Bushman’s and Kariega rivers, is private piece of wilderness. Here you'll find the Big Five alongside bat-eared fox, brown hyena and abundant birdlife. The Homestead, a comfortable, sole-use villa, is ideal if you're travelling with family or friends (it sleeps up to 14 guests), and have a real desire for a laid-back bush experience in a home-from-home setting.

Woodbury Lodge lies in the eastern corner of Amakhala Game Reserve - a relatively small, privately owned and managed operation, just beyond the Garden Route in South Africa's Eastern Cape. It is easily accessible by car, or guests can be collected from the Port Elizabeth Airport, one hour away. This reserve is dominated by the Bushman's River Valley and is scenically stunning with several diverse vegetation types, including some restored farmland and a wide variety of birds and mammals. The lodge has a spectacular view from the edge of a rocky ridge, looking out across a wildlife-rich plain.

South Africa's un-sung Eastern Cape is a diverse region of vast coastline, quaint seaside hamlets, remote wilderness and sprawling farmlands, many of which are being rehabilitated and re-stocked with native wildlife. Of its most attractive characteristics is its proximity: a day or two's drive from Cape Town along the picturesque Garden Route. Pumba Msenge Lodge sits on one of the region's best private game reserves, with superb views of a waterhole, plains and mountains beyond. Don't be fooled by its relative small size, however, for this reserve packs a punch - it's home to all of the Big Five and the genetically rare white lion.

Pumba Private Game Reserve's relative ease of access (it's just an hour's drive from Port Elizabeth) makes it a fabulous safari option for travellers on a time budget, but it's also a great option for those looking for an authentic Big Five experience in a beautiful setting. In the heart of the reserve is Water Lodge, perched on a rise overlooking Lake Cariega with expansive vistas of the rolling thicket and shrub-filled habitat. The network of boardwalks and staircases running between the lodge and the chalets give it the feel of a treehouse-cum-palace and, fittingly, the attentive staff make you feel like royalty.

Tucked away at the southern tip of Algoa Bay, Cape Recife Lighthouse Villa occupies what might be South Africa's most dramatic address – right next to an 1851 lighthouse that still warns ships off the notorious Thunderbolt Reef. This two-bedroom hideaway sits within a 366-hectare nature reserve where you'll have the beach virtually to yourself from 7pm to 7am. Whether you fancy self-catering solitude or having chef Simon whip up beachside feasts, the villa delivers both romance and isolation in spades. Marine safaris reveal dolphins and penguins, lighthouse tours unlock maritime drama, and that World War II bunker? Just another quirk in this wonderfully weird coastal escape.

Perched within the wilds of the Lalibela Wildlife Reserve, this five-star retreat proves that sometimes the best view in the house belongs to the hippos. Built from local stone and thatch, the lodge sits beside a bustling waterhole that serves as nature's own theatre. Elephants lumber down for their evening tipple whilst you sip yours at the cocktail bar, and the hippos provide a rather unconventional but thoroughly entertaining soundtrack to dinner. The interiors strike that delicate balance between safari nostalgia and contemporary comfort - think carved wooden sculptures alongside plush sofas that invite you to sink in and stay awhile.

Some properties promise you'll feel at one with nature – this one actually delivers by hoisting you up into the canopy itself. Constructed entirely within the embrace of towering indigenous trees, this luxury tented camp offers five canvas suites that quite literally give you a bird's-eye-view of the world below. The elevated walkways connecting each pavilion make you feel rather like you're navigating some wonderfully sophisticated treehouse village, whilst the active waterhole visible from the main deck provides endless entertainment courtesy of the local wildlife. It's particularly beloved by serious birders who come hoping to spot the rather splendid Knysna Turaco - an emerald-green beauty that's notoriously camera-shy but absolutely worth the wait.

This rustic paradise has little phone signal and no TV, the perfect place to switch off, take in the bird sounds and the surrounds, and enjoy spectacular sunsets and starlit nights from each bedroom cabin. Sprawling green lawns stretch to the river banks where time can be spent on/in the water. The main house has three bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and a generous living area. There is one bathroom in the main house. The 3 Bedroom cabins are outside the main house, settled into the indigenous vegetation and connected by a forest walkway. A family cottage sits detached from the Riverhouse on the other side of the lawn, which also has a bathroom.

Samara's latest ecotourism offering embodies the philosophy of a technology-free escape. The camp's four deluxe tents, which can accommodate up to 8 guests, provide a unique explorer-style adventure with an emphasis on luxurious elements such as time and space. Situated in a secluded area of the reserve with stunning views and an abundance of wildlife, including the Big Five, this unassuming eco-conscious camp relies on the natural landscape to create a peaceful atmosphere that encourages guests to disconnect from their hectic lives and bask in the tranquility of the surroundings. There is no Wi-Fi, no electricity, and no high-tech distractions at Plains Camp; rather, it offers a grounding, humbling experience in nature.

River Lodge is a unique lodge built on the banks of the Bushmans River and comprises 10 superbly appointed spacious thatched suites. Inside the Lodge guests can find a quiet spot in one of the lounges, page through a book in the library, relax at the pool or take in the magnificent views from the deck overhanging the river. Guests can also be pampered in the beautiful Sala with a range of spa treatments. Special activities include boating, canoeing, fishing and daily boat trips to the Kenton beaches.

Located near Haga Haga on South Africa’s magnificent Wild Coast. They specialise in weddings, corporate functions, special events and accommodation on the distinctive farm – Mtwentwe Estate – with its stunning location near Haga Haga on the Eastern Cape Wild Coast in South Africa.

Get the old romantic African experience at the Orlando Tented Camp. There are 3 private tented camps with a total of 4 tents. The tented camps offer complete freedom as every encampment is safely nestled in private clusters of bush, leaving guests surrounded by luscious greenery, trees, singing birds, antelope and the roaring of the lions giving its natural uninterrupted feel.

Bush Lodge gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while indulging in a 5 Star luxury! The glass enclosed chalets provide the illusion that there is nothing separating you and the bush surrounding it, ensuring a true African Safari feel. On a still day, open up all of the doors and listen to the sounds of nature.

This beach house boasts uninterrupted views of the ocean and mountains. Due to its prime location, some of the world’s top surfers choose to stay here, right on Jeffreys Bay’s infamous surf spot, “Supertubes”. Whilst a delicious full breakfast is included at the restaurant every morning, self-catering facilities at African Perfection 2 combine luxury beach accommodation and the comforts of home.

The ethos of Sederkloof Lodge is the tranquil enjoyment that the spectacular Baviaanskloof, World Heritage Site, in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, offers. The lodge consists of 6 luxury stone-and-glass hideaways in the mountains, with communal lounge and dining areas, pool and bar facilities. Guests can enjoy complete privacy in their chalet and a view of the gorge and mountain unimpaired by other human artifacts. The Lodge is situated a short walk from the luxurious mountain chalets, spectacularly located on the edge of another gorge with glorious views of the Baviaanskloof mountains.

Situated within the very exclusive Bellevue Forest Reserve, Elephants Lodge is a thatched safari lodge offering outdoor activities such as game drives, romantic picnics, sleep outs under the stars, guided giraffe walking and buffalo feeding tours. Crowning the ridge among magnificent age-old indigenous Milkwood Trees, Elephants Lodge overlooks the endless valleys of the Bellevue Forest Reserve. Teeming with wildlife, a world of intrigue awaits you.