Family-owned Kariega Game Reserve is one of the most alluring safari destinations in the Eastern Cape. Established in 1989, it protects a compellingly wild landscape of steep green hills flowed through by two impressive rivers. A wide variety of wildlife includes lion, cheetah, elephant, rhino, buffalo, giraffe and . Five intimate luxury lodges offer an exclusive guided safari experience.
-
Best Time To Go
- January to December (All year)
-
High Season
- October to April (High-season rates)
-
Size
- 135km² / 52mi²
-
Altitude
-
22-270m /72-886ft
View Photos
View Photos
+24
Photos
Pros & Cons
- A reserve where lion, elephant, rhino and buffalo are often seen
- Other wildlife includes giraffe, cheetah and a long list of grazers
- Lovely scenery dominated by tall green hills and pretty rivers
- in open vehicles with expert guides
- Guided river trips available from all lodges
- Rewilded from former farmland
- Popular add-on to a self-drive trip from Cape Town via the Garden Route
- Lodges are small, luxurious, attractively located and individualistic
- Leopards are secretive and scarce
- Day visits and self-drive are not permitted
- No budget accommodations
Wildlife
Kariega is very good for lion, elephant and buffalo. are most common on the plains next to the Kariega River, which supports the reserve’s only . are rather uncommon and leopards tend to be secretive. Other regularly observed wildlife includes cheetah, giraffe, , zebra, , , , , , , and . Highlights of the varied birdlife include , and .
Scenery
Kariega is a very scenic and atmospheric reserve. Much of it comprises steep hills swathed in prehistoric-looking stands of (a spiny succulent that often grows up to 10m/33ft tall). The forest-fringed Kariega River runs along the reserve’s eastern boundary and hems in an area of open grassland that the guides like to refer to as ‘the Serengeti’. The wide Bushman’s River flows through the reserve’s western sector.
Activities
Early morning and late afternoon are conducted by expert guides in open 4x4 vehicles. Boat trips from River Lodge follow the Bushman’s River to its dune-flanked mouth at Kenton-on-Sea, while those at more easterly lodges offer superb birding along the forest-fringed Kariega River. is available on the Bushman’s River. Other activities include guided and the self-guided Blue Duiker Trail, which takes up to an hour.
Weather & Climate
Kariega lies on the coastal belt of the Eastern Cape, a region with hot summers (October to April) and milder winters (May to September). While daytime temperatures are warm to hot throughout the year, it usually cools down after dark and winter nights can be very cold. Rain typically falls once or twice a week year-round, with little monthly variation in rainfall.
Best Time To Visit Kariega GR
Wildlife viewing in Kariega is not strongly seasonal and the climate is pretty agreeable throughout the year, though winter nights (May to September) can be cold. If you visit South Africa in summer (October to April), the Eastern Cape’s relatively mild climate makes Kariega a good alternative to more tropical destinations such as the private reserves of Greater Kruger. Rates are greatly discounted over the winter months.
How To Get to Kariega GR
Kariega lies immediately inland of the resort town of Kenton-on-Sea. Most visitors self-drive or book a transfer from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), where Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) has good flight connections to Cape Town and Johannesburg. Depending on which lodge you’re visiting, Kariega is 120km/75mi from Gqeberha via the N2 and R72 or 140km/87mi via the N2 and R343. Either way, the drive takes about 1½ hours*.
*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.
Health & Safety
Please read our malaria and vaccinations page for South Africa and our general ‘Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions’ for more info: