Price Per Person Sharing
Starting from $7,261
Country
South Africa
Duration
5 Nights
What to expect on your...
Luxury Eastern Cape Family Safari
Wamkelekile eMpuma Koloni—welcome to South Africa’s Eastern Cape, a land where untamed beauty meets rich cultural heritage. This 6-day self-drive adventure is a perfectly balanced blend of urban exploration, coastal serenity, and unforgettable wildlife encounters. Tailored with families in mind, it offers everything you’d expect from an Eastern Cape Family Safari—comfort, adventure, and meaningful connection.
Your journey begins on the scenic roads of the Eastern Cape, allowing you to travel at your own pace and take in the region’s natural beauty and cultural charm. Designed specifically for families, this itinerary caters to all ages—offering enriching experiences for curious children and tranquil moments for adults alike. For many travellers, the combination of freedom and discovery defines the essence of an Eastern Cape Family Safari.
The highlight of your trip begins with a two-night stay at the magnificent Lalibela Game Reserve, a private sanctuary teeming with wildlife. Here, your days will be bookended by thrilling morning and evening game drives led by experienced guides, offering a chance to witness Africa’s legendary Big Five and other remarkable creatures in their natural environment. After your safari adventures, return to the comfort of a luxurious lodge, where locally inspired gourmet meals and evenings under the African stars offer the perfect ending to each day. This stage of your Eastern Cape Family Safari sets the tone for shared memories and moments of awe.
The adventure continues with a short drive to Shamwari Private Game Reserve, where you’ll spend three nights immersed in one of South Africa’s premier conservation areas. Shamwari offers a seamless blend of immersive wildlife experiences and family-focused activities. Enjoy twice-daily game drives and guided bush walks through breathtaking landscapes. Meanwhile, younger explorers will be captivated by the Kids on Safari program—complete with child-friendly game drives, conservation-focused learning activities, and the popular Kids’ Adventure Centre. Adults can take time to rejuvenate with spa treatments or simply unwind as the sights and sounds of the bush soothe the soul. These thoughtful inclusions are what make an Eastern Cape Family Safari so special—it’s as rewarding for parents as it is for children.
Evenings are about connection. Around the fire, families come together to share the day’s stories, watch the embers glow, and listen to the night sounds of the African bush. The combination of warm hospitality and meaningful wildlife encounters ensures that every moment feels both comfortable and transformative.
As your journey draws to a close, you’ll drive to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) Airport, where you’ll return your rental car and board a flight to Johannesburg to connect with your onward journey home. Though the tour may last just six days, the memories you create—of roaring lions, golden sunsets, and laughter around a fire—will last a lifetime. For many, these are the defining gifts of an Eastern Cape Family Safari: togetherness, wonder, and a renewed sense of connection to nature.
Whether it’s your first safari or a return to Africa’s wild heart, this journey through the Eastern Cape promises meaningful connections, extraordinary wildlife, and the freedom to explore at your own pace. With every day, you’ll discover why a Luxury Eastern Cape Family Safari offers not just a holiday, but a passage into Africa’s soul.
- Inclusions
- Selected Meals & Beverages
- Accommodation
- Scheduled Activities
- Applicable Fees and Levies
- Exclusions
- Gratuities
- International Flights
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance
- Items not mentioned under Inclusions
This safari is great for
- Family Safari in Africa
- Luxury Safari in Africa
- Big 5 Safari
- Lion Safari
- Safari Holiday
- Nature
- Elephant Safari
- Game Drives
Best time to go
5=May, 6=Jun, 7=Jul, 8=Aug, 9=Sep 5=May, 6=Jun, 7=Jul, 8=Aug, 9=SepWhy is this safari sustainable?
This family safari not only offers unforgettable wildlife encounters but also makes a tangible difference to conservation and communities in the Eastern Cape. By choosing Lalibela Game Reserve and Shamwari Private Game Reserve, your travel directly supports the restoration of former farmland into thriving wilderness, the protection of endangered species, and the empowerment of surrounding communities.
At Lalibela, sustainability begins with habitat restoration, thousands of hectares have been cleared of invasive wattle and prickly pear, allowing indigenous grasslands to return. The reserve’s conservation projects include anti-poaching units with trained K9 teams, a plastic- free ethos, water purification systems, and community-led eco brick initiatives that repurpose waste into useful infrastructure.
Shamwari has been at the forefront of conservation for over 30 years, home to the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuaries and a Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre that rescues, rehabilitates, and releases animals back into the wild. The reserve runs extensive ecological restoration projects, combats alien vegetation, and works closely with local communities to create jobs and inspire a culture of conservation.
Every stay contributes directly to these efforts, meaning your family holiday not only connects you with Africa’s wildlife but helps to safeguard it for generations to come.
YOUR ADVENTURE BEGINS
DAYS 1 - 2 in Lalibela Game Reserve
Treetop Luxury and Big Five Adventures
Tree Tops Safari Lodge at Lalibela Game Reserve offers a unique and immersive stay in the heart of the Eastern Cape bush. Perched high on thatched platforms and connected by raised walkways, the luxury safari tents blend seamlessly into the treetop canopy. Each en-suite tent features canvas walls, a thatched roof, and large windows that invite the natural surroundings inside, creating a tranquil atmosphere where you feel part of the wild. Guests can relax on private verandas, watch wildlife pass by, or soak up the peaceful sounds of nature. The lodge’s open-air dining deck and lounge overlook a waterhole frequently visited by elephants and Nyala, while bird lovers may spot the vibrant Knysna Loerie. A swimming pool and shaded gazebo add to the comfort and charm, making Tree Tops a haven for both adventure and serenity.
Tree Tops Safari Lodge
https://lalibela.net/tree-tops-safari-lodge/
Grahamstown 6131 Lalibela Game Reserve, Grahamstown, 6013
+27 (0)71 852 1009
A scenic 1-hour self-drive from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) Airport takes you directly to Lalibela Game Reserve.
Your days begin with early morning game drives, starting around 6:30 a.m., offering the best chance to spot the Big Five and other wildlife like cheetahs, giraffes, and antelope. Afternoon drives begin around 4:00 p.m., capturing golden-hour sightings and nocturnal animal activity. Along the way, enjoy sundowners in the bush and expert insights from knowledgeable guides. For younger guests, the children’s programme includes guided nature walks, fun games like soccer, and age-appropriate wildlife education. There are even childminders available for little ones under 2.
All meals are included—breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Expect fresh, locally inspired dishes served in the open air, often under the stars. Children under 8 enjoy special kid-friendly menus tailored daily by the lodge manager.
DAYS 3 - 5 in Shamwari Private Game Reserve
Family Safari Escape at Riverdene Lodge
Shamwari Riverdene Lodge is a luxurious, family-friendly retreat nestled in the heart of Shamwari Game Reserve. Your stay in a Riverdene Luxury Room includes a private patio opening onto serene gardens with views of the Bushman’s River, setting the tone for comfort and calm. The lodge strikes the perfect balance between relaxation and adventure, offering beautifully landscaped grounds, a tranquil swimming pool, and tailored spaces for both adults and children. Younger guests will love the Kids on Safari Adventure Centre, which features creative arts and crafts, outdoor games, and interactive learning activities focused on wildlife and conservation. With professional childminders on hand, parents can enjoy peaceful moments or indulge in rejuvenating treatments at the on-site Shamwari Spa. Riverdene Lodge is the ideal base for an unforgettable, multi-generational safari.
Riverdene Lodge
https://www.shamwari.com/safari-lodges/riverdene/
Shamwari Private Game Reserve, Paterson, 6130
+27 (0) 42 203 1111
Enjoy a leisurely 1-hour drive from Lalibela to Shamwari Game Reserve. Arrive by 1:00 p.m. to settle in, enjoy lunch, and join the afternoon game drive.
Daily early morning and sunset game drives are led by expert rangers, offering the chance to see Africa’s Big Five and a rich variety of wildlife including cheetahs, giraffes, and over 250 bird species. Children participate in the Kids on Safari program, with bush walks and nature-based activities, while adults can relax at the spa or explore Shamwari’s conservation efforts. A special highlight is visiting the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuaries and the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, where guests learn firsthand about Shamwari’s impactful rescue and conservation work.
All meals are included—breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Expect delicious local and international dishes made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, with options to dine indoors or al fresco. Evenings around the firepit offer a warm, communal atmosphere under the stars.
DAY 6 in Johannesburg
Farewell to the Wild Beauty of South Africa
Enjoy a scenic drive from Shamwari to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) Airport to return your rental car. Then, catch your connecting flight to Johannesburg for your international departure.
No formal activities are scheduled today, but the morning offers a final chance to soak in the peaceful surroundings of Shamwari before your departure. Reflect on the highlights of your journey and enjoy a relaxed travel day as you transition from the bush back to city life.
Breakfast
