EASTERN CAPE
ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK
Come for the elephants, stay for the rest of the Big Five, plus southern right whales and great white sharks! The park has several sections: Darlington, Kabouga, Zuurberg, Nyathi, Addo Main Camp, Colchester, Woody Cape and Bird Island. Except for Bird Island (which can‘t be visited), the sections are all close to each other; you can drive most of the routes in a weekend.
DO THIS: Visit the Woody Cape section to see the Alexandria dune field and walk the 7 km Tree Dassie Trail for beautiful birdlife and orchids.
Daily conservation fee: R90 per adult; R45 per child aged 2 – 11; free with a Wild card.
ACCOMMODATION: Addo rest camp: Camping with power from R350 p.n. for two people; R100 per extra adult; R50 per extra child aged 2 – 11 (four people per stand). Safari tent from R945 p.n. for two people. Forest cabins (sleep four each) from R1 100 p.n. for two people; R290 per extra adult;
R145 per extra child aged 2 – 11. Self-catering chalets and cottages from R1 265 p.n. for two people. Rondavel from R1 780 p.n. for two people. Domkrag and Hapoor guesthouses (each sleeps six people) R5 600 p.n. for four people; R530 per extra adult; R265 per extra child aged 2 – 11.
Langebos Huts in the Alexandria Forest: R1 770 p.n. for four people; R290 per extra adult; R145 per extra child aged 2 – 11 (sleep eight people each).
Matyholweni rest camp: Cottages from R1 695 p.n. for two people; R290 per extra adult; R145 per extra child aged 2 – 11.
Narina Bush Camp: Tents with communal ablution facilities. R1 545 p.n. for four people; R290 per extra adult; R145 per extra child aged 2 – 11.
Nyathi rest camp: Cottages from R2 110 p.n. for two people.
Spekboom Tented Camp: From R1 105 p.n. for two people.
Where? The main entrance is about 70 km north of Gqeberha.
Contact: 042 233 8600
MOUNTAIN ZEBRA NATIONAL PARK
This park was proclaimed to protect the endangered Cape mountain zebra. These days, you can see more than 350 of them, as well as lion, cheetah and buffalo.
DO THIS: Hike with a guide up Salpeterkop (1 514 m) – it’s about a 90-minute climb. You can see a chessboard carved into rock during the Anglo-boer War by British soldiers. R444,40 p.p. You can also track a cheetah on foot – R459,55 p.p. (no kids under 12).
Daily conservation fee: R60 per adult; R30 per child aged 2 – 11; free with a Wild card.
ACCOMMODATION: Main camp: Camping with power from R360 p.n. for two people; plus R100 per extra adult; R50 per extra child aged 2 – 11 (maximum six people per stand). Self-catering cottages (sleep two to four people) from R1 350 p.n. for two people; plus R290 per extra adult; R145 per extra child aged 2 – 11. Luxurious Rock Chalets (sleep four people) from R3 725 p.n.
Bakana and Umthombo self-catering mountain cottages each sleeps a maximum of 10 people. From R1 095 p.n. for two people; plus R290 per extra adult and R145 per extra child aged 2 – 11.
Doornhoek Guesthouse (sleeps six) from R4 990 p.n.
Where? The entrance is about 12 km north-west of Cradock.
Contact: 048 801 5700
CAMDEBOO NATIONAL PARK
The famous rock spires of the Valley of Desolation, the wide-open spaces, the fresh Karoo air… Bliss! Look for steenbok, blesbok and wildebeest on the plains, and waterfowl around Nqweba Dam.
DO THIS: Walk the easy Crag Lizard Trail (1,5 km) in the western section of the park. It starts at the Valley of Desolation parking area and takes you to the viewpoints overlooking the cliffs and dolerite columns.
Daily conservation fee: R50 per adult; R25 per child aged 2 – 11; free with a Wild card.
ACCOMMODATION: Lakeview Tented Camp: Communal facilities; rates from R785 p.n. for two people. Nqweba campsite: Each gravel stand has a braai, power point and communal facilities; rates from R285 p.n. for two people; plus R100 per extra adult; R50 per extra child aged 2 – 11 (six people per stand).
Where? About 5 km north of Graaff-reinet.
Contact: 049 892 3453
SANPARKS BOOKINGS
Reservations for Addo, Mountain Zebra and Camdeboo national parks can be made via the Sanparks central reservations office ( 012 428 9111) or online at sanparks.org
BAVIAANSKLOOF WILDERNESS AREA
The Baviaanskloof is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s about 200 km from one end to the other: a rugged and unspoilt landscape. The protected reserve lies to the east. You need a 4x4 and a full day to traverse its entire length.
DO THIS: The Baviaanskloof is all about exploring on foot. There are leopards and buffalo in the wilderness area, but you can arrange for a game ranger to accompany you.
Daily conservation fee: R51 per adult per day; R26 per child.
ACCOMMODATION: Doodsklip and Rooihoek campsites: limited facilities, 4x4 only; rates from R413 p.n. (maximum six people per stand).
Komdomo campsite: next to the Groot River, with power points and ablution facilities; rates from R460 p.n.
Bergplaas Mountain Hut: bunk beds for 12 people; shower and toilet; rates from R340 p.n. for the first four people, plus R93 – R122 per extra person (depends on the season).
Where? Access the kloof from Patensie (90 km from Gqeberha) or Willowmore (177 km from George).
Contact: 087 286 6494 (Komdomo office); book via the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) bookonline.ecpta.co.za;
043 492 0883/4
DWESACWEBE NATURE RESERVE
Dwesa and Cwebe nature reserves are next to each other, on either side of the Mbashe River, on the central Wild Coast. More than 290 bird species have been recorded in the forests and grasslands, and you can also see game like eland and buffalo.
DO THIS: Book a guided walk in Dwesa, especially if you want to explore the forest (R38 per adult; R20 per child). In Cwebe, The Haven Hotel offers fishing, guided hikes, horse rides, canoeing and mountain biking.
Daily conservation fee: R13 per adult; R8 per child.
ACCOMMODATION: Dwesa: Camping from R281 p.n. for up to six people; no power; communal ablution facilities. Self-catering chalets from R390 p.n. for two people.
Cwebe: The Haven is the only place to stay in the reserve. Seafacing cottages from R975 p.p; garden cottages from R925 p.p; rustic cottages from R875 p.p. The rate includes breakfast and dinner (no self-catering). Half-price for children aged 4 – 12; free for children under 4.
Where? About 57 km east of Willowvale.
Contact: ECPTA 043 492 0881; bookonline.ecpta.co.za;
The Haven Hotel 083 996 5343; havenhotel.co.za
OTHER WILD COAST RESERVES
Enjoy more of the craggy coastline and empty beaches.
Silaka Nature Reserve, about 7 km south-west of Port St Johns. There’s a beach at the Gxwaleni estuary, hiking trails, rich birdlife, and you might even see a wildebeest or zebra. Chalets are available. 087 286 6526
Hluleka Nature Reserve, about 80 km south-west of Port St Johns. Hike the 1,5 km trail along the beach, swim in the Indian Ocean, and look for birds, dolphins and whales with your binos. Modern chalets. 087 285 7784 Mkhambathi Nature Reserve, about 130 km north-east of Port St Johns. Visit the Horseshoe (nice pool to swim in), Strandloper and Mkhambathi waterfalls in the reserve, view birds and swim or fish in the lagoon. Rustic accommodation. 087 285 7752
The daily conservation fee for all these reserves is R26 per adult; R13 per child. Book your accommodation through ECPTA. 043 492 0881; bookonline.ecpta.co.za; visiteasterncape.co.za
OTHER PROVINCIAL RESERVES
Groendal Nature Reserve, about 55 km north-west of Gqeberha. It’s part of the Baviaanskloof World Heritage Site, with deep ravines, clear streams, rock pools and protected rock art sites. Camping and lodge accommodation. Daily conservation fee R66 per adult; R34 per child.
087 086 2499
Tsolwana Nature Reserve, about 60 km south-west of Komani (Queenstown). Abundant animals and birdlife on the northern slopes of the Winterberg. Guided game drives and hiking trails along game tracks and (rough) gravel roads. Three self-catering lodges. Daily conservation fee R26 per adult; R13 per child. 087 285 7400
Commando Drift Nature Reserve, about 45 km north-east of Cradock. A popular fishing spot – catch carp and barbel in the Commando Drift Dam. Chalets, cabins and campsites. Daily conservation fee R13 per adult; R8 per child. 087 286 6404
Oviston Nature Reserve, about 18 km north of Venterstad, on the southern shore of the Gariep Dam. Try land a largemouth yellowfish; get a permit for R12 p.p. You can also take your boat out on the water. Camping, lodge rooms and a rustic stone cabin. Daily conservation fee R12 per adult; R8 per child. 087 285 7390
Book your accommodation through ECPTA. 043 492 0881; bookonline.ecpta.co.za; visiteasterncape.co.za