Amakhala Game Reserve

Amakhala Game Reserve

Tailor-made safaris that include Amakhala Game Reserve

7-Day Luxury Cape Town To Amakhala - Beach & Bush Safari Most requested Special

7-Day Luxury Cape Town To Amakhala - Beach & Bush Safari

  • Most meals
  • All activities
  • Most transfers
  • 3 nights at Waterfront Village Apartments in central Cape Town
  • Full-day Cape Peninsula tour with the Boulders Beach penguin colony
  • Flight from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, then transfer to the bush
  • 3 nights at Amakhala Safari Lodge in the Eastern Cape

From

R 38 000 R 45 780

per person, complete package

View itinerary
7-Day Malaria Free Big-5 Amakhala Safari Best of Both Most requested Special

7-Day Malaria Free Big-5 Amakhala Safari Best of Both

  • All meals
  • All activities
  • All transfers
  • 3 nights at 4-star Woodbury Lodge, then 3 at 5-star Bush Lodge
  • Big Five game viewing in the malaria-free Amakhala Reserve
  • Twice-daily game drives in open Land Rovers with professional rangers
  • Sundowners on the plains with biltong and South African delicacies

From

R 40 670 R 56 630

per person, complete package

View itinerary
13-Day Cape Town, Garden Route & Amakhala Safari Most requested

13-Day Cape Town, Garden Route & Amakhala Safari

South Africa

  • Most meals
  • Most activities
  • Most transfers
  • 4 nights at The Rockefeller in Cape Town with Table Mountain, Robben Island and the Cape Peninsula
  • 2 nights at Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa with vineyard tastings at La Motte and Boschendal
  • Garden Route drive with stops at Knysna Lagoon and Tsitsikamma National Park
  • 4 nights at 5-star Amakhala Safari Lodge in a private Big Five reserve

From

R 49 260

per person, complete package

View itinerary
5-Day Malaria Free Big-5 Amakhala HillsNek Safari

5-Day Malaria Free Big-5 Amakhala HillsNek Safari

  • All meals
  • All activities
  • All flights & transfers
  • 4 nights at Amakhala Hillsnek Safari Camp in the Eastern Cape
  • Malaria-free Big Five reserve, ideal for family travellers
  • Twice-daily game drives in open Land Rovers with professional rangers
  • All meals and selected house beverages included

From

R 39 140

per person, complete package

View itinerary
Southern African Safaris Guide preview

Brochure

Southern Africa Guide

Southern Africa's icons, shaped into one itinerary: Greater Kruger, Victoria Falls, the Okavango Delta and Cape Town.

Where to stay

Lodges in Amakhala Game Reserve.

6 lodges across this destination, ordered by what guests pick most. Rates per person sharing, per night.

  1. Amakhala 5-Star Bush Lodge
    Live availability
    01 Lux

    Amakhala 5-Star Bush Lodge

    The Bush Lodge is a picturesque 5-star retreat located just 45 minutes east of Port Elizabeth, offering guests an immersive escape into a more tranquil and enchanting world. Nestled within the spectacular Amakhala Reserve, this lodge is set in an open valley surrounded by rolling hills and lush riverine vegetation.

    Per person sharing, per night, from

    R 6 220 R 9 320

    Current offers

    Stay & Pay

    Stay 3 Pay 2 - Valid: 1 May - 31 July 2026

  2. Amakhala Bukela Game Lodge
    Live availability
    02 Lux

    Amakhala Bukela Game Lodge

    Bukela Game Lodge offers a boutique Big Five safari experience less than an hour away from Port Elizabeth in the malaria-free Amakhala Game Reserve.

    Per person sharing, per night, from

    R 9 320

  3. Amakhala Hlosi Game Lodge
    Live availability
    03 Affordable

    Amakhala Hlosi Game Lodge

    Located in the private 7500 hectare Amakhala Game Reserve which is only an hours drive from Port Elizabeth in the malaria-free Eastern Cape, Hlosi Game Lodge offers an excellent 'Big Five' and phenomenal bird watching experience.

    Per person sharing, per night, from

    R 7 990

    Current offers

    Family

    Kids 6 - 12 and under stay FREE of charge (maximum of 2 children) Kids aged 12 - 16 enjoy the child rate when sharing a room with adults. Terms and Conditions Apply

  4. Amakhala Safari Lodge
    Live availability
    04 Premium

    Amakhala Safari Lodge

    The Safari Lodge offers an exclusive retreat for 22 guests in 11 exquisitely furnished suites. Indulge in unparalleled game-viewing experiences from the comfort of the lodge's dedicated Land Rover. Expert game rangers will guide you through the stunning valleys and bush, where the Big 5 roam.

    Per person sharing, per night, from

    R 5 330 R 7 990

    Current offers

    Stay & Pay

    Stay 3 Pay 2 - Valid: 1 May - 31 July 2026

    Family

    Kids 6 - 12 and under stay FREE of charge (maximum of 2 children) | Kids aged 12 - 16 enjoy the child rate when sharing a room with adults | Terms and Conditions Apply

  5. Amakhala Woodbury Lodge
    Live availability
    05 Affordable

    Amakhala Woodbury Lodge

    Guests are accommodated in seven cosy stone-and-thatch chalets are set among indigenous trees. Each room features air conditioning, en-suite bathrooms with heated floors, and a private deck with magnificent views over the plains.

    Per person sharing, per night, from

    R 4 570 R 6 860

    Current offers

    Stay & Pay

    Stay 3 Pay 2 - Valid: 1 May - 31 July 2026

    Family

    Kids 6 - 12 and under stay FREE of charge (maximum of 2 children) Kids aged 12 - 16 enjoy the child rate when sharing a room with adults. Terms and Conditions Apply

  6. HillsNek Safari Camp
    Live availability
    06 Premium

    HillsNek Safari Camp

    Nestled in a secluded corner of the reserve, HillsNek Safari Camp is affectionately known as the “small” camp with the “greatest” heart. This family-operated lodge, with just four rooms, epitomizes personalized service, attention to detail, and genuine warmth in hospitality.

    Per person sharing, per night, from

    R 5 320 R 7 990

    Current offers

    Stay & Pay

    Stay 3 Pay 2 - Valid: 1 May - 31 July 2026

The basics

Why, when, and where.

Discover Amakhala Game Reserve: A Premier Safari Destination in South Africa

Why

Amakhala Game Reserve, nestled in the Eastern Cape's malaria-free Greater Addo region, offers an unparalleled safari experience. Spanning over 18,000 hectares, it boasts a diverse landscape that includes five of South Africa's seven biomes, from bushveld to savannah, providing a rich tapestry of flora and fauna.

The reserve is renowned for its Big 5 game viewing opportunities—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino—alongside an impressive array of over 300 bird species, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers.

Amakhala's commitment to conservation and community development ensures that your visit supports sustainable tourism practices, contributing to the preservation of this unique ecosystem.

Where

Amakhala Game Reserve offers a variety of accommodations to suit different preferences and budgets:

  • Bukela Game Lodge: A secluded, romantic 5-star lodge offering private thatched suites connected by wooden walkways, providing an intimate wildlife-viewing experience.
  • Bush Five Star Lodge: A rustic luxury tented bush camp positioned in a secluded valley, each suite overlooking a watering point, ideal for those seeking a blend of comfort and adventure.
  • Safari Lodge: An intimate thatched lodge with air-conditioned safari suites, offering a tranquil retreat with views of a waterhole frequented by wildlife.
  • HillsNek Safari Camp: An all-inclusive 4-star Safari Camp nestled ,in a secluded corner of the reserve. The small camp with the greatests heart. This camp is family operated so guests can expect geniune warmth in hospitality
  • Woodbury Lodge: Overlooking the Bushman’s River valley, this lodge offers a combination of accessibility and discretion, nestled in the Eastern Cape thickets.
  • Hlosi Game Lodge: A family-friendly lodge offering luxury accommodations and a range of activities suitable for all ages.

Each lodge provides unique experiences, ensuring that every guest finds the perfect setting for their safari adventure.

When

Best Time to Visit Amakhala Game Reserve

Amakhala Game Reserve offers exceptional wildlife viewing year-round, thanks to its semi-arid climate that draws animals to water sources. However, the experience varies with the seasons:

  • May to September (Winter/Dry Season): This period is ideal for wildlife viewing as animals congregate around waterholes. The reserve is less crowded, offering a more intimate experience. Note that nights and mornings can be very cold, so warm clothing is essential.
  • October to April (Summer/Wet Season): Warmer temperatures prevail, and the landscape becomes lush with greenery. This season is excellent for birdwatching, with over 300 species, including migratory birds, making their appearance.

Getting to Amakhala Game Reserve

By Air: The nearest major airport is Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha). From the airport, Amakhala is approximately a 75-minute drive.

By Road: From Port Elizabeth, take the N2 highway towards Grahamstown. After about 50 km, follow signs directing you to the various Amakhala lodges.

By Air Travel: Scheduled flights are available from major cities like Johannesburg (JNB) and Cape Town (CPT) to Port Elizabeth.

Imagery

Amakhala Game Reserve, in pictures.

Recent travellers

Word from people who have just been to Amakhala Game Reserve.

Quotes pulled directly from Trustpilot. Where we have specific reviews mentioning Amakhala Game Reserve, those come up first. Otherwise these are recent five-star notes from across the trips we have planned.

"Hi Chantal The Summit place guest house was First class , the warmest welcome Robyn was a first class host , the day drips to the wine region and Cape of Good hope etc where really good also. Limoni apartments where lovely, we were looked after by the maids and the property was fantastic . Amakhala service was fantastic, really first class couldn’t fault it.…"
February 2023 · United Kingdom · Verified on Trustpilot ↗

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