Our Top 5 Garden Route Game Lodges - 2025

Updated November 2025

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Discover the magic of South Africa’s Garden Route, where coastal beauty meets safari adventure. Stay in one of the Top 5 Garden Route Game Lodges of 2025 and immerse yourself in unforgettable wildlife experiences.

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SAFARI.COM crafts every tour with care, so you can focus on what matters most – making memories. Enjoy complimentary travel insurance (extended until 30 Nov 2025) and our team’s support throughout your journey.

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From the Big 5 to incredible birdlife, the Garden Route is waiting. Start your extraordinary safari escape today!

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Shamwari Eagles Crag Lodge

Experience luxury and leisure at the Garden Route’s exclusive, malaria-free Shamwari Eagles Crag Lodge. This 20,000-hectare reserve tells an African story of conservation, connection, and the authentic beauty of the wild. As an award-winning lodge, guests can look forward to modern accommodation in one of nine private glass-and-stone suites. Each suite has its own plunge pool and viewing deck, with stunning vistas across the surrounding valley. 

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You will be transported to a world where nature becomes one with your spirit, and your heart fills with energy. Look forward to sunrise and sunset game drives and bush walks led by passionate rangers, book spa treatments to unwind, and dine outdoors under clear skies. Families with young children are also welcome – there are activities for all ages! 

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The Wildlife: Shamwari Eagles Crag Lodge is home to more than 250 bird species and diverse wildlife. Look out for the Big 5, cheetah, and plenty of antelope species, including springbok, eland, and kudu. Some rare species you may spot include the shy caracal, bat-eared fox, honey badger, or black-backed Jackal. On night drives, aardvark and aardwolf may emerge from the darkness, and are always interesting to observe. 

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Why We Love It: This Garden Route lodge allows guests to exist harmoniously in nature, taking in the wild without compromising on luxury. The remarkable Shamwari Foundation uplifts local communities while protecting wildlife and biodiversity. We highly recommend arranging a visit to the Shamwari Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre during your stay, to bear witness to the care and compassion that goes into each animal’s recovery journey.

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We highly recommend Lynn Bowers at Safari.com. We had partially booked our family safari trip to celebrate our son’s 18th and were struggling to sort out various other elements. With Lynn’s knowledge, efficiency and professionalism she had the second half of our trip sorted in no time.

– Kerry

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Amakhala 5-Star Bush Lodge 

An African sanctuary exists in the heart of the bush, within the Amakhala 5-Star Bush Lodge. Picture this: your stay in a luxury tent with a thatched roof, wooden floors, and tented walls. Before you, a private viewing deck overlooks a watering hole, and wildlife roam freely across vast savannahs. Enjoy your private deck and plunge pool under quiet skies, and take in the magical surroundings at your own pace. 

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The Amakhala Game Reserve is malaria-free, and conservation efforts include rewilding and habitat restoration, as well as community upliftment and education. In addition to game drives and guided bush walks, guests can also enjoy the lodge’s lounge, bar, and outdoor boma area. Elevate your experience by enquiring about sundowner canoe safaris and cheese and wine boat cruises. 

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The Wildlife: There is no shortage of wildlife to discover during your safari adventure. The Big 5, cheetah, giraffe, and zebra are frequently spotted. Also, keep an eye out for warthog, bushbuck, and smaller carnivores as they cross your path in the wild. The varied birdlife includes eagles, owls, vultures, ostriches, and lilac-breasted rollers, to mention but a few. 

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Why We Love It: One exciting aspect of safaris in the Garden Route is that there are no limits to how you can experience the wild. The Amakhala Game Reserve offers guests horseback safaris that are the perfect example of this. On horseback, you can move silently through nature and enjoy a unique perspective of game viewing in Africa, led by an expert guide. 

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Better than expected. This is the first time I've used a travel service. Nerine developed an itinerary that was exactly what we were looking for, within our budget and much faster and easier than what I could come up with independently.

– Deborah

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Kariega River Lodge 

Situated along the banks of Bushman’s River, this welcoming safari lodge blends the bush and the beach for an amazing Garden Route experience. As experts in authentic safaris, our SAFARI.COM team often hear from guests that the setting makes Kariega River Lodge uniquely magical. This is due to how the game reserve connects to the sea, and how the riverside accommodation feels both tranquil and exciting. The Garden Route is synonymous with its diverse landscapes, and Kariega captures this perfectly. 

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Accommodation in one of ten thatched suites offers views of either the river or vibrant bushveld. Each suite is spacious and contemporary; with high-end finishes you will love. Lodge facilities include an outdoor boma for memorable African dining experiences. Fishing and canoeing are fun activities offered by the Kariega Game Reserve. 

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The Wildlife: Prepare to be blown away by amazing wildlife sightings during your stay, including the Big 5. Enjoy twice-daily game drives across dramatic, varying ecosystems. River cruises are the perfect way to admire the wild from a peaceful setting, and guided bush walks place you on a wild path to walk amongst over 25 species of game. 

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Why We Love It: The Kariega River Lodge is accessible to all budgets, while still captivating travelers seeking safari excellence. Whether you’re enjoying your stay with family or friends, there’s so much to explore during your time here. 
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Great staff and team! The agent I worked with through the process, Sara, has been so helpful. She is extremely responsive and communicative and leaves no questions unanswered. We are so excited for our trip, but the process of working with the safari.com team makes us even more excited as we feel very taken care of.

– Nishi Kadakai 

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Amakhala Safari Lodge 

Soak up the full safari experience at the inviting and malaria-free Amakhala Safari Lodge, a Garden Route favorite. If you are looking for the perfect budget-friendly safari, the Amakhala Game Reserve consists of diverse landscapes, including river valleys and indigenous forests. Spend time relaxing in your private suite, complete with a plunge pool and separate living area. Enjoy sundowners on your private deck with views of roaming wildlife and the striking natural landscapes. 

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The Wildlife: As we covered further up, wildlife at the Amakhala Game Reserve is abundant and marvelous. Since the reserve was once farmland, the restored habitats provide plenty of space for animals to thrive. Conservation efforts include population monitoring, anti-poaching, and wildlife rehabilitation, which allow this game reserve in the Eastern Cape to continue prospering sustainably. 

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Why We Love It: Amakhala Safari Lodge is perfect as a standalone safari experience or as part of a longer Garden Route adventure, largely thanks to its cost. You can chat to one of our SAFARI.COM experts, and we will curate the perfect itinerary for your time in Africa! 

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Safari. com has wonderful experts like Shann to make your dream trip a reality. Working with Shann from Safari.com has been a blessing! Knowing that we had someone to basically hold our hands through the process of planning a booking a dream trip to Africa was very reassuring. She knew our goals and listened to our ideas to help make everything work as we were imagining. I especially appreciated how she was always quick to respond with communications. I think Safari.com puts together some amazing itineraries, but customizing
any trip is their specialty. Shann knows Africa and has taken care of the details to create a custom itinerary to make the vision we have become reality. We can't wait to take our trip.

– Deb Douglas

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Botlierskop Tented Lodges 

Embark on an eco-friendly and exceptional safari venture to the luxurious Botlierskop Private Game Reserve. Here, breathtaking river, savannah, and mountain views set the backdrop for your Garden Route getaway. Whether you are on a romantic retreat, bonding with family, or reconnecting with friends, the Botlierskop Tented Lodges open you up to adventure, discovery, and uninterrupted experiences in nature. 

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Are you combining a Cape Town vacation with a Garden Route safari? Botlierskop Tented Lodges are conveniently located in the Western Cape near George, making it easy to include in a road-trip itinerary. Remember, SAFARI.COM are here to tailor your tour to your exact requirements. 

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Although every luxury tent differs slightly, you can look forward to indoor and outdoor showers, indoor fireplaces, private decks, and elegant furnishings. Guests are treated to gourmet meals at the reserve’s Fireplace Restaurant, and can also book spa treatments at the reserve’s wellness center. 

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The Wildlife: Unforgettable safari adventures await visitors to the Botlierskop Game Reserve. Guided game drives seek out the African Big 5, and bush walks through the plains are perfect for photographing, birdwatching, or simply appreciating the finer details of an intimate safari experience. Near Botlierskop River, you may see hippos enjoying their time, find lizards at play, or spot a variety of rare waterbirds.

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Why We Love It: At SAFARI.COM, we’re all about sustainable tourism. Botlierskop integrates habitat and wildlife restoration with luxury safari experiences. This means guest visits support ethical conservation and community upliftment, for truly meaningful adventures in Africa. 
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Booking a family safari for a group of 17 people is no easy feat. Izanne Meyer helped us set up an exciting and amazing itinerary for us in a matter of 9 days. I could chat with her on WhatsApp and all our queries were promptly answered. Her passion and friendliness is a bonus. I found the Safari.com platform consumer friendly and their service streamlined. We are looking forward to our 16 day fun filled safari with our children and grandchildren.

– Roode

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Start Planning Your Safari with Confidence

Ready to make timeless family memories? At SAFARI.COM, we’re here to help you find the best safari deal for you and your loved ones. Let our expert team craft something extraordinary. We will guide you with heart, insight, and insider knowledge every step of the way, before, during, and long after your journey. It’s time to explore!

Email us at [email protected], hit the WhatsApp button above, or call us toll-free on 1-888-SAFARIS (US & Canada).

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