Kariega Game Reserve
Family-owned since 1989
Kariega Game Reserve
Kariega has been owned and operated by the Rushmere family since 1989. The Eastern Cape reserve holds Big Five game across 11,500 hectares of varied terrain, with four lodges that span family-friendly to adults-only.
- Is Kariega Game Reserve malaria-free?
- Yes. Kariega is in the Eastern Cape, which is entirely malaria-free. No prophylaxis is needed, making it an excellent choice for families with young children and travellers who prefer to avoid antimalarial medication.
- How do I get to Kariega from Gqeberha or on a Garden Route drive?
- Kariega is approximately 90 minutes' drive from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) airport along the N2, with a well-signposted turn-off near Kenton-on-Sea. Guests driving the Garden Route from Cape Town typically reach the reserve in a day via the N2 through Storms River and Tsitsikamma. Our safari specialists arrange transfers from the airport or any Garden Route stop.
- Which Kariega lodge is best for families, and which for honeymooners?
- Kariega Main Lodge is the most family-friendly option, with spacious chalets, a swimming pool and a relaxed communal atmosphere, from R7,200 per person per night. For honeymooners and couples, Settlers Drift is the flagship: nine luxury tented suites in a remote section of the reserve, each with a private deck and views over the Bushman's River valley, from R12,800 per person per night.
- What is included in the nightly rate at Kariega?
- All Kariega rates are fully inclusive of accommodation, three meals daily, twice-daily game drives, river cruises, guided bush walks, a conservation levy and selected drinks. Spa treatments and specialist experiences carry supplementary charges. Rates start from R7,200 per person sharing per night at Main Lodge.
- Will I see the Big Five at Kariega?
- Kariega is a Big Five reserve, and lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard are all resident. Elephant and buffalo sightings are near-certain on any two-night stay. Lion and rhino are regularly seen, though leopard, as in any reserve, requires patience. Your guides know the territory intimately and will maximise your chances.
Garden Route
Kariega Main
Lodge.
Garden Route
Kariega Main Lodge
The 4-star Kariega Main Lodge sits high on a ridge in the malaria-free Kariega Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape. This private game reserve is also a short drive from the coast, making it easy to combine with the sandy beaches and warm sea of the world-famous Garden Route.
Big Five enthusiasts, honeymooners, and families.
From R 7 200 pps · per night
Garden Route
Kariega River
Lodge.
Garden Route
Kariega River Lodge
Kariega River Lodge is nestled along the banks of the Bushman's River in the private Kariega Game Reserve of the malaria-free Eastern Cape.
Big Five enthusiasts.
From R 7 650 R 9 000 pps · per night
Garden Route
Kariega Settlers Drift.
Garden Route
Kariega Settlers Drift
Settlers Drift is a unique 5-star tented experience in a remote area of the pristine Kariega Game Reserve; a photographer's paradise!
Big Five enthusiasts and honeymooners.
From R 10 880 R 12 800 pps · per night
Garden Route
Kariega Ukhozi
Lodge.
Garden Route
Kariega Ukhozi Lodge
Ukhozi Lodge is a superior four-star graded lodge located in the 10 000 hectare malaria-free Kariega Private Game Reserve. The reserve which is only a one hour drive from Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, teems with wildlife including the famous Big Five, ensuring an unforgettable safari experience.
Big Five enthusiasts and honeymooners.
From R 7 650 R 9 000 pps · per night
The Kariega Game Reserve way
Why Kariega Game Reserve.
Why Kariega
Kariega Game Reserve has been owned and operated by the Rushmere family since 1989, when they began converting a cluster of Eastern Cape farms into an 11,500-hectare (28,400-acre) Big Five wilderness. That family stewardship means decisions about land management, lodge investment and guest experience happen in one room, not in a boardroom overseas. The result is a reserve that feels personal in a way that corporate-run properties rarely achieve, from the handwritten welcome notes to the guides who have worked the land for decades.
Two rivers, the Kariega and the Bushman's, thread through the reserve, creating a mosaic of riverine forest, open grassland and dense valley bushveld. The location, approximately 90 minutes from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) in the malaria-free Eastern Cape, places Kariega within easy reach of the Garden Route's beaches and whale-watching coast. A bush-and-beach itinerary that pairs a few nights at Kariega with the coast at Kenton-on-Sea or the Garden Route is one of the most popular short trips we plan.
The Kariega Foundation, the reserve's conservation arm, has earned international recognition for its anti-poaching work. Thandi, a female white rhino who survived a devastating poaching attack in 2012, has become one of the world's most recognised conservation stories and a symbol of resilience. She has since given birth to multiple calves on the reserve, a testament to both her recovery and the Foundation's protection efforts. Guests who stay at Kariega contribute directly to this work through a conservation levy included in every rate.
When to go
Kariega is a year-round, malaria-free destination. The best game viewing falls between June and September, when dry winter conditions thin the bush and concentrate animals at water sources. June to November brings whale season along the nearby Sunshine Coast, making it the ideal window for a bush-and-beach combination. Summer (December to February) delivers lush green landscapes, newborn animals and warmer beach days, though afternoon showers are common. Lodges start from R7,200 per person sharing per night.
Speak to a safari specialist