We just love Kariega because of how easy it is to get there! The closest airport is Port Elizabeth at just an hour and 20 minutes’ drive away, and once you get onto the reserve you certainly won’t feel like you’re anywhere near a city. Port Elizabeth airport has regular flights coming in from core cities across the country including Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban which means it’s super easy to combine with a wider itinerary.

Kariega Private Game Reserve is a family owned and operated spot which is home to five beautiful lodges across 10,000 hectares which is roughly as many football fields! Each of the lodges have a different feel to them, and we know them perfectly so can place you in the one we think will fit you the best. Settler’s Drift is a five-star offering with just 9 tented suites, each 110m2 big, in the heart of the Kariega wilderness. If you’d like to have a river setting, we highly recommend the ten-suite River Lodge which is nestled on the banks of the Bushman’s River, all airconditioned and beautifully thatched. Ukhozi Lodge is probably the most romantic, with ten luxury suites all with their own private plunge pools and stunning panoramic views out over the river plains. If you are in search of more buzz and facilities then we’d highly recommend a stay at Main Lodge which consists of 24 log chalets, a perfect base for those with kiddies to keep entertained. Finally – those who want true exclusivity would just love The Homestead, a privately catered home for up to 14 people and ideal for groups of friends travelling or indeed that extended family trip you’ve been talking about!

Given its location on the beautiful Garden Route, Kariega is ideal to visit at all times of year as the weather is usually mild and pleasant. When the bush is dry and thinned out from lack of rain, the game can be easier to find (in the winter and springtime months of June through to October) and that can be great fun as you can more likely find a variety of game around the waterholes. This time of year can get quite chilly however with temperatures dropping down to a nippy 5-7C at night and in the early mornings. If you want to visit when the weather is warmer (or even hot!) then the summer months can be ideal as temperatures reach up to a balmy 30C and the heat can be broken up by beautiful short sharp rain storms. These bring the bush to life and the contrast with the greens is absolutely magical. Game can be harder to find however this time of year is a paradise for photographers and birders alike so it really does depend and we can help you plan it!