Incredible Safari Experiences | Earthstompers Adventures

Incredible Safari Experiences in the malaria-free, Eastern Cape

We can brag with the amazing offers we have, for clients to add some dedicated safari time at the end of their Garden Route tour with Earthstompers. All the lodges we use, boasts excellent terrain for game viewing of the big 5 and other animals, as well as awesome lodges and service, ranging from 3 star to 5 star.

We have partnered with various Game Lodges and Private Game Reserves in the malaria free Eastern Cape. The ladies in the office recently got treated to a weekend of site inspections at some of these luscious lodges.

Amakhala Private Game Reserve was our home for 2 nights. We were impressed by the intimate feeling of the lodges and the warm welcome we received. We felt right at home in our Family room at Woodbury Lodge, which is located on a bit of an incline, overlooking the – what seems to be – endless grasslands and valleys.

Up bright and early for morning game drive, followed by breakfast. We took some time to explore the area around Amakhala and viewing their other lodges/camps, which we didn’t have time to stay at. We are always looking for interesting shops or farmstalls, for our guests to have breaks along the road.

Quatermain’s 1920’s Tented Camp is the perfect accommodation type for people who don’t want walls, separating them from the nature that is all around them.This camp is owner run by Riaan Brand & his wife Julie. There are only 3 tents, with a maximum occupancy of 2 people per tent so it is super intimate and cosy. The camp is located in an area of the reserve where there are no predators, which means that the camp doesn’t need any fencing! This is great news for guests, as they have freedom to walk around in the reserve unaccompanied.

Here, you really feel like you stepped into the 1900’s; you drink coffee from a tin mug, sit around the fire sharing tales with new friends, and feel one with nature. So much so, that you feel that in a parallel universe, you could live like this forever!

Next stop, Kariega Private Game Reserve.

Lounge at Main Lodge, Buffet style breakfast, daily

We had a beautiful 3 bedroom cottage at Main Lodge. Main Lodge is the largest lodge at Kariega, with 24 available cottages. Cottages are available in different sizes, some even have a small splash pool.The main lodge, where dinners are served, is fantastic. Leather couches and fires to relax at, a big swimming pool with tanning chairs and unbelievable buffet style breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The reserve is split up in 2 sections, separated by a public road. You get to visit both sides of the reserve on your two daily game drives. All lodges also offer a “boma night” which means that guests have a traditional style braai (all food prepared on the fire) if they stay for more than 1 night.

Most importantly, we had incredible animal encounters. Among plenty of great game viewing, a magic momment, was the Black Rhinocerous bull, that we were so lucky to find in the valleys of Amakhala! He still has his (very big) horn, proudly displayed. It’s heartbreaking, that it is now a novelty to see a Rhino with his horn still in tact! 🙁

My favourite sighting of the trip must be the herd of elephants we stumbled upon at Kariega. The family were moving through the thicket, browsing as they went. They were very vocal and energetic and they didn’t mind our presence at all! The little ones were continuously play-fighting and were hilarious to watch. The massive, young bull actually used our vehicle as a scratch post!!

Such an inspiring trip to have done! We feel rejuvenated and newly motivated to promote this beautiful country we call home.

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