Is Kariega Game Reserve malaria-free?

Yes. Kariega is situated in South Africa's malaria-free Eastern Cape, making it a low-risk option for families and travellers wanting to avoid antimalarial medication.

Can I see the Big 5 at Kariega?

Yes. Kariega completed its Big 5 introduction in May 2004 and offers regular sightings of lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard on twice-daily safari drives.

How far is Kariega from Port Elizabeth?

Kariega is approximately an 80-minute drive from Port Elizabeth, the nearest airport, making it an easy add-on to a Garden Route or Cape Town itinerary.

How many lodges does Kariega have?

Kariega has five lodges: Main Lodge, Ukhozi Lodge, River Lodge, The Homestead and Settlers Drift, each offering a distinct style and atmosphere.

Is Kariega suitable for families with young children?

Main Lodge and The Homestead welcome children of all ages, with a dedicated Kids on Safari programme, while the other three lodges do not accommodate children ten and under.

How large is Kariega Game Reserve?

Kariega spans 12,000 hectares of Eastern Cape wilderness, incorporating the Kariega and Bushmans river valleys across five distinct ecosystems.

What activities are available beyond game drives?

Guests can enjoy river cruises, canoeing, guided bush walks, beach trips by boat and spa treatments at the Wellness Centre.

Who is Thandi the rhino?

Thandi is a white rhino who survived a brutal poaching attack in 2012 at Kariega and has since given birth to calves, becoming a symbol of conservation resilience.

When was Kariega established?

The Rushmere family purchased the first portion of land in 1989, gradually expanding the reserve through partnerships and acquisitions over three decades.

Can children join game drives at Kariega?

Yes, children of all ages are welcome on morning and afternoon game drives with their parents, though guides use discretion around dangerous Big 5 sightings for very young children.

Is Kariega privately owned?

Yes, Kariega is a family-owned and operated private game reserve, run by the Rushmere and Fuller families since its founding in 1989.

What is the minimum recommended length of stay?

A minimum three-night stay is recommended to make the most of Kariega's safari drives, river activities and varied ecosystems.

Does Kariega offer spa treatments?

Yes, the Wellness Centre at Main Lodge serves guests from Ukhozi Lodge and The Homestead, while River Lodge and Settlers Drift have their own on-site spas.

What does a Kariega Game Reserve safari cost?

Kariega safaris typically cost from R7,200 per person, per night, depending on the accommodation comfort level, time of year and activities. This price usually includes accommodation, all meals, game drives, experienced guides, and 24/7 support from our team.

Kariega Game Reserve safaris | Africa Geographic

Kariega Game Reserve: Malaria-Free Big 5 Safaris

Kariega Game Reserve at a glance:

Location: Eastern Cape, South Africa, near Kenton-on-Sea	Access from Port Elizabeth: ~80 minutes by road
Size: 12,000 hectares across two river valleys	Minimum recommended stay: 3 nights
Nearest airport: Port Elizabeth	Wildlife: Big 5 - lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard
Lodges: Five — Main Lodge, Ukhozi Lodge, River Lodge, The Homestead, Settlers Drift	Malaria risk: None — malaria-free safari destination

Why visit Kariega Game Reserve?

Kariega Game Reserve spans 12,000 hectares of Eastern Cape bushveld between the Kariega and Bushmans River valleys, delivering close-up Big 5 encounters entirely free of malaria risk. Twice-daily safari drives with experienced rangers cross five ecosystems, from valley bushveld and savannah grasslands to fynbos, riverine forest and acacia woodland, revealing lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard, alongside giraffe, zebra, hippo, hyena, wildebeest and abundant birdlife. Two rivers set Kariega apart from many reserves, enabling boat cruises, canoeing, and beach trips, alongside game drives and guided bush walks.

Family-owned since 1989, Kariega carries a genuinely personal conservation legacy, having reintroduced species once hunted to local extinction and rehabilitated land once divided among 24 farmers into one thriving wilderness across three decades of expansion. Guests can also follow the story of Thandi, a white rhino who survived a brutal poaching attack in 2012 and became a symbol of resilience and hope for regional conservation. Five distinctive lodges suit families, couples and those seeking total seclusion, all within easy reach of Cape Town, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and the Garden Route.

5 Reasons We Love Kariega

See the Big 5: Twice-daily open-vehicle safari drives across five distinct ecosystems bring lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard sightings.
Meet Thandi's story: Follow the white rhino poaching survivor whose recovery inspired conservationists worldwide.
Explore by water: Two rivers enable boat cruises, canoeing and beach trips, a rare safari feature beyond conventional game drives.
Choose your lodge: Five distinctive properties range from family-friendly Main Lodge to the exclusive private Homestead.
Combine with the Cape: This malaria-free safari pairs easily with Cape Town or a Garden Route road trip.

Things to do in Kariega Game Reserve

Safari drives: Join twice-daily drives in open 4x4 vehicles with experienced rangers.
River cruises: Cruise the Kariega or Bushmans River, spotting hippos, fish eagles and birdlife from the water.
Canoeing: Paddle along the river for a quieter, closer perspective on Kariega's waterways and wildlife.
Guided bush walks: Learn about tracks, plants and the reserve's smaller, often-missed creatures on foot.
Beach excursions: Take a boat trip to Kenton-on-Sea's beaches for a picnic away from the safari vehicle.
Spa treatments: Relax at the Wellness Centre with massages after a morning or evening out on safari.
Kids on Safari: Children of all ages join game drives, with Main Lodge offering a dedicated children's programme. Young guests earn a Junior Ranger Certificate through guided trails and bushcraft activities at Main Lodge.
Babysitting: Available on request, so parents can enjoy an uninterrupted evening safari drive.

What wildlife can I see in Kariega Game Reserve?

The Big 5: Kariega hosts lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, and the notoriously elusive leopard. Both white and black rhino roam the reserve, including Thandi, the celebrated poaching survivor.
Zebra and giraffe: Among Kariega's earliest reintroductions in 1991, both now thrive in healthy numbers.
River wildlife: Hippos inhabit the two rivers, alongside waterbuck, kudu, eland and blue wildebeest.
Smaller residents: Hyenas, jackals, genets, honey badgers, warthogs, baboons, and porcupines also call Kariega home.
Birdlife: Kariega hosts more than 300 species, including Knysna turaco, African finfoot, narina trogon, Knysna woodpecker, crowned and martial eagles, secretarybird and Knysna warbler.

Where to stay in Kariega Game Reserve

Main Lodge: Opened in 1999, this is the original property and the most family-friendly, with a playroom, midday activities and its own Kids on Safari programme for children of all ages. It also houses the Wellness Centre, making it a practical base for multi-generational groups.
Ukhozi Lodge: Opened in 2002, this offers a more intimate, exclusive atmosphere nearby, sharing access to the Main Lodge Wellness Centre. It does not accommodate children under 10, suiting couples and adult travellers seeking quieter surroundings.
River Lodge: On the Bushmans River, opened in October 2006, this lodge makes full use of its riverside setting, with its own spa and easy access to boat cruises, canoeing and beach trips by boat. It, too, does not accommodate children under 10.
The Homestead: A restored 1908 farmhouse in the reserve's north, this is Kariega's private, sole-use lodge, ideal for families or groups who want an entire property to themselves, while still using the Wellness Centre and children's programme at Main Lodge.
Settlers Drift: Kariega's five-star tented lodge, opened in December 2014, sits on spectacular Settler-family land bordering the Bushmans River. Guests typically arrive by scenic boat transfer from the jetty around 13h30, and the lodge has its own spa. Like River Lodge and Ukhozi, it does not accommodate children under 10.

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