Three Landscapes. One Wild Eastern Cape.

THREE LANDSCAPES. ONE WILD EASTERN CAPE.

The Eastern Cape is often recognised for its malaria free safaris, but its appeal extends far beyond this. Across the province, river valleys, rugged mountains and sweeping Karoo plains create different nature and wildlife experiences. This month, we explore three partners that reveal the diversity of the Eastern Cape: the expansive private wilderness of Kwandwe, the new wellness mountain sanctuary of Mantis Hiddn in Addo, and the extraordinary rewilding story of Samara Karoo Reserve.

Set along the winding Great Fish River, Kwandwe is a vast private wilderness. With only 26 rooms and a maximum of 52 guests spread across 30,000 hectares, guests enjoy an incredible sense of space. On game drives, it is entirely possible not to see another vehicle for hours, making the experience feel intimate, unhurried and deeply personal.

Kwandwe’s unique location means that it is home to a combination of species rarely found together within a single reserve. In the more arid Kalahari-like interior, guests may encounter species such as brown hyena, aardwolf, bat-eared fox, black-backed jackal, meerkat, gemsbok, springbok and red hartebeest. Alongside them are the typical safari species of the Kruger bushveld as well as more than 300 bird species.

Kwandwe’s collection of lodges and private villas allows each stay to be tailored to the guest’s needs. Great Fish River Lodge offers a quieter, more romantic escape, while Ecca Lodge is ideal for families and guests who prefer a more contemporary style. For multigenerational groups or those seeking complete privacy, Fort House, Melton Manor and Uplands Homestead provide exclusive use accommodation with a dedicated safari team giving guests the freedom to experience the reserve entirely at their own pace.

Did you know?

Since September 2022, Kwandwe’s Restoration Teams have planted more than five million spekboom cuttings, with a target of reaching eight million by the end of 2027. Known as “The Carbon Sponge”, spekboom captures significant amounts of carbon while helping to stabilise soil, retain moisture and restore the ecosystem. It also provides a food source for species such as black rhino, elephant and kudu, making each planting meaningful to biodiversity and long-term climate resilience.

o region, Mantis Hiddn offers an entirely different offering in the Eastern Cape. This newly opened mountain wellness sanctuary has been designed around seclusion, stillness and a more intuitive connection with nature. Panoramic suites open onto private decks, while wellness rituals, personalised dining and guided wilderness experiences allow each stay to unfold at the guest’s own pace.

Did you know?

The sanctuary is remarkably easy to reach from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), with guests arriving via a scenic two-hour transfer in a luxury Range Rover or a spectacular 40-minute helicopter flight.

At Samara Karoo Reserve, the landscape tells a story of renewal. Once farmland, this vast corner of the Great Karoo has been carefully restored into a thriving wilderness. Today, wildlife moves once again across open plains, river valleys and mountain plateaus, while guests can experience everything from traditional game drives to tracking cheetah on foot. Samara is more than a safari destination; it is a powerful example of what conservation and purposeful rewilding can achieve.

Did you know?

Roughly the size of Germany, South Africa’s vast Karoo was once the setting for Africa’s largest land based migration, when millions of springbok moved across its open plains and mountains.

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Keeping the dream alive,
Eluisa Di Benedetto | Product Manager