International travellers generally have two things that they really want to see in South Africa: Table Mountain and the Big 5. What they don’t often realise is that you don’t need to race from Cape Town to the Kruger to do this. If you’re more concerned about seeing the Big 5 than where you see them, then a drive up the Garden Route, from Cape Town to Addo, may be your best option.
Why Cape to Addo?
- The Eastern and Western Cape reserves are malaria-free, so you don’t need to worry about medication.
- Road trips are a great way to experience a country. You’ll get to explore smaller towns, visit lesser known attractions, and build your own itinerary.
- The Garden Route is one of the world’s most scenic drives and has many close-up wildlife encounters – from cheetah walks to elephant rides – that will add a unique touch to your Big 5 safari.
- Port Elizabeth (PE) in the Eastern Cape is the gateway to the Garden Route and the closest city to the Greater Addo region. You will easily find flights to PE from Cape Town and Johannesburg and will have no problem finding a car to hire.
The following game reserves from Cape to Addo are a great way to visit Cape Town, road trip the Garden Route, and get your Big 5 fix in one smooth getaway!
BIG 5 GAME RESERVES
Please note that even though these parks offer Big 5 safaris, you aren’t necessarily guaranteed a sighting of them all. Leopards in particular are very difficult to spot, but the rangers are pretty clued up on their movements, so it’s all about being in the right place at the right time. The Western and Eastern Cape has winter rainfall, so the best time to spot wildlife is in the drier summer months (November – February) when there is less foliage. Please also note that the majority of the below reserves are in the Greater Addo region.
Aquila Game Reserve
A 2 hour drive from Cape Town on the N1 north, Aquila Game Reserve is a Big 5 safari hotspot for international holidaymakers in the Mother City. Day visitors can enjoy guided game drives, a visit to the ARC rehabilitation centre, horse back and quad bike safaris through the reserve, as well as buffet breakfasts and lunches. Aquila also has 4-star lodging if your day visit suddenly feels too short.
R46, Touws River | GPS: -33.351558, 19.933607 | +27 (0)861 7373 783 | res@aquilasafari.com | Book a stay
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve lies at the foot of the Warmwaterberg Mountains on Route 62, between Montagu and Barrydale. Roughly 3 hours from Cape Town and with 5-star accommodation at 3 luxury lodges, Sanbona is ideal for day trips, an overnight stay en route to Addo, or as a holiday destination on its own. The reserve is not only home to free roaming Big 5 animals, but also the rare white lion, highly endangered riverine rabbit, dwarf butterfly, and black eagle. In case the wildlife isn’t enough, the reserve has significant rock art sites and its stargazing is rated amongst the best in southern Africa.
Route 62, between Montagu and Barrydale | GPS: -33.754690, 20.552351 | +27 (0)21 010 0028 | reservations@sanbona.com | Book a stay
Gondwana Game Reserve
Gondwana is the only fynbos reserve in the world that is home to free roaming Big 5 wildlife. Day visitors can book morning or afternoon drives. If you enjoy golf, Gondwana has preferred rates at some of the top golf courses on the Garden Route. The reserve is a 4 hour drive from Cape Town and only 25 minutes from Mossel Bay, which is the gateway to the Garden Route in the Western Cape. George Domestic Airport is only a 45 minute drive from Gondwana (transfers provided) with daily flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town International airports.
Off the R327 | GPS: -34.080907, 21.911148 | +27 (0)44 697 7077 | reservations@gondwanagr.co.za
Garden Route Game Lodge
Roughly 5 hours from PE and 3 ½ hours from Cape Town, Garden Route Game Lodge is a private game reserve with abundant wildlife. Aside from game drives, the lodge also offers elephant feeding, reptile encounters, bird watching, and a bush spa. Day visitors are welcome.
N2, Albertinia | GPS: -34.201388, 21.636441 | +27 (0)28 735 1200 | reservations@grgamelodge.co.za | Book a stay
Addo Elephant National Park
Addo Elephant National Park is South Africa’s 3rd largest national park and incorporates the Bird and St Croix Island groups. It is less than 90 minutes from PE and is the only reserve in the world where you’ll be able to spot the Big 7 – lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo, southern right whale (between June and November), and great white shark. You’ll find a number of places offering elephant back rides and other close encounters with wildlife. The park is open to day visitors and there is a variety of accommodation available.
Main Entrance Gate off R335/R342 near Addo. GPS: -33.443871, 25.745977 | Matyholweni Gate off N2 near Colchester. GPS: -33.680322, 25.799385 | +27 (0)42 233 8600 | addoenquiries@sanparks.org
Shamwari Private Game Reserve
Shamwari is one of the biggest private game reserves in the Eastern Cape and has several award winning accommodation options. It is also roughly 90 minutes from PE and offers guided game drives in the mornings and evenings, as well as other activities like Pro Photo Safaris, a Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, spa retreats, and more. Like several other game reserves in the area, it spans 5 different ecosystems and makes for an impressive nature escape.
R342, Kirkwood | GPS: -33.433542, 26.076701 | +27 (0)42 203 1111 | reservations@shamwari.com | Book a stay
Amakhala Game Reserve
Amakhala offers accommodation in a selection of 11 luxury establishments made up of restored country houses, safari lodges, and tented camps located in different areas of the park. Day and night game drives are available for day visitors to see the reserve’s Big 5 and other wildlife. Visits to nearby reserves such as Addo and Shamwari can also be arranged.
N2, between Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown | GPS: -33.563390, 26.147653 | +27 (0)41 581 0993 | centralres@amakhala.co.za | Book a stay
Lalibela Game Reserve
Only an hour from PE, Lalibela Game Reserve and Safari Lodge is home to the Big 5 as well as other predators like cheetah, hyena, jackal, and lynx. Lalibela is unique in the Eastern Cape in that it has no public roads running through the property. Guests staying at Lalibela have exclusive access to the wildlife area and are guaranteed a safari free of other vehicles.
N2, between Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown | GPS: -33.470671, 26.254759 | +27 (0) 41 581 8170 | stay@lalibela.co.za
Pumba Private Game Reserve & Spa
Pumba is an exclusive game reserve with gold status for their environmental responsibility, through The Green Leaf Initiative. The Pumba Day Safaris are a great option for visitors with limited time. They are conducted all year round and can be tailored to suit the needs of your specific group. Aside from a Big 5 safari, you can expect to see cheetah, hippo, over 250 species of bird, and the rare white lion. For those with a little more time on their hands, the reserve has a luxurious range of 5-star accommodation and spa facilities to unwind after a day in the bush.
N2, between Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown | GPS: -33.379828, 26.353321 | +27 (0)41 502 3050 | respumba@pehotels.co.za
Which Big 5 game reserves would you recommend between Cape Town and Addo?
Feature image is Shamwari Game Lodge
