Port Elizabeth and surrounds Nature Reserves

Koffylaagte Game Reserve is a pristine and historic private reserve conveniently situated 130 km from Port Elizabeth. The reserve is named for its colourful history as the resting place of the early settler traders who travelled between the vicinity and what is now known as Nelson Mandela Bay. The original 1870s farmhouse enjoys spectacular views of the landscape, heightened by the lonesome old ox-wagon, a remnant of the early pioneering days. Dedicated to wildlife management and breeding programmes, the land has been stripped of residues from its early farming days and converted back to its magnificent fauna and flora. Today Koffylaagte is a serene place where you can rest your mind, body and soul. The reserve is home to abundant wildlife including buffalo, giraffe, zebra, some 22 species of South African antelope, warthog, bush pig, mongoose, fox, and porcupine, jackal, meerkat, baboon and vervet monkey. The birdlife is prolific and it’s not uncommon to spot the majestic black eagle and other birds of prey. The spectacular Karoo flora resembles a natural succulent garden with aloes, euphorbia, spekboom, rare cycads and Elephant’s Foot.

Discover the magic of the Karoo with a unique wilderness experience at the exclusive 5-Star Blaauwbosch Private Game Reserve. Bordering the Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape, the reserve offers malaria-free wildlife viewing of a wide variety of game. Professional rangers will introduce you to lion, buffalo, elephant, leopard, rhino, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, antelope, abundant birdlife and rare flora on interesting game drives. An awesome thing to do is go on a walking safari to shadow cheetah as they prowl for their prey.

Conveniently situated within Port Elizabeth, the Cape Recife Nature Reserve has much to offer visitors and locals alike. A stunning beach, rolling dunes, coastal fynbos, marine birdlife, rock pools, and a 133-year old lighthouse beckon further exploration. The reserve is renowned as a ‘must do’ birding site in Port Elizabeth to see marine and freshwater birds. The tern roost at Cape Recife is the best place in the country to see Roseate Tern. Seven species of tern are found here including Roseate tern, Antarctic tern and occasionally Damara tern. Waterbirds that are often seen include Little Bittern, South African Shellduck, African Black Oystercatcher and Southern Tchagra. African penguin and ocean birds can also be spotted offshore. Cape Recife Nature Reserve facilities include an Information Centre, ablution block, bird hides, picnic site and a nine-kilometre walking trail.

Not only does Kwantu Private Game Reserve offer magnificent wildlife viewing in a malaria-free zone, it also has an elephant sanctuary and endangered animals in an untouched wilderness. From the comfort of specially equipped open Land Rovers, visitors are able to encounter impressive white rhino roaming freely on the plains. Entertaining antics of playful Vervet monkeys and Chacma baboons is commonplace as is the comical sight of warthog families speeding across the plains with their trademark tails held high. Other wildlife to spot is zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, blue duiker, kudu, porcupine, aardwolf, caracal, and leopard. With over 250 different species of birds, Kwantu is an orchestra of sound, colour and movement. Even novice bird watchers will thrill at a glimpse of the gorgeous Narina Trogon or the Knysna turaco. Other birds to see are various kingfishers, owls, sunbirds, eagles, kites, and water fowl. Informative and friendly guides soon have guests marvelling at their intriguing and unusual habits.

Home to an abundance of wildlife, the Kamala Private Game Reserve offers an attractive safari experience in an area of extraordinary beauty in the Eastern Cape. Visitors can choose from a mild to wild range of activities ranging from horse trails to zip slides over the gorge. The diversity of animal, bird and plant life as well as the stunning scenic variety all contributes to an unforgettable experience. Of course you can also kick back, enjoy the sweetness of doing nothing and luxuriate in the peace and tranquillity of this malaria-free, temperate environment.

One of the largest private game reserves in the Eastern Cape, the award winning Shamwari Game Reserve is a superlative safari destination for discerning guests. Boasting numerous high profile animals including the Big 5 and five of South Africa's seven biomes, the reserve is one of the most successful private conservation initiatives coupled with responsible tourism in Southern Africa. Shamwari is situated in luxuriant bushveld along the Bushmans River. Easily accesable, the malaria-free reserve lies halfway between Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown. There are daily flights from Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban to Port Elizabeth. It’s also an enjoyable drive from Cape Town along the beautiful Garden Route. Guests can choose from seven unique luxury lodges on this private game reserve.

Malaria free and home to an impressive diversity of animals, Bushman Sands Game Reserve boasts wonderful Big 5 wildlife viewing opportunities. Situated on 40 square kilometres of former farmland, the reserve has reintroduced animals that once roamed here over 200 years ago. Lion, leopard, cheetah, buffalo, elephant, rhino, black wildebeest, red hartebeest, zebra, giraffe, hippo, kudu, eland, springbuck and waterbuck can all be found. Sunset cruises on the reserve’s large dam present perfect opportunities for spotting wildlife such as elephant and antelope. Other things to see are the Bushman rock art paintings that date back thousands of years.

On the tip of Cape St Francis and sandwiched between a plethora of coastal holiday houses is the lovely Cape St Francis Nature Reserve. This sanctuary is not only rich in botanical and animal life; it offers unhindered views of the ocean. Here the endangered coastal dune forest and fynbos is preserved from further development, providing a home for bushbuck, grysbok, duiker, porcupine, bushpig, monkey, mongoose, caracal and otter. Twitchers will find plenty to tick off here with 200 bird species recorded. A delightful hiking trail leads to a superb viewpoint and it’s easy to lose yourself for many hours within the reserve. Bottlenose and common dolphins can often be seen surfing the breaks and southern right whales winter offshore during August to November.

Set on the southern slopes of the Bosberg Mountains, the Bosberg Nature Reserve is a popular destination for hikers. The densely-wooded nature reserve looms over the lovely dorp of Somerset East. The forest is characterised by lofty Outeniqua yellowwood, white stinkwood, Eastern Cape cabbage trees, wild peach and wild olive trees. Offsetting the forested area are the grassy plains of the Dohne sourveld as well as Karoo succulents and mountain fynbos. Wildlife you might encounter includes zebra, bushbuck, bush pig, baboon, rock hyrax, Vervet monkey, tortoises, frogs, snakes and lizards. Look out for the Knysna turaco flitting among the treetops. With more than 80 species of birds recorded in the reserve, twitchers have much to get excited about, particularly during summer or spring. Hikers usually take on the fairly strenuous two-day Bosberg Trail. There is also the far less intense option of the Bestershoek Trail and sedate strolls to the viewpoints over Somerset East.