Kariega Game Reserve

Eastern Cape , South Africa

Kariega Game Reserve is a delightful property in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa, near the small coastal town of Kenton-on-Sea.. The reserve supports large numbers of very relaxed general game and excellent bird life in its thickly vegetated hills and open valleys which are overlooked by cactus-like Euphorbia trees. There is a great selection of activities guests can take part in from canoeing in the river to mountain biking and hiking independently in a smaller section of the reserve (no elephants or lions here). The reserve is essentially split into two sections by a main road which you have to cross via electronic gates each time you go on game drive in search of some of the reserve’s flagship animal species. The larger section plays host to the big five and the smaller section hosts only general plains game. Lions, elephants and white rhino are sighted on most days and there is a small herd of buffalo on the property while leopards are shy and typically seldom seen. Kariega is currently supporting a leopard research project on the reserve aiming to find out more about their local habits and how many of these elusive creatures are in the area.

There are four camps on Kariega Game Reserve:

River Lodge is situated next to the main game viewing section and looks on to the Bushmans River whilst the Homestead is situated in the heart of the reserve. On the opposite side of the main road, Ukhozi and Main Lodge are located in the smaller section of the reserve which hosts only relatively non-dangerous game making them perfect for those traveling with young children.

Kariega is also actively involved in the local community and has a great volunteer programme where people wishing to spend longer periods here (4 weeks or more) can get involved in conservation or social activities in and around the reserve. Although one does not feel like they are in a truly remote African wilderness area (as the lights of the nearby town can be seen at night and one has to cross a main road to enter the larger section of the reserve).