A 9,000-hectare conservancy in malaria-free Big 5 country
Amakhala is a privately owned game reserve in the Eastern Cape, formed when seven neighbouring farms came together to drop their fences and restore the land to its original wilderness. Today it spans 9,000 hectares of rolling bushveld, valleys, and the Bushman’s River, and is home to all of the Big 5.
It is a year-round, malaria-free reserve with five distinct ecosystems — perfect for first-time safari-goers, families with young children, and anyone who wants to combine a reliable Big 5 experience with the rest of the Garden Route.
Wildlife at Amakhala Game Reserve
Two daily game drives in open Land Rovers with experienced guides — one at sunrise, one at sunset. Resident species include:
- Lion (resident pride)
- Leopard (rare sightings)
- African elephant
- Buffalo
- Black & white rhino
- Cheetah
- Giraffe
- Hippopotamus
- Plains zebra
- Eland, kudu, springbok
- Vervet monkey, baboon
- 250+ bird species
Lodges within Amakhala Game Reserve
Pick your dates and we’ll show you which lodges are available right now. Live data, real-time pricing.
6 independently owned lodges share the reserve, each with its own personality. Choose by style, budget, or who you are travelling with — the wildlife is the same, the experience is yours.
Woodbury Lodge
Bush Lodge
Safari Lodge
HillsNek Safari Camp
Leeuwenbosch Country House
Quatermains Camp
Activities at the reserve
Two game drives are included every night of your stay regardless of which lodge you book. Beyond the drives, guides can arrange:
- Twice-daily Big 5 game drives
- Guided bush walks with armed rangers
- Sundowner stops with G&Ts in the bush
- Bushman's River boat cruise
- Conservation experiences (rhino tracking)
- Cultural visit to a local Xhosa village
- Stargazing with a resident guide
- Wellness treatments at lodge spas
- Private bush dinners (honeymooners)
Best time to visit Amakhala Game Reserve
Amakhala is a year-round reserve, but the dry winter months offer the best game viewing as animals gather around remaining water sources. Summer brings lush landscapes, newborn wildlife, and warmer evenings.
May – September
- Animals gather around water sources — easier to spot
- Thinner bush means better visibility on drives
- Cold mornings and evenings — pack layers
- Minimal rainfall and mosquitoes
October – March
- Lush green landscapes and dramatic skies
- Newborn animals and migratory birds arrive
- Warm days (25–32°C) and mild evenings
- Busier over South African school holidays
A conservation success story
Twenty-five years ago this land was farmland — overgrazed, fenced into small parcels, with most of the original wildlife long gone. Seven neighbouring farmers took down the fences, replanted indigenous bush, and slowly reintroduced species that had not been seen in the region for over a century.
Today the Amakhala Foundation supports rhino anti-poaching, the rehabilitation of injured wildlife, and an environmental-education programme for local schoolchildren. A portion of every booking through SafariBookNow contributes directly to the foundation.
How to reach Amakhala Game Reserve
Amakhala is an easy 75-minute drive (72 km) from Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) International Airport, which has direct daily flights from Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban. Most guests fly in to PE, transfer to the lodge in the late afternoon, and start with a sundowner game drive on day one.
- 72 km from Port Elizabeth Airport
- Daily flights from JHB / CPT / DBN
- Lodge transfers arranged on request
- Self-drive friendly (paved road to gate)
- Easy add-on to the Garden Route
- Combine with Addo Elephant Park
Ready to choose your lodge?
Pick a lodge above, check live availability, and book direct — secured by Turnstay.