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  • An African elephant and a Cape buffalo stand in a grassy field during luxury Eastern Cape trips.
  • Rugged rocky coastline and crashing waves at sunset viewed on luxury Eastern Cape tours.
  • People observing a rhinoceros in the wild while on luxury Eastern Cape holidays.
  • Panoramic view of a conical mountain peak in the Valley of Desolation during luxury Eastern Cape tours.
  • A surfer in an orange shirt riding a giant turquoise wave during luxury Eastern Cape vacations.
  • Wide landscape of golden rolling hills and distant valleys seen on luxury Eastern Cape trips.
  • Portrait of a majestic male lion with a large mane seen during luxury Eastern Cape holidays.

Luxury Safaris in the Eastern Cape made for you

Discover the best of the Eastern Cape on an unforgettable journey designed by experts

Handy reserves and the sun soaked 'Wild Coast'

Once a region side-stepped by most travellers in favour of the Garden Route and Big Game Country of the north, South Africa’s Eastern Cape continues to win visitors over with its pristine coastline, accessible and malaria-free wildlife reserves, picturesque villages and surreal hinterland landscapes.

As the second largest province in the country it also boasts 800 kilometres of sun-soaked coastline including at its most northern end, the lush 174-kilometre long ‘Wild Coast’; a stretch of shoreline termed as such thanks to a delightful lack of development, rivers ending in expansive estuaries, long sandy crescent beaches, rocky headlands, coastal dunes and many a shipwreck to dive.

With the most of the region’s Big Five game and nature reserves being malaria-free and all within a 45 minute to 1.5-hour drive from Port Elizabeth, luxury South Africa safaris in the Eastern Cape are well-suited to families or those looking for a more straightforward trip. Among these are Shamwari Kwandwe Private Game Reserves which boast some of fine luxury and Afro-chic lodges, and the fabulous Settlers Drift Lodge in Kariega Private Game Reserve.

The region’s interior hinterlands are also what shape the Eastern Cape as a distinct destination and are worth mentioning for its endless horizons and desolate scrublands creating quite a dreamlike lunarscape interrupted with picturesque old settlement towns such as Graaff-Reinet.

From our experts

Experiences picked by our South Africa safari specialists

Trek the dunes and dive among shipwrecks

Lose track of time on crescent-shaped beaches and rugged headlands, go trekking across vast coastal dunes and dive among historic shipwrecks.

See the Big Five and more

Witness the Big Five and game such as cheetahs and black wildebeests on safari drives.

Visit the Valley of Desolation

Visit the spectacular Valley of Desolation in the Camdeboo National Park, just outside the historic town of Graaff-Reinet.

A word from one of our experts

Why do I love South Africa so much? Apart from the fact that I called it home for a number of years, I think it’s also the friendliest, most beautiful and diverse country in Africa. Where else can you enjoy international food and wine pairing one day, and a safari in Big Five territory the next?

Jody van Merode Senior Travel Designer

Luxury Eastern Cape safari lodges

There are many incredible places to stay in the Eastern Cape. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our safari experts:

Why book with Jacada?

  • Safari expertise

    Our experts bring decades of first-hand expertise. They’ve lived and travelled across Africa and are regularly on the ground reviewing the most exclusive camps and experiences. You’ll also have the support of a personal concierge, based in region.

  • Unforgettable guides

    We handpick the most knowledgeable guides, who bring each destination to life with care and passion. They’re chosen for their ability to provide unrivalled insight into the region’s wildlife and landscapes as well as a genuine, memorable experience.

  • Positive impact

    By travelling with us, you directly support a range of initiatives spanning wildlife conservation to community engagement. Our luxury trips are designed to prioritise experiences that are positive for you and the places you visit.

Trip inspiration

Get inspired with our South Africa example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure

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Introducing South Africa

A perfect trip for the first time visitor to South Africa, experience some of the Rainbow Nation’s most popular highlights on this ten–day luxury journey with…

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Ready to plan your adventure?

Whatever you want from your Eastern Cape adventure, our team of safari experts are ready to help.

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Where else to go in South Africa

Meet your Africa experts

When to visit the Eastern Cape

Cape Town and along the Garden Route are great to visit any time of year, but early summer when the winds drops are particularly pleasant. If you’re visiting for safari, the dry winter months are often considered the best but the wetter summer months bring full waterholes, lush bushveld and lots of newborn animals.

Wildflowers

August–September

Safari

May–October

Cape Town

October–April

Winelands

February–March

When Is the Best Time to Visit South Africa?

South Africa travel guides

Plan your trip to Eastern Cape

Whatever you want from your adventure in the Eastern Cape, our team of safari experts are ready to help.

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Don't take our word for it

“We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada…”

We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada and it surely won't be our last! Every detail and moment of our trip was perfectly planned. We were met every step of the way with courteous and knowledgeable drivers and guides. We really appreciated the local guides and the commitment they had to make every day special. Thank you Jacada for the…

Amy Schulz Trustpilot ★★★★★

“heavenly honeymoon”

My wife and I used Jacada to plan our honeymoon to French Polynesia. Working with the Jacada team was fantastic and effortless. Every question was quickly answered. Every hiccup was quickly addressed. We felt like we were in the hands of experts who are equally passionate about travel, and who were committed to helping us have the trip of a…

MJ Trustpilot ★★★★★

“Jacada Travel has been outstanding”

We enjoy traveling and we have used Jacada Travel for some wonderful trips over several years. We have never been disappointed. In 2024 we took a Safari in Botswana Africa and walked with the gorillas in Rwanda planned by Jacada and the itinerary was amazing. In 2025 we had planned a trip to Antartica ( with another company ) but…

Lisa Schrage Trustpilot ★★★★★

“Communication and organization were…”

Communication and organization were excellent. The Jacada team was helpful and genuinely interested in our experience. The guides were personable, knowledgeable, and clearly enjoy their work. Vehicles were spotless, timely, and coordinators managed our every need brilliantly. I will recommend Jacada to friends and family. The only way to travel!

Andrew Woodcock Trustpilot ★★★★★

“Iceland 8 Days”

We had a wonderful trip planned through Jacada. We enjoyed the venues and the excursions. This is a beautiful place we'd recommend to anyone who wants to go on a new adventure.

The Reynolds Trustpilot ★★★★★

Your trip, your story

We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.

Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.

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