optimal eastern cape game viewing - advice please?
 

A forthcoming late May trip. Definitely going to Addo for the elephants but am wondering about seeing other animals. I'm not bothered about ticking off all the big 5, but do want some truly memorable 'close to nature' encounters with at least some good birdwatching and small mammal viewing. Not in the least bit concerned with luxury, but willing to pay Shamwari rates if that is a peak wildlife experience. However, having researched all the options in detail, it seems that no eastern Cape area is as spectacular as Kruger or Botswana, and so I might be just as well saving my money for a future trip there, and chilling out this year at Addo rest camp for a few days, and taking their game drives. Your advice?

Shamwari is a bit of a zoo, in the sense that they stock mammals that never occurred in the area (e.g. impala, white rhino, giraffe). Most other private reserves in the Western and Eastern Cape do as well, they feel that being able to show guests iconic or quintessentially African animals is the only way to compete commercially with lodges in (sub)tropical parts of southern Africa.

In the Eastern Cape, Kwandwe is probably your best bet.

Johan

Yes, if you're restricted to Eastern Cape, I'd say staying in Addo would be the best bet.

If you could go a little further afield, you could visit Pilanesberg near Sun City, a couple of hours' drive from Johannesburg, where you stand a good chance of seeing the Big Five. See:
- http://pilanesberggamereserve.com/index.html and
- http://pilanesberggamereserve.com/be...-tourists.html

Second for Kwandwe.

Kwandwe is fantastic, was there last week. Incredible staff, wonderful accommodation at Great Fish River, and great Big 5 game viewing. Don't go just for two nights, get a four-for-three Signature Safari.