Amakhala Game Reserve

Amakhala Game Reserve is a malaria-free safari destination in the Eastern Cape, fifty minutes from Gqeberha. The reserve is home to the Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo — along with cheetah, giraffe, zebra, and a variety of antelope and birdlife.

You can visit for a day safari or stay overnight at one of the lodges. Day safaris include guided game drives in open vehicles, with options for half-day or full-day excursions. The full-day safari adds an afternoon drive after lunch. Rangers track wildlife across the reserve, sharing sightings over radio so vehicles can locate animals like leopards resting in trees.

The reserve supports local conservation and community projects, including environmental education and anti-poaching efforts. Lodges range from tented camps to country houses, each set into the landscape with views of the bushveld.

Amakhala is easily reached from Port Elizabeth, Grahamstown, and Addo, making it a practical choice for a safari without the need for malaria prophylaxis.