August 11, 2026
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Where conservation meets authentic safari experiences
A game reserve steeped in history. The land that makes up Amakhala Game Reserve was farmland belonging to the 1820 Settlers of South Africa. In 1999, the descendants of these settlers decided to take down their fences and combine their farms for the greater cause of conservation. A reserve with a lot of lodge choice, there is suitable option for everyone.
Our Tours In Amakhala Game Reserve
Explore our customized safari tours, crafted to showcase the region's iconic wildlife and breathtaking landscape.
Type
Activity
Style
Price
Sort
South Africa – 4-day Eastern Cape Safari with Amakhala HillsNek Lodge – Tailored Driven
Africa
4 days
South Africa – 4-day Amakhala Safari with Bukela Game Lodge – Tailored Driven
Africa
4 days
South Africa – 4-day Eastern Cape Safari with Amakhala Safari Lodge – Tailored Driven
Africa
4 days
South Africa – 4-day Eastern Cape Safari with Amakhala Woodbury Lodge – Tailored Driven
Africa
4 days
South Africa – 4-day Eastern Cape Safari with Amakhala Quatermain’s Camp – Tailored Driven
Africa
4 days
Wildlife and conservation in harmony
Why Visit Amakhala
Amakhala promises an immersive safari with rich biodiversity and strong community involvement. Here, you can encounter the Big Five in a malaria-free reserve while exploring diverse landscapes that range from sweeping open plains to lush riverine bush. A stay at Amakhala supports a pioneering conservation initiative run by local families, making your safari experience both meaningful and memorable.
Accommodation options are plentiful, from intimate tented camps to luxurious suites, catering to every type of traveller. Its convenient location also allows for easy combinations with nearby Addo Elephant National Park and the scenic Garden Route, creating a well-rounded South African adventure.
Getting to Amakhala and Combining Your Stay
A malaria-free reserve in the Eastern Cape, easily combined with Addo and the Garden Route.
Amakhala lies in the Eastern Cape, roughly ninety minutes from Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) by road, making it one of the more accessible private reserves for travellers on a shorter South Africa trip. Because the reserve is malaria-free, it is a popular first or last stop for families travelling with young children, and it combines easily with Addo Elephant National Park and the Garden Route for a longer Eastern Cape itinerary that mixes reserve, coast and forest scenery without a change of region.
Amakhala’s five lodges, including HillsNek and Woodbury, each sit on a different section of the reserve, so the choice of lodge affects the landscape and pace of a stay as much as the price point, from riverine bush to open plains.
Year-round safari adventures
Best Time to Visit Amakhala Game Reserve
Amakhala’s climate makes it a destination for every season, with each month offering a different kind of beauty.
- 🌿 Summer (Nov–Mar)
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Warm weather, lush vegetation, and newborn wildlife.
- 🌿 Autumn (Apr–May)
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Cooler days, excellent game viewing as foliage begins to thin.
- 🌿 Winter (Jun–Aug)
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Crisp mornings, frequent predator sightings, and fewer visitors.
- 🌿 Spring (Sep–Oct)
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Wildflowers in bloom and wildlife active across the reserve.
Questions you might ask yourself before your trip.
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Yes. Amakhala sits in a malaria-free part of the Eastern Cape, which makes it a straightforward choice for families with young children or travellers who prefer not to take antimalarial medication.
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Amakhala is around ninety minutes’ drive from Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) airport, making it one of the more easily reached private reserves in South Africa.
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Yes. Amakhala’s location in the Eastern Cape makes it straightforward to combine with Addo Elephant National Park and a Garden Route self-drive, giving travellers a single regional itinerary that mixes reserve, coastline and indigenous forest.
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Amakhala has five lodges, including HillsNek, Bukela, Amakhala Safari Lodge, Woodbury and Quatermain’s Camp, each set on a different part of the reserve so the landscape and pace of a stay varies by lodge choice.
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Amakhala was created in 1999 when descendants of the Eastern Cape’s 1820 Settlers removed the fences between their family farms and combined the land into a single reserve for conservation.
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Amakhala holds the Big Five alongside giraffe, and its mix of open plains and riverine bush supports a good range of plains game and birdlife across the reserve’s different lodge areas.
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Yes, being malaria-free and within easy reach of Port Elizabeth, Amakhala is a practical choice for families with young children, and several of its lodges offer family accommodation.
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Most guests stay two to three nights, which allows time for several game drives across the reserve’s varied terrain without needing to extend a broader Eastern Cape itinerary.
A Hidden Gem of the Eastern Cape.
Experience the Magic of Amakhala.
Whether you’re seeking a family-friendly getaway, a romantic retreat, or a deeper connection with conservation, Amakhala delivers. Start planning your safari with Indigo Safaris today.
Journeys That Connect You to the Wild.
Discover stories that celebrate the beauty of Africa’s wild spaces and the experiences that bring travellers closer to nature. In this blog section, reflections on conservation, community, and adventure remind us why travel matters. Each story captures the essence of Indigo Safaris—authentic, meaningful, and deeply rooted in the rhythm of the wilderness.
