Is Amakhala Game Reserve malaria-free?

Yes. Amakhala lies in a malaria-free area of the Eastern Cape, so no antimalarial medication or related precautions are required for a visit at any time of year.

Can you see the Big Five at Amakhala Game Reserve?

Yes. Lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard are all present, and Amakhala is a partner of the WWF South Africa Black Rhino Range Expansion Project.

How big is Amakhala Game Reserve?

Amakhala covers approximately 9,000 hectares (85km²) of thornveld, savannah and riverine habitat in South Africa's Eastern Cape.

How far is Amakhala from Port Elizabeth?

Amakhala is around a 50-minute drive from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), reached via the N2 highway towards Grahamstown/Makhanda.

What does the name Amakhala mean?

Amakhala means "the place of many aloes" in isiXhosa, a reference to the aloe ferox plants that flower across the reserve in winter.

How was Amakhala Game Reserve created?

In 1999, neighbouring farming families combined their land, removed fences and reintroduced wildlife, restoring former livestock farmland to a functioning private reserve.

What accommodation options are available at Amakhala?

Amakhala offers eleven owner-managed establishments, including restored country houses, safari lodges and tented camps, several run by fifth-generation frontier-settler families.

Can I combine Amakhala with Addo Elephant National Park?

Yes. Visits to neighbouring Addo Elephant National Park can be arranged on request from Amakhala lodges, allowing guests to combine both destinations.

What wildlife beyond the Big Five will I see at Amakhala?

Expect cheetah, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and numerous antelope species, along with a bird list exceeding 250 species across the reserve's habitats.

Are walking safaris available at Amakhala?

Yes. Amakhala offers guided walking trails, giving guests the chance to explore the reserve's landscape and wildlife on foot.

Is Amakhala suitable for families with children?

Amakhala's malaria-free status and family-oriented lodges, including Hlosi Game Lodge, make it a practical and welcoming choice for families.

Does Amakhala support rhino conservation?

Yes. Amakhala is a partner of the WWF South Africa Black Rhino Range Expansion Project, contributing to the protection of this vulnerable species.

What does an Amakhala Game Reserve safari cost?

Amakhala safaris typically cost from R5,040 per person, per night, depending on the accommodation comfort level, time of year and activities. This price usually includes accommodation, all meals, game drives, experienced guides, and 24/7 support from our team.

Amakhala Game Reserve: Rewilded Frontier Big Five Safaris

Amakhala Game Reserve at a glance:

Location: Greater Addo and Frontier Country region, Eastern Cape, South Africa	Access: ~50-minute drive from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) via the N2 towards Grahamstown/Makhanda
Size: Approximately 9,000 hectares (85 km²)	Malaria risk: None – Amakhala is in a malaria-free area
Wildlife: Big Five (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard), plus cheetah and over 250 bird species	Accommodation: 11 owner-managed lodges, country houses and tented camps
Established: 1999, from rewilded former farmland	Name meaning: "The place of many aloes" (isiXhosa)

Why visit Amakhala Game Reserve?

Amakhala Game Reserve lies in the Eastern Cape's Greater Addo region, where rewilded farmland has returned to the wild after decades of careful restoration. Malaria-free and home to the Big Five, Amakhala spans roughly 9,000 hectares, threaded by the meandering Bushman's River and layered across five of South Africa's nine vegetation biomes, from dense thornveld to open savannah grassland. In 1999, a group of neighbouring farming families removed their internal fences and reintroduced lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard to land once used for grazing livestock, creating one of the Eastern Cape's most compelling conservation stories.

Eleven owner-managed lodges and tented camps, several run by fifth-generation frontier-settler families, offer guests an intimate, personal experience, each rooted in genuine local history rather than purpose-built luxury. The reserve's name, meaning "the place of many aloes" in the local isiXhosa language, captures the character of this landscape, where scarlet aloe flower spikes light up the winter bushveld. With Addo Elephant National Park close by, Amakhala rewards travellers seeking authentic, relaxed Big Five encounters without the crowds, and without the compromise of malaria risk, in a reserve shaped as much by people as by wildlife.

5 Reasons We Love Amakhala Game Reserve

Malaria-free safaris: Big Five game drives make Amakhala an easy, low-stress choice for families and first-time safari travellers of any age.
A rewilding success story: Fences removed, wildlife reintroduced, and farmland returned to its wild, natural character over time.
Owner-run heritage lodges: Eleven distinctive lodges, several run by fifth-generation frontier families, offer rare warmth and character.
Five converging biomes: Thornveld to open savannah supports the Big Five, alongside cheetah and over 250 recorded bird species.
Addo Elephant National Park nearby: Guests can combine two exceptional Eastern Cape wildlife experiences within a single trip.

Things to do at Amakhala Game Reserve

Game drives: Join twice-daily open-vehicle drives led by expert rangers to track lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, and leopard.
Walking safaris: Head out on guided walks to experience the bush on foot and learn tracking skills across this rewilded ecosystem.
Birding along the Bushman's River: Explore a corridor home to over 250 recorded species.
Addo day safaris: Take a guided day trip into neighbouring Addo Elephant National Park, easily arranged on request from any of Amakhala's lodges.
Weddings and celebrations: Mark a special occasion against the reserve's scenic valleys, aloe-studded hillsides and historic lodges.
Amakhala's walking trails: Explore a slower, more intimate way to engage with this rewilded Eastern Cape landscape and its wildlife.

What wildlife can I see at Amakhala Game Reserve?

The Big Five: Lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, and leopards roam Amakhala's habitats, including conservation-supported black rhino populations.
Cheetah: These predators move across the open grasslands, offering a rarer but genuine sighting alongside more commonly encountered species.
Plains wildlife: Giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and a wide range of antelope species graze the plains and thornveld between the reserve's five biomes.
Birds: Over 250 species include blue crane, crowned and martial eagles, Knysna woodpecker, Knysna warbler, secretarybird, narina trogon, dark-backed weaver and African finfoot.

Where to stay at Amakhala Game Reserve

Amakhala is home to eleven owner-run lodges, from old farmhouses to safari lodges and tented camps, and a few are run by the same fifth-generation frontier-settler families who first opened up this land. That range means Amakhala can suit almost any guest, from a honeymoon pair who want to be left alone with the bush, to a big family keen to share a week under one roof.

Bukela Game Lodge: Tucked into a hidden valley, this is one of the reserve's most secluded camps, with thatched suites and private decks facing a waterhole where wildlife often gathers. It suits couples wanting quiet, unhurried time away from other guests.
Bush Lodge: Set at the top of an open valley, Bush Lodge's tented, thatched suites each overlook a productive waterhole with wide views across the surrounding bush. Like Bukela, it offers an intimate, romantic setting well suited to couples and honeymooners.
HillsNek Safari Camp: On the banks of the Bushman's River, this camp is small and family-run, the sort of place where staff soon know your name, and where a warm, personal style of hosting comes through in every part of the stay.
Hlosi Game Lodge: Built with families in mind, its main deck looks out over both a pool and a waterhole, so younger guests, or those not keen on an extra drive, can still watch wildlife pass by in comfort between outings.
Induli Game Lodge offers only three luxury suites on a hillside overlooking the reserve

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