MisterAviator

There's not a lot of discussion on this board of the various lodges in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
I am considering a few of the following in January and would love any input or reviews anyone might have:
Camp Figtree
Samara
Blaauwbosch
Nguni River Lodge
Lalibela

Also, does anyone know whether any of the reserves in the Eastern Cape currently have any wild dog populations?

Thanks for your help!!!

Diamantina

I don't know much about private lodges in the the Eastern Cape, but I did stay in a few national parks when I was in the Eastern Cape, all of which were wonderful, such as Addo Elephant, Mountain Zebra, and Tsitsikamma. Addo and Mountain Zebra offer excellent wildife viewing opportunities. Addo is close to Port Elizabeth and the ocean, and is lush, green and bursting with elephants. You can easily spot many other species as well. Mountain Zebra is three to four hours drive from Addo or Port Elizabeth. The main reason to visit is to spot Mountain Zebras and to take in the wonderful views of the karoo. But you can also spot many different types of antelope here as well, and if you are lucky, black rhino and cheetah. Addo offers a variety of comfortable and attractive accommodations, and it is has a good restaurant (we ate well there, though I have read mixed reviews). The accommodations and restaurant at Mountain Zebra are more basic.
I am almost certain that you will not find wild dogs at either of these national parks. The SANPARKS site offes lists of which animals you might hope to spot in each of the parks. See the following links, if this interests you:
http://www.sanparks.org/parks/addo/
http://www.sanparks.org/parks/addo/c...ff/mammals.php
http://www.sanparks.org/parks/mountain_zebra/
http://www.sanparks.org/parks/mounta...ff/mammals.php
http://www.sanparks.org/parks/tsitsikamma/
In terms of private lodges close to both Addo and Port Elizabeth, I believe both the Shamwari and Lalibela reserves have wild dogs. Couldn't afford to visit either, but I would have loved to! The Shamwari lodges sound particularly grand.
www.shamwari.com/
http://www.lalibela.net/

MisterAviator

Diamantina,

Thanks for the information! Both Addo and Mountain Zebra sound wonderful.

napamatt_2

http://easterncape.lodgesafaris.com/

Has a great number of properties with some information and photographs.

http://www.sibuya.co.za/home.html

Has four of the big 5, no dogs I believe, fishing as well as game drives, and is run by some great friends from our Mala Mala days.

deladeb

6 years later, any more Eastern Cape experiences?