8 Best Hotels in The Eastern Cape, South Africa

This gorgeous lodge, designed to take full advantage of its lofty views, has a charming contemporary sleekness that's very different from the other Shamwari properties. Expect curving terraces, walkways, and elevated decks with aerial viewing pods. Aside from the clever use of space and light, thatch and wood and neutral hues combine to heighten the sense of restful tranquility—you really can meld with your environment here, and will frequently find yourself eye-to-eye with birds in the tree canopy. All rooms have indoor and outdoor showers and private decks with plunge pools. Glass walls fold away to bring the feel of the bush into the room. As with all the lodges at Shamwari, meals are creative events that may be à la carte and served in the restaurant one night, and then take place in the stone-walled boma the next, where you'll be treated to an upmarket take on a traditional South African braai, all the meat cooked on open fires. 

On a private concession within the main section of Addo, this picturesque colonial-themed camp has accommodations in spacious, luxurious safari tents with thick thatched canopies and interiors furnished in fine antiques from the colonial era. Each tent has an en-suite bathroom with shower and a private deck with uninterrupted views. The main lodge area is a gracious old farmhouse with an interesting history dating all the way back to 1856. The whole camp is completely unfenced and overlooks a waterhole, so it's possible to watch elephants, buffalo, and other animals from your lunch table or the veranda. Dinner is served by romantic candlelight, either on the veranda or in the splendid dining room.

Originally built in 1910 as the manor house of one of the private farms that would later be incorporated into Shamwari, this studiously designed and richly furnished Edwardian property continues to evoke the colonial era and all the opulence that went with it, albeit now with a more contemporary twist. The main building itself—until a few years back bedecked in pastel pink—has been given a more contemporary make-over, made pale yet still classically beautiful. It still stands, like something quite regal, at the heart of perfectly manicured gardens, open verandahs and terraces, ornate water features, and a number of great, leafy old trees whose branches bring welcome shade to various outside nooks. The infinity pool at the bottom of the gently terraced stairs is at the center of it all, a watery lookout point from which to survey the vast plains that spread out in front of the lodge. On one side of the pool is the bar and lounge, where guests meet for refreshments before game drives, and on the other side is the restaurant, where adventurous food is served. A pathway leads to one of the most interesting bomas in the country, where a fire pit is encircled by huge nest-like dining pods—an enchanting setting for an outdoor dinner experience. The rooms, which echo the main lodge's Edwardian heritage, are lavish and utterly cushioning, with enormous beds and bathrooms; you can open your curtains and look for animals on the nearby plains, or sink into an armchair on your porch and simply stare at the exquisite surrounds. Not that there'll be too much time for dawdling—game drives and bush walks await, and your ranger will always have something thrilling to show you. 

The view from Shamwari's flagship lodge will take your breath away: Built in a more contemporary style than the older Shamwari lodges, and situated in what might just be the reserve's most perfect-for-a-lodge location, the eye is constantly drawn across the ravine, over the rolling plains, to a waterhole where animals gather, and on toward distant hills marching across the horizon. From the lovely main lodge, pathways made of fine pebbles lead to nine free-standing tents built of wood and canvas and set below a Bedouin canopy, with glass sliding doors that open onto private decks where, again, that magnificent view is always waiting to enthrall. The design signals a unique take on the typical colonial safari "tent," and the large, lovely sleeping quarters have wood-burning fireplaces, plunge pools, and outdoor showers where you can further absorb that view. 

If you're yearning for the atmosphere afforded by canvas in the bush but still prefer unbridled luxury, then these air-conditioned safari "blended canvas" suites under thatch roofs are ideal. The ultra-comfortable tented accommodations have private decks with plunge pools and beautiful loungers overlooking the Buffalo River. They're huge, too, with pale wooden floors, fireplaces, and a sense of restrained style that allows you to focus your attention on the enfolding wilderness. Certainly, being able to watch animals down at the river from your private deck is a huge treat, as are mealtimes, with creative food coming out of the kitchen—and off the fires.

It's not within Addo Elephant National Park, but this lodge's perch on the top of a high ridge in the Zuurberg mountain range—the altitude, coupled with the vastness of the views that drop away in front of you—adds something sensational to your stay. There's a mix of suite-sized rooms and luxurious tents, and there's The Outpost, which is a hybrid half-suite half-tent just a short distance from the main lodge. Although the over-arching theme is "colonial-era," nothing's over the top or excessive, so instead of feeling overwhelmed by antiques and vintage bric-a-brac, there is space to get swept up in the views and the setting, albeit along with comfy armchairs, rugs underfoot, perhaps mosquito nets draped around your bed. The best suites have balconies perched directly above the cliff edge. Game drives are arranged for guests wishing to visit Addo, just 15 km (9 miles) away, and the restaurant serves fabulous meals—country cooking with a distinctive Karoo twist. When the weather allows, you'll eat outdoors, either on the verandah, by the pool, or even in the boma for a bit more of a safari atmosphere.

Riverdene combines the great food and service of Shamwari's other lodges with a much more child-friendly atmosphere and a rather unprecedented number of facilities designed to keep youngsters engaged and entertained, making it the ultimate safari accommodation for younger families. The building itself is an elegantly restored frontier homestead with a modern and unpretentious design, and the lodge is styled in soothing pale earthy tones and decorated with lovely botanical prints. There's the usual infinity swimming pool, a very comfy lounge and bar, and a pretty courtyard dining area and boma, the latter of which has fine views over Bushman's River. But what really stands out here is the considerable efforts to make children feel like they're the center of attention: The "Kids on Safari" Adventure Centre is an expansive indoor and outdoor area where children get color-coded wristbands so they know which parts of the playground are best for them—there's a massive wooden jungle gym, mini climbing walls, ziplines, a swing bridge, a sandpit, and a treehouse. The playroom is fully supervised and there's a host of dedicated nannies so you needn't worry when out on a game drive.

Named for a Xhosa chief and in fact pronounced sag-ee-leh, this six-bedroom private villa puts guests in the heart of a marvelous wilderness area where you have the run of magnificent grounds with exquisite views onto a thrilling and vast landscape populated by animals that regularly make an appearance. The lodge, which was formerly rented on a room-by-room basis, is thatched and has a huge open-plan living area with a two-way stone fireplace separating the lounge-cum-TV room from the dining area. All six suites face the (generally dry) Bushman's River. The lounge area opens out onto a beautiful wooden deck and plunge pool overlooking the reserve. There's a second pool inside a sunny courtyard that has a shallow area for children. As a private rental, it comes with your own chef, game-viewer and ranger, and a small staff to take care of you, including child minders when necessary; it has all you might require for a comfortable getaway in nature, plus a pool, a romantic boma and a bespoke spa and fitness center.