When most people dream of an African safari, the Kruger National Park usually comes to mind. But beyond the crowded routes and scheduled game drives, a wilder, more personal experience is waiting. If you’re looking for an intimate, accessible, and malaria-free safari, a safari in the Eastern Cape—specifically at Wildemans Addo Bushveld Lodge—offers something truly unforgettable.

Tucked away in the thicket-covered hills of the Addo region, Wildemans Lodge is where the line between the wild and your front door blurs. It’s not uncommon to wake up to zebras grazing near your chalet, or to hear jackals calling in the distance as you fall asleep. This is not just a place to stay—it’s an experience that immerses you in the heart of the Eastern Cape bushveld.

The Eastern Cape offers all the wildlife wonders of Kruger—with far fewer people and more privacy. It's one of the few regions in South Africa where you can see the Big Five and yet never feel like you're in a queue of tourists. Add to that the fact that the area is completely malaria-free, and you have the perfect destination for families, couples, and international travelers looking for an effortless, worry-free adventure.

While Kruger has long been the default, its size and popularity can make it feel less personal. At Wildemans Addo Bushveld Lodge, guests are treated to guided drives and bush walks through nearby reserves, where rangers share their deep knowledge of the land and its creatures. But the wildlife doesn’t wait for you to go on a drive—at Wildemans, the safari comes to you.

Wildemans is located near the famous Addo Elephant National Park, which is home to the Big 7: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo, whale, and great white shark. Guests often combine their lodge stay with a day trip into Addo, returning in the evening to the sounds of the bush and a fire under the stars.

Getting here is easy. With daily flights to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) from Johannesburg and Cape Town, followed by a scenic drive to the lodge, your safari starts almost as soon as you arrive. No long transfers, no overplanning—just wide open skies, warm hospitality, and the kind of stillness you didn't know you needed.

The Eastern Cape landscape is stunningly diverse: dense thickets, open savannahs, and dramatic coastlines all within driving distance. But it’s the moments in between the action that make Wildemans so memorable—like watching kudu pass your private deck at sunset, or sipping your morning coffee as the bush awakens around you.

The lodge itself is built with natural materials and a deep respect for the environment, blending into the landscape rather than dominating it. You’ll sleep in comfort but never lose the sense of being out in the wild. At Wildemans, luxury doesn’t come at the cost of authenticity—it enhances it.

If you’ve already explored Kruger or want a more secluded, soulful safari experience, the Eastern Cape—and Wildemans Addo Bushveld Lodge in particular—is your next destination. This is where you reconnect with nature, slow down, and truly experience the rhythm of the wild.

So when you plan your next safari, think beyond the expected. The Eastern Cape is calling, and Wildemans is waiting to welcome you—where the animals roam freely, the nights are filled with stars, and the bush tells stories no city ever could.