Some five generations ago our families settled in the Eastern Cape to farm sheep and cattle on the wild and often hostile frontier of the Zuurveld.
Today we still live here, in historic and hospitable Frontier Country, re-creating a wildlife experience, which will capture your imagination, refresh your soul and conserve our natural heritage.
Our hills and valleys tell silently of old conflicts and the bush holds its secrets, but now the haunting cry of the fish eagle echoes from the rugged krantzes and the veld grass whispers with the passing of peaceful game, where you too can return to nature.
Safaris
Amakhala Game Reserve offers a range of morning and evening safaris and other activities to enable our guests to experience the fascinating flora, fauna and bird life of the Eastern Cape. This is your opportunity to return to nature.
Go on game drives in an open Land Rover in search of our wildlife -- rhino, elephant, cheetah, buffalo, giraffe, black wildebeest, zebra, tortoise and over 16 antelope species ---
Relax on a slow river cruise down the Bushman’s River. The riverine bushveld offers excellent bird watching with a good chance of seeing the majestic African Fish Eagle and all three species of Kingfisher. Amongst the game drinking at the river’s edge, the rare Cape Clawless Otter might also be sighted.
A guided walk with one of our qualified rangers will both fascinate and enthral you with an in-depth view into the hidden treasures of the African veld.
Day Visits
Feel the heartbeat and rhythm of Africa as you become part of a Big 5 Safari Adventure on Amakhala Game Reserve.
Guided by experienced rangers on open Land Rovers Amakhala offers a product aimed at providing visitors with an experience of the diverse wildlife and landscape including: The Big 5, Black Wildebeest, Cheetah, Giraffe, Zebra and numerous other antelope.
Easily accessible from Port Elizabeth, Grahamstown and Addo this product is run daily.
Summer
Arrival: 11h30 for 12h00
Departure: 18h00 approximately
Winter
Arrival: 10h30 for 11h00
Departure: 17h00 approximately
Itinerary
• Meet at Reed Valley for orientation and welcome drinks;
• Game drive through the reserve enjoying spectacular views and descending into the Bushman’s River Valley;
• Enjoy authentic African cuisine with a mouth watering buffet served in the true African way before departing on a tranquil 45-minute river cruise;
• After the river cruise enjoy a further game drive through other parts of the reserve making your way back to Reed Valley.
Mammals: Marakele is home to most of the large mammals synonymous with the African bush, including elephant, black and white rhino, buffalo, leopard and cheetah. Large Predators such as cheetah, wild dog, brown hyena, leopard and now also lion, occur in the park.
Birds: Arguably the Park’s biggest birding attraction is the largest colony of Cape Vultures in the world (around 800 breeding pairs). However the park is also appealing to birders as it falls within the transition zone between the dry western regions and the moister eastern regions of the country. Read More
While touring in the North West Province visit:
Madikwe Game Reserve Madikwe is a Big Five Game Reserve covering some 75,000 hectare. It is one of the largest game reserves in South Africa. Read More
Pilanesberg Game Reserve Explore the nearby Pilanesberg Game Reserve - in an ancient volcanic crater "The Volcano that gave birth to a game reserve" Read More
Top Destinations
Cape Town Hotels
With Cape Town's spectacular geography and its amazing vibe it is not hard to see why it is consistently voted amongst the world's best cities. It is also South Africa's oldest city, the point at which South Africa as we know it today started.Read More...
Garden Route Hotels
Travel to South Africa and visit the Garden Route. The Garden Route is one of the most scenic parts of South Africa. Situated on the Southern Cape Coast almost midway between Cape Town...Read More...
Pilanesberg Game Lodges
The crater of a long extinct volcano is the setting of Pilanesberg National Park - a fascinating alkaline complex produced by volcanic eruptions some 1300 million years ago...Read More...
Addo Elephant National Park
The first settlers in the Addo region immediately decimated the big elephant herds, because they frequently devastated their fields and plantations. So the number of elephants continuously decreased...Read More...
Johannesburg Hotels
A city of astonishing contrasts, a huge metropolis where opulent wealth and desperate poverty live side by side: Johannesburg is the intriguing, dynamic heart of this turbulent country...Read More...
Day Tours and Scheduled Tours
Scheduled Tours and Day Tours from selected african destinations...Read More...
Kruger National Park
The Kruger National Park is the primary destination in South Africa for many international tourists. Each year more than half a million visitors are registered...Read More...
Madikwe Game Reserve
Madikwe is a Big Five game reserve covering some 75,000 hectare. It is one of the largest game reserves in South Africa.The rich diversity of vegetation ensures a wide range of game and the topography offers ideal game viewing opportunities.Read More...
Durban Hotels
Delightful Durban is the largest city of the vast and varied Kwa-Zulu Natal province of South Africa. A coastal port with a more than equable sub-tropical climate and wide golden beaches washed by the warm Indian Ocean, Durban is a holidaymaker's paradise...Read More...
• Entrance from 7:30am to 4:00pm
• In summer gates close at 6:00pm
• In winter gates close at 5:00pm
Handy Hints
Remember to bring a camera, binoculars, bird and wildlife reference books, a hat and sunscreen lotion. Take along medicines such as anti-histamine and lotion for insect stings and bites. Cool clothing for summer and warm for winter are advised as the region is subject to sudden weather changes, particularly in the mountains. Remember charcoal or wood as this is not available in the park. Visitors should also remember to take a torch along as the camp has no illumination at night.
Office hours
• 7:30am - 5:00pm – 1 May to 31 August
• 7:30am - 6:00pm – 1 September to 30 April
Wheelchair Access
Marakele is a wilderness area with limited tourism facilities for everyone. Much of the park requires a 4x4 vehicle. The safari tent camp has 10 units, one of which is accessible to people in wheelchairs, equipped with an access ramp and adapted ablution facilities (roll-in shower). No accessible facilities are available at the Bush Camp. The new reception block comprises of a unisex ablution block for the use of people with mobility impairment. One of the 3 circles at the camping sites is also equipped with access facilities.
This website is not affiliated, associated or connected in any way with The Welgevonden Game Reserve nor the Welgevonden Landowners Association. Its purpose is to provide great accommodation deals, news, information and opinion on the Welgevonden Game Reserve.
Mammals: Marakele is home to most of the large mammals synonymous with the African bush, including elephant, black and white rhino, buffalo, leopard and cheetah. Large Predators such as cheetah, wild dog, brown hyena, leopard and now also lion, occur in the park.
Madikwe Game Reserve 
Pilanesberg Game Reserve 
