South Africa’s Eastern Cape is a land where wild coastline meets sweeping savannah, offering some of the country’s most varied landscapes and richest wildlife encounters. From the rugged Wild Coast with its shipwreck-strewn shores to the rolling valleys dotted with Big Five reserves, the region feels like a gateway to adventure. Here, you can chase waves in surfer’s havens, ride horseback along endless beaches, or disappear into mountains where traditional Xhosa culture still thrives. Remote yet rewarding, the Eastern Cape is for those who want the raw beauty of South Africa without the crowds.

Tsitsikamma is where South Africa’s coastline reveals its more dramatic side, picture towering cliffs, roaring waves, and dense indigenous forest colliding in spectacular fashion. A playground for adventurers, it’s home to the famous Otter Trail, one of the world’s most celebrated hikes, as well as suspension bridges that sway above foaming seas. Kayak through river gorges carved over millennia, zipline through treetop canopies, and watch the ocean crash below from rugged viewpoints. Tsitsikamma is nature in high definition and one of our favourite epic playgrounds. 

Addo Elephant National Park is a wildlife sanctuary of astonishing diversity, where herds of over 600 elephants roam alongside lions, buffalo, and the rare flightless dung beetle. Stretching from rugged inland bush to a marine reserve teeming with whales and great white sharks, it’s one of the few places on earth where you can see the “Big Seven,” the Big Five plus southern right whales and great whites. The park’s ever-changing landscapes make every game drive a surprise, a reminder of South Africa’s unmatched biodiversity.  

Tucked along the Wild Coast, Coffee Bay is an unpolished gem where time seems to slow to the rhythm of the waves. Dramatic headlands, rolling green hills, and the iconic Hole in the Wall rock formation set the scene for days filled with coastal hikes, fishing trips, and long, lazy swims. The warm hospitality of the local Xhosa community adds depth to the adventure, offering a glimpse into a way of life shaped by the sea and the land. Coffee Bay is raw, soulful, and perfect for those who seek beauty off the beaten path.