Discover the ultimate safari & wildlife experiences at Bellevue Forest Game Reserve. Enjoy luxury accommodations, guided bush walks, giraffe tracking, and Big 5 safari adventures. Spot Buffalo, Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Giraffe, Eland, Kudu and more in the heart of the Eastern Cape. Book your adventure today!

Bellevue Forest Game Reserve Safari & Wildlife Experiences

On a cool and verdant mountaintop, only an hour from the vibrant city of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and within the game-rich Greater Addo region, you’ll find the Bellevue Forest Game Reserve. This private, family-owned treasure has a long history of conservation of flora and fauna. Today, the impressive species list continues to grow as the property evolves, together with the expansion of luxurious, family-friendly accommodation and activities.

Nature lovers, adventurers, safari enthusiasts, bird-watchers, families or couples seeking an intimate escape are all well-catered for in this natural paradise.

Accommodation at Bellevue Forest Game Reserve

Our luxury safari lodge accommodation is ideal for family-friendly stays, or romantic retreats.

• Elephants Lodge – The original ‘Olifantskop’ property is today known as Elephants Lodge – a cluster of five elegant suites offering every stylish comfort and amenity under thatch, amidst exquisite mature gardens full of birdsong. A maximum of twelve guests may be accommodated here, ensuring privacy and intimacy.
• Glamping Safari Tents -Our latest offering, these spacious two-sleeper luxury tents offer enhanced privacy, sweeping views over miles of wild African bushveld from one’s wooden deck, and all the comforts with a touch of age-old adventurous safari glamour. Because we know – there is nothing quite like safari tent accommodation in South Africa.

Our attention to detail and feedback from visitors ensures that we continually update and improve the amenities so that YOU may have the most wonderful close-to-nature experience, in peaceful and exclusive surroundings away from crowds.

Luxury Safari Lodges in Eastern Cape

• The malaria-free Eastern Cape province has a number of high-end lodges with top amenities. Less busy than the traditional tourism route up north, this part of South Africa offers an extraordinary array of options for those seeking a different landscape with the same ‘Big 5’ adventures. Bellevue Forest Game Reserve offers Elephants Lodge as one of these small and intimate luxury safari lodges in the Greater Addo region, with easy access to all that the area offers.

• Our destination is perfect for couples and honeymooners. Here, you can escape the crowds, find your own private paradise and be assured of the exclusive attention to detail that your special moment deserves. At Bellevue Forest Game Reserve, we will dedicate ourselves to tailoring a unique memory.

Family-Friendly Lodges near Addo Elephant Park

• Bellevue’s  Elephants Lodge offers spacious and comfortable accommodations suited for families or groups. Thoughtful details and constant improvements according to guest feedback, ensure that your whole family’s needs are met.

• Bellevue offers a safe environment for younger children with tailored activities. The fenced camp within beautiful gardens offers space to roam and play, view wildlife at the waterhole from the raised deck, or partake in one of the organised activities on request.

Romantic Getaways at Bellevue Forest Game Reserve

• Being small and private, our Elephants Lodge – and in particular the luxury Safari Tents  – ensure an intimate setting. Contact us to create a special honeymoon package with many optional add-on activities just for two (How about a scenic helicopter flight over the Eastern Cape? Dinner al fresco under a canopy of stars? Or a couples spa treatment?)

Safari & Wildlife Activities at Bellevue Forest Game Reserve

At Bellevue we have plenty of exciting safari and nature activities available.

Guided Bush Walks at Bellevue Forest Game Reserve

• A closer look at flora, fauna, and animal tracking on foot. Our trained and experienced guides love sharing their knowledge of our unique landscape with guests.

• Unique experiences like giraffe tracking safaris – our most popular activity. Suitable for most ages depending on reasonable fitness and capabilities, this is the number one attraction for visitors, young and old. Get up close to these majestic giants for an unbeatable African safari experience.

Buffalo Encounters in the Eastern Cape

• At Bellevue, you have the opportunity to have up-close experiences with one of Africa’s most powerful animals. Occasional scheduled veterinary interventions also form part of our visitor experiences.

Scenic Helicopter Flights over Eastern Cape

• Take to the skies for aerial views of the breathtaking landscapes and wildlife. Discover this little-known garden of Eden from above. It is a thrilling trip you’ll never forget.

Stargazing Safaris in South Africa

• On request, our guides will arrange nighttime safaris with a focus on the African night sky and nocturnal wildlife. Far from the lights and busy-ness of the city, the wonder of African nights is a magical experience.

Big 5 Safari Adventures Near Bellevue Forest

• As we continue to introduce species and grow ever closer towards our dream of hosting all of the ‘Big 5’ species (only rhino do not yet roam our wild lands), we offer our guests the full Big 5 safari experience in surrounding reserves. Our collaboration and traversing rights with neighbouring protected areas allows our tailored, guided daytime vehicle safaris to ensure that you experience the wonders of the African bush and its major inhabitants. Not only the ‘Big 5’ (Elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo) but the possibility of hippo, cheetah, crocodile and more.

Added value activities near Bellevue

Imagination is the only limiting factor when curating a leisure package at Bellevue. Our enthusiastic team would love nothing more than putting together exclusive outings to complement your stay at our safari lodge accommodation. Coastal trips, marine safaris, spa treatments, Karoo dining, adventurous sports, visits to our nearby communities to witness our many community beneficiation projects – talk to us about what makes YOUR heart race and we will do our best to arrange it.

Wildlife at Bellevue Forest Game Reserve – What You Can See

So – what can you expect to see as a guest at Bellevue Forest Game Reserve?

Below is the detailed list of animals recorded on our own reserve that visitors can hope to encounter on guided safari drives:

Large Mammals & Herbivores

• Buffalo
• Elephant
• Lion
• Leopard – (Rare, but sightings possible)
• Giraffe
• Eland
• Kudu
• Bushbuck
• Impala
• Blesbok
• Red Hartebeest
• Black Wildebeest
• Zebra

Small Mammals & Nocturnal Species

• Warthog
• Bushpig
• Honey Badger
• Porcupine
• Serval
• Suricate (Meerkat)

Birds

Bellevue is a birder’s paradise with an impressive and ever-growing recorded list of some 250 species, including seasonal migratory birds. From the largest (the African ostrich) to tiny jewelled sunbirds, our feathered fauna are a key feature of any safari.

Best Time to Visit Bellevue Forest Game Reserve

We are frequently asked the best seasons for safaris, wildlife viewing, and weather conditions.

In our opinion, there is NO such thing as a BAD time to visit Bellevue. It all depends on one’s specific interests. We have year-round mild temperatures, from fairly hot summers (between October and March) followed by a moderately warm autumn, a somewhat cool winter (June to August) that quickly warms up in springtime. Rain predominantly falls in the summer months.

There are those who flee  the summer heat and humidity of the coast to enjoy our champagne air in the cooler mountaintop, where Elephants Lodge is situated.  Or others who choose the chillier nights and pleasant days of winter, when grass is shorter, the bush less dense and animals more visible – especially at water points. Where one can really enjoy the huge crackling log fires and clear star-studded nights.

Naturally the shoulder seasons offer a bit of both – and all are highly popular with locals seeking a short last-minute break. (TIP: It is well worth looking out for our occasional low season special offers which tend to be outside of main holiday periods.)

Birds follow migratory patterns, and summer (the wet season) is especially rewarding for large numbers. Wildlife is always to be found, and our skilled guides will do their best to do so, no matter the time of year.

How to Book Your Safari at Bellevue Forest Game Reserve

It couldn’t be easier to book our safari packages, accommodation, and guided tours.

• Visit our website www.bellevueforest.co.za for a direct link to our booking page
• Call our friendly reservations team on (+27) 21 – 569 5388
• Email us your specific requests on book@bellevueforest.co.za
• Follow our social pages on Facebook and Instagram for regular glimpses of what’s happening where, and special offers.

Bellevue Forest Game Reserve Rates and Packages are displayed on all of the above sites, and our team is standing by to help you tailor a unique package.

Directions to Bellevue Forest Reserve

Elephants Lodge is an easy 89 km drive by excellent tarred road from the Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport at Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). Transfers may be done by prior arrangement.