Walk Among Giants: A Perfect Day Trip Near Gqeberha This Summer

As the summer sun beckons thousands of holidaymakers to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), the Eastern Cape shines as a hub of adventure, relaxation, and unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re soaking up the golden rays on pristine beaches or exploring the treasures of Addo National Elephant Park, there’s one unique activity that deserves a top spot on your […]
Summer Holiday on Safari: Unforgettable Adventures at Bellevue Forest Game Reserve

The trilling of cicadas once again fills the air as a hot summer’s day beckons in the verdant Eastern Cape bushveld. Birds in all their flashy finery flit about, seeking a mate or tending to chicks. Newborn animals cling to their mother’s shadows as they test their fragile new legs. The champagne air shimmers hazily […]
Some of the Best Game Lodges in the Eastern Cape: Luxurious Stays and Thrilling Safaris

When it comes to the best game lodges in the Eastern Cape, this lesser-known province of South Africa offers a treasure trove for safari enthusiasts. Imagine waking up to the roar of lions, the soft rustle of the wind through the bush, and the breathtaking sight of elephants grazing at dawn. With over 60,000 hectares […]
Giraffe Tracking in South Africa

A Unique Safari Adventure with a Conservation Twist Giraffes, the skyscrapers of Africa, aren’t just tall—they’re incredible creatures, and seeing them up close during a safari is an experience unlike any other. They are iconic emblems of the African wildlife experience, with their unique patterned coats and unmistakable profiles against the landscape. In fact, it […]
Bellevue – Lions spring loose!

Bellevue – Lions spring loose! As of this month (August 2024), the family-owned Bellevue Forest Reserve has increased its animal population by three more, with the introduction of lions. A magnificent Kalahari male (whose lineage is known to produce some of Africa’s most handsome and impressive lions) has been joined by two beautiful young lionesses […]
PRESS RELEASE – LION RELEASE

Bellevue – one step closer to the dream! The family-owned Bellevue Forest Reserve near Paterson in the Eastern Cape is soon to be a step closer to its ultimate vision of becoming a Big Five Game Reserve with the addition of lions this month. According to owner Loodt Buchner, “This next phase is tremendously exciting […]
New Year’s Resolutions in the Bush

New Year’s Resolutions in the Bush After a thrilling, action-packed 2023, the Bellevue Forest Reserve team is ending the year with a high! A definite highlight for us has been the introduction of a small group of elephants into the reserve. Translocated from the nearby Addo Elephant National Park in August, they settled in beautifully […]
Christmas Time on Safari

It’s the festive season, the silly season, the crazy days of summer holidays and end-of-year panic to tie up loose ends, attend a dozen functions, make plans, shop, spend, rush around, fight the traffic, cook, feed the family, beat the heat, fight the crowds …. whew, are you FRAZZLED yet? Calm down and take a […]
Historic return of elephants to Bellevue Forest Reserve

History was made on the 22nd of August 2023, as the first ever family group of elephants was successfully captured and moved from the Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province. Two adult females, each with two female calves, along with three young bulls, were translocated to the privately owned Bellevue Forest […]
Bellevue Forest Reserve: A Nature Lover’s Paradise in South Africa

Bellevue Forest Reserve is a malaria-free 2500ha private game reserve in the Greater Addo area of South Africa, near the mountain-top town of Paterson and a short distance from the Addo Elephant National Park. The scenic reserve is home to a variety of wildlife, including giraffe, buffalo, leopard, and elephant. It also features a variety of guided drives and walks, with the giraffe tracking walk experience a highlight. Birdwatching opportunities are excellent with an impressive species list.