A recent revival in transport links along with a growing traveller interest in authentic African wildlife experiences is creating more opportunities for visitors seeking the ultimate safari.

Africa is undoubtedly having a moment in the global travel sphere. Ask any of the leading international tour operators for their most-requested experience, and you'll repeatedly hear that it is an African safari. Which comes as no surprise to us Africans, as we KNOW it’s an unbeatable, lifetime highlight. But then follows the question of where, and the logistics of piecing a trip together not only to visit the majestic wildlife, but also a taste of what else is on offer.

Traditionally the Number One choice of safari destinations in South Africa has been the Kruger National Park. And the top city choice, unsurprisingly, being our glorious Mother city of Cape Town.

But here is where life just became so much simpler and varied for the independent traveller, as one of our national carriers, Airlink, recently announced the launch of a new direct flight from Gqeberha (formerly named Port Elizabeth) to Mbombela (Nelspruit), the gateway to Kruger, in addition to the regular flight service between Gqeberha and other major national airports. This opens up a whole new dimension as the Eastern Cape becomes more accessible on a logical tourism circuit.

Now, there is no need to choose between Kruger and other safari destinations, nor to focus solely on one region. With the expansion of flight routes, it is an absolute breeze to combine a fantastic three-stop package into one seamless adventure. One truly can have it all, with three totally different but equally rewarding options.

Cape Town hardly needs an introduction, with its growing recognition as one of the planet's most beautiful cities, affording top-tier experiences in almost every sphere. Except, perhaps, one - and that is the real raw African vibe of a safari. Which is why so many flock to Kruger as part of their trip.

Kruger is undeniably iconic, as the largest protected game reserve in South Africa. It is world-famous, huge, diverse and incredibly popular. It is also tremendously busy, with mostly large camps, thousands of self-driven vehicles and hundreds of commercial game drives. It is rare to be alone at any sighting, let alone one that involves a feline predator. It is, additionally, within a malaria risk area, along with extreme temperatures, seasonal high humidity and occasional severe flood disruptions. This is part of the Kruger deal. It should not deter, but needs to be understood. rive?

A misconception might be that one safari is much like another, and that the Kruger National Park is the only place to undertake one. That is only part of the story, however. For those of us who have been privileged enough to do safaris in almost every wild corner of South Africa, and a great deal more in neighbouring African countries, we can attest to the fact that every region has a different flavour, and that no two are alike. From terrain to vegetation, endemic flora and fauna, bird distribution, insects, butterflies, weather patterns and ecological management practices - there are so many influences reflected in every safari destination that it creates a unique experience in each. The holy grail, in our opinion, is to create a combination of regions to sample the diversity and thus acquire a more holistic feel for the country’s truly exceptional offerings.

And this is where the Eastern Cape enters the picture. A region of incredible beauty and biodiversity, and a booming wildlife industry, the Eastern Cape deserves a lot more attention and visitor traffic than it has historically received.

Just to be perfectly clear - we are not competing with Kruger, because of course, you cannot compare apples with bananas. But hear us out…

Easily accessed by flights into Gqeberha, is at the top end of another iconic destination - the Garden Route. This makes it increasingly attractive as a fly-in, self-drive hub from which one can be within short reach of world-class, uncrowded beaches as well as a very different type of safari than one would have in the north.

Among many well-placed game reserves in the area surrounding Gqeberha, Bellevue Forest Reserve is one worthy of a visit. Less than an hour’s drive on excellent roads, privately owned and owner-managed by a handpicked team of dedicated staff, the game reserve is authentically focused on the ultimate goals of habitat restoration and rewilding, steadily expanding and reintroducing species to achieve the ‘Big Five’ status sought after by visitors.

Bellevue is a fraction of the size of Kruger, with completely different terrain. It is not a self-drive destination; packages include a guided vehicle safari, and any sightings on the trip are exclusively yours to stop at and enjoy for as long as you wish. The climate is more moderate than Kruger, with cool winters and mild-to-hot summers, and importantly, it is malaria-free, with none of the ‘dangerous’ mosquitoes present. There are no restaurants, just the cosy lodge dining room and sundowner lounge. There are no crowds. There is no traffic. There is no rush. There is just intimate, one-on-one guiding, in-depth exploration of a unique ecosystem and time to soak it all up - yet still in a Big Five, free-ranging reserve. It is not extortionately expensive, but delivers an exceptionally comfortable level of luxury at a fair rate. Personalised itineraries can be tailored to guests’ interests, offering a wide range of optional extras - the most popular of these being the renowned guided walk among free ranging giraffes (which is most decidedly NOT something routinely offered in Kruger).

Situated as it is on the peak of a mountain range bordering the drier inland Karoo region, Bellevue offers an excellent base to get a taste of yet another of Africa’s remarkable landscapes on a day excursion. And, being a close neighbour of the Addo Elephant National Park, day trips can be arranged to that park too, for yet another safari experience. The possibilities are plentiful, personal and individualised.

So there you have it: a full and well-rounded, easily arrangeable package for a two week trip to sample several of South Africa’s most delightful and memorable destinations: Cape Town, Kruger AND the Eastern Cape.

We look forward to welcoming you to our corner of Africa.