Amakhala Game Reserve

Overview

Amakhala is comparatively a budget-friendly and a convenient choice for a private wildlife reserve experience in the Eastern Cape. Covering a small area the reserve is fenced from all sides.You can easily view the Big Five at The Amakhala Game Reserve. The National Park features exclusive cruises, rides and safaris for an exciting game viewing experience. Amakhala also supports social development in the area by providing jobs and education.

Why Go:

  • Wonderful game viewing experience
  • Wide array of lodges to choose from
  • Malaria-free Zone
  • River cruise available
  • Open-vehicle expeditions for night and morning game drives
  • Very accessible and easily combined with the popular Garden Route

Wildlife

The small game reserve Amakhala is packed with all the prerequisites of a good safari experience; it offers an excellent array of wildlife including zebras, wildebeest, antelopes, giraffes, vervet monkeys and last but not the least the Big Five.

More About the Wildlife

Scenery

Amakhala is packed with scenic views which include, the meandering Bushman River which can be best experienced through the river cruise.You will love the sightseeing in the region because it is located on the coast of The Indian Ocean. It features vegetation such as grassland, savannah woodland and beachside sand dunes.

Best Time to Visit

During the winter season fewer visitors and tourists are seen at Amakhala, however, this is the best time for game viewing.Amakhala region dries up in this weather and animals gather at the remaining water bodies. The summer season sees a boost in the number of visitors at Amakhala.

More About the Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Amakhala has a semi-arid climate, rainfall is experienced throughout the year; mostly in the summer (October to April) especially in the months of October and March, during which the temperature hardly crosses 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit).Winters (May to September) features clear weather. However, the nights might be cold with temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit).

More About the Weather and Climate

Wildlife & Animals

The park is a good place to see the Big Five, including both white and black rhinoceros. Other than the Big Five, the reserve also features several kinds of antelopes including kudu, blesbok, springbok and red hartebeest.
Abundant Common Occasional Rare None
  • Elephant

    Elephant

    Common
  • Giraffe

    Giraffe

    Common
  • Hippo

    Hippo

    Common
  • Buffalo

    Buffalo

    Common
  • Zebra

    Zebra

    Common
  • Wildebeest

    Wildebeest

    Common
  • White Rhino

    White Rhino

    Common
  • Black Rhino

    Black Rhino

    Occasional
  • Lion

    Lion

    Common
  • Leopard

    Leopard

    Occasional
  • Cheetah

    Cheetah

    Occasional
  • Hyena

    Hyena

    Common
  • Wild Dog

    Wild Dog

    None

Best Time to Visit

Amakhala is an iconic destination for adventurous game viewing around the year due to the semi-arid climate of the region. Since animals are drawn towards water bodies in the region, it makes a great spot for viewing multiple species together. This is especially true during the dry season i.e. between June and September. However, it can get very cold at night, which makes it necessary to pack warm clothing for open vehicle game drives.
  • Best Time to GoMay to September
    (Dry season)
  • High SeasonOctober to March
    (The park gets crowded)
  • June to September

    A little rain

  • October to March

    The park gets crowded during school holidays

  • April to September

    Excellent time for wildlife viewing

  • September to April

    Warmer nights and mornings

  • June to August

    Cold nights

May to September
- Dry Season – Winter
  • Animals gather around water sources, making them easier to spot
October to April
- Wet Season – Summer
  • The park won’t be very busy (except school holidays)

Weather & Climate

Amakhala’s climate ranges from semi-arid to arid, and it receives only 450mm/17.7in of rain on average, annually. The place experience summers when Europe and North America are having their winters, and experiences winters when Europe and North America are having their summers. Rainfall patterns are unfluctuating with higher precipitation levels, during October-November and February-March. Winter season here, is severe as the temperatures go below freezing point in the winter season.
Climate Chart
- 180-403m / 591-1,322ft
Averages based on 50 years of monthly climate data, taken from 1km² (0.39mi²) interpolated climate surfaces.
© chart & park data: SafariBookings. © climate grid data: WorldClim project. All rights reserved.
Dry season
- May to September – Winter

Nights and early mornings are very cold in the winter months.

Game drives in open vehicles make winter clothing a necessity.

Clear skies are typical for the winter season, and there is less rainfall than in the summer.

Wet season
- October to April – Summer

A typical summer means more comfortable temperatures, but slightly more rainfall.

Although primarily sunny, cloud cover is possible and it could drizzle all day.

Getting There

The Majority of Tourists visiting Amakhala Game Reserve comes from Johannesburg, arriving at the O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) there, they can also utilize the Cape Town International Airport (CPT) located in Cape Town. Amakhala Game Reserve is easily accessible from both of these locations. However the more popular route is the Garden Route which comes from Cape Town from where it takes a week or two to arrive at Amakhala Reserve.

Airlines and Tickets

To book your International and local flights, it is best to discuss options with our agents. They will be able to secure best tariffs and match it with your safari dates.

Click on Enquire Now for a free consultation.

 

Getting to Amakhala Game Reserve by road

Driving from Port Elizabeth:
Take the N2 towards Grahamstown. Approximately 50km (31 miles) from Port Elizabeth is an intersection. Keep left on the N2 towards Grahamstown.

From the intersection, travel for a further 13km (8 miles) towards Amakhala Game Reserve (see road signs and various lodges along the way).

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