Welcome to Sibuya Game Reserve and tented camps
The quintessential African safari and bush lodge experience.
Sibuya, one of South Africa’s most unique Safari destinations, has more navigable river than any other game reserve in South Africa. Consequently as a birding destination it is hard to beat: there are nearly 400 different species. This breathtakingly beautiful game reserve is sanctuary to an abundance of diverse wildlife from elephants to otters, and almost everything in between, including the Big Five. Sibuya offers accommodation in two private and exclusive luxury tented game lodges and prides itself on superb cuisine.
Sibuya's reception is in the holiday village of Kenton-on-Sea in the Eastern Cape Province, about 140 kms (80 miles) equidistant from Port Elizabeth and East London. A natural extension to any trip, from Cape Town up the Garden Route, and easily accessible from Port Elizabeth which is a short flip from the major cities of Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. Charter flights to Port Alfred are less than a 20min transfer to the game park.
The unique experience starts immediately with a half-hour boat transfer up the Kariega estuary to River Camp or Forest Camp. Leaving the beach, turtles, dolphins and whales might be seen near the river mouth. Both camps nestle in riverine forest and have been constructed in an environmentally conscious manner. Guests are hosted and guided by a team of experienced professionals.
As one journalist put it: "Sibuya is a unique must see travel destination for any holiday vacation or safari trip to South Africa!"
Fauna & Flora
Thought by some to be one of South Africa's most breathtakingly beautiful private game reserves, Sibuya offers Big 5 game viewing over very varied terrain and vegetation. From the moderately open river plains, through the pristine lower Albany thicket, there are also patches of Cape fynbos and a windswept, grassy plateau favoured by many of the larger grazing animals. The delightfully scenic Kariega River estuary winds its way through heavily wooded thickets on steep slopes before opening out onto wide, grassy flats and sandbanks just upstream of the river's mouth into the Indian Ocean.
Game viewing is consistently good, with frequent sightings of the Big 5, as well as zebra and giraffe at close quarters. Antelope range from the mighty eland to the diminutive blue duiker, with a huge variety in between, including the rare oribi and bontebok. Jackals are seen regularly, and there have been occasional sightings of caracals and aardvark. Due to Sibuya's high carrying capacity, one is assured of an intensive and varied game-viewing experience in spectacular surroundings.
