Sibuya Forest Camp

Classy tented camp on a picturesque horseshoe bend in the Kariega River

This charming camp has plenty going for it: forest, river, valley. The reserve is small (4900 acres), but has varied and beautiful habitats; a superb beginning or end to a Garden Route itinerary.

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Jonty

Eve

Kristin

4.9 out of 5 stars Average guest rating

About Sibuya Forest Camp

Sibuya Game reserve is just a few miles inland from the quaint coastal town of Kenton-on-Sea, in South Africa's Eastern Cape. Forest Camp is nestled among dense aloes and tall euphorbias, on a particularly picturesque horseshoe bend in the Kariega River. Half the fun is getting there: you're met in Kenton where you'll board a boat just 100 metres from the river mouth, then take a relaxing 45-minute ride upstream to camp. The journey enhances your sense of isolation and immersion into the wild, before arriving at an enchanting riverside lodge with classic, African bush camp appeal.

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From $320 person/night

Camp

8 Tents

Kariega Game Reserve, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Highlights

The camp has a particularly alluring riverside location amidst lush indigenous forest.

The variety of activities on offer makes this more than just a safari camp, with canoeing on the river and trips to beautiful beaches being easy options too. Great for families, although children must be older than 12 years old.

Game viewing on the reserve is relatively easy, and you'll have particularly good chances of seeing white rhinos, elephants, buffalo and other iconic species.

The property

The attractive main area has wooden floors, stone and canvas walls and a thatched roof. Comfortable armchairs and couches create an easy communal hangout in front of the bar. The next-door dining room is spacious, with simple tables, a buffet counter, open-plan kitchen and stone pizza oven. Outdoors is a deck with a fire-pit at its centre, canvas camp chairs and the forest just beyond. Down a stony path is a swing-chair: a quiet spot to catch the breeze.

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The rooms

There are eight tents on wooden decks in the forest. While they're close to the river's edge, the water is not directly visible through the trees, though some have pathways that lead to a viewpoint with a bench. In addition to the double or twin beds, four of the tents have an additional sleeper couch. The stylish en-suite bathrooms have baths, showers and complimentary toiletries. Lighting is solar-powered and water is heated by gas, adding to the rustic camp feel.

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One more thing...

A superb spot, especially for first-time safari-goers. Perhaps not the wildest safari in Africa, but certainly a convenient and rewarding game reserve experience.

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Activities

Bush Walks

Walking safari

Game Drives

Horseback riding

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Morning and afternoon game drives are the best way to see Sibuya's wildlife, which includes rhino, buffalo, elephants, giraffe, zebra and several antelope species. Sibuya's lions and cheetahs are kept in enclosures separate from the rest of the reserve's wildlife and require feeding; this will make your experience of them less wild and natural, but it does guarantee that you'll see them. River cruises or canoe trips show off the reserve's magnificent scenery and myriad of birdlife, including fish eagles, herons, egrets and many more. Fly fishing in the river can be particularly rewarding, and a swim in its temperate waters makes for a fun and relaxing afternoon. Nature walks are available in parts of the reserve, and if you'd like to walk on the beach, that can be arranged too. Other activities (which come at extra cost and need to be booked in advance) include horse riding, deep-sea fishing and spa treatments.

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About Eastern Cape

Eastern Cape

A tip top safari destination with a cultural heart within reach of Cape Town and the Garden Route.

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