Hillsnek Safaris

Overview

Location: South Africa–>Eastern Cape
Accommodation Type: Safari tent,Lodge
Comfort Level: Luxury
Experience: Big 5 Safari |
Good For: Solo, Couple/Romantic, Family |

Small and secluded HillsNek lies tucked away in a private corner of the Amakhala Big 5 Game Reserve. With just four beautifully appointed tents, this family-run camp strikes the perfect balance between laid-back luxury and an extremely exclusive safari experience in this game-rich private reserve in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province.

HillsNek Safaris is owned by dedicated conservationists who run the lodge together with a fantastic team of staff. As with any safari, the highlight of your stay is sure to be the game drives, which at HillsNek are led by highly trained guides whose skill and patience is often rewarded with up-close sightings of lion, elephant, buffalo, cheetah and rhino to name but a few.

Staying at HillsNek you’ll also find out about the inspiring work that the lodge is doing in the fight to combat rhino poaching and, along with day and night game drives, can pick from activities including guided walking safaris and boat cruises on the Bushmans River (a must for any keen birder!).

At the heart of HillsNek camp lies the main lodge which has a lounge, bar and dining area all opening onto wooden decks and a swimming pool with rolling valley views. When you return from your evening game drive you’ll find this area transformed by lanterns; a magical setting for three-course dinners and fireside drinks beneath stars so bright it feels like you could reach up and touch them!

Not only is HillsNek Safaris is a top choice for a romantic retreat but it’s great for families too: children of all ages are welcome, there’s no hassle with anti-malaria mediation, and the beaches of the Garden Route lie an easy drive away. You can also hire HillsNek on an exclusive-use basis which is perfect for a large family or group of friends travelling together.

Accommodation

HillsNek Safaris has four spacious tents, each built on a raised wooden deck to really make the most of the spectacular views. Forget any childhood memories you may have of camping, and instead look forward to a king size bed made up with percale linen and comfortable white armchairs inviting you to curl up with your favourite book, occasionally glancing up to look for wildlife on the plains.

At the front of each tent, glass sliding doors open onto a wraparound deck; the perfect stage for those unforgettable African sunsets. Large canvas windows can be rolled up to let in the soft bushveld light, while at the back of the tent is an en-suite bathroom with a deep bathtub, his and hers wash basins, and just outside a private shower for the quiet thrill of showering under the stars.

All of the tents are linked to the main lodge by raised wooden walkways, and for those travelling with young children, HillsNek Safaris has a family tent with a separate room for kids.

Wildlife

Amakhala is a Big 5 game reserve, and while most guests at HillsNek Safaris have clear sightings of lion, elephant, rhino and buffalo; only a lucky few will see leopard – the most elusive of Africa’s big cats. You do, however, have a good chance of seeing cheetah, as well as a rich variety of other wildlife including giraffe, zebra, black wildebeest, red hartebeest, oryx and eland.

As for the birdlife, Amakhala Game Reserve has a recorded list of over 250 species with notables including the ostrich, African goshawk, secretary bird and black-shouldered kite. Add more ticks to your list by opting for a cruise along the Bushmans River, drifting downstream as you keep an eye out for water birds such as the goliath heron, African fish eagle and colourful malachite kingfisher.

Staying at HillsNek you can’t help but be enthused by the staff’s passion for protecting the rhino. In November 2010 two rhino were lost to poachers on the Amakhala Game Reserve, and this led to the creation of a privately-run NGO called the Chipembere Rhino Foundation, which does fantastic work in conserving rhino and supporting stringent anti-poaching efforts.

More Info

Children
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Directions

Eastern Cape – South Africa