Things to do in South Africa

Bush walks and boat cruising at Kariega Game Reserve

I am very fortunate to spend time out in the bush each day and witness nature’s wonders…

By Wayne Howarth

Head Safari Guide at Kariega Game Reserve

As Head Safari Guide at Kariega Game Reserve, I am very fortunate to spend time out in the bush each day and witness nature’s wonders. Aside from our morning and afternoon game drives, we encourage our guests to try many of our other activities.

One of the special features of our reserve is we can offer our guests boat cruises on the Bushman and Kariega Rivers. Taking a cruise on the river is a peaceful experience and a great way to see our wildlife from a different perspective. Our bird life is prolific with colourful kingfishers and cormorants which are often seen perched on the riverbanks with their wings spread out. My favourite is the fish eagle with its piercing call as it glides over the water. Dependent on the time of the cruise, we can stop for a morning coffee or a gin and tonic as the sun sets, the perfect time to reflect on our beautiful surroundings.

Guests can also explore the rivers at their own pace by taking out one of our canoes for a leisurely paddle. If they wish, we are happy to escort them and point out any wildlife that can often be seen along the riverbanks.

In the cooler parts of the day, we also offer a guided bush walk. This gives us the opportunity to immerse our senses by taking a closer look at our flora and fauna. We have five different eco-systems at Kariega including fynbos, woodland, forests, riverine and grasslands, each with its own diversity of creatures great and small. With my qualifications in tracking, I love to share my knowledge as I take guests on their walk whether it’s identifying paw prints, explaining the importance of a dung beetle or listening to the sounds of a crowned hornbill.

Available in these itineraries…

Itinerary

Special Offer

Classic Garden Route Self-drive
by Helen Austin

Length11 Days

Price range£3,095 - £3,450pp
Itinerary

Special Offer

Safari and the City
by Adele Jones

Length8 Days

Price range£2,825 - £3,395pp

Alfred & Wayne Howarth

Wayne loves being outdoors and has spent most of his life between the family farm and working on Private Game Reserves in the Eastern Cape. He has been guiding at Kariega for 12 years. His qualifications include Field Guide Association of South Africa (FGASA) Level 2, Advance Rifle Handling, Skippers Licence Category R and first aid. One of his career highlights was becoming a finalist in the 2021 Safari Guide of the Year competition.

Plan your holiday withAlfred&

Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Laura, who's travelled extensively in South Africa. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember - ex banker who can show you the hottest foodie spots in Cape Town, the award-winning young sommelier who can introduce you to Stellenbosch's finest wines and the walking safari ranger who can guide you to the best game.

Laura Preston

Travel Expert for Alfred&

Having travelled extensively through Africa, Laura has a wealth of experience. She is passionate about Tanzania’s diversity from the quiet wilds of Ruaha that feel completely private to the silvery sands of Zanzibar and Stone Town’s spice-laced streets. In South Africa, she sought out the best views over Table Mountain, cocktail in hand, as well as the lesser-visited Kruger conservancies for more exclusive safaris. But her favourite place in the world has to be the Serengeti for its wide-open plains and incredible game that epitomise that feeling of Africa.
Wayne Howarth

Head Safari Guide at Kariega Game Reserve

Wayne loves being outdoors and has spent most of his life between the family farm and working on Private Game Reserves in the Eastern Cape. He has been guiding at Kariega for 12 years. His qualifications include Field Guide Association of South Africa (FGASA) Level 2, Advance Rifle Handling, Skippers Licence Category R and first aid. One of his career highlights was becoming a finalist in the 2021 Safari Guide of the Year competition.
Rupesh Kassen

Founder and guide of Eat Like A Local

Rupesh Kassen abandoned his decade-long career in banking to move to East Africa, where he trained and worked as a chef. He later became immersed in South Africa’s food scene and worked as a food critic before setting up Eat Like A Local in Cape Town. Rupesh now offers guided food tours to showcase the city and its diverse culture and history through food.
Fundi Ziqubu

Sommelier

Fundi was born in Durban and fell in love with wine when it was introduced to her by a few Capetonian friends. On discovering her passion she got the chance to study wine with the department of tourism in collaboration with the Sommeliers Academy. Being appointed sommelier at Lanzerac was a career highlight and in 2019 Fundi was named most up-and-coming wine steward by the Distell Inter-Hotel challenge.
Ntobeko Ntshingila

Duty Manager at Three Tree Hill Lodge

Ntobeko has been part of the Three Trees family for 13 years and describes it as a lovely journey with lots of room for growth and experience. She has her own family, including a daughter of 18, and a son, aged three. She lives in a nearby village with her parents, four siblings and three nephews. When not spending time with her family she manages her broiler chicken business, which brings her extra income.
Cheryl Blackburn

Owner and guide, Three Tree Hill Lodge

Being born in the Kruger National Park instilled in Cheryl a love of nature and wildlife. Having lived and worked as a guide in the Kruger reserve, and also in Botswana, she eventually got the opportunity to run her own lodge, with her growing family, in the lush KwaZulu Natal Drakensberg region. She still finds time to guide guests on foot, tracking white rhino in the neighbouring Spioenkop Game Reserve.