Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
Playing host to the Big Five but crucially malaria-free, reserves like Kwandwe, Shamwari and Samara are tailor-made for children or for anybody not wanting to take anti-malarial medication.
Don’t think for a moment that this means the wildlife is any less impressive. Far from it, with Shamwari having a reputation for exceptional lion and rhino sightings, Ado being famous for its vast elephant herds and Samara being renowned for offering cheetah tracking on foot. Throw in the fact that the lodges are some of South Africa’s finest and activities include game drives, walking safaris, horse-riding and river cruises, you can see why the Eastern Cape is becoming a firm favourite with travellers in the know, to South Africa.
Why visit the Eastern Cape
Experience big five malaria-free safari not far from the Garden Route
Exceptional lodges with options for family groups travelling together
View the large herds of elephants in Addo National Park
Private game activities on private reserves
Incorporate fishing, cycling, walking, rhino conservation and children’s programs.
Experiences
What do you really love doing? We curate your itinerary especially for you.
Aardvark Safari
Head out on an on-foot aardvark safari at Samara Game Reserve, searching for these fascinating and unusual creatures.
Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.
Samara Karoo Lodge £££££
South Africa
Safari and Wildlife Lodge
Samara Private Game Reserve covers 70,000 acres of malaria-free wilderness in South Africa’s Great Karoo. Encompassing rugged mountains, deep valleys and the vast plains of Camdeboo, it’s a stunning location.
Samara was founded on clear conservation principles and with one firm ambition: to rehabilitate the Eastern Cape’s Great Karoo. The once absent cape mountain zebra now roams the plateau pastures, beautiful blue cranes soar overhead and cheetahs stalk the Camdeboo plains.
Kariega Private Game Reserve is situated in the malaria-free Eastern Cape, just a few hours drive from the garden route and the beaches of Plettenberg Bay. Kariega offers the ideal big 5 safari culmination of a Cape Town and Garden Route holiday.
Five individual lodges offer something of every visitor.
The newly opened adult-only Settlers Drift Lodge is situated in an untouched part of the reserve and offers contemporary Safari tented style and world-class service. Just 9 tents with stunning views and opulent furnishings.
Located in the malaria-free Eastern Cape Province, Kichaka Private Game Lodge is set between two streams in a lush bushveld valley, overlooking a large water hole which attracts the big 5.
Constructed entirely of stone and thatch thus blending in seamlessly with the natural surroundings, Kichaka offers only 10 comfortable suites. Named after the indigenous vegetation each suite lies in a secluded setting ensuring privacy and space.
Need Inspiration? Browse our South Africa holiday ideas.
Our South Africa experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something to spark ideas for a unique adventure.
A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with
first-hand insight about their specialist countries.
Born in a small South African town, I have always followed my passion for nature and discovery. After studying Nature Conservation in Pretoria, I was one of the first women to complete a very tough cadetship in the Natal Parks Board. It was here where I cut my teeth in African wildlife management.
25 years ago, my first trip to Africa took on a life of its own. I planned for three months, I stayed for two years. Whilst there, I was mistaken for a priest, attacked by sharks and arrested. Yet the countless, clattering journeys opened my eyes to the beauty of the landscapes and the grace of the people. My recent trips are undoubtedly more comfortable, but the welcome is as warm as ever and the best experiences are still those I never see coming.
Overall another amazing trip from Steppes Travel. We saw so many different sights and had so many new experiences. Would always highly recommend Steppes.
Steppes Travel
Jackie listened very carefully to our requirements and followed them to the letter. Couldn’t have asked for more.
Zambia
Very content with the prompt response to all my questions and the positive can-do vibes from Illona.
Zimbabwe
Bridget could not have been more helpful in organising all aspects of our trip, she was very knowledgeable about the country and was able to select a fantastic trip which worked well for the whole family.
Zimbabwe
Jackie listened very carefully to our requirements and followed them to the letter. Couldn't have asked for more
Zimbabwe
The advice from Steppes was brilliant- finding us 2 wonderful contrasting camps & a visit to Victoria Falls to finish - we had an amazing trip
Zambia
Detailed, speedy communications from Illona at all stages of the booking
Zambia
A very well balanced itinerary extremely well executed.
Zambia
Right from the first contact, it was clear Chris understood the kind of trip we wanted and his expert advice ensured we were able to plan and experience the perfect trip. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend Chris and the rest of the Steppes team.
Uganda
Communication was particularly good and helpful when flight changes occurred during trip, and we needed support through an unplanned connection city
Uganda
We had an amazing trip and would do it again. While I indicated that we would not travel back to Tanzania, that is not a reflection on Tanzania, but rather our interest in exploring other places before making a return trip.
Tanzania
We have had some fantastic experiences with Steppes in the past, but have to say this trip was really up there. The lodge suggested by Ilona was amazing, transfers were fantastic, the communication beforehand from both Ilona and Vanessa was wonderful and the help we received when we had one small hiccup at our first hotel was outstanding. Thanks so much.
Tanzania
Itinerary gave a brilliant cross-section of Tanzanian wildlife and habitat.
Tanzania
Travel documentation was excellent - particularly the hard copies, which very useful on the road when access to the electronic version was not easily accessible. The hardcopies certainly impressed others in the group!
Sudan
Illona and her team were excellent, keeping me well informed, acting very promptly and extremely helpful.
Sudan
Illona and Ali put together a great holiday. The attention to detail made the experience a truly memorable one.
Sudan
The itinerary put together was excellent and surpassed our expectations. The last-minute pre-trip call from Bridget to make sure we had everything and for us to ask about any last-minute queries was welcome and very reassuring.
South Africa
I know from previous experience that Illona knows the country very well, and that is why I let her make the judgements about where best to stay, and I even change my mind about places, based on her advice. I get the photographs I want, because of this expertise and so it really adds value to my holiday. The advice was more than vindicated on this latest trip.
South Africa
An excellent holiday well organised with personal help from Illona. Always available to answer my questions. Everything worked like clockwork whilst in South Africa.
South Africa
Best trip Chris has put together for me.
Rwanda
Jackie was as excited as I was before my trip - I had an amazing time.
Rwanda
Chris gave us great recommendations. Good organisation and service. Added my son to the trip and it all worked very well.
Rwanda
We have had a fantastic experience with Steppes - thank you so much!
Reunion Island
We found the itinerary excellent and the places we visited / experiences exceeded our expectations. Documentation and briefing from both Steppes and their partner in Namibia was excellent.
Namibia
Illona put together a really good itinerary less than 6 weeks before departure. She was very efficient, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Illona has arranged African trips for us before and she was as committed and helpful as ever.
Namibia
Jackie knew about the skeleton coast trip and was able to advise us on the suitability for a 10-year-old.
Namibia
As always, meticulously planned and well-presented.
Mozambique
This was a first-class trip in every way, meeting all that we hoped for. At Vamizi, we had outstandingly comfortable accommodation, terrific in-house service, and great diving and snorkelling.
Mozambique
Lots of information; and the trip was very well planned and easy to book.
Mozambique
A pleasure dealing with Steppes as always. Quick, efficient responses and a feeling that you are the only client they are dealing with!
Mauritius
Chris was very knowledgeable and clearly has a love of Madagascar. It was great to talk the itinerary through with him. Both he and Deborah were very prompt in responding to my questions. I really appreciate having a digital copy of the itinerary.
Madagascar
I have used Steppes travel in the past for quite a few trips. Though slightly more on the price side, the holidays are well planned and executed. Local guides are very knowledgeable
Madagascar
Chris and Illona's enthusiasm for the destination coupled with knowledge on the ground ensured we stayed at great places and saw a varied perspective of the country.
Madagascar
Chris J and `the team` were absolutely first class in every direction.
Kenya
You created an amazing adventure for me!
Kenya
Bridget was extremely knowledgable and gave expert advice on everything we asked no matter how trivial our questions were! She even advised on the type of luggage and packing suggestions which was brilliant!!
Kenya
Illona was very efficient and helpful and clearly knew the country well.
Ethiopia
We were kept very well informed right up until we left for our trip. We were alerted to a better flight home and had all the documents we needed to take with us.
Ethiopia
No words can accurately describe the service afforded by Bridget. She solved problems that weren't of her making which resulted in saving my holiday!
Ethiopia
Felt extremely well looked after. Overall excellent service. Couldn't be better.
Eritrea
As always with Steppes I was very happy with everything. This was one of my favourite trips. Thank you.
Eritrea
Steppes really seemed genuinely interested in my requirements and did their utmost to ensure that they were met. I couldn't praise them highly enough.
Chad
I cannot fault the efficiency, consideration and imagination of Steppes travel
Botswana
It was clear that Steppes had good in-depth knowledge of the countries visited and any queries we had were quickly answered
Botswana
Bridget is amazing and very knowledgable. We travel very often and rarely use travel agents. We plan on working with Bridget again as we found it very helpful!
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?
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Sign up and take advantage of our Wishlist if you would like to create your own holiday boards. You can click on the heart across our website and curate destinations, holidays, properties and experiences that you would like us to build your future holidays around.
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