Kwandwe Melton Manor
Eastern Cape
Albany Thicket biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
30 km away
Where to stay near Great Fish River Nature Reserve
Large conservation area
Eastern Cape, South Africa
Malaria-free
About Great Fish River Nature Reserve
The Great Fish River reserve is one of the largest in the Eastern Cape, a valley of thicket and river between Grahamstown and Fort Beaufort formed from three older reserves. The Albany thicket here is dense enough to hide most of what lives in it, which includes black rhino, buffalo, hippo in the river, kudu and a good leopard population. It is a quiet, undeveloped reserve with basic self-catering and camping, and a place for people who want the Eastern Cape bush without lodges. It is malaria-free, and the Fish River valley's history of frontier wars is written across the old forts nearby.
Things to do: Hiking · Camping · Rock climbing · Bird watching
Where you can stay: Camping · Chalets · Nearby B&Bs
Wildlife near Great Fish River Nature Reserve
What people record most across Eastern Cape. Past sightings, never a guarantee.
From iNaturalist records across Eastern Cape, not confirmed sightings inside this reserve.
Stay in & near Great Fish River Nature Reserve
Inside-park stays and nearby lodges, sorted by distance.
No stays are linked to Great Fish River Nature Reserve yet. These are the closest ones we have, by straight-line distance from the park, so check the drive before you book.
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge
Eastern Cape
Albany Thicket biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
30 km away
Kwandwe Uplands Homestead
Eastern Cape
Albany Thicket biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
30 km away
Kwandwe Fort House
Eastern Cape
Albany Thicket biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
30 km away
Kwandwe Ecca Lodge
Eastern Cape
Albany Thicket biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
30 km away
Kichaka Lodge at Lalibela Wildlife Reserve
Lalibela Wildlife Reserve, Paterson
Albany Thicket biome · African elephant · Hippopotamus
Price on request
64 km away
Getting there
33.0254° S, 26.8119° E200 km from Cape TownOpen in Maps (opens in a new tab)
Why book here
Your stay helps keep Great Fish River Nature Reserve wild
Wild places survive when the communities around them earn more from protecting wildlife than from anything that would replace it. Every stay you book through Spekboom carries a conservation contribution built into the price, never added on top, so choosing where you sleep becomes a way to fund the people and projects keeping this landscape intact.
- Built into every booking
- A conservation share
- Where it goes
- Local causes & communities
Great Fish River Nature Reserve: your questions
Where is Great Fish River Nature Reserve?
Great Fish River Nature Reserve is in Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Is Great Fish River Nature Reserve malaria-free?
Yes. Great Fish River Nature Reserve is in an area recorded as malaria-free, which is why it is a common choice for families with young children and for a first safari. Malaria risk can shift with the season and the year, so confirm current advice with a travel clinic before you go.
What wildlife can you see near Great Fish River Nature Reserve?
In Eastern Cape, commonly recorded species include animals such as Red Hartebeest, Oribi, Yellow Mongoose, Cape Mountain Zebra and birds including Red-necked Spurfowl, Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Cape Parrot, based on iNaturalist occurrence data. These reflect the wider province, not confirmed sightings inside the reserve.
When is the best time to visit Great Fish River Nature Reserve?
The best time to visit Great Fish River Nature Reserve is Year-round (best Mar-May, Sep-Nov).
What is there to do at Great Fish River Nature Reserve?
Popular activities at Great Fish River Nature Reserve include hiking, camping, rock climbing, bird watching.
Parks near Great Fish River Nature Reserve
The closest parks and reserves. Distances run centre to centre, as the crow flies.
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Eastern Cape, South Africa
Kwandwe Private Game ReservePrivate Game Reserve · 31 km
Luxury safari experience
Big Five · Malaria-free
Amakhala Game Reserve
Eastern Cape, South Africa
Amakhala Game ReservePrivate Game Reserve · 89 km
Malaria-free safari destination
Big Five · Malaria-free
Addo Elephant National Park
Eastern Cape, South Africa
Addo Elephant National ParkNational Park · 143 km
Famous for elephant herds and Big Seven
Big Five · Malaria-free
Part of
Other parks and reserves that share something with Great Fish River Nature Reserve.
Malaria-free parks and game reservesNational parks and reserves in South AfricaNature reserves and parks in the Eastern CapeAll protected areas
