New direct flights bring the Greater Kruger and the Eastern Cape together on one luxury safari
South Africa has always rewarded travellers who are willing to explore more than one corner of this beautiful country. The bushveld of the Greater Kruger and the river-carved hills of the Eastern Cape offer two very different safaris, yet travelling between them has traditionally meant a lengthy detour through Johannesburg or Cape Town. Thankfully, that is about to change.
From 16 November 2026, new direct Airlink flights between the Kruger and Gqeberha will link the two regions three times a week, making it easier than ever to combine two of our favourite properties on a single luxury safari in South Africa: Tanda Tula in the Timbavati and Kwandwe Private Game Reserve on the Great Fish River.
For our team, this is exactly the kind of journey we love to create. Two reserves, two contrasting landscapes and two distinct styles of safari, joined by one short flight.
Flying direct from the Kruger to the Eastern Cape
From 16 November 2026, the new Airlink flights will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) and Gqeberha (PLZ), the city formerly known as Port Elizabeth. The flight takes just under two hours, so you will be able to enjoy a final morning in the Timbavati before settling into the Eastern Cape by late afternoon.
We recommend beginning in the Greater Kruger and finishing at Kwandwe, as the midday departure from the Kruger lets you enjoy a final morning game drive before flying south. From Gqeberha, a short charter flight takes you to Kwandwe’s private airstrip, or you can travel by road in around two hours. Our team takes care of every connection, leaving you free to look forward to the next sighting without the hassle of logistics.
Tanda Tula, an intimate riverside camp in the Timbavati
Tanda Tula means “to love the quiet”, and that philosophy shapes every moment here. The camp sits beneath mature trees on the banks of the seasonal Nhlaralumi River in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, 53,000 hectares of wilderness within the Greater Kruger. There are no fences between the Timbavati and the Kruger National Park, so wildlife roams freely across the wider ecosystem, from the Big Five to wild dog and cheetah.
Tanda Tula is still run by the people who built it. Don and Nina Scott founded the camp and now share its running with the Jackson and Mathebula families, giving it a warm, personal feel that guests notice from the moment they arrive.
Following a complete rebuild in 2023, Tanda Tula now offers seven safari suites and two family suites, each opening onto a private deck with a plunge pool overlooking the riverbed. Canvas walls and sliding glass doors keep you close to the sounds of the bush, while the interiors draw on the colours and geometric patterns of the Tsonga people. Days revolve around expertly guided game drives in open vehicles, with walking safaris, bush breakfasts and sundowners filling the hours in between.
Kwandwe, a private wilderness on the Great Fish River
It’s only a short flight south but Kwandwe feels like another world. This is 30,000 hectares of privately owned Eastern Cape wilderness, restored from farmland over the past three decades and now one of the largest private Big Five reserves in South Africa. The Great Fish River winds for 30 kilometres through its heart, and seven of the country’s eight biomes meet here, creating a landscape of dense thicket, open plains and dramatic river valleys.
The wildlife reflects that diversity. Alongside the Big Five, Kwandwe is home to black and white rhino, cheetah and smaller species such as bat-eared fox and aardwolf, as well as more than 300 bird species. Among them is the blue crane, South Africa’s national bird, which gives the reserve its name.
Remarkably, all of this is shared between just two lodges and three private villas. Great Fish River Lodge sits high on the forested riverbank, with nine suites that each have a private plunge pool overlooking the water. Ecca Lodge looks out across a sweeping valley and includes private vehicle suites with a dedicated guide, ideal for families or couples who want extra space. For complete privacy, the exclusive-use villas of Fort House, Melton Manor and Uplands Homestead each come with their own dedicated team.
Two safaris that complement each other perfectly
What makes this pairing so compelling is the contrast. In the Timbavati, you experience the classic Greater Kruger safari: open savannah and riverine woodland, exceptional big cat sightings and the freedom of an unfenced ecosystem. At Kwandwe, the scenery becomes more varied, the focus widens to rarer species and hands-on conservation, and there is a rare sense of having a vast reserve almost to yourself.
We suggest a minimum of three nights at each property, giving you time to settle into the rhythm of both reserves without feeling rushed. Many of our guests then continue to Cape Town and the Winelands, creating a journey through South Africa that combines outstanding wildlife with world-class food, wine and coastline.
Safaris that give back to the wild
Both properties share a deep commitment to the places they protect. Tanda Tula is Fair Trade Tourism accredited, and its conservation levy goes directly to the Timbavati reserve to support anti-poaching and land management. The Tanda Tula Education Foundation funds scholarships and community projects, and guest sightings even contribute to research into the threatened southern ground-hornbill. Guests can also book an aerial conservation patrol over the Timbavati for a bird’s-eye view of the work that keeps this wilderness thriving.
At Kwandwe, conservation is something you’re invited to take part in. Guests can help replant spekboom, a hardy succulent native to the Eastern Cape that helps rehabilitate the land, track rhino on foot, or join a specialist rhino conservation safari to assist with work such as DNA sampling and microchipping. Kwandwe is a member of The Long Run and supports local communities through the Ubunye Foundation, including a pre-school on the reserve.
Who this South Africa safari is perfect for
This combination suits returning safari travellers looking for a fresh perspective on South Africa, as well as first-timers who want to experience its full range in a single trip. Families are especially well catered for and Tanda Tula’s family suites welcome children from six years old, while Kwandwe welcomes all ages at Ecca Lodge and the villas, with junior ranger-style activities and flexible mealtimes ensuring everyone is kept entertained. Our family safari specialists can advise on the best fit for your children’s ages.
Couples and honeymooners will love the riverside seclusion of Great Fish River Lodge and the unhurried pace of Tanda Tula, where the quiet really is part of the luxury.
Plan your Tanda Tula and Kwandwe safari
These new flights will make this one of the most effortless ways to see two very different sides of South Africa in one journey. Our specialists can advise on the best suites, the ideal number of nights and the timing of your flights, as well as how to extend your trip to Cape Town, the Winelands or beyond.
To start planning a bespoke luxury safari in South Africa, please speak to our safari experts, who will create an itinerary designed entirely around you.
Tanda Tula and Kwandwe frequently asked questions
How do you travel between Tanda Tula and Kwandwe?
From 16 November 2026, direct Airlink flights will connect Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) with Gqeberha (PLZ) on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with a flight time of just under two hours. From Gqeberha, Kwandwe is a short charter flight to the reserve’s private airstrip or around two hours by road. Our team arranges every transfer for you.
How many nights should you spend at Tanda Tula and Kwandwe?
We recommend at least three nights at each property. This allows time for a full rhythm of morning and afternoon game drives, walking safaris and conservation experiences in both reserves, and pairs well with an onward stay in Cape Town or the Winelands.
Where is Tanda Tula located?
Tanda Tula sits on the banks of the seasonal Nhlaralumi River in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger in South Africa. The reserve is unfenced from the Kruger National Park, so wildlife moves freely across the wider ecosystem.
Is Kwandwe suitable for families?
Yes. Kwandwe welcomes children of all ages at Ecca Lodge and its three exclusive-use villas, with private vehicle suites, junior ranger-style activities, children’s menus and flexible mealtimes. Great Fish River Lodge welcomes children aged 12 and over.
What wildlife can you see at Kwandwe?
Kwandwe is home to the Big Five, including both black and white rhino, along with cheetah, bat-eared fox and aardwolf. More than 300 bird species have been recorded, including the blue crane, South Africa’s national bird.
