East Cape Nature Park, please

Q: My husband and I are travelling to Grahamstown for my daughter's 21st next February. We would like to spend a few days in a game park in the area, but besides Nature Parks really basic accommodation and really up-market options (at R4 000 minimum per person per day) we cannot find anything for around R1 000 - R1500 per person per day. - Carol Wener

A: Luxury lodge accommodation within game reserves in the Eastern Cape has become expensive. I highly recommend the Bushman Sands at Alicedale, not far from Grahamstown. Although the hotel is not located inside a game reserve, it offers game drives daily though the nearby Bushman Sands Reserve. Located on 4000 hectares, the reserve offers sightings of a large variety of animals. The reserve also offers Bushman (Koi San) rock paintings and a large dam. The four-star hotel offers great facilities, with a golf-course and health spa. Rates range from R1200 for a standard room per night to R2100 for a luxury suite. The rate includes breakfast. (www.bushmansands.com; Telephone 042 231 8000)

If you would prefer staying inside a reserve, you could try the smaller Sibuya Game Reserve near Kenton-On-Sea. Exclusively accessed by river-boat on the magnificent Kariega Estuary, guests stay in luxury en-suite tents on raised wooden decks. The malaria-free reserve offers four of the Big Five, as well as an abundance of small game and birds. All-inclusive rates range from R1500 - R1700 per person per night. (www.sibuya.co.za; Telephone 046 648 1040)