A forested bush retreat in Sibuya Game Reserve, offering luxury safari tents nestled among indigenous trees, personalised game drives, birding, and river excursions in the malaria-free Eastern Cape.
Forest Camp is the largest of Sibuya's four camps at eight tents, which makes it the reserve's natural whole-camp booking. For a UK operator putting a group together — a family reunion of teenagers and adults, a group of friends, a small incentive — it is the only Sibuya property that takes a party of that size without splitting it across camps.
The tents are raised on elevated decks set back in riverine forest and linked by wooden walkways, so the camp sits inside the tree canopy rather than looking out at it. Each tent takes two adults plus a single, open plan, which is the configuration that makes it work for a group travelling with adult children.
Forest Camp accommodates children over twelve only. Children over twelve are charged at the full adult rate whether they share with parents or take their own tent. Families with younger children belong at River Camp or, for a whole-lodge booking, at Nel's Lodge — a distinction worth getting right at the quoting stage rather than at check-in.
Like River Camp, it is reached only by boat up the Kariega Estuary from Reception in Kenton-on-Sea, and it runs on solar with generator backup: charging for phones and camera batteries in the main lodge, but not enough power for hairdryers or other appliances. One tent carries a power socket for a sleep-apnoea machine.
Everything is included — two guided game drives daily in an open 4x4, estuary boat cruises, canoeing, fishing, bush walking and birding — on a malaria-free Big Five reserve 80 to 100 minutes by road from Gqeberha, and about 40 minutes from Makhanda.
Overview
- Location
- Approximately 12km up the Kariega Estuary, Sibuya Game Reserve, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Malaria Free
- Yes
- Reserve Type
- Private Game Reserve
- Child Friendly
- No
- Open Year Round
- Yes
- Exclusive Use Available
- Yes
Why visit
- Eight tents, the largest camp on the reserve and the natural whole-camp booking for a group
- Tents raised on elevated decks in riverine forest, linked by wooden walkways
- Adults and children over twelve
- Each tent takes two adults plus a single, open plan
- Reached only by boat up the Kariega Estuary
- Malaria-free Big Five reserve, 80 to 100 minutes by road from Gqeberha
Accommodation
- Unit Type
- Luxury Safari Tents
- Total Units
- 8
- Children Policy
- Children over twelve only. Children over twelve are charged the full adult rate whether sharing with parents or in a separate tent.
Forest Tent – Standard · 3
King-sized or twin beds; divan suitable for young adult (12+) sharing
Sleeps 2, maximum 3
Forest Tent – Annex · 1
King-sized or twin beds plus compact annex for two youngsters (12+)
Sleeps 2, maximum 4
Room amenities
- En suite bathroom
- Indoor shower
- Private elevated wooden deck / verandah
- Limited solar electricity
- In-room safe
- Complimentary Wi-Fi (available at Reception and main lodge areas)
- Towels and personal amenities provided
Dining
- Cuisine Style
- Home-style South African cuisine
- Premium Beverages
- Limited premium wines available at additional cost
- All Meals Included
- Yes
- Complimentary Local Drinks
- Yes
- Dietary Requirements Accommodated
- Yes
- Tea Coffee Hot Chocolate Included
- Yes
Activities included
- Scheduled boat transfers to and from the Reserve
- Two daily guided game drives in open 4x4 vehicle
- Guided bush walks
- Guided beach walks
- River cruises
- Bird watching
- Fishing
- Canoeing
- Swimming in the river
- Access to heated swimming pool at Bush Lodge
Optional activities
- Cookery lessons
- Deep-sea fishing
- Golfing
- Specialist-guided bird watching
- Horse riding on the Reserve
- Additional boat transfers outside scheduled times
Wildlife highlights
- Big Five game reserve
- Indigenous riverine forest ecosystem
- Kariega Estuary birdlife
- Marine and estuarine wildlife encounters
- Coastal bush and beach biodiversity
Facilities
- Communal lounge area
- Shared dining area
- Communal bar (complimentary local beverages)
- Boma firepit
- Elevated wooden walkways through riverine forest
- River access
- Boat jetty
- Charging points in the main lodge for phones and camera batteries
- One tent fitted with a power socket for a sleep-apnoea machine
- Secure complimentary parking at Reception in Kenton-on-Sea
Sustainability
- Solar Lighting In Camp
- Yes
- Plastic Reduction Policy
- Yes
- Community Employment Focus
- Yes
- Reusable Water Flasks Provided
- Yes
- Rhino Conservation Levy Applicable
- Yes
Getting there
- Arrival Point
- Sibuya Reception – 39 Eastbourne Road, Kenton-on-Sea
- Airport Transfer Time
- Approx. 80–100 minutes by road to Reception
- Boat Transfer Required
- Yes
- Secure Parking Available
- Yes
- Scheduled Boat Transfers Included
- Yes
Practical information
- Power
- Solar with generator backup. Charging for phones and camera batteries in the main lodge; not enough power for hairdryers or other appliances.
- Malaria Risk
- None – Eastern Cape is malaria-free
- Wifi Available
- Yes
- Gratuities Excluded
- Yes
- Television Available
- No
- Credit Cards Accepted
- American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa
- Medical Facilities On Site
- No
UK trade information
How Forest Camp reaches the UK travel trade
Sibuya Forest Camp is represented in the UK travel trade by Kusa Connect, an ATTA member UK rep company founded by Graeme Watson.
For UK trade enquiries about Forest Camp, contact Kusa Connect or speak directly with Graeme Watson — founder of Kusa Connect (ATTA member), former SATSA Board Director.
- Property
- Forest Camp
- Brand
- Sibuya Game Reserve
- Location
- Kenton-on-Sea, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Property type
- camp
- Nearest airport
- Chief Dawid Stuurman Airport (Gqeberha / Port Elizabeth) (Approx. 80–100 minutes by road to Reception)
- UK trade rep
- Kusa Connect — ATTA member
- Trade contact
- Graeme Watson, Founder
Frequently asked questions from the UK trade
How is Sibuya Forest Camp sold to the UK travel trade?
UK travel agents recommend Sibuya Forest Camp to their clients, who book through specialist UK tour operators, who in turn work with the destination's Destination Management Companies for in-country operations. Kusa Connect is Sibuya Forest Camp's UK trade representative and does not take consumer or retail-agent bookings.
Where is Sibuya Forest Camp?
Sibuya Forest Camp is in Kenton-on-Sea, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The nearest airport is Chief Dawid Stuurman Airport (Gqeberha / Port Elizabeth), approximately 80–100 minutes by road to Reception from the property.
Who represents Sibuya Forest Camp in the UK?
Sibuya Forest Camp is represented in the UK travel trade by Kusa Connect, a boutique UK rep company for African travel founded by Graeme Watson — a former SATSA Board Director, ATTA member and member of the Institute of Directors UK. FAM trip availability, trade product information and operator introductions are all handled through kusaconnect.com/contact.
Trade details last updated