A family-friendly bush camp on the banks of the Kariega River in Sibuya Game Reserve, offering riverfront safari tents, guided Big Five game drives, birding, and river cruises in a malaria-free Eastern Cape environment.
Sibuya River Camp sits on the bank of the Kariega Estuary and is the camp on the reserve built around children. It is the only one of the four that takes children of any age, and the practical detail behind that matters more than the phrase: four tents, each sleeping two adults with two to four children sharing, and a guided game vehicle allocated to any booking with a child under six at no extra charge. That single vehicle rule is what turns a family safari from a compromise into a workable one, because nobody else's game drive is interrupted and the drive can turn for a bored six-year-old.
Getting there is part of it. There is no road in. Guests check in at Reception in Kenton-on-Sea and travel up the estuary by boat, so the transfer is the first game viewing of the stay rather than a transfer at all. The estuary setting also means the camp is a short walk from water, and Sibuya asks that under-threes are supervised at all times for that reason.
The camp runs on solar with generator backup. There are charging points in the main lodge for phones and camera batteries, but not enough power for hairdryers, which is the honest difference between the tented camps and the two lodges. One tent is fitted with a power socket for a sleep-apnoea machine; the reservations office allocates it when told in advance.
Days are fully inclusive: two guided game drives in an open 4x4, boat cruises on the estuary, canoeing, fishing, bush walks and birding. The Eastern Cape is malaria-free, so there are no prophylactics to organise for the children and no conversation to have with a nervous grandparent. Babysitting is available at a nominal charge, which is what makes the early game drive possible for parents travelling with toddlers.
Overview
- Location
- 10km up the Kariega Estuary, Sibuya Game Reserve, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Malaria Free
- Yes
- Reserve Type
- Private Game Reserve
- Child Friendly
- Yes
- Open Year Round
- Yes
- Exclusive Use Available
- Yes
Why visit
- The only Sibuya camp that takes children of any age
- Four tents, each sleeping two adults with two to four children sharing
- A guided game vehicle is allocated at no extra charge to any booking with a child under six
- Reached only by boat up the Kariega Estuary, so the transfer is the first game viewing of the stay
- Malaria-free Big Five reserve, so no prophylactics for the children
- Two daily game drives, boat cruises, canoeing, fishing and bush walks included
Accommodation
- Unit Type
- Luxury Safari Tents
- Total Units
- 4
- Children Policy
- Children of all ages. Under-threes should be supervised at all times because of the camp's proximity to the river. A guided game vehicle is allocated at no extra charge to any booking with a child under six.
River Tent · 4
King-sized or twin beds; children sharing with parents permitted
Sleeps 2, maximum 4
Room amenities
- En suite bathroom
- Indoor shower
- Private verandah
- Private living area
- Wood-burning fireplace
- In-room safe
- Limited solar electricity
- Plug points available in main lodge for charging devices
- 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
- Riverine forest ecosystem
- Excellent birdlife along Kariega Estuary
- Marine and estuarine wildlife encounters
- Coastal bush and beach biodiversity
Facilities
- Communal lounge area
- Shared dining area
- Communal bar (complimentary local beverages)
- Communal fireplace
- 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 River Camp reaches the UK travel trade
Sibuya River 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 River Camp, contact Kusa Connect or speak directly with Graeme Watson — founder of Kusa Connect (ATTA member), former SATSA Board Director.
- Property
- River 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 River Camp sold to the UK travel trade?
UK travel agents recommend Sibuya River 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 River Camp's UK trade representative and does not take consumer or retail-agent bookings.
Where is Sibuya River Camp?
Sibuya River 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 River Camp in the UK?
Sibuya River 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