December 12, 2024by Sasha Ella

Exploring the Big 7

Eastern Cape: The Big 7 hotspot

When it comes to safaris, South Africa has long been synonymous with the ‘Big 5’ – majestic animals defined by their size, strength and potential danger. The Eastern Cape, in particular, with its malaria-free private game reserves provides the ideal opportunity to see lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and Cape buffalo in their natural habitat. However, at Mantis, we can take your safari experience up a notch by offering you the ‘Big 7’ … adding the Great White Shark and whales into the mix.

The Eastern Cape is one of the few places where you see the incredible diversity of the region’s wildlife by blending a land and sea adventure. Watching a pride of lions on a game drive in the morning and seeing whales breaching in the afternoon!

The Big 5

The term is a colloquialism for five majestic animals, namely: lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and the Cape buffalo. Each play a vital role in the ecosystem and encountering them in the wild is a breathtaking experience.

Founders Lodge by Mantis, an hour’s drive from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), is set on a hilltop with panoramic views of the 25 000 hectare wildlife reserve, with its unique biomes and abundance of wildlife, fauna and flora. It offers a perfect balance of luxury and adventure and is Humane Tourism Certified™.

Game drives will bring you up close with the ‘king of the jungle’ or help track the elusive and solitary leopard. You’ll hear herds of elephants trumpeting and marvel at the power of the Cape buffalo and, although critically endangered, you will encounter a ‘crush’ of the prehistoric looking white rhino.

Rhino conservation is exceptionally important and Founders Lodge is a safe house for white rhino, within their natural habitat. In addition to providing top class security, rangers are involved in a rhino observation and monitoring programme. This includes supplementing this endangered species feed while observing and recording vital information for the research database.

When I encountered the African rhinoceros, everything else faded away, I was humbled by the grandeur of the animal before me ~ Isak Dinesen

A hidey hole

A fairly new addition and a wildlife photography haven, is the sunken photographic hide. Aimed at the modern photophile who enjoys recording adventures ‘through a lens’, it’s accessed through a 35 metre underground tunnel. You emerge at a water hole surrounded by wildlife: rhino, giraffe, zebra, sable and myriad of bird species. It comes fully equipped, including binoculars, bird books and refreshments. It has wi-fi access, for live streaming and plug points, with floodlights for night viewing.

The call of the ocean

Leaving the savannah, head to Gqerbeha, known for its marine biodiversity and often referred to as the ‘bottlenose dolphin capital of the world’. Pods of dolphin ranging from 10 to 400 strong, can be seen frolicking in the bay during the summer months (November to March).

The No 5 Boutique Art Hotel by Mantis is an Art Deco building and perfectly located to view these sea creatures, with the ocean less than 100 metres away. It’s also the place to rest and relax in between seasonal marine excursions. Whether you opt for a boat tour to watch southern right whales breaching or a shark cage dive.

To witness a Great White Shark in its natural habitat is to witness the epitome of survival and adaptation ~ Unknown

An apex predator

Few creatures are more feared than the Great White Shark but they play an essential role in the marine ecosystem by regulating prey populations. Despite their reputation, Great Whites are pretty shy and elusive, making sightings rare and thrilling.

For the adventurous, a shark cage diving experience offers an up-close encounter with these magnificent creatures, silently gliding through the ocean. Seeing them in their natural environment helps you appreciate these ocean warriors.

The whales do not sing because they have an answer, they sing because they have a song ~ Gregory Colbert

A whale of a time

Whales are social creatures which travel in groups called ‘pods’ using clicks, whistles and pulsed calls to communicate with each other.

The Southern Right Whale migrates to the warm waters of the Eastern Cape between June and November, to calve and nurse their young. Identified by their callosities (white patches of rough skin on their heads which are as unique as fingerprints), whales are a symbol of marine conservation. Once hunted to near extinction they are now protected and their numbers are slowly recovering.

Watching a whale breach – leaping metres out of the sea – is a natural wonder. How a 47+ tonne beast can be this graceful is mind boggling.

There is a language going on out there – the language of the wild. Roars, snorts, trumpets, squeals, whoops and chirps ~ Boyd Norton

Why the Big 7?

Each of the Big 7 play a key role within the ecosystem. Lions, as apex predators, maintain the balance of prey populations – as do Great White Sharks. Leopards, with their stealth, thrive as elusive nocturnal hunters. Elephants, the largest land mammals, shape landscapes, while rhinos are critical for biodiversity conservation. Cape buffalo are vital grazers and whales keep oceans healthy by redistributing nutrients.

Rhino and Great White Sharks are under threat from poaching and overfishing, while climate change and habitat loss impact other species. By exploring the Big 7 responsibly, we are able to put a spotlight on conservation efforts and contribute to preserving these species, as well as the communities who depend on eco-tourism for their livelihood.

Faster than Usain Bolt

Another possible ‘add on’ is a visit to Nyosi Wildlife Reserve, home to a cheetah metapopulation initiative, aimed at improving the gene pool. The project involves rewilding captive cheetahs before they are moved to permanent homes in larger protected areas.

Cheetahs are the fastest land animals in the world – over short distances – reaching speeds of up to 102km per hour in 3 seconds. Oh, and for the record, Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world, has a top speed of around 43km per hour.

One success story is of Nkanyiso, a female cheetah born in captivity and introduced into the rewilding programme in April 2023. She adapted, her hunting instincts kicked in and she quickly became self-sufficient, independent and learned to share the reserve with two male cheetahs. Recently the reserve welcomed its first litter of cubs!

Land and sea meet

A safari in the Eastern Cape is one of contrasts and connections – from fierce land and marine apex predators to gentle giants. It’s a journey that celebrates the diversity of South Africa’s wildlife on land and sea. In a single trip, you can drive through rugged bush in search of the Big 5 before heading to the coast to watch in wonder at whales and sharks.

We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors. We borrow it from our children ~ African Proverb