Happy Jackal Guest House — Hotel in Eastern Cape

We stayed at the happy jackal for our safari around Addo, as we were hesitant to go to a smaller and private game reserve as some of them are cruelly small for the animals to live. Addo is HUGE and our ranger who drove us round (in the best game viewer to the park [see the photo!]), was extremely knowledgeable and helpful, even knew the approximate age of the animals he showed us! He made every effort for us to see all the animals, which seeing them in the wild like this is truly nothing a private game reserve can match if you ask me. You get a lovely and filling lunch (and the amazing breakfast keeps you going until then)! The accommodation is beautiful, after doing the garden route and staying in over 6 air bnbs.. happy jackal was the first time we felt like we were in Africa! All our previous accommodation was beautiful but so modern it was like sitting at home (England for us)! You can sit outside your room at the guesthouse and watch a beautiful sunset. There’s a shop near by (drive only) where we grabbed some beers and dinner and sat with the sunset. If you go perhaps stop off at the shop en route. It’s very easy to find as just off a main road when you come into addo area. Google maps took us right there. Not relevant to happy jackal but if your a tourist please always check your map isn’t taking you through a township to your destination, they can be dangerous.|||| The best part of our trip by far and it has been jam packed. Thank you so much to the hosts for being so helpful too, and so nice.||||The game viewer used to go round addo is a real special addition to this guesthouse. Many others are in enclosed vehicles and cars and you can’t see as much. ||||If you truly want an African experience with a top...

Our recent stay at the Happy Jackal was just amazing! Suzette and her team made us feel very welcome after a traumatic journey from the UK! Even though we missed our first evening with them due to missed flights and baggage handling issues, we arrived at 9am the following morning - Suzette still made us a lovely breakfast with hot, fresh bread, which was very well received - after travelling for more than 30 hours!|Nothing was too much trouble during our 5 night stay and they made us feel very welcome, hosting a braai (bbq) for us and other guests, making bookings at local restaurants, as well as liaising with other excursion companies on our behalf.|Tim took us on our own private safari into the Addo Elephant Park which is very close by, and was very informative and knowledgeable about the animals, birds and fauna within the park, even so far as explaining the behaviour and antics of individual family groups of elephants, which was amazing.|Hubby loved fishing from their jetty on the Sundays River, and was watched over by monkeys every time from the nearby Mackay Bridge! |They made every guest feel special and it was lovely to see their joy and enthusiasm in...

We were 8 people, 4 couples from Atlantic Canada. We stayed for 2 nights. They were very focused on giving excellent customer service. They really wanted us to have a great visit. 3 couples stayed in a cottage, and the other stayed in a king plus twin guest room. The kitchens in both units were well-equipped. We all enjoyed the full breakfast, with fruit and fruit jams from their garden, fresh baked bread, and eggs cooked as requested. Service was friendly and professional. Manager Suzette and husband Tim were exceptional. Suzette drove to pick up medication for one of our team. She loaned me a conversion plug. A sweet personality - she loves people. Tim dazzled us with a full day tour in Addo Elephant National Park, driving us through vast sections of the park. We were delighted with his commentary, excellent driving, and delightfully charming personality. We had many memorable moments. But we will always remember the 12-member elephant family with 3 babies who walked around our vehicle as dusk approached. It was a humbling and emotional interaction. The light lunch, unrushed pace, and overall experience was world-class.|This is a place I would...