ROOMS & SUITES: 9 Suites & 1 Private

Kwandwe Private Game Reserve opened in the Great Fish River Valley in the heart of the Eastern Cape in October 2001. The land was left to revert to its natural state and more than 7,000 animals, including buffalo, lion, cheetah, rhino and elephant, were bought and introduced to their new home in a massive translocation exercise.

The cost was in the region of $10 million, financed by Carl DeSantis, a Florida-based billionaire working in conjunction with Angus Sholto-Douglas, a South African safari-camp manager. Kwandwe offers time to enjoy the bush and learn about smaller creatures while looking forward to special-guest appearances from lion, leopard, black and white rhino, elephant and buffalo.

One of the continent's southernmost game reserves lies in the heart of South Africa's Eastern Cape; a district rich in history and blessed with abundant natural beauty. Kwandwe Private Game Reserve stretches along 42 kilometres of the Great Fish River and each of the luxurious glass and thatch suites overlooks its lush riverbanks. It is a river of great historical significance, as it was a hotly contested border during the Frontier Wars of 1779-1878 between the Settlers (and the Dutch farmers) and the Xhosa nation.

Malaria-free game reserve - Lion, African Elephant, Black and White Rhino, Leopard, Buffalo, Hippo, Cheetah, Brown Hyena, Aardwolf, Aardvark, Eland, Gemsbuck, Kudu, Red Hartebeest, Waterbuck, Nyala, Giraffe, Zebra, Springbuck, Impala, Blue Wildebeest, Mountain Reedbuck.

Insider Tips:

• Locals in-the-know will tell you that May is the Eastern Cape's best month
• The "small rains" are over by April and there is a beautiful flush of green growth and flowers
• And then there are the mid year flowers - Aloes, for which the Eastern Cape is world famous, begin blooming in May
• The cooler weather means that insects - notably termites - are more active during the day, rather than at night.
• Witness Kwandwe's nocturnal mammals that feed on them - Aardvark, Bat-eared Fox and Aardwolf - during the day (well, late afternoon!)
• Because it's not so hot, there are full-day game drives with awesome lunch picnics and bush brunches and stuff
• By May, they start morning game drives a little later in the morning, after a more civilized early breakfast

AFFILIATIONS

Relais & Chateaux

ACCOLADES & ARTICLES

Relais & Chateaux

ACCOMMODATIONS

Uplands Homestead (private home) - Restored farm homestead with 3 luxurious bedrooms. Uplands Homestead offers an alternative experience of Kwandwe Private Game Reserve and is perfect for those for whom privacy is paramount. It is ideal for a group or family of 6 people. The 1905 farmhouse combines modern touches with classic architecture and the private balconies and full size swimming pool with gazebo ensure a comfortably luxurious stay.

Kwandwe Game Lodge - 9 luxurious suites, set high up on the banks of the Great Fish River. Each thatch and glass chalet has a private plunge pool and observation deck with spectacular views over the river valley. A mix of Settler and Xhosa décor is characterized by a subtle blend of earth-toned fabrics, indigenous timber, artefacts and antiques.

Kwandwe Melton Manor - Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, situated on 22 000 hectares of malaria-free Big Five wilderness in the heart of South Africa's Eastern Cape, has officially opened its newest lodge, Melton Manor.

Set in a beautiful location with sweeping views of the Great Fish River, Melton Manor is a sole-use safari villa with four ensuite bedrooms. This spacious u-shaped frontier farmhouse is characterised by high ceilings and deep verandas overlooking the central courtyard and its inviting swimming pool. The bedrooms each have their own spacious bathroom and innovative "butler hatches" for discreet room service. The interactive farm-style kitchen is abuzz with chefs cooking up wholesome and delicious dishes with Eastern Cape flair. Experience the bush with your own ranger/tracker team and a 4x4 safari vehicle at your disposal 24 hours a day!

Safaris at Kwandwe include twice-daily game drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles, night drives showcasing an exhilarating array of nocturnal wildlife, bush sundowners, picnics, and guided bush walks. The Carnivore Research @ Kwandwe Specialist Safari is a unique and informative introduction to Kwandwe's fascinating carnivore world. Guests can also partake in the Frontiers @ Kwandwe Specialist Safari, a specialised historic adventure into Frontier Country, led by Kwandwe's resident historian and raconteur, Alan Weyer.

LEISURE

Twice-daily game drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles (children up to 5-years-old not permitted on game drives, aged 6-11 permitted at the Lodge Manager's and ranger's discretion). Other activities are bush sundowners, dinners on the banks of the Great Fish River, picnics in the Reserve, guided river-walking/hiking and canoeing, fishing, rhino tracking, sleep-outs, visits to hides and Pioneer cultural storytelling evenings. Kwandwe has a cosy library with first edition books on the region as well as other valuable books on South African history, fauna and flora.

EXPLORE

A tour of rock paintings, stone tools and artefacts in the Valley of the Ancient Voices, or a trip to nearby Grahamstown to explore the museums and historical homes.

For those with an interest in military history, the area surrounding Kwandwe was the battleground for ongoing Frontier Wars from 1779 to 1880 and is peppered with military graveyards, war memorabilia, forts, museums and military towns such as Fort Beaufort.

Further tours explore the culture of the Xhosa people, their myths and legends and oral history, as well as their political development, dating from the mission schools of the 1820s. Scenic Wild Coast flights can also be arranged.

You may track rhino on foot under the guidance of an experienced ranger.

It is also possible to go on polo or golf tours in the vicinity of Kwandwe Private Game Reserve.

GETTING THERE

Airport: Port Elizabeth Airport (PLZ) - 90-105 minutes by car. Flying time from Port Elizabeth is 30-40 minutes.

Transportation: Kwandwe Game Lodge and Uplands Homestead are easily accessible by private charters into the strip on Kwandwe, from where a representative will collect you and transfer you to the lodge. Driving from Port Elizabeth or East London will take approximately one-and-a-three-quarter hours.

Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Near Grahamstown, 6170, South Africa