Eastern Cape Safaris, South Africa
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Unrivalled biodiversity amid spekboom-studded plains
Spanning 74,000 acres of restored farmland dotted with spekboom thickets on the Eastern Cape, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve is one of the largest private reserves in the country, home to the Big Five and seven of South Africa’s eight biomes. Plus, Kwandwe is malaria-free, making it an ideal destination – especially for families with kids.
‘Kwandwe’, from Xhosa, translates to the ‘Place of the Blue Crane’. Rightfully so, the area is a refuge for the silvery blue, endangered species, crowned South Africa’s national bird. It’s also a sanctuary for other rare wildlife, including the Knysna woodpecker, black-footed cats and the crowned eagle. You can also see game such as cheetahs, kudus and black wildebeests roaming its vast plains, cut through by the Great Fish River.
Its impressive biodiversity delivers enriching game viewing exclusive to guests staying at its lodges and villas. On night safaris, you can glimpse aardwolves, aardvarks and the more elusive pangolin. You can also traverse the rolling terrain on foot, following the tracks of elephants and buffalos. Specialist experiences centred on conservation, let you monitor rhinos and learn about Kwandwe’s diverse birdlife with expert birding guides, who’ll give you an insight into the reserve’s 300 species.
Across its wilderness, you’ll find two safari lodges – Great Fish River Lodge and Ecca Lodge – and three private villas: Fort House, Uplands Homestead and Melton Manor. Both lodges create effortless indoor-outdoor experiences, opening to spacious viewing decks overlooking the sweeping scenery. You can spy hippos slinking into the river at sunrise from the Great Fish River Lodge. At Ecca Lodge, specially designed for families, you can look out to the lush valley bushveld from your personal plunge pool.
Kwandwe’s villas additionally provide private rangers, trackers, safari vehicles and chefs. As a guest of Uplands Homestead’s farmhouse, built in the early 1900s, you’ll savour high tea from its elegant porch, which spills onto neat gardens. Meanwhile, you can gaze across Afromontane forests from one of Melton Manor’s freestanding bathtubs. Fort House looks out to a busy waterhole. Come night, you can delight in wine picked from its cellar before dining under the stars at its traditional boma.
Highlights
Witness the Big Five and game such as cheetahs and black wildebeests on safari drives
Spot endangered species, like the blue crane, black-footed cats and the crowned eagle
Track rhinos with a specialist ranger during a conservation safari
Choose between safari lodges or private villas
Soak up the sight of the Great Fish River or valley bushveld from the lodges' large viewing decks
Explore Kwandwe's wilderness with private trackers and rangers when you stay in a villa
The impact of your stay:
- Your stay at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve helps protect endangered black and white rhinos. Through the Kwandwe Rhino Conservation Trust, black rhinos were successfully reintroduced and now thrive alongside white rhinos. Kwandwe uses advanced technology to monitor these incredible animals, the Big Five and rare species, ensuring their safety and preserving their environment.
- As a guest, you help support social empowerment and education in rural communities through the Ubunye Foundation. Each year, Kwandwe provides over 400 local students with certified environmental and conservation courses, guided by a dedicated Community Conservation Officer. This initiative aligns with their mission to protect biodiversity and create a lasting impact in the Eastern Cape.
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