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    Eastern Cape Safaris, South Africa

    Kwandwe Private Game Reserve

    Straddling the Great Fish River on South Africa's Eastern Cape
    Wooden deck with a pool overlooking a forested valley at sunset, with drinks and snacks on a side table.

    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 thePlace 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

    Ready to plan your adventure?

    Whatever you want from your trip, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

    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.
    Find out more
    Sunset over a lush river valley with light breaking through scattered clouds.

    Plan your trip to South Africa

    Whatever you want from your adventure in South Africa, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

    Places to combine Kwandwe Private Game Reserve with

    Ellerman House

    South Africa

    Ellerman House

    Ellerman House is a class act throughout. It feels very much like your own home but with top class service befitting a five-star hotel. Perched in one of the most spectacular and privileged settings in Cape Town overlooking Bantry Bay, it is the epitome of comfort and class with a relaxed, elegant style. Decoration is colonial, with a nod to the contemporary and recently refurbished to provide thoroughly modern comforts.

    Where Ellerman House excels above others is the excellent house staff, who in these grand surrounds create such a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Taking a (complimentary) evening cocktail from the lounge and strolling out onto the peaceful gardens overlooking the sea for sunset is the perfect end to a day in Cape Town as one feels both special and relaxing.

    There are just 11 rooms, two suites and two private contemporary villas. Communal areas include a spacious lounge, large garden area (with outdoor pool) and a huge spa. There is an open kitchen you are invited to visit, a pantry that you can raid as well as the complimentary evening cocktails.

    A particular feature of the property is its private art collection. This is simply outstanding, one of the best in South Africa with works from African masters inside the main building and then, underneath is a contemporary gallery. For anyone interested in art this will add an extra element to their stay.

    Guests are also able to book Sleep Rooms at Ellerman House. A concept created by wellness expert Harry Jameson, each of the 13 rooms at the property can be converted into wellness rooms specially designed to optimise both sleep and recovery.

    Ariel view of waves breaking on a forested shoreline