Situated at the heart of the malaria-free Eastern Cape province, Kwandwe is within easy reach of South Africa's spectacular coastline and provides the perfect beginning or ending to a journey along the famed Garden Route. The wide open spaces and tranquil scenery belie the area's turbulent history, and relics of the area's rich historical and cultural legacy can be found both on the reserve and nearby. Kwandwe itself consists of 22 000 hectares (54 400 acres) of a hauntingly beautiful but previously neglected part of the African continent where the area's natural wildlife has been painstakingly restored.
Set high up on a steep bank of the Great Fish River, the Lodge overlooks a majestic vista that stretches far into the horizon. With expansive viewing decks, every moment offers an opportunity to explore more of the wonders of the bush - a majestic kudu picking its way to the water's edge or a pair of Cape clawless otters cavorting in the river. The rugged landscape is reflected in the materials and frontier style of the lodge, while the gleaming antiques and warm rugs of the interior mirror the magnificence of the scenery.
ROOM & SUITE TYPES:
Floor to ceiling glass doors give onto private balconies and offer a splendid vista from every corner of each of the nine suites. Even a soak in the bathtub lets you take in the view across the river, complete with wildlife down coming to drink. A private pathway leads down toward the water, ending in an exclusive plunge pool for every suite.
FOOD & WINE:
Meal times are arranged to surprise, with thoughtful delicacies served on the viewing decks, in the dining room, by lantern light in the cosy walled boma or in any of a number of unexpected locations.
FACILITIES:
Soaring ceilings and huge stone chimneys dominate the guest areas, creating imposing spaces filled with comfort and light. But not everything is arranged to impose, with cosy spaces created from the warm rock walls, dark leather armchairs and deep coloured rugs.
ACTIVITIES:
Twice daily game drives - explore the natural diversity of Kwandwe on early morning and late afternoon / evening game drives in an open 4x4 safari vehicle. An armed ranger and tracker team will share their extensive knowledge of the bush with you and will track the Big Five, as well as a variety of other wildlife. Morning drives begin as dawn breaks over the Great Fish River, and guests have the opportunity to see the predators winding up their nocturnal hunts and settling in for the day. Many animals take advantage of the cool morning hours to graze before the heat of the day. In the late afternoon the wildlife can often be spotted coming down to the river to drink. Night drives produces some unusual sightings, including aardvark, aardwolf, bat-eared fox and porcupine.
Interpretive bush walks - in between game drives, take a closer look at the intricate details of the bush on a leisurely walk within easy reach of your lodge. Dense euphorbia thickets are best explored on foot, revealing a secret world of lichen, mosses and ferns. Various birds of prey and other species nest in the taller trees or in the spiny canopy. An armed ranger guides guests through up close and personal sightings of an occasional buffalo, bushbuck or bushpig.
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