
Kwandwe Lodges
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.
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.
Within the Kwandwe Game Reserve, there is just 22 rooms and suites spread across four intimate and award-winning lodges, two of these lodges are sole-use villas, providing understated luxury and one of the highest guest to land ratios in South Africa.
Do we as a team here at Uyaphi.com recommend Kwandwe? Yes most certainly Yes.
Lodges In The Kwandwe Game Reserve
Kwandwe Uplands House
Rates from R56 040.00 exclusive use
With rolling lawns dominated by a stately home cradled in a valley among the untamed hills of Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, The family-friendly Uplands House strikes a perfect mix between the genteel and the wilds of Africa.
This five-star lodge offers guests a truly stunning wildlife reserve experience.
Kwandwe Melton Manor
Rates from R70 610.00 exclusive use
Kwandwe family-friendly "Melton Manor" with sweeping views of the river and mountains in three different directions, Melton Manor is a whimsical mix of old and new, a contemporary frontier farmhouse with a modern touch.
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve offers guests a luxurious "Big 5" safari experience.
Kwandwe Great Fish River
Rates from R13 450.00 per person
Great Fish River Lodge overlooks a majestic vista that stretches far into the horizon within the "Big Five" private Kwandwe Game Reserve.
With expansive viewing decks, every moment offers an opportunity to explore more of the wonders of the bush.
Kwandwe Ecca Lodge
Rates from R13 450.00 per person
Kwandwe Ecca Lodge offers a breathtaking view of an escarpment of steep shale cliffs of the "Big Five" Kwandwe Game Reserve.
Expansive wooden viewing decks provide the ideal setting to soak up the bushveld atmosphere with a leisurely lunch or a sundowner drink.
Kwandwe Game Reserve Review
My husband and I were fortunate enough to visit the Kwandwe Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It had been many years since I had been on safari in the Eastern Cape and I was eager to see how the experience had changed.
We flew from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth where we picked up our rental car and drove the 2 hours to Kwandwe Private Game Reserve. From the moment we arrived at the reception, we experienced the service that this Relais and Chateaux property is famous for.
We were met with a welcome drink, a cold towel and fresh homemade cookies accompanied by our check-in.
Death of a Cheetah
When you live in Africa, love the smell of nature and its strong call, and perhaps even more importantly, understand the natural cycles; you see the death of wildlife as part of the natural order.
The strong conquer the weak, and the old give space to the young.
When you look at a magnificent animal and predator die in an area which is desperately (and successfully) trying to rehabilitate natural corridors of flora and fauna over a previously devastated land, no one would think less of you for shedding a tear.
Samara Game Reserve Review
About three hours' drive northwest of Addo National Park (see Tuesday's blog) lies a different country.
If Addo enjoys a lush and verdant environment, Samara Game Reserve (close to Camdeboo National Park) is the opposite. Its semi-desert environment is more akin to Namibia.
Yet here we are in the middle of the Great Karoo near the historic farming town of Graaff Reinet.
Addo Elephant Back Safari
I have been travelling in Africa for over three decades. In that time, I have been on countless safaris; by Land Rover, on foot, by canoe and horseback, up and down mountains and valleys.
The sense of wonder and appreciation of natural beauty has never left me.
There are, of course, individual animals which I prefer above all others. Some are large, very large and some small but all, for some reason or other, have endeared themselves towards me. I will start with the very large.