Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge

Kwandwe Game Reserve offers 22,000ha of pristine malaria-free wilderness in the Eastern Cape. It has a magnificent, ecologically varied landscape resulting in a diverse range of game: elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo as well as aardvark, aardwolf, cheetah and the endangered blue crane. Kwandwe is also sanctuary for other threatened species such as the Knysna woodpecker, the Cape grysbok, black wildebeest and crowned eagle. Today thousands of animals roam the reserve and Kwandwe offers morning, afternoon and night game drives in open 4x4s. Kwandwe's night drives are renowned with aardvark and aardwolf regularly spotted.

Alternatively you can enjoy longer big game walking safaris which take the place of a morning game drive, or join the rhino monitoring team for a few hours to learn more about these magnificent endangered creatures. (Both activities are offered at an additional charge.)

Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge lies on the lush green banks of the Great Fish River (no surprises there) - surrounded by flowering euphorbias and aloes (from June to August). Here you can watch majestic kudu come down to the river to drink from the expansive viewing decks or observe the playful Cape otter swimming in the cool waters below from the privacy of your own private plunge pool or deck.

Accommodation

Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge is a magnificent open space with a soaring thatched roof adorned with imposing chandeliers and massive stone chimneys with roaring fires in winter. The décor is a soft settler style, very easy on the eye, with richly woven rugs, yellow wood chests, stylish wooden furniture and antique china, pewter and silver reminiscent of settler life. Within the massive stone-built walls, there are plenty of private areas to read and relax.

Great Fish River Lodge offers 9 luxurious suites stylishly decorated in a pioneering African style with natural palettes of earth-toned fabrics. Each has an elevated wooden veranda, outdoor shower and a private plunge pool overlooking the river below. Floor to ceiling glass doors fold back to invite the bush into the suite. Overhead fans and air-conditioning are offered to help with the summer temperatures. Lovely glass-walled bathrooms offer a ball and claw bath with a view, as well as shower.