Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Pristine wilderness delights the imagination, so many miles of open landscape stirring the soul and exciting the senses. Tucked into the folds of rolling mountains, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve celebrates the bounty of the wild and the charm of its wildlife. We love how its four exquisite lodges are carefully spaced so everyone feels like they’re at home in a private safari playground.
Boutique luxury in the wild
It’s these lodges that make Kwandwe really stand out. They’re perched over the bushveld, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows offering endless vistas. We never wanted to close the curtains as the first flickers of sunrise cast the landscape in unforgettable tones.
Each lodge has its own design and one of them offers some of our favourite safari accommodation for large families and groups. We can’t get enough of how the Ecca Lodge can feel like a city penthouse while blending naturally with the wilderness.
A beautiful safari program
Activities are included in the rates, with morning and afternoon game drives complemented by interpretative bush walks. Expect to see an exciting sweep of animals including big cats on the prowl.
For a real adventure, swap out an afternoon drive for a special animal tracking walk. With armed rangers and local trackers, you’ll enjoy some magnificent encounters with Africa’s giants. And they’re much bigger when you’re not in a vehicle.
We’ve also been impressed by Kwandwe’s excellent rhino conservation initiative. The Save the Rhino Drive costs extra but it’s a fabulous experience if you’ve got a keen interest in these endangered giants.
Award-winning guiding
Kwandwe’s guides never fail to amaze us. We remember spending an hour staring into the bushes from the lodge, unable to see any animals. Two guides knocked on our door and pointed out a cheetah stalking a springbok herd amongst the greenery. On another occasion, they extended the game drive as they sensed that two white rhinos were looking to mate.
Mix the expert guiding with the quality of the lodges and Kwandwe is an unforgettable destination. It’s one of the more expensive private reserves in the Eastern Cape but you’ll love the privacy and intimacy this affords.
