Gondwana Game Reserve | Gondwana Game Reserve
Less than a five-hour drive from Cape Town International Airport, along South Africa’s scenic Garden Route, the award winning Gondwana Game Reserve provides the perfect luxury safari getaway for Cape Town visitors. Located on South Africa’s popular Garden Route, the 11 000-hectare (26 000 acre), private, malaria-free game reserve offers a distinctive and authentic free roaming, Big 5 safari. World-class tourist facilities and attractions on Gondwana’s doorstep include championship golf courses like Pinnacle Point, great swimming and surfing beaches and attractive coastal towns.
The spectacular private reserve offers a diverse selection of luxury safari lodge accommodation which ranges from romantic couples Suites at Kwena Lodge to private Kwena Lodge Villas and Lehele Lodge Villas, ideal for small groups and families. Gondwana’s ultra-luxe private safari villa, Ulubisi House, represents the most exclusive accommodation offering on the reserve offering accommodation for around 8 people, and a full staff compliment.
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Privately situated, luxury bedroom with gorgeous mountain views over 2 waterholes. Each suite has a cosy lounge area with a wood burning fireplace, spacious bathrooms, a deep bath, double sinks, a rain shower, separate toilet as well as a shaded deck area
Family Villas is remotely located and Guests are required to self-drive 5-12 minutes drive to and from the Lodge for meals and activities. To include transfers at an additional cost on reserve please contact reservations.
Gondwana has an ultra-luxe lodge which represents the most exclusive accommodation offering on the reserve.
Breathtakingly stylish and sophisticated, yet refreshingly simple, Ulubisi House provides the ideal venue to reconnect with friends and family and to share an exciting safari adventure in the Western Cape’s leading private game reserve.
With 180-degree views of grass plains dotted with game, fynbos-covered rolling hills and the Outeniqua mountain range, Ulubisi House is tucked away in the reserve’s 1000-hectare protected walking area for endangered species.
Sleeping either 6 adults or 4 adults and 4 children, the property comes with a full complement of staff, including its own butler, chef and field guide. Ideal for friends or families seeking peaceful, quality time together, the privacy is only interrupted by the numerous wild visitors that drop in regularly for a drink from the swimming pool.
Family Villas is remotely located and Guests are required to self-drive 5-15 minutes drive to and from the Lodge for meals and activities. To include transfers at an additional cost on reserve please contact reservations.
Each spacious luxury villa offers total privacy to families and groups. The deluxe three bedroom en-suite villas feature an open plan lounge with kitchen and dining room all opening onto a wraparound outdoor deck with magnificent mountain & valley views.
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Cooking Facilities, Electrical Outlets, En Suite Bathroom, Ensuite, Fireplace, Fridge, Fridge/Freezer, Hairdryer, Lounge Area, Lounge, Microwave, Private Lounge / Sitting Area, Safe, Table, Tea / Coffee, Telephone, Television
Each spacious luxury villa offers total privacy to families and groups. The deluxe four bedroom en-suite villas feature an open plan lounge with kitchen and dining room all opening onto a wraparound outdoor deck with magnificent mountain & valley views.
Property Facilities
Accept Credit Cards, Activity Desk, Air conditioner, Baby Sitting, Bar, Barbeque Facilities, Children Friendly, Communal Dining, Conference Centre, Eco Friendly, Guided Tours, Internet Access (Complimentary), Kiddies Club, Malaria Free, Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Spa, Vegetarian
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Bath Towels, Bath, Bed Linen, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, Drinking Water Filtration System, Electrical Outlets, Fireplace, Fridge, Fridge/Freezer, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Verandah
Available Services
24-hour Security, Airport Shuttle (Available), Baby Sitting, Credit Card Facilities, Laundry Service (Available), Private Vehicle (Available)
Activities on Site
Big 5, Bird Watching, Fine Dining, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Gourmet Picnic, Massages, Safaris, Walks (Guided)
Activities Nearby
Adrenaline Activities, Beach, Big 5, Boat Cruises, Boating, Child Friendly Activities, Cultural Tours, Cycling, Deep Sea Fishing, Fishing, Game Drives, General Sightseeing, Golf, Helicopter Rides, Helicopter Scenic Flights, Hiking, Historical Tours, Horse Riding, Hot Air Ballooning, Jet Skis, Marine Adventures, Museums, Quad Biking, Rock Climbing, Sailing, Sea Kayaking, Surfing, Water Skiing, Windsurfing, Wine Tasting
Game Drives are conducted in open Game Vehicles with expert field guides who reveal the free roaming Big 5 in a Cape Fynbos setting – a once in a lifetime experience.
Morning and afternoon safaris are included in your stay on the full board package with gourmet breakfast treats or delicious hors d’oeuvres and sundowners in the afternoons.
For the avid birdwatcher, there is no other area in Africa like the Western Cape that offers such a high level of endemism in such an accessible setting. The province is well known among international and local birders alike for the remarkable array of birds that is found here and nowhere else in the world: a staggering 42 of South Africa’s 53 endemic bird species occur in the Western Cape.
The region offers a diverse range of habitats and is home to approximately 300 species of birds, making it an ideal destination for Garden Route bird watching. The reserve supports healthy populations of sought after endemics such as the Cape Sugarbird, Orange Breasted Sunbird, Protea Seedeater, and Black Harrier.
Gondwana’s landscape comprises of open grass plains and plateaus, wetlands, rolling fynbos, renosterveld hills, riverine and sub-tropical thicket valleys and cliff faces. The array of vegetation types allows for a variety of bird species. Denhams Bustard, Blue Crane, African Fish eagle, Verreaux’s eagle Ostrich, Secretary bird, Jackal Buzzard, African Stone Chat, Cape Grassbird, Malachite Sunbird, Black crowned night heron, and Bokmakierie are all prominent species on the reserve. The close proximity of the coastline and the Southern Capes Great Wetlands allows for species such as the endangered African Black Oyster catcher along with many other sought after pelagic species.
Walks are conducted in the 1200 hectare Protected Endangered Species Area. The entire area is fenced from dangerous wildlife. No children under the age of 12 years old permitted on guided walks with a maximum of 6 persons – excluding guide.
Our Fynbos biome is unique and spectacular to walk through, guests will be introduced to the fascinating plants and their life cycles, as well as endemic birds and animals that reside in the fynbos areas on Gondwana.
The Spa is located at Kwena Lodge and comprises of 2 treatment rooms.
The Spa utilises Africology products. Treatments range from facials, body wraps, waxing, massage, manicures and pedicures.
Kiddies treatments on offer too include facials, massage, manicure and pedicures.
The Junior Ranger Programme is complimentary for guests with children.
Upon arrival, families are informed about the Junior Ranger programme and their ranger will enquire about any special requests, dietary, babysitting or otherwise.
Children receive a fun Ranger’s backpack and cool safari booklet to fill in throughout their stay. During game drives and other activities with their ranger, kids are taught how to identify mammals, birds, Fynbos species, and even stars. They gain a greater understanding of conservation and our precious eco systems.
The younger children’s activities will be based mainly around the lodge to stay closer to parents.
They receive a Junior Ranger certificate upon check-out with an "insta-pic" with their Junior Ranger.
Kwena Lodge has 3 dining area's (2 Indoor and 1 Outdoor) plus a Boma / Deck area.
Guests are treated to African boma breakfasts, scenic veranda lunches, elegant 3 course set menu evening meals, romantic picnics, and scenic sundowner spots as the sun dips behind the mountains.
Our delicious homemade cuisine is served in a variety of locations indoors and out to best enjoy Gondwana’s spectacular setting. Our wine list comprises of fantastic South African wines from the Western Cape area, with food and wine pairings suggested nightly as part of the menu.
Guests are highly recommended to advise of any dietary requirements and/or allergies at the reservations stage.
Children’s menus are provided for lunch and dinner.
Lehele Lodge has one intimate dining area overlooking a beautiful valley and watering hole. The Lodge also has a wrap around deck and a viewing deck for one to dine on on warm mornings and evenings.
Guests are treated to scenic veranda breakfasts and lunches, and elegant 3 course set menu evening meals, romantic picnics and scenic sundowner spots as the sun dips behind the mountains.
Our delicious homemade cuisine is served enjoying the spectacular setting. Our wine list comprises of fantastic South African wines from the Western Cape area, with food and wine pairings suggested nightly as part of the menu.
Guests are highly recommended to advise of any dietary requirements and/or allergies at the reservations stage.
Children’s menus are provided for lunch and dinner.
Your Stay
2 Nights
Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
Tea, Coffee and Soft Drinks Included
Fast Facts
5 Star
Lodge
Spoken Languages: Afrikaans, English, Xhosa
No. Rooms: 39
Special Interests: Adventure, Big 5, Birding, Cycling, Fishing, Flora, Golf, Gourmet, Hiking, History & Culture, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife, Wine
