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Founders Lodge – the birthplace of Eastern Cape conservation - offers safaris that restore and enrich your soul. Set atop a hill with panoramic views of the natural surrounds, the Lodge features a boma, gym, steam room and two swimming pools. It is the platform from which you will reconnect with nature and your African roots and experience our Mantra: ‘Man and Nature Together is Sustainable’ - first hand.
The Lodge is more than just a safari destination. It is an embodiment of the lasting legacy of which founder, Adrian Gardiner, dreamt. It is about preserving and nurturing, as well as conservation of our wildlife and nature for future generations.
Founders Lodge game reserve is set on the highest point overlooking the immense wildlife reserve with its unique biomes and abundance of wildlife, fauna and flora. It’s rather like a beautifully appointed eagle’s eyrie, from where you view the valley and waterhole below.
Today, the experience gatherers and eco adventurers travel from far afield to escape, enjoy and experience the wilds of this enchanted part of South Africa. To learn about the remarkable rewilding that occurred here all those years ago…. It is so powerful, so enchanting that you will be transported to a time of serenity and authenticity. Back to the essence of nature.
Exuding old-world charm, the Master Suite is situated in the original colonial manor house. Spacious and comfortable, these rooms open up onto a private veranda to allow you to feel the true essence of the nature surrounding you.
For families, the Master Suite can be booked together with the Heritage Room, both situated in the manor house section of the lodge. Two spacious suites are adjoined by a central passage, providing families of four more privacy and seclusion.
Needing some pampering whilst on safari? Founders Lodge offers in-room treatments that promise to leave you rejuvenated and restored by our experienced mobile therapist.
The Heritage Room is perfect for families, with the Master Suite, next door just up the corridor. Situated in the original colonial manor house lets you feel a part of history, sophistically appointed with classic décor and furniture and opening up onto the private veranda.
Needing some pampering whilst on safari? Founders Lodge offers in-room treatments that promise to leave you rejuvenated and restored by our experienced mobile therapist.
Founders Lodge has 4 Contemporary Suites which are more modern than the Heritage Suite, with a minimalist aesthetic. The Contemporary Suites are accessible through the indigenous garden courtyard, and each features a private veranda overlooking cliffs, valleys and sprawling bushveld of the Founders Reserve.
Each spacious suite has a seating area, work desk, a spacious full en-suite bathroom, and a private veranda furnished with armchairs and a small dining table for two.
Needing some pampering whilst on safari? Founders Lodge offers in-room treatments that promise to leave you rejuvenated and restored by our experienced mobile therapist.
This plush, private pod is designed as an ideal setting for celebratory getaways for two. Perched above the central lodge, the suite offers unobstructed views of the valley and has its own private entrance
Needing some pampering whilst on safari? Founders Lodge offers in-room treatments that promise to leave you rejuvenated and restored by our experienced mobile therapist.
When Adrian Gardiner retired his private railway carriage on which he and his family had enjoyed many an adventurous journey across South Africa, it was his intention to emulate the romance of a bygone era with modern touches, such as a pool, boma and outdoor deck at Mantis Founder’s Lodge.
This lovingly restored 5-berth Railway Carriage, stationed at a siding atop a hill, overlooking a magnificent valley, offers new, exclusive use accommodation. The charming Carriage features, an expansive outdoor deck, private swimming pool, dining area and boma.
The Carriage has three compartments: a main double sleeper as well as a two berth and a single compartment. There’s also period bathroom facilities onboard and a stunning lounge and dining area. The outdoor deck and boma with separate bathroom facilities completes the Founders Railway Carriage.
Needing some pampering whilst on safari? Founders Lodge offers in-room treatments that promise to leave you rejuvenated and restored by our experienced mobile therapist.
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Bar, Eco Friendly, Gym, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Library, Malaria Free, Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, TV Room
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Bath, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Fan, Hair Dryer, Heater, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Lounge Area, Mini Bar, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Verandah
Available Services
Airport Shuttle (Available), Babysitting Service, Room Service
Activities on Site
Big 5, Bird Watching, Fine Dining, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Massages, Rhino Tracking, Safaris, Walks (Guided), Wildlife Tours
Activities Nearby
Big 5, Bird Watching, Child Friendly Activities, Cultural Tours, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, General Sightseeing, Golf, Helicopter Rides, Hiking, Historical Tours, Horse Riding, Natural History Tours, Safaris, Walks (Guided), Walks (Self Guided), Wildlife Tours
A “must-do” for any visitor to South Africa, game drives provide the perfect opportunity to observe African wildlife in their natural habitat. There are not many places in the world such as this where one is treated to such a variety of animal and birdlife, each one beautiful, unique and perfectly adapted to its environment.
Founders Lodge offers daily game drives to spot Africa’s Big 5 (elephant, lion, Cape buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros) as well as 5 of the 7 biomes of South Africa, which allows for a large concentration and variety of wildlife.
Daily game drives with professional guides provide countless sightings of diurnal (daytime) animals, while the more elusive nocturnal animals are discovered during the early evening drives. Sundowner drinks at sunset and coffee/tea at sunrise add an extra special touch.
Qualified guides provide the opportunity for guests to experience the excitement of tracking, as well as identifying birds, insects and plants. These walks are restricted to the 400 hectare Founders Reserve, which is free of predators and dangerous animals, to allow for more freedom of movement.
Conservation of animals and the environment is pivotal at all Mantis Collection properties. Founders Lodge is no different. It is the safe house for a crash of white rhinos. You are welcome to help with the supplementary feeding of the rhino and assist to record and monitor the health and wellbeing of these endangered species. It’s a wonderful opportunity to make a difference while learning more about these magnificent creatures.
Mantis Founders Lodge is the ideal base for a family holiday with the Founders Lodge Kids Conservation Warriors programme, which includes a Bear Grylls Survival Academy experience, taking young survivors on a journey of dynamic self-rescue to find out if they have what it takes to survive the wild!
Families can enjoy tranquility away from the city and be reminded of the pristine beauty of the natural world, right in the heart of a wildlife concession. This is an unforgettable experience and with bespoke activities tailored to each guest, no holiday is the same.
Bear Grylls, well-known adventurer and television personality, shares Mantis’ passion for education, evidenced by our newly launched Bear Grylls Survival Academy experience at Founders Lodge.
This dynamic self-rescue activity invites young adventurers to learn some of Bear’s key survival techniques before putting them to the test!
In just two hours, the aspiring survivors will learn just what it takes to survive in the wild and they will return to the lodge with an experience they won’t soon forget!
With the art of tracking perhaps being the oldest science, it innately captures our imagination, fuels our curiosity and inspires the urge to interpret the stories left in the sand.
Our guests are invited to join our expert Guides to learn about the plethora of tracks and signs that our wildlife leave behind. Holding evidence of signs from the smallest insect to our largest animals and everything in between, the land is our bush-newspaper where we can interpret the daily bush news of what’s been happening while nobody was looking.
Introducing the Wildlife Photography Haven at Founders Lodge by Mantis.
Elevate your wildlife photography experience to new heights at Founders Lodge by Mantis, the iconic birthplace of conservation in the Eastern Cape! We're thrilled to announce the grand unveiling of our latest gem—a sunken photographic hide that promises to redefine your journey through the lens.
As the world's fascination with wildlife photography and filmmaking soars, Founders Lodge is committed to delivering unparalleled experiences to guests who crave capturing the raw beauty of the natural world. Our brand-new photographic hide caters to the modern explorer who always carries a camera, turning every moment into a masterpiece and sharing stunning visuals with the global community.
Immerse yourself in the heart of our reserve, accessed through a 35-meter underground tunnel, emerging at a watering hole surrounded by wildlife, including rhino, giraffe, zebra, sable, and a myriad of bird species. This exclusive attraction is rapidly becoming the go-to spot for both professional and amateur photographers alike.
Designed by Nelis Wolmarans, a renowned wildlife photographer, our hide embodies the essence of sustainable tourism, culture, and conservation. Nestled in the heart of the Eastern Cape's diverse ecosystems, it promises an intimate and awe-inspiring experience for our cherished guests.
When Adrian Gardiner retired his private railway carriage on which he and his family had enjoyed many an adventurous journey across South Africa, it was his intention to emulate the romance of a bygone era with modern touches, such as a pool, boma and outdoor deck at Mantis Founder’s Lodge.
This lovingly restored 5-berth Railway Carriage, stationed at a siding atop a hill, overlooking a magnificent valley, offers new, exclusive use accommodation. The charming Carriage features, an expansive outdoor deck, private swimming pool, dining area and boma.
Staying on the Carriage means you will have dedicated staff to set the pace of your holiday – whether that’s early morning nature walks, leisurely picnic brunches, lounging by the pool or enjoying identifying the constellations and stars sprinkled across the late-night sky.
The Carriage has three compartments: a main double sleeper as well as a two berth and a single compartment. There’s also a period bathroom facilities onboard and a stunning lounge and dining area. The outdoor deck and boma with separate bathroom facilities completes the Founders Railway Carriage.
The new Founders Railway Carriage is booked on an exclusive use basis for friends or family and accommodates a maximum of 5 guests. Minimum of 2-nights required when booking the Founders Railway Carriage. Children are accommodated in their own berth onboard the Carriage.
Guests can enjoy Big Five game drives on the Shamwari Game Reserve, bird watching and guided nature walks as daily activities.
Founders Lodge is proud to host a very special experience for those guests wishing to get involved in a unique Rhino Conservation Experience which allows you to take part in an unforgettable, hands-on safari experience, focused on Rhino Conservation in South Africa. Be a part of history and join us on the next Mantis Rhino Conservation Experience held at Mantis Founders Lodge.
Founders dining experiences
Guests are treated to delicious traditional South African fare with a modern gourmet twist. Our chef makes use of fresh seasonal ingredients and menus are changed regularly. Meals are served outside as often as possible in the boma or at our bush picnic venue. For those days when a more comfortable environment is required, meals are either served in the dining room or on the dining terrace.
