Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
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. The wide open spaces and tranquil scenery belie the area's turbulent history, and relics of the area's rich historical and cultural legacy can be found both on the reserve and nearby. 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.
A conservation victory, Kwandwe is home to thousands of animals, including lion, black and white rhino, buffalo, elephant and cheetah, as well as Africa’s famous Big Five. Meaning “Place of the Blue Crane” in Xhosa, Kwandwe is a haven for a population of these rare, highly endangered birds (South Africa’s national bird). The Reserve also provides sanctuary for other threatened species, such as the Knysna woodpecker, Cape grysbok, black wildebeest, crowned eagle and black-footed cat. A biological melting pot of various vegetation types, the Reserve boasts a spectacular display of winter flowering aloes from June to August. Kwandwe flanks both the north and south banks of the Great Fish River, which meanders for 30 km (19 miles) through this pristine, private wilderness.
Kwandwe - Big Five wilderness
- Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge - Set along the banks of the river boasting uninterrupted wilderness vistas
- Kwandwe Ecca Lodge- Funky, yet intimate, situated on rolling slopes overlooking the lush valley
- Kwandwe Uplands Homestead - A gracious homestead situated in a remote and tranquil valley
- Kwandwe Melton Manor - A sole-use safari villa with sweeping views of the afromontane forests
-
Guest Stories
“What we liked most about the game drives - and game walk - is that it wasn't all about the Big Five. It was great to be somewhere where some of the smaller animals get an equal share of the attention. I had never seen aardwolf, bat-eared foxes or even porcupine before I came to Kwandwe, for instance! It wasn't the first time we used &Beyond and it sure won't be the last time. Regards, Dimitri and Tanja”
Dimitri Lanssens -
&Beyond Safari Shop
Whether it's practical, comfortable gear for an upcoming safari or a special souvenir from Africa, our Safari Shop can help find what you're looking for. It stocks a range of quality outdoor clothing and accessories which you can choose from online, or email us for any of the goodies you'd find in a Safari Shop at our lodges.
Downloadable Reserve Info
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve awarded by the Harpers Abroad Magazine for its "fantastic 'funky farmhouse' food, pretty ba... Read More
