Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge, is perched high up on the banks of the Great Fish River. In the Eastern Cape, South Africa. A tranquil and timeless lodge. This lodge features a classic-contemporary style of simple elegance. At Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge, the vastness of this wild continent is truly all around you. Relax by your private plunge pool on your private thatched terrace with unmatched views over the sweeping landscape beyond. After days spent on safari, unwind in the supreme comfort of your king-sized bed with a star-filled view.
Watch majestic kudu meander down to the river from the Lodge’s expansive viewing decks. Or observe playful Cape clawless otters swimming in the cool waters below from the comfort of your private balcony. Curl up in the library, and enjoy delicious African-inspired meals in the candlelit dining room or in the boma.
Made up of 9 x spacious suites, designed to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living. Each suite has floor to ceiling French doors allowing the sunlight to stream into the chalets, overlooking the Fish River. Pewter and glass add an effortless yet understated glamour to the furnishings. While artifacts such as ostrich eggshells, hides and horns create subtle points of interest and relevance to the lodge’s surrounds. There is an indoor and outdoor shower as well as a bath. Plus a private plunge pool perfect for unwinding in the privacy of your own suite.
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge bedroomYou own private swimming pool
Activities ↓
At Kwandwe, the following activities are included in the rates: Morning and afternoon game drives in open safari vehicle, Big game walking safaris, Guided bush walks, Fishing, Visits to the Mgcamabele Community Centre (subject to availability) Dining experiences on the reserve.
Game Drives
All guests at Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge can enjoy twice daily game drives. Explore the natural splendor of Kwandwe in an open 4×4 safari vehicle. On both early morning and late afternoon / evening game drives. An armed ranger and tracker team share their extensive knowledge of the bush with you. As you track the Big Five, as well as a variety of other wildlife.
Morning drives begin as dawn breaks over the Great Fish River. Providing the opportunity to see predators winding up their nocturnal hunts and settling in for the day. Many animals take advantage of the cool morning hours to graze before the heat of the day. In the late afternoon wildlife can often be spotted coming down to the river to drink. Night drives produces some unusual sightings. Including aardvark, aardwolf, bat-eared fox and porcupine.
Cheetah on the run
Walking Safaris
There’s nothing quite like experiencing the bush on foot with armed ranger and tracker team by your side. Set out to look for big game (white rhino, black rhino, elephant and buffalo) for the ultimate thrill. Or alternatively, immerse yourself in the dense euphorbia (succulents). Enjoy the fascinating environments up close, with no engine to distract you. Walks usually last from 3 to 4 hours and depart in the cooler early mornings.
Fishing Safari
Kwandwe offers a variety of catch-and-release fishing options. Either in still water or in the Great Fish River. Try your hand at catching Large Mouth Bass on artificial lures or fly rod in the reserve’s largest dam. Coarse (bait) fishing can also be tried in either the Great Fish River or one of the other large dams. To target Yellowfish, Carp, Sharp tooth Catfish and more. A fun activity for children as well as for adults.
Fishing Safari
Private Guide and Vehicle
Book a dedicated ranger and private vehicle for a completely flexible, specialist safari. This ensures a private game viewing experience throughout your stay. Days are entirely up to you and mix and match chosen activities with specialist experiences and down time. Days run from 12 pm to 12 pm. Private guides and vehicles must be booked for the duration of stay. A private guide and vehicle are already included for villa and Lodge Family Suite stays.
Private Photographic Safari
The photographic guide advises guests of appropriate camera settings at different scenarios. Providing compositional ideas and to answer any questions relating to photography. Alternatively simply sit back and enjoy the connected experience of your safari. While your specialist guide takes the pictures for you. Includes edited photographs in electronic format along with a complimentary Kwandwe digital photo book.
Private Birding Safari
Spend as much time as you like looking for those elusive specials. And add to your knowledge of South Africa’s bird life. Your specialist guide has detailed knowledge of where, when and how to find what bird you are after. The guides have intimate knowledge of Kwandwe’s 315 recorded species of bird.
Pale Chanting Goshawk
Specialist Safaris
A variety of specialist safaris offer you a more unique experience. Founded on Kwandwe’s ethos of conservation in action.
Rhino Monitoring Drive
Spend 3 to 4 hours tracking rhino with a specialist ranger and tracker team. Learn about the habits of this threatened species. The issue of rhino poaching as well as Kwandwe’s own conservation efforts. The experience ends with refreshments at a scenic spot in the bush. All ages are welcome.
Rhino Conservation Safari
The opportunity to participate in Kwandwe’s exciting rhino darting and notching program is a unique activity. Under the supervision of experts, the rhino is darted. In order to plant microchips into the horns and perform ear notching for future identification. This is an essential task to ensure the preservation of this endangered species. The procedure is always subject to the availability of the wildlife management team. As well as the availability of rhinos that need to be notched for conservation purposes. Not suitable for children under 16 years of age.
Rhino Conservation
Giving Back – The impact of your stay at Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge
Kwandwe Ecca Lodge and Great Fish River Lodge are committed to biodiversity conservation and rural livelihoods. This is enabled through a sustainable tourism business, which is underpinned by a leading safari experience. Their robust business model together with a dynamic management approach preserves Kwandwe for generations to come.
Your stay also supports the direct employment of over 200 people who work and live on Kwandwe with their families. Funds raised are equally split between reserve conservation and community development.
If you would like to do more, join in a variety of activities. Get to know the people, and participate in some the vital conservation work. Giving back to the community which makes the Kwandwe experience possible.
Kwandwe supports The Mgcamabele Community Centre with it’s creche and pre-school. Plus the Ubunye Foundation is the social development arm. Established in 2002, the Foundation is an independent, non-profit, charitable trust. That currently invests in the development of nine rural communities. Two of which are located in the Kwandwe reserve. Get involved by donating items to the Foundation, joining in activities and by giving financial donations.
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge Wellness on Safari
Spa Treatments
A variety of wellness treatments are available to be enjoyed in the privacy of your suite.
Keeping fit
Whilst there are no gym facilities on the reserve, there are plenty of ways to keep fit during your stay. Embark on a walking safari with one of the experienced guides. And stretch your legs whilst learning about the smaller flora and fauna of the reserve. Or, choose to track big game and raise your heart rate in more ways than one!
The airstrip also provides an excellent running track. Fenced and perfectly tarmacked. One of our guides will accompany you to the ‘track’ while you get your laps in.
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge Location and Access
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge is located in the Eastern Cape. The nearest national airport is in Gqeberha which is 160 km (100 miles) from the reserve. There are daily scheduled flights from both Cape Town and Johannesburg international airports to Gqeberha. From there, it is 2 hours by road to Kwandwe Private Game Reserve. Or a short helicopter flight. The reserve also has a private airstrip for charter flights.
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge Accommodation Rates
Per person per night sharing
High Season: 16th January – 30th April 2024
R 20 440
Savings Season: 1st May – 30th September 2024
R 15 200
Shoulder Season: 1st October 2024 – 15th January 2025
R 22 100
Children age 12 years+ are welcome and pay the adult rate. Single supplement: 40%
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge Rates include
Accommodation as specified (exclusive-use of the villas), Twice daily game drives, Nature walks accompanied by an armed ranger, Big game walking experience. (tracking white rhino, black rhino, elephant and buffalo on foot. Accompanied by an armed specialist ranger and tracker team. Subject to availability), 3 meals daily, A selection of South African house and sparkling wines, local & premium brand spirits, beers, Soft drinks, teas & coffees, Refreshments on game drives, Laundry, emergency medical evacuation insurance, VAT, Transfers to & from the reserve’s airstrip, Complimentary child-minding (at the villas).
Rates exclude
Community & Conservation levy, In-room massage treatments, Telephone calls, Safari shop purchases, Gratuities, All items of a personal nature, Imported champagne, select wines, cigars Additional specialized safari activities not mentioned above.
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge Accommodation Special Offers
Safari Classic Combo
Save 25% on these combination offers: Combine any of the Kwandwe lodges with a stay at either La Clé des Montagnes (in Franschhoek, Cape Winelands). The discount applies when booking two or three properties and is valid as follows: Between 15th January – 30th April 2024: A minimum stay of 4 nights at each place. Between 1st May – 30 September 2024: A minimum stay of 3 nights at each place.
Kwandwe Long Stay Special Offer
Connect to your journey in more soulful ways by staying longer. Allow yourself the time and space to soak up the natural beauty of the untamed wilderness.
Long Stay Discounts
4 or 5 nights
10%
6 or 7 nights
15%
8 nights or longer
25%
Valid from 1st May – 30th September 2024 Applicable to all lodge and villa stays
Special Occasions ↓
Celebrate at Kwandwe and let us craft an event that is original and creative. And that will provide memories to last a lifetime. Whether it’s a cherished celebration for two or a festive affair for 52, special occasions abound at Kwandwe. Enjoy meaningful experiences and captivating moments within the African wilderness. With a choice of locations and settings. From romantic delights; to meaningful conservation efforts.
Weddings
Inspired by the pristine surrounds and composed around Kwandwe’s ethos of ‘connected experiences’. Weddings on the reserve are highly personalized ceremonies. At Great Fish River Lodge, a purposefully designed boma inspired by a traditional open-air corral. It can host up to 80 guests for star lit celebrations and parties. Out on the reserve sandy river banks, escarpment plateaus, and open kopjes. Providing a choice of magical wilderness settings for smaller gatherings. Multi day celebrations can feature a diverse array of safari experiences and get-togethers. Including game drives, walking safaris, harvest table lunches, spa treatments, and fishing.
Proposals
Getting engaged is one of the most memorable experiences of your life with 54,000 acres of private wilderness. The landscape at Kwandwe offers a multitude of options to get down on one knee. From pledging your love at sunset after an afternoon game drive. To dining under the vast night sky by candlelight, the options are endless. Keep the romance going with breakfasts in the bush. And Locally made gin tastings, couples spa treatments, or quiet moments by the pool.
Family gatherings
With many families scattered across the globe, it is important to get together and reconnect once in a while. Kwandwe’s lodges, villas and camp accommodate 60 people in total. And are located close enough for larger parties to all feel part of the action. Explore the natural splendor of Kwandwe on early morning and late afternoon game drives in an open vehicle. Experience the thrill of big game walking, or select specialist safari experiences, tailored to you. How you spend your time at Kwandwe is entirely up to you…
Honeymoon Offer
Honeymooners save 50% on accommodation for one partner at Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge (min 4 night stay).
Includes: A romantic arrival box filled with pampering treats, Romantic turndown with sparkling wine, An in-room couples wellness treatment voucher.
*These special offers are applicable to the Lodges or Villas
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