Gondwana Game Reserve
Luxury Garden Route safari
Stay in & near Gondwana Game Reserve
Inside-park stays and nearby lodges, sorted by distance.
Inside parkKwena Lodge at Gondwana Game Reserve
Kwena Lodge is Gondwana's original 5-star adults-only safari lodge, set on a malaria-free 11,000-hectare fynbos wilderness between Cape Town and the Garden Route. Inspired by the traditional Khoi huts of the Outeniqua San, the lodge blends bespoke African architecture with breathtaking views of the Outeniqua & Langeberg mountains. Guests stay in 10 thatched Suites or 4 larger Luxury Suites — each 75m² with a fireplace, lounge, deep-bath en-suite, and private patio. Rates are full board, including breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and twice-daily open-vehicle game drives with qualified rangers tracking the Big Five. Beverages and optional activities (private drives, guided fynbos walks, Bush Spa treatments) are charged separately. Kwena is reserved for guests aged 12 and over; families with younger children are accommodated at the child-friendly Lehele Lodge.
Inside parkKwena Lodge Villas at Gondwana Game Reserve
Kwena Lodge Villas are 11 exclusive-use 240m² family villas set on a ridge adjacent to Kwena Lodge, overlooking the plains of Gondwana's 11,000-hectare Big Five reserve. Each villa offers 3 or 4 en-suite bedrooms with king or twin beds, an open-plan double-volume lounge, dining and kitchen, fireplace, Smart TV, and an expansive wraparound deck with BBQ and valley views. Villa stays are full board: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and twice-daily open-vehicle Big Five game drives — all taken at Kwena Lodge, with transfers provided. Beverages and optional activities (private drives, guided fynbos walks, Bush Spa treatments) are charged separately. Reserved for guests 12 and over; rack rates require a minimum of 3 adults and a 2-night stay. Families with younger children are accommodated at Lehele Lodge's child-friendly Lehele Villas.
Inside parkLehele Lodge at Gondwana Game Reserve
Lehele Lodge is Gondwana's family-friendly 5-star boutique lodge and the central hub for children-welcome safari stays on the 11,000-hectare Big Five reserve. The lodge features an infinity pool and firepit, open-plan lounge, library, double-sided wood-burning fireplace, bar, and indoor and outdoor dining areas serving homemade safari cuisine. Families stay at Lehele Villas — 7 exclusive-use villas (350–460m²) located 3–12 minutes from the lodge along a scenic drive through the reserve. Stays are full board, including breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and twice-daily Big Five game drives from the main lodge. Beverages and optional activities (private drives, guided fynbos walks, Spa treatments, Junior Ranger Programme, Bokkie Drive) are charged separately. Children of all ages are welcome; children under 3 are not allowed on scheduled game drives for safety reasons.
Inside parkUlubisi House at Gondwana Game Reserve
Ulubisi House is Gondwana's exclusive-use private villa, reserved for one group only. Three luxury en-suite bedroom suites with king or twin beds sleep up to 6 adults, or 4 adults and 4 children. The all-inclusive rate includes a private chef, butler, professional FGASA ranger with dedicated game-viewing vehicle, two private Big Five game drives per day, and all meals with all local beverages. Guests have exclusive access to a 1,200-hectare walking area for private guided bush walks, plus mountain biking, trail running and the Junior Ranger Programme. The villa features a private pool and Jacuzzi, open-plan lounge and dining leading onto a deck with sweeping reserve views, AC, WiFi and DSTV. Spa treatments and optional activities are charged separately.
Inside parkBlack Rhino House at Gondwana Game Reserve
Black Rhino House is Gondwana's ultra-private bush retreat, tucked into a secluded corner of the 11,000-hectare reserve with dramatic 180-degree views of the Outeniqua Mountains. Reserved for a single group of up to 6 guests, the villa features sleek black interiors, three en-suite bedrooms, a private pool, outdoor dining area, lounge with fireplace and a game-viewing deck. The full-board, all-inclusive rate includes a private field guide with dedicated game-viewing vehicle, a private chef/host for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, two Big Five game drives per day, and all drinks (excluding French champagne and premium wines). A premium specialty coffee maker, fynbos guided walk, Junior Ranger experience with custom activity book, WiFi and DSTV are included; spa treatments are not included. Ideal for families or small groups seeking absolute seclusion.
Manyoni Game Reserve
Manyoni Private Game Reserve is one of the largest privately-owned reserves in Kwazulu-Natal. This 23,000-hectare reserve is the product of 17 dedicated landowners who dropped their fences in 2004 to create one contiguous protected area for our wildlife. The selection of the area as a potential release site for the WWF Black Rhino Range Expansion Project was a major driving factor in the establishment of Manyoni. In 2005, the newly established reserve was confirmed as a release site by the WWF and a founder population of black rhino were released into their new home.