Gondwana Game Reserve provides the perfect safari break for Cape Town visitors. Located on South Africa’s popular Garden Route four hours’ drive from Cape Town or 45 mins from George Airport, the 11 000-hectare (26 000 acre), private, malaria-free game reserve offers a distinctive and luxurious free roaming, Big Five safari. Enjoy exhilarating game drives in a dramatic mountain and Fynbos landscape spotting elephant, buffalo, eland, lion and hippo among may other species.
Deluxe accommodation is offered in Kwena Lodge, a modern and luxurious twist on the traditional Khoi-San dwelling. 14 open plan suites are nestled into the spectacular surrounds with 180-degree views, fire places and luxurious bathrooms. Family or group accommodation is ideally provided in spacious Lehele villas which are privately situated with awe-inspiring views from your expansive deck.
World-class tourist facilities and attractions on Gondwana’s doorstep include championship golf courses such as Pinnacle Point, Fancourt and Oubaai, great swimming and surfing beaches and the attractive coastal towns of Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. This exclusive reserve offers guests attentive service, superb cuisine, inspiring interiors, expert game rangers, and an array of activities including game drives, spa treatments, conservation activities and the popular Junior Ranger program.
World-class tourist facilities and attractions on Gondwana’s doorstep include championship golf courses such as Pinnacle Point, Fancourt and Oubaai, great swimming and surfing beaches and the attractive coastal towns of Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. This exclusive reserve offers guests attentive service, superb cuisine, inspiring interiors, expert game rangers, and an array of activities including game drives, spa treatments, conservation activities and the popular Junior Ranger program.
Guests at Gondwana are offered an assortment of inclusive activities, from game drives and fynbos guided walks in a fenced 1000-hectare protected area. Family itineraries include a junior ranger programme, which sees kids enjoying a few hours out with their own personal rangers and experiencing what it is like to learn and live on a wildlife reserve. The “little rangers” receive Gondwana backpacks complete with custom activity book and rangers completion badge.
Here is some important information to help you pack to make your exciting stay that much more comfortable.
GENERAL
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Binoculars
- Camera
CLOTHING
Bring a little of everything for hot and cold as the reserve is near to the sea and the ocean can blow in quick changing weather – prepare for warm, sunny days and cool evenings/mornings depending on time of year.
- Warm jacket and jerseys, layers for night time in open game viewers
- Long sleeves and Pants
- Short sleeves and Shorts
- Natural coloured clothing (white clothing is not ideal for game drives –
most visible to animals)
- Closed toe walking shoes – terrain is uneven and Fynbos can be scratchy
- High heels with narrow heel do not do well in the bush, Flip flops fine
for around room
- Bathing suit
SUMMER
Month : November – February
Avg Temp : 20.3C
Low Temp : 10C
High Temp : 33.7C
AUTUMN
Month : March - May
Avg Temp : 17.9C
Low Temp : 7C
High temp: 31.9C
WINTER
Month : June - August
Avg Temp : 13.9C
Low Temp : 7.5C
High Temp : 27.7C
SPRING
Month : September – October
Avg Temp : 15.9C
Low Temp : 7.9C
High temp : 31.9C
Kwena Lodge offers guests 14 stand-alone bedrooms designed with a modern and luxurious twist on the traditional Khoi-San “hut”. Each romantic open plan suite is nestled into its spectacular surrounds with 180-degree views, sky lights for star gazing, wood burning fireplaces and deep baths to keep you warm upon return from an evening game drive. Lodge facilities include a chic bar and lounge area, infinity pool, multiple indoor and outdoor dining venues, bush spa, reception and curio shop.
Accommodation at Gondwana also includes deluxe Lehele Lodge Villas and Fynbos Villas, which offer total privacy and spaciousness to families and groups. The deluxe 3 and 4 bedroom villas feature an open plan lounge with kitchen and dining room all opening onto a wraparound deck with magnificent valley and mountain views. Numerous packages to suit your family’s needs and budget are on offer including fully inclusive of all your meals and game drives or a half board package including 2 meals and 1 game drive daily.
The uber-luxe Ulubisi House is Gondwana’s most exclusive offering with your own chef, butler and field guide for the ideal safari retreat to reconnect with friends and family.
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.
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.
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 15– 30-minutes drive to and from the Lodge for meals and activities. To include transfers at an additional cost on reserve please contact reservations.
Family Villas is remotely located and Guests are required to self-drive 15– 30-minutes drive to and from the Lodge for meals and activities. To include transfers at an additional cost on reserve please contact reservations.
Exclusive-use, luxuriously spacious and stylish African villa sleeping 6 adults or 4 adults and 4 children. Three en-suite luxury suites, open-plan lounge and dining area, pool and jacuzzi with extensive deck area. Own field guide, chef and butler.
If a cancellation is made 31 days or more prior to arrival – 15% of the total value of the booking will be be charged as an administration cancellation fee.
If a cancellation is made 30 days or less prior to arrival, full cancellation fees apply.
To secure a booking a 100% deposit needs to be made within 3 days from the time of booking.
DIRECTIONS TO GONDWANA FROM CAPE TOWN
Distance: approximately 380kms, 4 hours
Exit the city onto the N2 highway
Travel on the N2 highway towards George / Mossel Bay – you will be on the N2 for the majority of the trip
Take a left turn at ( R327) the Herbertsdale / Mossdustria road just before the Petroport and Engen One-Stop. NOTE – Do not turn at the first Herbertsdale turn off the N2, wait until R327!!
Travel on this road for 14.5kms – cross over the railway line and stay on the road
Turn Right at the Gondwana Game Reserve sign (large brown tourism sign)
Go over the cattle grid and keep RIGHT at the fork in the dirt road
The Gondwana entrance gate will be on this road (3.2km from fork)
Check in with security who will direct you to Kwena Lodge
DIRECTIONS TO GONDWANA FROM GEORGE AIRPORT
Distance: approximately 60kms, 45 minutes
Take a right out of the airport exit
Follow this road past the airport to the Mossel Bay ramp. Turn right onto the N2 highway heading to Mossel Bay
Travel on the N2 approximately 40 kilometres past Mossel Bay towards Cape Town (do not get off at the Mossel Bay exits)
The N2 will wrap you around a detour of Mossel Bay and head you past the Engen and Total garages on your left and right respectively
Shortly after the Total Garage turn right at the HERBERTSDALE (R327) turn, there is a turning lane
Travel on this tar road for 14.5kms – cross over the railway line and stay on the road
Turn Right at the Gondwana Game Reserve sign (large brown tourism sign)
Go over the cattle grid onto dirt road. Keep RIGHT at the fork in the road
The Gondwana entrance gate will be on this road (3.2km from fork)
Check in with security who will direct you to Kwena Lodge
