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EASTERN CAPE, South Africa
Conservation safari in a private wilderness
With just two lodges and three exclusive-use villas, safari activities include morning and afternoon game drives, guided walking safaris, birding and a selection of conservation-related experiences.
Originally established on former farmland, the reserve today forms part of South Africa’s Eastern Cape landscape, where seven of the country’s eight biomes converge. The diverse and undulating terrain encompasses a wide variety of habitats and wildlife, including black and white rhino and cheetah.
The Great Fish River meanders for 30 kilometres through the heart of the reserve. Along its course sits Great Fish River Lodge, while further west lies Ecca Lodge. In prime locations are the exclusive villas: Fort House, Melton Manor and Uplands Homestead.
Renowned for quality guiding, understated luxury and immersive safari experiences, Kwandwe offers a range of activities and accommodation options suited to couples, families and private groups.
In July 2012, Kwandwe was acquired by USA-based investors, the Chouest family. Conservation and community-focused initiatives are an important part of the operation, with the family remaining closely involved and visiting the reserve regularly.
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, South Africa
Rooms: R 17 930 – R 26 180 per person per night
Villas & Ecca Private Vehicle Suite: R 55 900 – R 183 810 per villa/suite per night
FLY: Scheduled flights from Port Elizabeth Airport. A 2km tarred runway is available for private charters.
DRIVE: Approximately 2 hours from Port Elizabeth.
Approximately 30,000 hectares of private wilderness along the Great Fish River.
All ages welcome | Children 12+ years (Great Fish River Lodge)
Big Five game viewing, guided walks and specialist safari experiences across one of South Africa’s largest private reserves.
One of South Africa’s largest privately-owned reserves (over 30,000 ha) where you can be assured of the lowest vehicle density and exceptional wildlife sightings.
Black and white rhino, cheetah, lions, leopard and more, here you view a wide variety of wildlife species and eco-systems in one unique location.
From hands-on wildlife conservation, habitat rehabilitation and community involvement, you too can get involved and make a difference.
From couples & honeymooners to families & groups of friends, there’s something for everyone.
This founding lodge features a classic-contemporary style of simple elegance, positioned high on the banks of the Great Fish River. Recently updated, the colour palette is light and bright, with clean-lined furniture designed to create a calm and welcoming atmosphere. A central bar in the main lounge offers the perfect place to gather at the end of the day.
Each suite is designed to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living, with floor-to-ceiling French doors opening onto river-facing views. All suites feature indoor and outdoor showers, a bath and a private plunge pool.
Set in vegetation overlooking a beautiful valley, Ecca Lodge offers wide-open views across the escarpment below. Expansive wooden viewing decks provide the ideal setting for relaxed lunches and sundowners.
Suites are airy, with décor inspired by the natural tones and textures of the continent. Highlights of the guest areas include the rim-flow lap pool, wine room and cosy private dining room with space for eight.
Each suite features a spacious en-suite bathroom, indoor and outdoor showers, twin hand basins and wraparound wooden decks leading to private plunge pools.
Private Vehicle Suites
The three Private Vehicle Suites are designed for families, accommodating two adults and two children. Each is allocated a private guide and vehicle, allowing for a flexible and personalised safari experience.
Uplands Homestead strikes a balance between refined interiors and a wild setting. The elegant décor, featuring damask linens, antique silver and porcelain, creates a striking contrast with the surrounding bushveld and wildlife. Modern comforts include a swimming pool, gazebo and boma set among rolling lawns framed by sweeping slopes dotted with aloes.
A dedicated chef and villa team create a relaxed, home-style safari experience, while a private guide and tracker lead activities at your own pace. The homestead includes one master suite and two en-suite rooms, ideal for a family of up to six guests.
With sweeping views over the Afromontane forests, Melton Manor is a contemporary frontier farmhouse designed for private safari stays. The welcoming villa features four en-suite bedrooms arranged around a central courtyard and a large swimming pool.
Interiors combine mid-20th-century furniture with modern South African design. The interactive farm-style kitchen invites guests to take part in the culinary experience alongside the personal chef or simply relax while meals are prepared. Ideal for families or groups of up to eight guests.
Situated on a knoll overlooking the open plains of the reserve, Fort House is a sole-use safari villa offering privacy, space and sweeping views across the Great Fish River valley. Features include a heated swimming pool, spa treatment room, wine cellar, guest pantry and a variety of indoor and outdoor dining areas.
Its central yet secluded location allows for easy access to game-viewing areas while remaining well removed from other lodges. Fort House accommodates up to eight guests in two master bedrooms and two twin en-suite bedrooms.
Bookings can be made by contacting the Kwandwe reservations team.
Email: reservations@kwandwe.co.za
Tel: +27 46 603 3400
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am – 5pm. Based at Kwandwe.
The closest airport is Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), with multiple daily flights on Airlink, CemAir, SAA, and FlySafair from Cape Town (1 hour 35 minutes) and Johannesburg (1 hour 40 minutes).
From Port Elizabeth, guests can take a 35-minute scheduled or private charter flight directly to Kwandwe’s private airstrip, featuring a 2 km tarred Category 3 runway suitable for light aircraft and private jets. Helicopter transfers are also available.
Private charters can also be arranged from Cape Town, Johannesburg, or other destinations.
Easy 1 hour 45 minute drive from Port Elizabeth or around 2 hours from East London. Guests may self-drive or request road transfers arranged by Kwandwe.
Amenities
- 30,000 hectares of private Big Five wilderness with low vehicle density.
- A choice of luxury lodges and exclusive-use villas for couples, families and groups.
- Accommodation & Pools:
- Great Fish River Lodge & Ecca Lodge
Spacious en-suite suites with private decks, indoor & outdoor showers, and private plunge pools (a main shared pool is also available at Ecca Lodge). - Private Villas
Spacious multi-bedroom homes, each with its own private pool (all unfenced; Fort House pool is solar heated, others unheated).
- Great Fish River Lodge & Ecca Lodge
- WiFi available at all lodges and private villas.
- Child-friendly accommodation with flexible mealtimes, children’s menus and childminding on request.
- Laundry service included.
- All stays include meals, selected beverages and daily safari activities.
Activities (Included)
- Morning and afternoon game drives in open 4×4 safari vehicles.
- Guided walking safaris (subject to conditions and age limits).
- Birding, fishing (catch-and-release) and boating.
- Child-friendly safari experiences and junior ranger-style activities.
Additional Activities (Extra Cost)
- Hands-on rhino conservation and monitoring experiences and specialist photographic safaris (pre-booking required).
- Spa and wellness treatments.
Kwandwe is committed to biodiversity conservation and rural livelihoods. This is enabled through a sustainable tourism business, which is underpinned by a leading safari experience. In these challenging times, their robust business model together with a dynamic management approach preserves Kwandwe for generations to come.
Kwandwe, unlike any other safari experiences in Classic Portfolio, is privately owned and managed land and wildlife. While this model gives great flexibility, it also comes with great responsibility.
- Paying R1500 per person per night (50% of this rate for children 16 years and younger) Conservation, Community Levy and Reserve Fee. Fees are split between the Rhino Conservation Trust (R375), Ubunye Foundation (R375) and Kwandwe Reserve Land Management (R750).
- Over and above the levy, 35% of the accommodation rate paid by guests is allocated towards Kwandwe’s 5 Pillars of conservation.
Guests can get involved in the 5 Pillars through:
- Grow: Conserving bio-diversity and the ecology of the area. Re-plant spekboom, a wonder plant that is endemic to the Eastern Cape, on game drives and walking safaris and observe flora rehabilitation in action.
- Protect: Safeguarding vulnerable species. Take part in a rhino conservation drive and track the endangered animals on foot. Join a specialist Rhino Conservation Safari (extra cost) and get hands on with DNA sampling, micro-chipping and notching rhinos.
- Engage: Supporting and developing the local community. Visit the Mgcamabele Centre and the Ubunye pre-school located on Kwandwe, and learn more about their community projects in the Eastern Cape.
- Collaborate: Expanding wildlife populations beyond the borders of Kwandwe. Wildlife swaps ensure genetic diversity and translocations support moving animals to other protected areas. Request to be added to the conservation mailing list and keep up to date with planned projects and how to get involved.
- Research: Partnering with academic institutions to conduct biodiversity research. Set up a camera trap and inspect other footage to understand how we use motion detection cameras to survey moments and territories and understand more about certain species.
High-resolution images available for download showing accommodation, surroundings, and activities.
Visit our Image Library where you can download high-res images
OTHER KEY DOCUMENTS:
Great Fish River Lodge – Overview & Layout
Ecca Lodge – Overview & Layout
Fort House – Overview & Layout