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. Kwandwe is a member of The Long Run and 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 25 600 – R 183 810 per villa/suite per night
FLY: Daily scheduled flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg to Gqeberha / Port Elizabeth Airport (PLZ) and East London Airport (ELS). Kwandwe is a 30-minute flight from PLZ. Private charters can be arranged from anywhere in Southern Africa via Kwandwe’s private airstrip.
DRIVE: Approximately 2 hours from Gqeberha / Port Elizabeth Airport (PLZ) and 2.5 hours from East London Airport (ELS). Self-drive via the R67 is recommended (not the R350). Road transfers are available from PLZ. Self-drive access is also possible via the scenic Garden Route.
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), with just two lodges and three villas across the whole property.
Renowned for its exceptional biodiversity, where diverse ecosystems and biomes support an abundance of wildlife, including the Big Five, cheetahs, endangered rhinos, and over 300 bird species.
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.
Set high on the lush, forested banks of the Great Fish River, this founding lodge enjoys sweeping views across the valley below. Designed to make the most of its setting, expansive decks and shared spaces invite both quiet moments and relaxed gatherings, with the central bar in the main lounge a natural place to come together at the end of the day. The lodge has a classic-contemporary feel, with a light, understated palette and clean-lined furnishings that create a calm, welcoming atmosphere.
Nine spacious suites are positioned along the riverbank, each offering a high degree of privacy. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open onto uninterrupted views, creating an easy flow between indoor and outdoor living. Each suite features an en-suite bathroom with a bath, indoor and outdoor showers, and a private deck with a plunge pool overlooking the river - a quiet, secluded space to unwind between game drives.
Set within indigenous vegetation overlooking a sweeping valley, Ecca Lodge enjoys uninterrupted views across the escarpment below. Expansive wooden decks offer the perfect setting for long, unhurried lunches and evening sundowners. The lodge’s shared spaces include a rim-flow lap pool, a well-appointed wine room, and an intimate private dining area for up to eight guests.
The suites are generous and refined, with interiors that draw on the natural tones and textures of the surrounding landscape. Each features a spacious en-suite bathroom with twin hand basins, indoor and outdoor showers, and wraparound wooden decks leading to a private plunge pool.
Private Vehicle Suites: The three Private Vehicle Suites are well suited to families, accommodating two adults and two children, as well as couples seeking additional space and privacy. Each includes a dedicated guide and private safari vehicle, allowing for a more flexible and personalised experience in the reserve.
Exclusive Use: Ecca Lodge is also available on an exclusive-use basis, offering complete privacy, a dedicated team, and a fully tailored safari experience - ideal for families or small groups seeking a more intimate stay.
Antique pieces sit alongside patterned fabrics and soft velvet upholstery, giving this traditional farmhouse a lighter, more current feel. Rolling lawns are framed by sweeping slopes dotted with aloes, with a shaded pergola beside the pool, a boma and a verandah for sundowners.
A dedicated chef and villa team keep the days unhurried, with afternoon tea served outdoors between drives and long, relaxed dinners that can carry on into the evening in the lounge. A private guide and tracker lead activities on your schedule. The house has one master suite and two en-suite rooms, ideal for a family or group of up to six.
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.
Elevated above the open plains of the reserve, Fort House is an exclusive-use villa for up to eight guests, with uninterrupted views across the Great Fish River valley. It sits centrally, close to prime wildlife areas yet well removed from the other lodges and villas. Two master bedrooms and two further en-suite bedrooms suit families or small groups travelling together.
Inside, solid wooden floors and heavy doors give the house its character, while bold, richly coloured fabrics bring warmth to otherwise classic interiors. The house centres on a courtyard and solar-heated pool, with an interactive kitchen, spa treatment room, wine cellar and a choice of lounging and dining spaces, including the boma and firepit. A dedicated team, private guide and vehicle allow a fully tailored stay, and the veranda overlooks a frequently visited waterhole, with game viewing straight from the house.
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.
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 30 to 40-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.
Guests arriving at East London (ELS) can take a 40-minute charter or helicopter transfer to Kwandwe.
Private charters can also be arranged from Cape Town, Johannesburg, or other destinations.
Easy 2 hour drive from Port Elizabeth or around 2.5 hours from East London. Guests may self-drive or request road transfers arranged by Kwandwe.
Amenities
Activities (Included)
Additional Activities (Extra Cost)

Kwandwe is 30,000 hectares of privately owned and managed land in the Eastern Cape. Over the past three decades, former livestock farms here have been returned to wildlife. It is a member of The Long Run, a global network of nature-based tourism businesses working to conserve biodiversity and support local communities.
Taking part
Guests can join the work that goes on across the reserve:
For more information: Kwandwe Impact Report

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