PROPERTY HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Elegant, intimate and contemporary, the Great Fish River Lodge boasts plush furnishings and majestic views of the reserve. Perched along the lush green banks of its namesake, Great Fish River Lodge has been designed to showcase the seemingly endless landscape in which it is set.

  • Expansive viewing decks allow for a fully immersive experience in nature and is the perfect spot to enjoy an African sunset.

  • This welcoming retreat offers nine spacious suites complemented with ensuite bathrooms featuring an outdoor shower as well as indoor bath and shower. Floor-to-ceiling framed glass doors fold back to reveal an uninterrupted wilderness.

  • Relax by your private plunge pool on your thatched terrace with unmatched views over the sweeping landscape.

  • Choice of activities from game drives, walking, bird watching and fishing.

  • On a malaria-free private game reserve in the Eastern Cape just two hours from Port Elizabeth.
  • Great private safari end to a Garden Route itinerary or simply for a weekend getaway from the city.
  • Night drives on offer from the lodge on request.
  • Dining in a number of venues on the property, including special boma evenings.

EXCLUSIVE LUXE VOYAGER VIP BENEFITS & BEST PRICE

We negotiate rates & benefits for our clients directly with the hotels’ senior management. Our rates match or in many cases are lower than the best online rate for the property. Our clients also enjoy a suite of extra VIP privileges and recognition while staying at a partner hotel.

  • Complimentary room upgrade on arrival.
  • Daily complimentary buffet breakfast for two.
  • Up to $100 dining or spa credit per stay, and or in-house dining / spa discounts.
  • Welcome amenities (wine/chocolates/fruit) and card from the GM.
  • Complimentary private airport transfers.
  • Complimentary roll-away bed if required.
  • Early check-in and late check-out.
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi.
  • Enhanced recognition through VIP status at all touch points in the guest experience.

A complete or partial suite of VIP benefits will be offered, subject to the property T&C, including availability, category of room & length of stay.

ACTIVITIES:


Fishing

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. A fun activity for children as well as adults.



Interpretive Bush Walks

In between game drives, take a closer look at the subtle, unseen wonders of the bush on a leisurely walk within easy reach of your lodge. Dense euphorbia thickets are best explored on foot, revealing a secret world of lichen, mosses and ferns. Various birds of prey and other species nest in the taller trees or in the spiny canopy. An armed ranger guides guests through ‘up close and personal’ sightings of various antelope species, giraffe, warthog or zebra. Not suitable for children under 12 years of age.



Big Game Walking Safari

Experience the thrill of tracking big game (white rhino, black rhino, elephant and buffalo) on foot in the wilderness, accompanied by an armed specialist ranger and tracker team. The walk lasts 3 to 4 hours; not suitable for children under 16 years of age.



Twice daily game drives

Explore the natural splendour of Kwandwe on early morning and late afternoon / evening game drives in an open 4×4 safari vehicle. 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.


Interpretive Bush Walks

In between game drives, take a closer look at the subtle, unseen wonders of the bush on a leisurely walk within easy reach of your lodge. Dense euphorbia thickets are best explored on foot, revealing a secret world of lichen, mosses and ferns. Various birds of prey and other species nest in the taller trees or in the spiny canopy. An armed ranger guides guests through ‘up close and personal’ sightings of various antelope species, giraffe, warthog or zebra. Not suitable for children under 12 years of age.



Save the Rhino Drive

Spend 3 – 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.



Private Safari

Tailor-make your own safari led by a dedicated specialist ranger and tracker team, ensuring a private game viewing experience (subject to the availability of a private vehicle being available at the time of booking). A private safari vehicle has to be booked for the duration of a stay; a safari day runs from 12h00 (check-in time) to 12h00 the following day.



Rhino Conservation Safari

A recommended three night, four-day safari offers you the opportunity to participate in Kwandwe’s exciting rhino-darting and notching programme. Under the supervision of experts, the rhino is darted in order to plant microchips into the horns and perform ear-notching for future identification – an essential task to ensure the preservation of this endangered species



Private Fishing Safari

Kwandwe offers a variety of 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, Sharptooth Catfish and more.



Private Photographic Safari

Tailor-made to suit the experience level of participants, 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 a private vehicle, edited photographs in electronic format along with a complimentary Kwandwe digital photobook.



Private Walking Safari

A professionally qualified and experienced trails guide will enable you to experience Kwandwe on foot. Choose whether to view large game such Black and White Rhino, Elephant or Buffalo on foot, or simply absorb the beauty of nature while walking through the fascinating environments with your armed guide. You decide when to walk, or when to drive as your heart desires. For a fully private experience this must be booked for the duration of your stay.



Private Birding Safari

Spend as much time as you like looking for those elusive specials and add to your knowledge of South Africa’s birdlife. Your specialist guide has detailed knowledge of where, when and how to find what bird you are after with their intimate knowledge of Kwandwe’s 315 recorded species of bird.



Children's Activities

Children receive a welcome gift on arrival which includes an Eco-nect Guide comprising animal checklists, themed games and activities, and a pledge to ‘live green’ (‘Junior’ for under 6’s and ‘Senior’ for ages 6 and up), crayons/ pencils, and an age appropriate gift from our gift shop.



Private Campfire Cooking

Learn to master the art of barbequing while on safari! Kwandwe provides an exciting opportunity to learn about preparing and cooking authentic South African ‘braais’ and favourite dishes with local ingredients. A well established social custom and a traditional way of outdoor cooking in South Africa, a ‘braai’ involves barbequing meat over an open fire.



Volunteering at Kwandwe

The Ubunye Foundation is our 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. Guests at Kwandwe have the unique opportunity to participate in volunteering towards the Ubunye Foundation by donating items, getting involved in activities and/or financial donations.

Chat with one of our expert travel designers today to begin planning your perfect vacation

Call: +852 9465 4577

Email: travel@theluxevoyager.com

OVERVIEW

Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge Exterior

Elegant, intimate and contemporary, the Great Fish River Lodge boasts plush furnishings and majestic views of the reserve. Perched along the lush green banks of its namesake, Great Fish River Lodge has been designed to showcase the seemingly endless landscape in which it is set. Expansive viewing decks allow for a fully immersive experience in nature and is the perfect spot to enjoy an African sunset. This welcoming retreat offers nine spacious suites complemented with ensuite bathrooms featuring an outdoor shower as well as indoor bath and shower. Floor-to-ceiling framed glass doors fold back to reveal an uninterrupted wilderness.

Relax by your private plunge pool on your thatched terrace with unmatched views over the sweeping landscape. Step inside and cocoon within the comfortable living space after a day of exploring the reserve. Twice daily game drives, nature walks accompanied by an armed ranger, big game walking safaris (tracking white rhino, black rhino, elephant and buffalo on foot, accompanied by an armed specialist ranger and tracker team) are all included in your stay. Back at the lodge, several lounging and dining options are available. Delicious African-inspired meals are served in the candlelit dining room or in the boma under a magnificent starlit sky.

ROOMS

Great Fish River Lodge offers nine luxurious glass and thatch suites overlooking lush riverbanks. Each chalet features overhead fans, air-conditioning and an en-suite bathroom, complete with bath and indoor and outdoor showers. The private plunge pool provides welcome respite from the midday sun and the observation deck has spectacular views over the river valley.

Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge Nine Luxurious Suite
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge Bedroom
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge Bathroom

Nine Luxurious Suite

Nine luxurious suites feature en-suite bathrooms, indoor and outdoor showers, separate w.c, twin basins, personal bars and covered verandas with plunge pools.The décor is classic-contemporary African-inspired, with natural palettes of earth-toned fabrics. Pewter and glass add an effortless yet understated glamour to the furnishings, while artefacts such as ostrich eggshells, hides and horns create subtle points of interest and relevance to the lodge’s surrounds.

DINING

Sumptuous local cuisine can be enjoyed on the viewing decks, in the dining room, by lantern light in the cosy walled boma or in any of a number of awe inspiring locations across the reserve. The 15,800 hectare reserve is set on the edge of the former Karoo Basin where several of Africa’s vegetation zones converge and biodiversity is extremely rich.

Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge Dining Room
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge Dining

Dining Room

elicious Pan African meals are served on private decks, in the candlelit dining room or in the boma, beneath a magnificent starlit sky.

Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge Dining Outdoor
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge Dining Deck

Outdoor Dining

Meals can be enjoyed when not taken in the candle-lit dining room, on the main deck or in the boma.

FACILITIES

Facilities at the lodge include private plunge pools and delightful guest areas with dark leather armchairs and deep coloured rugs which create inviting spaces.

Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge Pool

Pool

Wraparound wooden decks lead out from the sitting rooms and bedrooms to private plunge pools and outdoor showers. Highlights witihn guest area are the open interactive kitchen that serves sumptuous local and continental fare, gorgeous rim-flow lap pool lined with shaded decks and teak loungers and the nearby interpretive library full of wisdom and local anecdotes.

Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge Spa

Spa

Since the earliest time, Africa’s original inhabitants lived in harmony with nature. Our treatments and rituals were inspired by, designed and based on Africa’s rich heritage and created to celebrate mother earth and her connection with life. Only the finest natural ingredients available from nature are used in our products, including oil from the Marula fruit, Mongongo nut oil, healing Shea butter, oil from the Baobab tree, ointment from the African sausage tree and Mafura butter, to name but a few.

Area & Location

Area, Country
Grahamstown, South Africa
Nearest Airport
Port Elizabeth Airport, Grahamstown
Local Currency
South African Rand (ZAR)
Time Change
GMT +2:00
Language
Afrikaans, English
Best time to go
Best visited between October through April

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