Kwandwe Game Reserve Safaris
Kwandwe Game Reserve is situated just 160km from Port Elizabeth in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. It comprises 22,000 hectares of pristine wilderness and is our pick of the Eastern Cape reserves. It is also malaria-free.
When to go to Kwandwe Game Reserve
Best Time to Go
Large reserve with the Big Five
Stunning river frontage
Amazing lodge options
Malaria-free game reserve
Big Five & Brilliant Birds
In Xhosa, the word ‘Kwandwe’ means ‘Place of the Blue Crane’ – and sure enough, the reserve contains a population of these brilliant birds, a rare and endangered species. Kwandwe is home to loads of other birdlife too and the reserve boasts all Big Five animals and impressive numbers of other species. Due to the reserve’s status as malaria-free, it is a fantastic option for families and there is accommodation to suit couples, honeymooners and groups as well! Kwandwe has much to recommend it as a safari destination. Once farmland, today its rolling plains are exceedingly well stocked with wildlife. The Great Fish River rushes through the reserve, its level varying according to the time of year. When the level is low, immense sand bars are visible – a truly spectacular sight!
Activities & Wildlife
All lodges in Kwandwe offer game drives and game walks under the expert guidance of experienced guides.
Wildlife
Birdlife
Game Drives
Safari Walks
Additional Activities in Kwandwe
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There is an abundance to see in Kwandwe. Lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino (black and white!) roam the reserve, and there are also plenty of antelope, giraffe, wildebeest, hyena, hippo, plus predators such as cheetah.
In addition to the beautiful blue crane, there are fish eagle, martial eagle, bokmakierie, Stanley’s bustards, kori, black harrier, South African shelduck, malachite sunbird, Knysa woodpecker, and many more! If you are a keen birdwatcher, you will not be disappointed.
Guiding in Kwandwe is of an exceptionally high standard. Game drives take place by day and by night – and a tracker is present so that guests get to know the reserve really well in the process of following animals.
Safari walks take place in the knowledgeable company of an armed guide, and there are ‘safari specials’ too – rhino monitoring, rhino darting, big game walks and even private safaris! Please note that the safari specials are usually booked in advance and require extra payment.
Other activities include nature walks, picnics, boat trips and fishing! There is also the opportunity for adults and children to engage in local community projects – for example, arts and crafts, and gardening.
Talk to someone who’s been there
Real expertise doesn’t come from a few trips to Africa. All our specialists have either been guides, run the camps, or grown up and lived in Africa. That’s over 600 years of genuine safari experience.Good to Know
01.What is there for kids to do in Kwandwe?
The Blue Crane Conservation Club! This is Kwandwe’s children’s club, and it is pretty special. On arrival, children receive a conservation guide, stationery, a water bottle and a ‘Frolicking Rhino’ range of toiletries. Activities include eco-walks, game drives, tracking, fishing trips, sand art, baking, and the particularly popular ‘poo safari’!
02.When is the best time to travel to Kwandwe Game Reserve?
Kwandwe’s lodges are open all year round. Winter temperatures range from 44.6°F to 68°F, while in summer the heat ranges from 60.8°F to over 96.8°F! The rainy season is September to March.
03.What are the best accommodation options?
Kwandwe contains four lodges, all luxurious and equipped with high-end facilities. Ecca Lodge is small and stylish and family-friendly, while Great Fish River Lodge is a more imposing property that does not accept children aged under 12 years. Uplands Homestead has a lovely homely feel, a real farmhouse flavor. This accommodation is booked exclusively for a small group or family – and the same is true of Melton Manor, which is slightly smaller yet just as welcoming.
We recommend Ecca Lodge for families with younger children, Great Fish River Lodge for couples, honeymooners and older families, and Melton Manor and Uplands Homestead for all families and small groups.
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