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Kwandwe Collection, Great Fish River Lodge, South Africa

Kwandwe Private Game Reserve Collection

Safari and Wildlife Lodge
Eastern Cape Game Reserves, South Africa

Kwandwe is a 30,000-hectare private game reserve in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, where seven of the country’s eight biomes converge.

Once farmland, it has been carefully restored and restocked, and is now home to a thriving ecosystem, including endangered species such as black and white rhino and cheetah. Kwandwe is also celebrated for its exceptional guiding.

Within the reserve, Kwandwe offers a collection of five distinctive properties…

Why we like the Kwandwe Collection

A stay in any one of these beautiful properties feels like a celebration of conservation. You’ll experience incredible wildlife in one of South Africa’s largest private wilderness reserves, guided by some of the best in the business. With a variety of places to stay, there’s something here for everyone.

Accommodation Options

Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge
Located above the Great Fish River, this nine suite lodge offers light-filled rooms with French doors, private plunge pools, and indoor-outdoor showers. Communal areas include a central lounge and bar.

Ecca Lodge
Set above a lush valley, Ecca Lodge offers six suites—three with private guides and vehicles. Each features decks, plunge pools, outdoor showers, and views of the escarpment. Shared facilities include a lap pool, wine cellar and intimate dining.

Uplands Homestead
A private three-bedroom villa blending 1820s Settler charm with modern luxury. Surrounded by bushveld and lawns, it includes a pool, boma, gazebo, chef, and private safari team.

Melton Manor
Melton Manor is a stylish sole-use villa with four en-suite bedrooms, set beside Afromontane forest. Designed for families or friends, it features a pool, personal chef, courtyard, and interactive kitchen.

Fort House
A private-use villa for up to 8, with two master and two twin en-suite bedrooms. Set in seclusion, it features a pool, spa room, wine cellar and expansive valley views.

Activities

Day game drives
Night game drives
Walking safaris
Community visits
Bush dining
Birding safaris
Conservation safaris
Campfire cooking

Sustainability

A conservation and community levy is charged per person per night; these funds are equally split between reserve conservation and community development. Not only this, but 35% of the accommodation rate paid by guests is allocated towards conserving biodiversity, safeguarding vulnerable species, developing the local community, expanding wildlife populations beyond the borders of Kwandwe (translocations and wildlife swaps to ensure genetic diversity) and partnering with academic institutions to conduct biodiversity research.

Safari
Wildlife
Guides/Guiding
Conservation
Landscape
Game Drive

£££££

Kwandwe Private Game Reserve is accessed by private charter or is just under two hours’ drive from Port Elizabeth.

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

GweGwe Beach Lodge £££££

Africa
Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Located on the undeveloped shores of South Africa’s wild Eastern Cape, GweGwe sits among the rolling grasslands of the Mkambati Nature Reserve, within a marine protected biodiversity hotspot.

View Property

Samara Karoo Lodge £££££

South Africa
Safari and Wildlife Lodge

This lovingly restored farmhouse, Samara Karoo Lodge combines modern comforts with safari. Karoo Lodge offers a warm and inviting space with candlelit dinners on the verandah, a cosy bar area and antiques, family heirlooms and vintage books throughout.

View Property

More luxury accommodation

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