Kwandwe Big Five Five Star Private Game Reserve.

Kwandwe big 5 game reserve is beautifully situated along 30 km's of the Great Fish River and is 160 km's from Port Elizabeth and 30 km's from historic Grahamstown.

Book 2 nights or more and we offer a free return transfer to Port Elizabeth.

Comments from Heather McPherson who recently hired Uplands Homestead.

I can report that we had a truly special experience at Kwandwe - it was certainly all we had hoped and more.

Our ranger 'went the extra mile' to ensure that we had the best game viewing
experience possible.

Our older son couldn't quite get over the butler spooning out his cereal for him.

I would certainly recommend this to other clients (just not too many as it
would be nice for it to remain somewhat 'exclusive').

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Kwandwe Big 5, 5 star malaria free Game Reserve

www.nelsonmandelabaytours.com

May we assist you with your tour or safari in Southern Africa we book all accommodation, click here or call +27 41 5816260.

Kwandwe is a Relais & Châteaux reserve located 160 km's and 1 3/4 hours drive from Port Elizabeth. The Reserve includes a 30 kilometer stretch of the Great Fish River, which ensures outstanding game viewing and bird life.

Listed on the UK Condé Nast Traveler's Hot List. please contact us for more details.

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Kwandwe Game Reserve

Kwandwe ECCA Lodge

Uplands Homestead

Kwandwe Game Reserve

Kwandwe ECCA Lodge

Kwandwe Game Reserve

Kwandwe ECCA Lodge

Uplands Homestead

Kwandwe Game Reserve

Kwandwe Private Game Reserve is one of South Africa's Premier Five Star Private Game Reserves and is a member of the Relais & Châteaux portfolio.

Kwandwe lies in the heart of South Africa's malaria-free Eastern Cape near Grahamstown, it is a victory for far-sighted conservation, 20 000 hectares (49 000 acres) of farmland in the Great Fish River region were restored and restocked with African wildlife. Today, thousands of animals including lion, black and white rhino, buffalo and elephant roam this diverse and fascinating reserve.

Kwandwe aptly means “Place of the Blue Crane” in Xhosa (South Africa's highly endangered national bird) and is home to a population of these rare birds. It offers an exceptional safari experience in a region steeped in history and culture. The Great Fish River was a hotly contested border during the Frontier Wars of 1779 to 1878 between the Xhosa nation, Dutch farmers and the 1820 Settlers from England. Kwandwe's reception building is a Frontier War-era fortified homestead, and the Reserve boasts its own intimate chapel. Kwandwe is a proud member of Relais & Chateaux.

Kwandwe Private Game Reserve Wildlife Habitats:
Kwandwe is a bio diversity‘hotspot' with six of South Africa's seven biomes converging in this region of the Eastern Cape. The bushclump savanna-thicket dominates on flat terrain and north-facing slopes with euphorbia, euclea, schotia, carissa and three species of tall aloe abundant. Tall succulent-thicket grows on steeper south-facing slopes with tall river euphorbia, honey euphorbia and Cape candelabra growing alongside sneezewood and other trees. Riverine thicket forms a narrow band along the Great Fish River, with Cape bushwillow, karee and sweet thorn dominant trees. Grassy dwarf-shrubland is an open habitat of sparse tussock grasses and stunted shrubs. The level of the Great Fish River fluctuates markedly, such that broad sand bars are exposed or covered. From June to August, the Reserve boasts a spectacular display of winter flowering aloes.

Mammals at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve:
Kwandwe is a victory for far-sighted conservation with the successful reintroduction of over 7000 larger mammals taking place prior to the Reserve opening in 2001. Today, herds of elephant and buffalo frequently drink and mud-bathe at waterholes, and cheetah and lion are regularly encountered in open habitats. The home ranges of both black and white rhino are well known and these bulky herbivores are often seen, whilst hippo move between the Great Fish River and larger waterholes. Springbok are the most abundant antelope, with good populations of greater kudu, oryx (gemsbok), red hartebeest and eland. Bushbuck and Cape grysbok keep to dense thickets. Abundant termites provide food for the nocturnal aardwolf, aardvark and bat-eared fox. Black-backed jackal, Cape fox and caracal are commonly encountered smaller predators. Family parties of suricate (meerkat) provide entertaining viewing. Rock hyrax, red rock-rabbit and elephant-shrew live in rocky terrain.

Birds at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve:
There are 238 species recorded to date at Kwandwe. Ostrich, secretary bird, blue crane, Stanley's bustard and crowned lapwing are conspicuous in open habitats. Raptors include jackal buzzard, martial eagle, Verreaux's (black) eagle and pale chanting goshawk. African fish-eagle hunt along the Great Fish River, where giant kingfisher, reed cormorant and green-backed heron also fish. Malachite, amethyst and greater double-collared sunbirds feed on the nectar of aloe blooms, and the strident calls of bokmakierie, Karoo robin and acacia pied barbet ring out across the plains and valleys.

Other African Wildlife:
Tent, angulate and parrot-beaked tortoises occur alongside the more widespread leopard tortoise. Dwarf chameleon, southern rock agama and rough-scaled lizard are other interesting reptiles found in the Great Fish River. The giant bullfrog is among 16 species of frog which emerge after rainfall. Abundant termites provide a food source for many animals and their conical mounds are seen all over. Colourful lichens cloak tree trunks, stems, boulders and rocks.

Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge

Set along the steep banks of the Great Fish River in the scenic Eastern Cape, this extraordinary safari lodge affords spectacular views of the wild yet gentle African landscape.

Nine air-conditioned suites
En suite bathrooms, indoor and outdoor showers
Private plunge pools
Expansive game viewing deck
Reception in historical fort

Kwandwe Main Lodge is stylishly furnished in Frontier Settler style, integrating local African culture with colonial settler history. Elegant thatched stone and glass suites feature floor-to-ceiling doors which fold back to reveal uninterrupted wilderness vistas. Guest areas have a large fireplace with massive stone chimney, and a soaring thatched roof with imposing chandeliers.

Sophisticated, glass-fronted sitting and dining areas boast expansive viewing decks with breathtaking river views. Delicious Pan-African cuisine is served on the private decks, in the candlelit dining room, or enjoyed in the boma (outdoor dining area). Kwandwe is renowned for its spectacular bush banqueting in surprise setting

Kwandwe ECCA Lodge

Innovative stylish and intimate safari accommodation with just six guest suites: Set in spectacular African wilderness surrounds, this unique safari lodge boasts a revolutionary design – stone-and-mesh gabion walls, sliding glass, timber and gauze doors and corrugated iron roofing. Exquisite guest areas overlook spekboom valleys with a backdrop of the distant cliff-faces of ecca shale. Ideal for family safaris, six intimate suites, air-conditioning and en suite bathrooms, spacious sitting areas, gorgeous rim-flow lap pool, interactive kitchen.

Each suite features an en suite bathroom with spacious, plate glass-enclosed shower, bath, private w.c and twin hand-basins, as well as a sitting area which can comfortably convert into accommodation for children 11 years and younger. Overlooking rolling spekboom valleys, guest areas comprise a spacious sitting room with fireplace, dining room and bar area and deep veranda with expansive viewing decks.

Uplands Homestead

Your private safari villa – This intimate lodge is a sensitively restored 1905 farmhouse set in a remote and tranquil valley, offering the ultimate personal safari in Kwandwe’s extraordinary African wilderness.
Three air-conditioned, spacious bedrooms
En suite bathrooms and private terraces
Exclusive use of 4x4 safari vehicle
Private butler, ranger and chef
Large swimming pool and gazebo

Perfect for the sole use of a group or family of up to six guests, Uplands Homestead is situated half an hour from Heatherton Towers (Kwandwe's reception building) and 45 minutes from Main Lodge. Antiques and memorabilia reminiscent of an 1820s Settler home elegantly blend with comfortable, modern finishes. The sitting and dining areas feature high ceilings, wooden floors and beautiful fireplaces. A deep and shady veranda leads out to the large swimming pool and gazebo.

In the modernised farm kitchen, Uplands Homestead's private chef prepares delicious Pan-African cuisine and local specialities. Nothing beats a true African bush banquet in a surprise setting under the magical African sky.

Melton Manor

The four ensuite bedrooms features innovative "butler hatches" for discreet room service and the interactive kitchen is a cosy place where guests can muck in with Melton Manor's expert chef.

Set in a beautiful location overlooking the Fish river and afromontane forests Melton Manor has a large swimming pool and central courtyard and is the perfect escape for a family safari; accommodating 8 guests. The elegant and simple design incorporates earthy, organic finishes; deep inviting sofas; gorgeous Nguni rugs; dramatic photography; and celebrates the style of early frontier days.

RATES FULLY INCLUSIVE - All meals and 2 game activities per day, including beverages.	High Season Rates South African Rand	Low Season Rates South African Rand
BOOK 2 NIGHTS OR MORE AND WE OFFER	2008	2008
A FREE TRANSFER TO PORT ELIZABETH	1st Feb - 31st March, 1st Oct - 31st Dec	7th - 31st Jan, 1st Apr - 30th Sept
Kwande Fish River Lodge and Kwandwe Ecca Lodge
Per person two people sharing	R5,740	R2,605
Uplands farm house for up to 6 adults	R23,725	R13,690
Melton Manor for up to 8 adults	R35,245	R19,080

Children's rates :-
Infants 0 to 2 years: Stay free of charge in a cot. Children 3 to 5 years, sharing with 1 or 2 adults: Stay free of charge. Children 6 to 11 years, sharing with 2 adults: Pay 50% of the adult rate. Children 6 to 11 years, occupying their own room: Pay the full adult rate. Children 6 to 11 years, sharing with 1 adult: Pay the full adult rate. Children are welcome at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve excluding Kwandwe Fish River Lodge. Triples (for children 11 and under) are available at Uplands Homestead and Ecca Lodge.

Please contact us to make a booking for Kwandwe

Take a Port Elizabeth Tour	Visit Addo National Park	Take a day safari.	Visit Port Elizabeth.	Take a township tour.

Take a budget South African tour 14 days 6,950 Rand	Visit the Mountain Zebra National Park	Visit Shamwari "the worlds leading safari"	Take a South African self drive tour	Visit Cape Town.

	We are members of SATSA (South African Touring Services Association) Registration number 927. This binds us to a strict code of ethics, and confirms we have complied with stringent legal and insurance requirements. Booking with a SATSA member ensures that your trip to South Africa is guaranteed to be of the highest standard.