Leeuwenbosch Country House is an eight bed, quality game lodge, created from the gracious 1908 Settler home of the Fowlds family and steeped in the history of the South African Eastern Cape Frontier. Located within the renown Amakhala Game Reserve, and set amidst expansive gardens, Leeuwenbosch Country House offers spacious accommodation in four en-suite bedrooms furnished with antiques and historical paintings. The accommodation and delicious cuisine is complimented by a wide range of game viewing and related outdoor pursuits and activities on the Game Reserve, all led by competent Professional Guides.
After an early morning coffee or afternoon high tea, these informative Professional Guides take Guests on game drives, walks and river cruises, through the scenic wilderness that is Amakhala Game Reserve, to observe the wide diversity of creatures that make this land their home. From elephants to porcupines; from rhino to lion and springbuck, all are protected with passion.
Between wildlife activities, Guests can savour a quiet moment in the dim stillness of the 19th-century stone chapel; enjoy high tea in the shade of the verandah or sit late into the night in the convivial stone-walled cellar bar. This wonderful homestead has been in the Fowlds family for five generations, and the family takes great pleasure in sharing its remarkable Southern African heritage.
Set back from the Country House, Shearers Lodge offers four contemporary double suites, overlooking the tranquil gardens from the shade of a wide veranda. Beautifully converted from the original shearing shed, Shearer’s offers an ideal base from which to explore the surrounding areas of the Eastern Cape. Addo Elephant National Park lies just 30 kms away; the 1820 Settlers Monument in historical Grahamstown just a 30 minute drive along the N2 highway, and the Born Free Predator Rehabilitation Centre is 10 minutes from the Leeuwenbosch gate. The beautiful beaches of Kenton-on-Sea and Port Alfred are also easily accessed for a day on the beach. Day trip game drives into the Amakhala Game Reserve can be arranged, if required.
The abundant wilderness of Amakhala Game Reserve preserves a complex and diverse ecosystem, providing habitat for over 60 different mammal species. The Bushman’s River winds its way through the reserve providing its life source of water to the myriad of wildlife and birdlife.
The dramatic and ever changing topography of Amakhala Game Reserve is host to an abundant tapestry of sights and sounds keeping one fixated on what one may see around the next turn of the game drive track.
The majestic lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and giraffe, endangered cheetah and white rhino make up some of the high profile species component. Amakhala Game Reserve is also home to substantial herds of plains game species including zebra, black wildebeest, red hartebeest, oryx and eland to name but a few.
A recorded bird list of over 250 species on the reserve allows for great land based birding and further birding can be enjoyed whilst cruising along the Bushman’s River.
As you reflect on the days sightings under a setting sun, the nocturnal species begin their foraging, from the secretive aardvark to the elusive brown hyena. The rangers spot-light scanning the closing night might highlight these lesser seen yet very interesting mammals as you make your way back to the lodge.
