Gondwana Game Reserve
Big Five in fynbos country
Gondwana Game Reserve
Gondwana is a 12,000-hectare private game reserve in the heart of the Garden Route, set within the rare fynbos biome. Making it a Big Five reserve in a UNESCO-recognised plant kingdom rather than the usual savannah.
- How far is Gondwana from Cape Town?
- Roughly four hours by road via the N2, or a one-hour flight to George Airport followed by a 45-minute transfer. Most guests drive as part of a Garden Route itinerary, stopping at Hermanus, Swellendam or Knysna along the way.
- Is Gondwana malaria-free?
- Yes. The reserve is in the Western Cape, well outside any malaria-risk area. No antimalarials are needed, making it a popular choice for families with young children.
- What wildlife will I see at Gondwana?
- All of the Big Five, lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo, plus fynbos specialists such as Cape mountain zebra and bontebok. The reserve also supports hippo, giraffe, cheetah and over 250 bird species.
- Which Gondwana lodge should I choose?
- Kwena Lodge for couples and families who want a shared lodge experience with a central pool. Lehele Lodge Villas for more privacy. Ulubisi House or Black Rhino Villa for exclusive use with a private guide, vehicle and chef.
- Is Gondwana suitable for children?
- Yes. Kwena Lodge welcomes children of all ages, and the exclusive-use villas are ideal for multi-generational groups. Being malaria-free removes the need for antimalarials, which simplifies travel with young ones.
- When is the best time to visit Gondwana?
- Game viewing is good year-round. The dry months from May to September concentrate wildlife around water sources. Spring (September to November) brings fynbos wildflowers and newborn animals. Summer (December to March) is warmest, with longer daylight for game drives.
Garden Route
Black Rhino
Villa.
Garden Route
Black Rhino Villa
Black Rhino is a private six-guest villa on Gondwana Private Game Reserve in the Garden Route, taken on a sole-use basis with its own field guide, vehicle and chef. Set above a fynbos valley with 180-degree views of the Outeniqua mountains, it suits families or friends who want a Cape safari on their own schedule.
luxury seekers, families, and Big Five enthusiasts.
From R 22 000 pps · per night
Garden Route
Gondwana Black Rhino
Villa.
Garden Route
Gondwana Black Rhino Villa
Black Rhino is a private six-guest villa on Gondwana Private Game Reserve, set high above a fynbos valley with 180-degree views of the Outeniqua mountains. Guests take over the whole house with their own field guide, private vehicle and chef, making it a natural fit for families or friends who want a Big Five safari on their own schedule.
luxury seekers, families, and Big Five enthusiasts.
From R 11 000 pps · per night
Garden Route
Kwena
Lodge.
Garden Route
Kwena Lodge
A mere 25 minutes from Mossel Bay in the Southern Cape and four hours from Cape Town, Kwena lodge can be found on the 11 000 hectare private Gondwana Game Reserve. This is the only fynbos reserve in the world that is malaria-free and is home to free roaming Big Five game.
Big Five enthusiasts, honeymooners, and walking-safari travellers.
From R 7 500 pps · per night
Garden Route
Kwena Luxury
Suites.
Garden Route
Kwena Luxury Suites
Four stand-alone luxury suites at Gondwana Private Game Reserve on the Garden Route, built for couples who want privacy, a fireplace and a private sun deck between game drives. Adults-only, with twice-daily housekeeping, indoor and outdoor rain showers, and access to the lodge's infinity pool and bar.
luxury seekers, Big Five enthusiasts, honeymooners, and photographers.
From R 8 290 pps · per night
Garden Route
Kwena
Suites.
Garden Route
Kwena Suites
Kwena Suites at Gondwana Private Game Reserve is an adults-only safari retreat on the Garden Route, with ten stand-alone thatched suites set into malmesbury shale hills. Twice-daily game drives track the Big Five across fynbos plains, and shared lodge spaces include an infinity pool and open dining areas designed for couples travelling together.
luxury seekers, Big Five enthusiasts, and honeymooners.
From R 7 500 pps · per night
Garden Route
Lehele Lodge Villas.
Garden Route
Lehele Lodge Villas
Lehele Family Villa is a luxurious and spacious private villa located within Gondwana Game Reserve in South Africa. Designed for families and groups seeking a secluded and comfortable safari experience, this villa offers an exceptional blend of modern amenities and African charm, set against the stunning backdrop of the reserve's natural beauty.
Big Five enthusiasts, honeymooners, and families.
From R 7 010 pps · per night
Garden Route
Ulubisi
House.
Garden Route
Ulubisi House
Ulubisi House, an exclusive luxury villa within the Gondwana Game Reserve, offers a private and intimate safari experience, perfect for those seeking both adventure and relaxation.
Big Five enthusiasts.
From R 10 110 pps · per night
The Gondwana Game Reserve way
Why Gondwana Game Reserve.
For travellers combining Cape Town and the Garden Route with their first safari, Gondwana is the easiest geographic fit. And the only Big Five reserve in the fynbos zone.
Big Five in the fynbos
Gondwana is home to lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo alongside species found nowhere else on a Big Five reserve: Cape mountain zebra, bontebok and a remarkable density of birdlife drawn to the fynbos vegetation. Game drives cross rolling hills covered in indigenous shrubland rather than the typical bushveld, giving the landscape a character entirely its own.
Malaria-free and family-friendly
The reserve sits in the Western Cape, well outside any malaria zone, so there is no need for antimalarials. That makes it particularly appealing for families with young children. Kwena Lodge welcomes children of all ages, and the private villas at Ulubisi House and Black Rhino Villa come with a dedicated guide, vehicle and chef.
Garden Route and Cape Town
Gondwana is roughly four hours' drive from Cape Town or 45 minutes from George Airport on the Garden Route. Most guests pair it with a few nights in Cape Town and a drive along the coast through Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, creating a single trip that covers city, coast and safari without a single internal flight.
Four ways to stay
Kwena Lodge is the sociable option, with freestanding suites and a central pool. From ZAR 7,500 per person per night. Lehele Lodge Villas offer a more private setting with self-contained villas from ZAR 7,010. Ulubisi House and Black Rhino Villa are exclusive-use properties with a private guide, game vehicle and chef, from ZAR 10,110 per person per night.
A Gondwana Game Reserve journey
3-Day BIG 5 Cape Safari Getaway
From R 33 270 full package
View itinerary → Speak to a safari specialist
Plan your Gondwana Game Reserve safari.
Included. Complimentary travel insurance, with cancellation cover of up to $5,000 per person, on bookings paid by 25th September 2026. Details