On special
A mere 25 minutes from Mossel Bay in the Southern Cape and four hours from Cape Town, Gondwana Kwena lodge can be found on the 11 000
The elegant and luxurious Kwena Lodge is family friendly and ideally located for guests wanting both a safari and Garden Route experience. Gondwana prides itself on providing exceptional service and private, luxurious 5-star accommodation with all the comforts needed for an unforgettable stay.
Each of the fourteen open plan Kwena Lodge Rooms feature a spacious bedroom with a king-size bed or twin beds, an en-suite bathroom with double vanities, shower and free standing bath; air-conditioning, under floor heating, sitting area with a clay pot fireplace, mini-bar, tea and coffee making facilities, and a private deck or balcony with panoramic views over two waterholes and ancient volcanic mountains. Each room can accommodate a maximum of two adults sharing with one child.
Gondwana also boasts 2,3 and 4 bedroom Fynbos and Bush Villas that are booked exclusively for families and small groups. Each thatched-roof villa features an open plan lounge, dining room and fully equipped kitchen; gas fireplaces, en-suite bathrooms with double vanities, showers and bathtubs; television, DVD player, and an expansive deck complete with a built-in braai (barbeque) facility and breathtaking views of the reserve. Meals are taken at Kwena Lodge which is approximately ten kilometers away.
The facilities offered at Kwena Lodge include a reception area, open-plan lounge and bar area, dining room, outdoor boma, curio shop, infinity swimming pool, and viewing deck.
Rangers take guests on morning and afternoon game drives to try spot the Big Five, as well as the many other creatures on the reserve. Guests can also set out on foot with field guides to learn more about the rich botanical heritage of Fynbos, one of the world’s six floral kingdoms, as well as the smaller animals who inhabit it
The Junior Ranger experience gives children an opportunity to learn more about nature under the guidance of a qualified ranger. Children will receive a fun ranger’s backpack and safari booklet to keep track of their adventures, as well as a Junior Ranger Patch and certificate after completing their ‘training’. The Junior Ranger experience is available for children six years and older.
Garden route activities can all be arranged with Gondwana staff, and include golf, surfing, wine tasting, deep sea fishing, shark cage diving, and paragliding.
While home to the Big Five, the reserve provides sanctuary to endangered species, including the cheetah, Cape mountain zebra, and the rare black rhinoceros. Great effort has been made to re-introduce key species such as hippo and giraffe back into the area, which makes for fantastic game viewing. More than ten species of antelope can be found at Gondwana, including kudu, eland, gemsbok, bontebok, and Grey Reebok.
The diverse habitats of the reserve make it a popular birding destination. Species spotted include the Denham’s bustard, Blue Crane, African fish eagle, Verreauxs' eagle, Ostrich, Secretary bird, Jackal buzzard, African Stonechat, Cape Grassbird, Malachite Sunbird, Black-crowned night heron, and Bokmakierie. The reserve is home to a healthy population of endemics such as the Cape Sugarbird, Orange Breasted Sunbird, Protea Seedeater, and Black Harrier.
Gondwana Kwena Lodge is ideal for solo explorers, couples
Rates
SPECIAL
Kwena Lodge Local Residents Special
- Special
From $ 187
- Unit sleeps: 2
Includes: Accommodation, all meals, afternoon tea and twice-daily game drives.
Value Adds: Spa voucher of R150 per adult per stay; bikes provided for mountain biking and 30% discount on all activities onsite.
| Dates | Rates (PPS) | Rates (SINGLE) |
|---|---|---|
| 01 Jul 2020 — 31 Oct 2020 | $ 187 |
SPECIAL
Bush Villa Breakaway for Locals
- Special
From $ 187
- Unit sleeps: 8
Offer: Exclusive-use 3(max 6 people) or 4(max 8 people) bedroom luxury Bush Villas - minimum 2-night stay required.
Includes: Accommodation, all meals, afternoon tea and twice-daily game drives.
Value Adds: Spa voucher of R150 per adult per stay; bikes provided for mountain biking; Junior Ranger program and 30% discount on all activities onsite.
Children rates: Kids under 12 years are 50% of the adult rate, kids under 6 years stay for free.
| Dates | Rates (PPS) | Rates (SINGLE) |
|---|---|---|
| 01 Jul 2020 — 31 Oct 2020 | $ 187 |
Tented Eco Camp - 3 Night Program
From $ 749
- Single: $ 1,236
- Unit sleeps: 2
Gondwana offers a three-night walking safari which traverses the game reserve taking you to remote tented camps to overnight with two full days of hiking. Your expert trail guides will intimately expose you to the Reserve’s unique biodiversity and ecosystems while experiencing multiple species of game on foot. Each camp is comprised of only four deluxe bedroom tents with en-suite bathrooms and separate stylish dining and lounge tents.
Includes:
3 or 5 Day Conservation / Safari Program (Thursday arrival)
Accommodation in a remote, solar-powered, tented eco bush camp
All food and local beverages (alcohol and soft drinks)
Twice daily housekeeping service (including all linen and towels)
All conservation activities and Game Drives on a private vehicle dedicated to the camp
| Dates | Rates (PPS) | Rates (SINGLE) |
|---|---|---|
| 01 May 2020 — 30 Sep 2020 | $ 749 | $ 1,236 |
| 01 Oct 2020 — 30 Apr 2021 | $ 824 | $ 1,362 |
| 01 May 2021 — 30 Sep 2021 | $ 854 | $ 1,281 |
| 01 Oct 2021 — 30 Apr 2022 | $ 940 | $ 1,409 |
Kwena Lodge
From $ 260
- Single: $ 391
- Unit sleeps: 2
Includes: Accommodation, all meals, and twice daily game drives.
| Dates | Rates (PPS) | Rates (SINGLE) |
|---|---|---|
| 01 May 2020 — 30 Sep 2020 | $ 260 | $ 391 |
| 01 Oct 2020 — 30 Apr 2021 | $ 374 | $ 561 |
| 01 May 2021 — 30 Sep 2021 | $ 284 | $ 426 |
| 01 Oct 2021 — 30 Apr 2022 | $ 407 | $ 611 |
Bush Villa
From $ 260
- Unit sleeps: 2
Includes: Accommodation, all meals, and twice-daily game drives. Exclusive use - 3 & 4 room en suite. Located 5-10 km’s from Kwena Lodge (15–20 min drive), requiring self-drive to lodge for meals
| Dates | Rates (PPS) | Rates (SINGLE) |
|---|---|---|
| 01 May 2020 — 30 Sep 2020 | $ 260 | |
| 01 Oct 2020 — 30 Apr 2021 | $ 374 | |
| 01 May 2021 — 30 Sep 2021 | $ 284 | |
| 01 Oct 2021 — 30 Apr 2022 | $ 407 |
Fynbos Villa
From $ 313
- Unit sleeps: 2
Includes: Exclusive use, 3 en suite bedrooms, all meals, and twice-daily game drives. Exclusive use, 3 en suite bedrooms. Located adjacent to Kwena Lodge, transfers provided to and from Lodge for meals and game drives
| Dates | Rates (PPS) | Rates (SINGLE) |
|---|---|---|
| 01 May 2020 — 30 Sep 2020 | $ 313 | |
| 01 Oct 2020 — 30 Apr 2021 | $ 449 | |
| 01 May 2021 — 30 Sep 2021 | $ 341 | |
| 01 Oct 2021 — 30 Apr 2022 | $ 489 |
Ulubisi House
From $ 2,835
- Unit sleeps: 8
Includes:
Privately staffed exclusive use lodge, located in the reserve’s 1200 hectare walking area.
Three luxurious guest suites with mountain views and expansive open plan bathrooms provide extravagant accommodation.
Bathrooms with rain shower, deep bath, double sinks, outdoor shower and private deck.
King or Twin Beds, 100% cotton 500 thread count linen, bath towels and bathrobes, Non-allergenic pillows,
hairdryer, electricity: AC 220V
Twice-daily housekeeping with turn downs.
The Villa can accommodate 4 adults and 4 kids or 5 adults.
Pool and Jacuzzi/hot tub with extensive deck area to take in spectacular surrounds
Inclusive of all gourmet meals and local beverages
Private chef, butler, field guide and game viewer for the duration of your stay
Additional included activities: including Fynbos and wildlife hikes,
Mountain biking (6 adult bikes and 2 children’s provided), fishing and trail running, Junior Ranger Programme
Premium speciality coffee maker, Wifi and DSTV
| Dates | Base rate | Extra adult |
|---|---|---|
| 01 May 2020 — 30 Sep 2020 | $ 2,835 | |
| 01 Oct 2020 — 30 Apr 2021 | $ 4,051 | |
| 01 May 2021 — 30 Sep 2021 | $ 2,862 | |
| 01 Oct 2021 — 30 Apr 2022 | $ 4,051 |
Reviews
"This was the the centre piece of our trip. So glad I tweaked it to allow 3 nights at Gondwana. All staff excellent - you are always welcomed back to the lodge area with a hot towel to freshen up. There are 2 game drives a day early (6am and 4.30pm preceded by coffee or tea respectively). Elliott welcomed us to the site and was always available to assist. We arrived just in time to enjoy the evening drive but was bit of a rush-highly recommend you arrive by 3pm to give time to settle in if you are planning to go on evening drive and be prepared for 5am wake up calls. Eugene was our Ranger - an incredibly knowledgeable young man who clearly not only loved the flora and fauna but his country as well. Every now and then one of his 'environmental theories' would slip out! He was also fun and committed to giving us a good time (he even connived with one of our fellow visitors to propose - successfully, well done Tim and Natasha). Eugene made every effort to find elusive animals and surprised us with mid drive stops for coffees drinks and snacks. We once persuaded him to head into a gorge slightly against his better judgement as it was getting late and there had been some rain but we found elephants (although we did need to get off the truck briefly while he 'gunned'' it though a rough patch). I had been having trouble envisaging just how big Gondwana was based on the stats provided but it didn't matter - it seems huge when you are there with far horizons (sounds romantic I know) and ever changing geography grassland/steep hills/valleys etc etc .How do elephants and giraffes hide? Fortunately, over the 3 days we managed to see pretty much all we could hope for. One of my favorite memories funnily enough was when we stopped in the dark and he gave us a lesson on astronomy - only to arrive back at base to find elephants were visiting and we were then confined to the restaurant area for a while until they moved on (they were still in the area in the early morning .) Suggest you ensure your transport is good quality - to deal with the rough reserve roads. Altogether one of my best ever experiences - managed to eat Ostrich in 3 different styles as well! If they read this thanks also to Nils and Barbara for helping to make a memorable trip."
- John
"We visited Gondwana for a friend's wedding and every single member of the staff was on form and on hand to make the stay and event first class. Special mention to the game drivers, Natalie and PG for going the extra mile to make the wedding the event of the year! Would definitely recommend this game reserve."
- James
"We stayed in one of the villas. Our bedroom was beautifully appointed with lovely views from the verandah across the valley. The most impressive part of our stay was our guide, Christian. He was an excellent guide with an immense knowledge and enthusiasm for Gondwana, and he was keen for us all to get the most we could from our experience."
- Vivienne
"What an amazing place! We enjoyed the rondawel we stayed in, the food and the staff. The game drives were wonderful: lions, giraffe, elephants, various antelope, zebras, baboons, all in a beautiful location. Our guide was terrific, very knowledgeable. Only one night is not enough here!"
- Carol
"Everything about our stay was great, we state in one of the luxurious villas. The game viewing experience and the knowledge of our guide were highlights. The whole experience was family friendly our children thoroughly enjoying being part of the junior ranger programming very proudly guided us on our departure out the reserve."
- Mark
"We stayed in a large villa. Plenty of space for everyone ( 5 p) but to little time to spend in this fantastic place. Surrounded by wilderness. 3 safaris with a fantastic guide. We found elephants, lion, giraffe, lynx, rhino, hippo and even more. Great swimming pool area."
- John
"The resort has no fences or boundaries between the wild and its complex, sounds scary but when you spend a night you love the idea, live the harmony with wild. The resort are new just 5 years old and had a good experienced rangers . I had Mr Christiaan as our ranger, we had a great night game adventure observing lions while they had their hunting journey. Just be careful when opening your lodge room since there is no fence or walls between the wild animals and lodges. I liked the fire place in the rooms and the food in the restaurant. The night stay around the fire place is so romantic and the sound of the frogs and game night creature is mysterious."
- Taloot
"My husband and I had the most fantastic stay here. All the staff were so friendly and happy to help with anything. Our ranger was Felix who was very knowledgeable, friendly and funny. The food was delicious and there was no chance you'd get hungry. We stayed in a Kwena hut which was fabulous. The accommodation was not fenced in which added to the experience. We came back after our first morning game drive to find around 10 zebras grazing on the grass outside our hut!!! We both had treatments in the spa which were excellent - definitely worth it. We saw a family of elephants, white rhinos, giraffes, lions, hippos and heaps of impalas and zebras. Thank you Gondwana for a fabulous experience."
- Rachel
"What a treat - not only was the accommodation superb both meals and safaris were wonderful. Extremely friendly and welcoming staff! Overall a lovely stay. We came on a school trip and were shocked at just how amazing our stay was. I most definitely be coming back with my family - hopefully very soon!"
- Hannah
"It was a great weekend the game drives was stunning we saw all of the big 5 and more! Our game ranger Wayne went out of his way to make every trip special! The accommodation was lovely, clean and more than what we expected! The kids loved the junior ranger trips and we will definitely visit again!"
- Elamrie
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