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.
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.
The Kwena Lodge Suites is a modern and luxurious twist on the traditional Khoi-San circular dwelling – augmented with all the amenities of a modern Luxury Hotel. Each open plan Kwena Room is designed to connect visitors to their beautiful surroundings with 180-degree views and skylights for star gazing. At night, visitors are warmed by the indoor fireplace and relax in a deep bath upon returning from an evening Big 5 Game Drive.
The Kwena Lodge Villas have been praised as the best Family Safari Accommodation in South Africa. Enjoy your own Luxury Bush Home on a Private Big 5 Game Reserve with ample indoor space and an easy-going open-plan design that leads you outdoors to take in your natural surroundings.The spacious Private Villas feature either 2,3, or 4-bedroom configurations, all with en-suite bathrooms, to accommodate your group. Located adjacent to Kwena Lodge, transfers provided to and from Lodge for meals and game drives.
The Luxury Game Lodge facilities includes a large swimming pool, a chic open-plan lounge and bar, a spa that offers rejuvenating Africology treatments, and a reception area with a curio shop.
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’.
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.
Kwena Lodge is ideal for solo explorers, couples and families looking for a luxury safari getaway.
Accommodation, all meals, and twice daily game drives
October 14, 2024
great website and Staff
great website Keith Chideme was extremely helpful and answered all my quickly and professionally
October 14, 2024
Safari
Keith was most pleasant and helpful. Planning a Safari can be overwhelming, Keith was insightful and patient. We look forward to sharing our experience upon our return from Africa. Thankyou 🐘
October 4, 2024
Keith was so helpful
Keith was so helpful, against many obstacles, he eventually managed to secure me a place on the train from Victoria Falls
Oct 21, 2024
Excellent, fast, helpful service
The service from Leigh-Ann has been exceptional. No matter the difference in time zone, her responses and suggestions are always fast and helpful. When we’ve asked for changes to the itinerary, there has never been a problem. Highly recommended.
Oct 18, 2024
Cannot recommend enough
Cannot recommend enough! Contacted at 6pm night before and Dorothy was helpful friendly and managed to book a safari trip with transport for 6 people! She was contactable on the day too and very very helpful!
Oct 17, 2024
Aquilia Safari trip
Re: Safari from Cape Town to Aquilia. Fadiel was very helpful and organised our trip for us. We were picked up by Joe, who was our driver for the day. Joe is born and raised in Cape Town. He was prompt and was very friendly and informative. There was a good choice of food at Aquilia and had choices for my husband too who is Coeliac.
Oct 17, 2024
Sweet Kim Abrahams was extremely…
Sweet Kim Abrahams was extremely patient with the two of us oldsters. We had computer problems, took a very long time to decide and confirm our intentions and challenged every detail. Thank you Kim
Oct 17, 2024
Anja has been extremely helpful and…
Anja has been extremely helpful and communicative through the process of booking our trip. Everything has been communicated clearly and quickly with lots of flexibility. I would definitely recommend. Thank you for your help!
Oct 17, 2024
Mel is friendly and patient
I would usually book my trips myself. Lucky for me I sent off an enquiry to Safari.com and received Mel's wonderful help. Mel responded quickly and made me feel comfortable with Safari.com. organising my trip. Later on, when I realised my dates didn't work with the rest of my trip, Mel gave me my options and costings and rebooked for me. Mel was very patient and friendly. I wouldn't hesitate to use Mel again.
Oct 16, 2024
Outstanding service
Response was very quick and helpful. Answered all questions. Laid out a trip that went beyond what I expected
Oct 16, 2024
Very responsive and accurate
Very responsive and accurate
Oct 15, 2024
Planning Our Family African Safari Experience
Planning our first trip to Africa was a really big deal for us. After careful review of numerous safari planners, we selected safari.com and worked with Nicole Van der Merwe. There's a lot of parts in putting together such a vacation including ground transfers, hotels, activities, and flights. At each step we had numerous questions and Nicole patiently worked through these with professionalism and care to her customers. I would recommend Nicole and safari.com for anyone planning a trip to South Africa.