Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

South Africa

The Karoo's only Big Five reserve

The Cape’s only Big Five reserve, three hours from Cape Town. Three malaria-free luxury lodges at Sanbona Wildlife Reserve from ZAR 9,530 per person per night.

3 Lodges

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The house

The story.

Sanbona is a 58,000-hectare conservation restoration project in the Western Cape Karoo, about three hours from Cape Town. The reserve has reintroduced cheetah, black rhino, and lion, and now runs three luxury lodges plus an exclusive-use manor.

Why Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

Why Sanbona Wildlife Reserve.

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is the Cape’s only Big Five destination, set across 58,000 hectares (143,000 acres) of dramatic Karoo landscape about three hours’ drive from Cape Town along the scenic Route 62. For guests combining Cape Town with a safari, Sanbona removes the need for a flight to the Kruger while delivering an experience that is visually and ecologically distinct from any bushveld reserve.

The reserve is home to free-roaming white lions, one of only a handful of populations in southern Africa not behind fences. Cheetah, black rhino, elephant, buffalo and lion share the vast open terrain of the Little Karoo, and guided tracking walks bring guests within striking distance of the predators. A dedicated conservation team runs ongoing cheetah research, and guests who join the tracking experience see real fieldwork rather than a staged encounter.

01 Montagu

Tilney Manor

Only a three-hour drive from Cape Town in the private Sanbona Game Reserve is where you will find the exclusive Tilney Manor.

From, per person sharing R 9 530

Check availability The lodge Enquire →

02 Montagu

Dwyka Tented Lodge

Embraced by striking rock formations, Dwyka Tented Lodge epitomises an atmosphere of seclusion.

From, pps R 10 730

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03 Montagu

Gondwana Family Lodge

Nestled under the 350 million-year-old Warmwaterberg Mountains, in the heart of the Little Karoo which forms part of the famous Garden Route, lies the malaria-free Sanbona Wildlife Reserve.

From R 9 840 pps Check availability The lodge

The journey

3-Day BIG 5 Safari near Cape Town

3 days · complete package · From R 26 430 View itinerary

Common questions

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, answered.

How far is Sanbona from Cape Town?: Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is approximately three hours’ drive from Cape Town along the N1 and Route 62. The drive itself passes through some of the Western Cape’s most striking scenery, including the Huguenot Tunnel and the Little Karoo vineyards, and many guests treat it as part of the experience.
Is Sanbona malaria-free?: Yes. Sanbona is entirely malaria-free, making it suitable for families with young children and guests who prefer not to take antimalarial prophylaxis. This is one of the key advantages over Big Five reserves in the Kruger and KwaZulu-Natal regions.
What is included in the nightly rate?: All three Sanbona lodges are fully inclusive. The rate covers accommodation, all meals, house beverages and two guided game drives per day. Some lodges also include additional activities such as nature walks and stargazing experiences.
Which Sanbona lodge is best for couples and which for families?: Dwyka Tented Lodge, with its nine suites set in a horseshoe around a dry riverbed, is the most romantic option. Tilney Manor is an intimate six-suite Georgian-style lodge suited to couples and small groups. Gondwana Family Lodge has 12 suites and runs a dedicated children’s safari programme.
When is the best time to visit the Little Karoo?: Game viewing is rewarding year-round. The cooler months from May to September bring clear skies and comfortable daytime temperatures, ideal for game drives. Summer (November to March) is warmer, with longer daylight hours and occasional afternoon thunderstorms that turn the Karoo green.
Can you see white lions at Sanbona?: Yes. Sanbona is home to a free-roaming pride of white lions, one of the few populations in southern Africa living without fences. Sightings are not guaranteed on every drive, but the reserve’s experienced trackers know their territory well, and guests staying two or more nights have a strong chance of an encounter.

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