Experience an Authentic
Cape
Safari
Exhilarating
Game
Drives
Kwena Lodge
Newly refurbished
Experience an Authentic
Cape
Safari
Exhilarating Game Drives
Kwena Lodge
Newly refurbished
Gondwana Game Reserve
Luxury Safari Accommodation
Lehele Lodge Villas
Spacious and remotely located 3 & 4 bedroom villas ideal for families and groups
Experiences & Activities
Gondwana Conservation Foundation
The Gondwana Conservation Foundation (GCF) has been established as a non-profit organization to contribute to the conservation of South Africa’s threatened and endangered wildlife and vegetation relevant to the Southern Cape through active management, training and skills development of the local people. The Southern Cape is home to one of the most critically endangered vegetation types on earth (Fynbos) and has a high unemployment rate within the region. The foundation currently has three active projects:
• Rainbow Rhino Initiative which sponsors anti-poaching training courses and is establishing a breeding population of rhino.
• Conservation Kids program which invites local schools for fun and educational outings on the reserve exposing them to career opportunities in conservation.
• Conservation of Critically Endangered Fynbos, data collection and monitoring as well as land management with ongoing research and experimentation to determine optimal game densities and regenerative veld burning programs. All of which are critical in sustaining its biodiversity.
Chris B
Trip Advisor
The lodges, in particular, were amazing. Very spacious, trendy and very clean. Restaurant also very good, excellent menu and service level. Even though Gondwana is not the typical location for big game, the area is actually very nice and over the years it has developed into a truly great reserve with plenty of game. Esp recommended for families with kids, Gondwana is a great addition while doing the Garden route. Highly recommended!
rejy22
Trip Advisor
Once in a lifetime experience - I cannot put into words how wonderful our experience here was!
The best part was obviously the game drives. Our ranger Coolman just made the whole experience for us, he was knowledgable, funny and kind. He made sure we had the best views for pictures. He was literally the best part of our trip, it wouldn’t have been the same without him. We love you Coolman!
897ohn2023
Trip Advisor
Perfect location to see a huge variety of animals, enjoy good food and hospitality.
Gondwana is an incredible game reserve, Our Villa was huge but cosy. The staff was very helpfull and nothing seemed to be to much for the staff. The game drives were excellent and we saw lots of different animals.
martynandjane
Trip Advisor
Amazing first safari!
The location was breathtaking. All staff went above and beyond to make our safari so special. We did six game drives and seeing the animals so close up was incredible. The restaurant was very good and our Suite was in a beautiful location. Thank you for a wonderful stay.
Carole J
Trip Advisor
We had a wonderful stay with absolutely gruesome wet weather on the first day which only added to our wonderful memories of this trip as the weather did improve. The views from our Villas were wonderful with Eland right outside our front door! The drive to the restaurant was a game drive in itself. Our guide went out of his way to find Lion which we did on the final game drive where they were hunting Impala.
Emily R
Trip Advisor
A must book!
Gondwana was such a treat. The staff was very accommodating and the safari drives were exactly what I wanted. We stayed 3 days 2 nights, and I wish we had done one more day. I think that would have allowed us a better chance to see a few more animals. We stayed in the Lehele Villa and the view of the stars was unlike anything I have ever seen. It was one of the most impressive parts of our stay!
dora_the_explorer75
Trip Advisor
Wonderful! We were a family of 4, staying in a bush villa. The villa was ‘WOW!’ Huge, with 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. Views were amazing, very clean and everything we needed. We woke to wilder beasts grazing on our doorstep. The food was outstanding. We had so much fun, saw all the animals up close, except for a leopard. We were in search of the lions for a couple of days and when we found them, we were in awe!
Nothing is too much trouble at Gondwana! Highly recommend!
Nick F
Trip Advisor
5 stars across the board!
5 stars across the board. The only thing that topped the unbelievable scenery and accommodations were the people that work there. They make you feel like family from the time you arrive to the time you leave.
From the game rangers to the transportation team to the restaurant staff and everyone in between. Special thanks to a few of our favorites like Coolman, Flint, Renzel and the entire restaurant staff. We were so sad to leave but will certainly be back!
Would give it more than 5 stars if we could!
SarahHoganManchester
Trip Advisor
Amazing Life Experience - Would go back in a heartbeat.
Gondwana is the most amazing place. We stayed in a Bush Villa so we were out with the animals and it was stunning. Waking up to the South African sunshine, having a coffee outside with Zebras walking past and having a bath as the sun comes up or goes down was stunning.
It was the best experience to date and I have done some travelling, there were a few tears when we had to leave from both me and the kids!
Sammy Byrne
Best experience ever! Everyone was so lovely and really seemed like they loved their job. Food was delicious, staff was kind and generous, villas were beautifully designed and animals were outstanding to see! Huge shout out to our ranger Q. He is the man! So compassionate and cared so much about us having only the best time and experience. Can't wait to come back and recommend to others!
Nick G
Trip Advisor
Amazing safari outside of Cape Town
My fiance and I visited Gondwana during a trip to Cape Town last October. It's about a 4.5 hour drive from the city, but most definitely worth it (though hiring a car to take you is quite expensive so having a rental is the best option). From check in to the game drives, everything was amazing and the area is so tranquil. We saw everything but the cheetahs in our two days there. From coffee with giraffes to cocktails with the elephants, it was an amazing experience.
Edward Clemance
We had the best experience, Austin our guide was very knowledgeable and couldn’t help enough when driving us around the beautiful reserve. Once our drive was complete we had a delicious meal to look forward to and smiley staff to help. They even turned on our electric blankets in the evening so that we had warm beds to return to after a cold safari drive. Could not recommend Gondwana enough.
Jeroen Harinck
Trip Advisor
Wonderful trip and outstanding service
We spend 4 days at the ECO Camp. 2 x 3,5 hours game drives every day. Do not expect wide open dry plains with animals far away. Due to the professional approach of the Rangers we were able to get very close to the animals, sometimes right in between the elephants and the rhinos and one time even the lions. The experience was really special. The nature in the park and the views are just spectacular.
Geraldine Keenan
Our family of 10 stayed at the EcoCamp for 4 nights. James went out of his way to look after my elderly mother and nothing was too much trouble for him, James was very tentative to all of us. The food by Kenny and his team was superb and varied. Our game ranger Nic was one of a kind, great sense of humour, very knowledgeable with his flora, birds and animals. He went out of his way to track and we got to see all the animals in the park except the hyena. Highly recommend Gondwana GR!
Markus Müller
An incredibly beautiful place! We felt like millionaires staying in one of the Kwena villas, and the game drive we joined was an experience we'll never forget.
Elaine Bermas
My husband and I loved our March 2023 three-day stay at the Gondwana Private Game Reserve!
It offered a beautiful setting, excellent and unusual accommodations, good food, and a delightful staff. But, above all, we loved our memorable safari experience. Coolman was our guide/tracker/driver for six game drives and he was terrific - exuberant, consistently in good humor, knowledgeable, and informative. His uncanny ability to search out hard-to-find animals while skillfully driving us over rough terrain was a marvel. Among other highlights, Coolman was able to find and get us up close to a lion who was devouring a just-killed wildebeest, a rare sighting. Coolman was a real professional and not a clock-watcher. If he was on the track of an animal, he would extend the game drive beyond the allotted time rather than give up the quest.
We heartily recommend Gondwana and Coolman.
JBC
TRipAdvisor
Outstanding!
Gondwana is paradise. The team are exceptional, everyone was so warm and welcoming when we arrived and so helpful right throughout our stay. The accomodation is a dream and the food is incredible. The absolute best part is of course the game drives, the animals took our breath away. Thato was our ranger, he is incredibly skilled at finding the animals and so knowledgeable about each one. He was determined to find each animal we wanted to see and we felt very lucky to have him as our guide. We made memories in Gondwana that will stay with us for the rest of our lives and we can't express just how grateful we are to all of you. We will return for certain.
Stuart
TripAdvisor
Great Intro to African Wildlife for Grandchildren
We were a family group of 9 sharing two Kwena Villas on a trip to celebrate a gradparent's 75th birthday. We chose Gondwana as an excellent place within easy driving distance of Cape Town to introduce 4 children aged 5 - 9 to the delights of viewing African wildlife. Our three nights at Gondwana fully met our objetive and expectations; we now have 4 new safari enthusiasts in our famuly. In particular, this was thanks to our friendly & knowledgeable Game Ranger 'Coolman' who was attentive to the needs and interests of adults & children alike. By day three, the kids were hapoy to drive off with Coolman into the bush on their own for a great Junior Ranger experience.
Michelle
TripAdvisor
Wonderful experience
We stayed 2 nights at the incredible Kwena Lodge. Our whole experience couldn’t be any better. We had a Kwena Suite and it was really comfortable and luxury. We were there during two cold days but the log fire and the really warm bed made it so comfy.
We had 4 game drives with Austin who was absolutely the best guide you can imagine: knowledgeable and funny. He gave his very best to show us all the wildlife you want to see like lions, elephants…..
The meals (we booked full board) where exceptional.
Thank you for an amazing time 😊
cazzaCarlukeScotland
TripAdvisor
a brilliant stay
jonly issue is when we arrived at gondwana we would have preferred to go right to our accomadation but we had to have lunch first can i say the food was to die for and staff were all lovely the game rangers and all staff were nice and really interested in their job
Samantha H
TripAdvisor
Great stay!
We had such a great stay at Gondwana - saw 4 of the big 5 (no leopard sighting, but we did see cheetah)! Loved our safari guide, Hennie and would highly recommend requesting him if you can! Would definitely travel again!
Elaine Bermas
TripAdvisor
Wonderful safari experience at Gondwana Private Game Reserve
My husband and I loved our March 2023 three-day stay at the Gondwana Private Game Reserve! It offered a beautiful setting, excellent and unusual accommodations, good food, and a delightful staff. But, above all, we loved our memorable safari experience. We heartily recommend Gondwana and Coolman our guide.
Lisa C
TripAdvisor
Once-in-a-lifetime
I did the Pioneer Trail with Andre and Chris leading as rangers. There are no words. Save up and go. It's worth every penny and more and I will be back. If I can find a way to return every year, I will.
Peter W
Trip Advisor
One of the best experiences of our life
We went on the Pioneer Trail a walking/camping trip supported by two guides, and staff at each camp over three nights. Close encounters with animals, information about flora and fauna, superb food and a wonderful setting made this a magical few days.
elhprivat2023
Trip Advisor
Excellent safari.
We enjoyed every minute of the safari and the accomodation in tent was pure luxury. The food was great and Nic our ranger was extremly knowing and fun. The other members of staff were very serviceminded and kind.
Calum J
Trip Advisor
There is simply no way to put into words, no matter how lengthy the review, the three days that we spent at Gondwana. You just simply have to visit this place and experience it in all its splendour! Quite the most amazing place.
Ashley
Trip Advisor
Girls Bush Getaway
I took a trip with my girlfriends to Gondwana for my birthday this year. We spent 4 days and 3 nights here during our South African road trip. The property was gorgeous with the most lovely staff. Each meal we had while staying was incredible, if you are looking for fine dining at every turn, then this is the place to stay. I highly recommend requesting Q as your guide. He was exceptional both in character and knowledge. Q was full of facts about the Big 5 animals in the area, as well as birds, bugs, snakes, and other animals. His tacking skills lead us to see each animal we set out to find on our drives. I cannot recommend Gondwana enough. I will forever be telling people they must stay here. Thank you for a wonderful time. You exceeded every expectation I had prior to arrival!
AA1905
Trip Advisor
Magic!
What a place!! we had the most wonderful stay in between Christmas and New Year. The accommodation is flawless, the safari incredible, but what makes this place extra special is the wonderful team and rangers. A HUGE thank you to Brendon (our game drive) who was so informative and great company.
The staff at Gondwana certainly appear to love the reserve and all its inhabitants.. and by the time you leave, you also love the reserve and all its inhabitants. We were so very sad to leave.
We will be back this year!
haraldstrikesback
Trip Advisor
Great Safari - highly recommended!!!!
What an excellent experience it was! Everything was great - accommodation, location, staff, views and most importantly the game drives were unbelievable. This made our trip unforgettable. Will definitely be coming back!
LC_abroad
Guest Revu
My wife and I did the Pioneer Trail in late Jan 23. It was a fantastic experience in all respects. The attention to detail in the camps along the route, the quality of the food and service and the trail experience itself were all absolutely brilliant. A special mention to our guide Andre; he was an absolute treasure trove of knowledge about the fynbos and the animals who inhabit it and we both learnt a huge amount. A highly recommended experience.
Kiana Stoltzfus
Trip Advisor
My husband and I took our first trip to South Africa and loved staying at Gondwana Game Reserve. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. They care about the guests' safety and experience while they are there. Our guide was knowledgeable about the animals - we learned so much while we were there! It was amazing to see the animals in their natural habitat and I never felt unsafe. We stayed in a Kwena Lodge and it was so fun. The zebras came right up to our hut! We would recommend Gondwana to everyone.
Jessica V
Trip Advisor
We haven’t had a service experience like this: every staff member is there to make you feel good. Lovely food, room and drinks. And the safari feeling is the best! We saw lions, cheeta’s, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, zebras and lots of different types of bok. The surroundings are beautiful.
Lorraine Murphy
GuestRevu
If I could give you more than a 10 I would. We are still in awe of the fabulous experience. Everything from beginning to end was better than everything we imagined. We have a memory bank full until one day we will return again. Our experience was incredible, the food, service, warm welcomes at reception, helpfulness, lifts to our lodge, junior ranger pack, but most special of all was the careful planning of our day and the hours of fun, knowledge and happy memories that Ruan cultivated for us. We are forever grateful. You truly went above and beyond and our children have you in the headlines of the safari stories from Gondwana.
Jérémy P
Tripadvisor
Wow! Where to start?! Gondwana is the perfect melange of Adventure, luxury, romance and authentic. Upon arrival, you very quickly fall under the charm of those incredible landscapes and as you slowly drive towards your destination.
354sheilas
Tripadvisor
Can I give this place a 7, rather than a 5? From the moment we drove onto the grounds of Gondwana Game Reserve, we were treated as special guests and surrounded by luxury and amazing service. We booked a 7-day safari at Gondwana and loved every minute! Corlea, our guide, was incredibly knowledgeable and gave us so many once-in-a-lifetime experiences that we can’t imagine better! The restaurants were outstanding, the wine selection superb and our accommodations were unparalleled. …. We hope to be back soon!
Gie
Gondwana Guest
Gondwana Game Reserve is a beautiful place filled with amazing flora and fauna. You can tell that a lot of care has been taken in maintaining a well balanced eco-system for all the inhabitants of the reserve. The accommodations, which we had expected to be top quality, really exceeded our expectations.
Anon
Gondwana Guest
We have been to Gondwana the 5th time and have chosen it as part of our fitness and health Camp again. For us and our travellers it was a maximum experience and we will do it again! The food, service, accommodation and especially game drives are fantastic
Peter
Gondwana Guest
Wonderful setting, beautiful views, great Villa, excellent service and exceptional game viewing experience. A lovely time in a serene and secluded environment. Many activities to engage in. Junior Ranger experience great for children. Worth a visit! Will return again and again.