Gondwana Game Reserve

South Africa is a place where you can easily spend months, and still be surprised to see something new every day. From the vast national parks in the North of the country, offering the chance to experience some of the last unspoiled ecosystems in the world and incredible wildlife, to the lively exotic city of Durban and its surrounding beautiful beaches of the Indian Ocean. 

South Africa is a place where you can easily spend months, and still be surprised to see something new every day. From the vast national parks in the North of the country, offering the chance to experience some of the last unspoiled ecosystems in the world and incredible wildlife, to the lively exotic city of Durban and its surrounding beautiful beaches of the Indian Ocean. Down the whole coast, dubbed wild coast you will find rugged and untamed nature, deserted beaches, lots of heritage of the Xhosa tribes and countless sleepy fishing villages, before you reach the beautiful coastline between Port Elizabeth and Mossel Bay called the Garden Route, which derived from being considered the Garden Eden of South Africa. In this stretch of about 400 km you will not only wind along beautiful coastal roads from where you can spot Humpback Whales, dolphins and even Killer Whales if you arrive in the right season and stumble upon great surfing spots, but also pass some of the most scenic and lush preserved areas of Fynbos and vast forests merged in the Garden Route National Park. Heading on further West towards Cape Town you will soon reach the outskirts of Stellenbosch with its beautiful vineyards lined up next to each other spread out across the hills from the roadside until they kiss the horizon - In between the beautiful ancient country houses dating back to the Dutch colonial times.

After around another hour on the road passing by beautiful old farming and wine villages you finally reach the Cape and Capetown, the cultural, gastronomical and touristic center of South Africa, only called the Mothercity by South Africans and it’s hard to not instantly feel that devotion as well, as soon as you get into the town. The combination of a modern city paired with a relaxed manner of a small beach town nestled in between the mighty table mountain, the smaller lions head, some of the most picturesque beaches and rocky coastline.

Out of the numerous places I’ve visited over the recent years, I always keep coming back to this special place, that offers everything, from some of the best restaurants in the world to small boutiques and workshops, a cosmopolitan crowd, jaw dropping nature inside and all around the city and sunsets that will leave you speechless every night again. In fact, there’s so much to see, that we will be giving you dedicated City Guide as well soon.

A great solution however is Gondwana Game Reserve, situated in an 11.000 hectare private game park next to Mossel Bay, right at the beginning of the Garden Route. Part of the Member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts collection, Gondwana offers a distinctive and luxurious malaria-free Safari destination and the only chance to experience free-roaming Big 5 Safari Animals in the southern Cape region.

Not long after entering the vast reserve, nestled in between the unique Fynbos of the Langeberg and Outeniqua Mountains, one can see herds of zebras and gemsbok along the dusty unpaved roads, before reaching the beautifully designed traditionally looking huts of the Kwena Safari Lodge nestled on lush slopes, overlooking the park and providing an ideal setting to relax in between the game drives, typically happening around sunrise and sunset. Opposed to the big parks in the north, doing a safari drive with private cars is not possible, so there will never be more than two or three cars at a sighting, allowing more time and flexibility to see the amazing wildlife. During our visit we could see Elephants, Lions, Rhinos, Hippos and countless herds of Antelopes, Zebras, Springboks and Wildebeests. Definitely memories for a lifetime.

The Lodge itself was great as well. The 14 rooms are free standing and are allowing enough privacy to be alone with the beautiful scenery of the endless Fynbos and two watering holes, which attract Elephants and other animals. The traditionally built huts are beautifully designed with lots of attention to the details and they are matching the scenery perfectly. Yet you will still find all the luxury one could wish for

Another highlight was the great gastronomy, which is usually part of the package. From an inviting breakfast menu to bush Barbeques, scenic sundowner safari breaks with a full bar, to teatime and fine dining dinners, the quality and diversity of the Pan African cuisine as well as the presentation is deliciously inspiring and will remain in your memories for long after your stay at Gondwana.