KWANDWE PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA

• Two exclusive safari lodges
• Two sole-use villas
• Exceptional Big Five game viewing
• Malaria-free African wilderness
• Day and night safaris
• Specialist Historic Safari
• Sweeping views of the Great Fish River
• Commitment to conservation
• Member of Relais & Chateaux

General information

A victory for far-sighted conservation, 25 000 hectares (62 000 acres) of farmland in the Great Fish River region were restored and restocked with African wildlife. Today, thousands of animals including lion, black and white rhino, buffalo and elephant roam this diverse and fascinating reserve.

Kwandwe aptly means "Place of the Blue Crane" in Xhosa (South Africa's highly endangered national bird) and is home to a population of these rare birds. It offers an exceptional safari experience in a region steeped in history and culture. The Great Fish River was a hotly contested border during the Frontier Wars of 1779 to 1878 between the Xhosa nation, Dutch farmers and the 1820 Settlers from England. Kwandwe's reception building is a Frontier War-era fortified homestead, and the Reserve boasts its own intimate chapel.

Accommodation

SAFARI ACCOMMODATION AT KWANDWE, SOUTH AFRICA

Classic safari accommodation

At Kwandwe Private Game Reserve Amanzi Travel are pleased to offer both the exclusive Great Fish River Lodge and Ecca Lodge, each offering world-class sophistication and style in the African bush.

GREAT FISH RIVER LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA

Set along the aloe-studded banks of the Great Fish River, nine suites feature private plunge pools and spacious thatched game viewing decks with magnificent views of the wild yet gentle landscape. Beautiful thatched guest areas and expansive viewing decks overlook the river.

• Nine air-conditioned suites
• En suite bathrooms, indoor and outdoor showers
• Private plunge pools
• Expansive game viewing decks
• African gift gallery
• Reception in historical fort
• Member of Relais & Chateaux

The Great Fish River Lodge is stylishly furnished in Frontier Settler style, integrating local African culture with colonial settler history. Elegant thatched stone and glass suites feature floor-to-ceiling doors which fold back to reveal uninterrupted wilderness vistas. Guest areas have a large fireplace with massive stone chimney, and a soaring thatched roof with imposing chandeliers.

Sophisticated, glass-fronted sitting and dining areas boast expansive viewing decks with breathtaking river views. Delicious Pan-African cuisine is served on the private decks, in the candlelit dining room, or enjoyed in the boma (outdoor dining area). Kwandwe is renowned for its spectacular bush banqueting in surprise settings.

Heatherton Towers is the main reception building, which is situated 40 minutes from the Lodge. It is, in fact, a Frontier War-era fortified homestead, complete with dramatic gun turrets and private chapel.

Kwandwe's exciting safari activities: From interpretive twice-daily game drives in a Big Five game wilderness, guided river-walking/hiking and canoeing, to a Specialist Historic Safari - Frontiers @ Kwandwe - you will be spoilt for choice.

KWANDWE ECCA LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA

Innovative, stylish and intimate, Kwandwe Ecca Lodge embodies a "funk-meets-futuristic-farmhouse" ambience, and features just six intimate suites with spacious living areas and en suite bathrooms. Overlooking rolling spekboom valleys, main guest areas include a a spacious sitting room, dining room and bar area, interactive kitchen, sparkling rim-flow lap pool and unique interpretive centre.

• Ideal for family safaris
• Six intimate suites
• Air-conditioning and en suite bathrooms
• Spacious sitting areas
• Gorgeous rim-flow lap pool
• Interactive kitchen
• Unique interpretive centre

Ecca Lodge is fun, flamboyant and fabulous, with a "funk-meets-futuristic-farmhouse" ambience. Nestled into a gently sloping, densely vegetated hillside, the Lodge is airy and open with barely a barrier between indoors and the African bushveld.

Each suite features an en suite bathroom with spacious, plate glass-enclosed shower, bath, private w.c and twin hand-basins, as well as a sitting area which can comfortably convert into accommodation for children 11 years and younger. Overlooking rolling spekboom valleys, guest areas comprise a spacious sitting room with fireplace, dining room and bar area and deep veranda with expansive viewing decks. Delicious fresh farm cuisine is prepared in the modern, open-plan kitchen and an interpretive centre provides hours of entertainment for children of all ages.

Kwandwe's unparalleled safari experience: Situated in the historically and culturally rich Eastern Cape in an extraordinary big game wilderness, Ecca Lodge offers various exciting South African safari activities including twice-daily game-drives and guided river walking/hiking.

Activities

SAFARI ACTIVITIES AT KWANDWE, SOUTH AFRICA

Specialist Safaris

Unique Specialist Safari

Frontiers @ Kwandwe is an extraordinary historic safari exploring the region's rich social, cultural, military and archaeological past led by Kwandwe's resident historian Alan Weyer, in addition to exceptional twice-daily game drives in a private 4x4 safari vehicle. These include:
Frontiers @ Kwandwe
Led by Kwandwe's resident historian and raconteur Alan Weyer, this safari is a unique adventure exploring the Eastern Cape's rich historical and cultural past. The combination of twice-daily game drives in a private 4x4 safari vehicle with exciting visits to ancient San (Bushman) rock art sites and neighbouring forts and military towns, such as Fort Beaufort and Grahamstown, offers you the ultimate historic Big Five safari. Subject to availability of a Specialist Guide. (Additional cost applicable).
Carnivore Research @ Kwandwe
Guided by Angus Sholto-Douglas (co-owner Kwandwe Private Game Reserve), learn about the fascinating carnivore programme and ongoing research at Kwandwe. Observe Kwandwe's predators, including Africa Wild Dog, cheetah, lion and leopard. Subject to availability of a Specialist Ranger. (Additional cost applicable).

Exciting safari activities

Kwandwe's Big Five wilderness offers a range of safari adventures at no extra cost as well as an exciting range of optional extras.
Twice-daily game-drives

Experienced rangers and Xhosa trackers will lead you on interpretive, twice-daily game-drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles, bringing you close to Africa's Big Five. Fascinating nocturnal animals such as aardvark, aardwolf, porcupine, Cape fox, bat-eared fox and springhare are regularly encountered on exciting night drives.
Guided walking/hiking or fishing
Guided bush walks in Kwandwe's pristine wilderness bring you face-to-face with wild Africa at its best. Hiking in the field is especially rewarding for those interested in birds and vegetation. Of Course, fishing is always available for enthusiasts (Kwandwe supports 'tag and release' procedures).

Game viewing

WILDLIFE SAFARIS AT KWANDWE, SOUTH AFRICA

African Big Game

Ensuring superlative game viewing opportunities, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve comprises five distinct habitats which are host to a remarkable array of Big Five game.

• Lion, cheetah, hyena and leopard
• Black and white rhino
• Fascinating nocturnal wildlife are regularly encountered
• Breeding site for threatened blue crane
• Scenic Great Fish River
• Great birdwatching - 238 bird species
• Interpretive game drives led by expert rangers

Kwandwe Private Game Reserve Wildlife Habitats

Kwandwe is a biodiversity 'hotspot' with six of South Africa's seven biomes converging in this region of the Eastern Cape. The bushclump savanna-thicket dominates on flat terrain and north-facing slopes with euphorbia, euclea, schotia, carissa and three species of tall aloe abundant. Tall succulent-thicket grows on steeper south-facing slopes with tall river euphorbia, honey euphorbia and Cape candelabra growing alongside sneezewood and other trees. Riverine thicket forms a narrow band along the Great Fish River, with Cape bushwillow, karee and sweet thorn dominant trees. Grassy dwarf-shrubland is an open habitat of sparse tussock grasses and stunted shrubs. The level of the Great Fish River fluctuates markedly, such that broad sand bars are exposed or covered. From June to August, the Reserve boasts a spectacular display of winter flowering aloes.

Mammals at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve

Kwandwe is a victory for far-sighted conservation with the successful reintroduction of over 7000 larger mammals taking place prior to the Reserve opening in 2001. Today, herds of elephant and buffalo frequently drink and mud-bathe at waterholes, and cheetah and lion are regularly encountered in open habitats. The home ranges of both black and white rhino are well known and these bulky herbivores are often seen, whilst hippo move between the Great Fish River and larger waterholes. Springbok are the most abundant antelope, with good populations of greater kudu, oryx (gemsbok), red hartebeest and eland. Bushbuck and Cape grysbok keep to dense thickets. Abundant termites provide food for the nocturnal aardwolf, aardvark and bat-eared fox. Black-backed jackal, Cape fox and caracal are commonly encountered smaller predators. Family parties of suricate (meerkat) provide entertaining viewing. Rock hyrax, red rock-rabbit and elephant-shrew live in rocky terrain.

Birds at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve

There are 238 species recorded to date at Kwandwe. Ostrich, secretary bird, blue crane, Stanley's bustard and crowned lapwing are conspicuous in open habitats. Raptors include jackal buzzard, martial eagle, Verreaux's (black) eagle and pale chanting goshawk. African fish-eagle hunt along the Great Fish River, where giant kingfisher, reed cormorant and green-backed heron also fish. Malachite, amethyst and greater double-collared sunbirds feed on the nectar of aloe blooms, and the strident calls of bokmakierie, Karoo robin and acacia pied barbet ring out across the plains and valleys.

Other African Wildlife

Tent, angulate and parrot-beaked tortoises occur alongside the more widespread leopard tortoise. Dwarf chameleon, southern rock agama and rough-scaled lizard are other interesting reptiles found in the Great Fish River. The giant bullfrog is among 16 species of frog which emerge after rainfall. Abundant termites provide a food source for many animals and their conical mounds are seen all over. Colourful lichens cloak tree trunks, stems, boulders and rocks.

Conservation

ECOTOURISM AT KWANDWE, SOUTH AFRICA

A victory for wise land management and conservation, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve is committed to the core principles: Care of the Land, Care of the Wildlife, Care of the people.

Community equity, income generation, education and health care are a primary concern. Kwandwe was established with an ambitious programme to restore 20,000 hectares (49,000 acres) of once degraded farmland to pristine wilderness condition and to restock it with game. Today, a diverse range of African wildlife, including elephant herds and the Big Five are once more at home in this fascinating reserve. In consultation with community organisations such as the Angus Gillis Foundation - a charitable trust that was created by co-owner Carl DeSantis to facilitate community development both within the Reserve and in the broader Eastern Cape communities - Kwandwe has contributed greatly to the empowerment and development of the local economy.

KWANDWE COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENTS - 2002/2003

• Employment for 139 people from the local communities has been created
• Ongoing skills development and training
• Contractual work flowing into local communities includes: ZAR20 million worth of construction work commissioned, 2,000 kilometres of farm fencing removed, and 115 kilometres of game-fencing erected
• All wood for the lodges' fireplaces is purchased from Working for Water projects, where alien vegetation is cleared by local communities who reap financial benefit
• A rubbish collection project involves bi-monthly cleaning of local villages with the village children who are taught to appreciate their contribution to improving their environment
• Pig Farming Project: Kwandwe's kitchens provide pig feed to the community farmers
• Brick Making Project: Waste paper from the lodge is collected and then recycled into paraffin paper bricks which are then used by the lodge as firelighters
• Active Waste Management: All lodge waste is sorted, recycled where possible and removed from the Reserve
• Kwandwe Pre-Primary School was established in April 2002
• Balanced meals are supplied to the school children in the mornings and afternoons
• A vegetable garden programme is run by local residents and all produce is sold to the Lodges and other community members
• Craft project and Trading Store: Staff members have been trained in beadwork, sewing, woodwork, wirework and leatherwork, and earn income by selling their work to the Lodge's gift shops. Participants are not only encouraged to develop entrepreneurial skills but also to become aware of the environment by recycling commodities such as glass and wire
• Teaching aids, materials and continuous support is given to the Fort Brown Preparatory School situated just outside Kwandwe's borders
• Expansion of Staff Village: Many of the project employees were already resident on the property when it was purchased. Their villages have been greatly upgraded with the provision of electricity and running water and the building of bathrooms onto each house
• The Angus Gillis Foundation is also active in the greater Eastern Cape Community; an exciting project is the 'Agri-Village' where a portion of the Kwandwe land has been set aside for 'subsidised sale' to the local municipality for it to donate back to the community. This will facilitate ownership and enable local communities to operate subsistence farms

Ecotourism in Africa

Guests play a critical role in helping realise the dream and vision: to create a model in wise land management, integrating international travellers and rural people to their mutual benefit and demonstrating that wildlife can be preserved on a sustainable basis by all.

Positive Health Programme

Our partner CC Africa strongly believes in its people and was recently listed as one of three finalists in the Investor in People category of the 2005 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. The October 2005 edition of Africa Geographic featured an article on AIDS and conversation, and highlighted the activities and programmes that various African companies are implementing in order to increase AIDS awareness and, in doing so, empower the communities taking care of some of the world's richest wilderness regions.

"Probably the most attractive program ... is that of CC Africa... CC Africa launched a Positive Health program in 2003 and in April and May last year ran two seven-day courses.... Their approach focuses on home-based care, gardens, counseling techniques and gender issues.... The health of the habitat is critical to the health of the individuals in it.... The conservation industry is uniquely positioned to take the treatment of HIV/AIDS in radically new directions.... Benefits [of the program] include acquiring 'hard skills' such as maintaining clean water, producing food, and home-based methods of dealing with illnesses that are not life threatening.... It takes only the will of ecologically minded people to make sure that the wild places are not lost."
Africa Geographic, October 2005

Getting there

Kwandwe is a natural conclusion to a Garden Route journey and is easily accessible by self-drive, road transfer and air - we can pre-book and package all of your regional/internal flights and transfers, and provide a meet and greet service at all airports.

• Daily scheduled flights from both Johannesburg and Cape Town International Airports to Port Elizabeth's national airport, followed by a 20-minute air transfer to Kwandwe airstrip or a two-hour chauffeur-driven road transfer.
• Only 180 kilometres from Port Elizabeth
  Let Amanzi Travel arrange your flights for you

What is included

• Accommodation
• Three meals daily
• Soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits, and beers
• Teas and coffees
• Refreshments on game drives
• Laundry
• Scheduled safari activities
• Nature walks (1 hour) accompanied by experienced armed trackers, subject to availability (n/a at Madikwe)
• Emergency medical evacuation insurance
• VAT

What is not included

• Telephone calls
• Safari Shop purchases
• Champagne, cognacs, fine wines, premium brand spirits, and cigars
• Transfers to and from the lodge
• Gratuities
• Government levy / bed levy
• Conservancy or park entrance fees (where applicable)
• Landing fees (where applicable)

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