Name: Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge
Address: Heatherton Towers, Grahamstown, Grahamstown, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa
Rating: 10

Smoking areas

Reception desk

General

Laundry

Safe-deposit box

Luggage storage

Services and amenities

Breakfast

Restaurant

Snack bar

Breakfast/lunch to go

Meals

Free Wi-Fi

Internet

Picnic area

Recreation

Free parking

Parking

Conference Hall

Business

Beauty and wellness

Pets Not Allowed

Pets

Temperature control for staff

Personal protection equipment for staff

Extra decontamination measures

Temperature control for guests

Personal protection equipment for guests

Contactless check-in and/or check-out

Individually packaged food

Additional measures against COVID-19

Health and Safety Measures

Location

At the cottage

Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge

Grahamstown

child-bed

child-bed-fee

external-private-bathroom

private-bathroom

shared-bathroom

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queen-bed

limited-time

lounge

treatment

no-window

bay-view

bosphorus-view

canal-view

city-view

courtyard-view

garden-view

golf-view

harbour-view

inland-view

lake-view

land-view

mountain-view

ocean-front

ocean-view

oceanside

panoramic-view

park-view

partial-ocean-view

partial-sea-view

partial-view

pool-view

river-view

sea-front

sea-view

street-view

sunrise-view

sunset-view

water-view

with-view

annex

basement

main-building

1-bedroom

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not-guaranteed

wired-internet-access

smoking

sauna

duplex

safe

mini-bar

breakfast-for-1

breakfast-for-2

pets-allowed

wi-fi

kitchen

This is a top-class game reserve in the Eastern Cape area. I did extensive research before I booked, and although I have no basis for comparison, I am totally convinced that Kwande is the best of the lot in the Eastern Cape after a recent 4-night stay at its Great Fish River Lodge. Kwande sprawls over 22 hectares, and plans are afoot to add another 8 hectares, making this the largest private game reserve in the Eastern Cape.
 
What makes Kwandwe stand out from the pack is the sense of isolation: the game reserve has the smallest number of rooms viz-a-vis its vast land area. This means that you never get too many game vehicles crowding at any one animal viewing spot. On most days, we felt like we were the only game vehicle traversing the stunning plains of Kwandwe ( I should add that we visited Kwandwe during the low season). We saw all the big 5 on the first afternoon’s drive, and by sheer luck a leopard scampering up a tree just as we were going to call it a day. At the time, we didn’t realise how lucky we were to sight a leopard (a feat that was never repeated over the course of the next few days).
 
We were spoilt rotten at Kwande as everything here operates at a superlative level. The staff, the cuisine, the game viewing, the luxury accommodations were all perfect to a fault. A special shout-out to Jannie and Shannon who took good care of us, as did Babsie, Busi, Michael and Fikele. And of course our wonderful ranger Doc and his tracker Thabang, without whom we would have never seen all the animals that we did. Go here for the experience of a lifetime!

The Experience of a Lifetime!

Kwandwe Game Reserve has it all when it comes to a luxury African bush safari experience.
Sightings of the Big 5 in the malaria-free Eastern Cape are complemented by superb accommodation, sumptious food and an attentive and welcoming team.
The rangers are hugely knowledgeable.
I'll be back!

A topflight bush experience in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

From the moment you enter the reserve, you step into another world. Animals can be spotted on your way to the reception area. You must leave your car and then are driven to the lodge by one of the rangers. 
The staff is super welcoming, knowledgeable, kind and professional. They do everything to make sure you are comfy and happy ! The ranger and the tracker ensure your safety and really want to share everything they know about the animals and the region.
Each room is an individual cabin, with its own private deck and plunge pool. The inside is modern, nicely decorated and comfortable. Everything is included (mini bar, alcohol, coffee/tea). Really beautiful ! 
When its dark, they escort you to your room, just in case an animal is closeby ! 
Game drives take place at 7am and 4pm, for about 2-3h. On the jeep there are blankets and binoculars, as well as water. You even stop on the way for coffee/tea, hot breakfast (cooked on the spot) or an apero ! Really cool and they always choose a great open spot with views over the reserve.
The food is delicious, they cater to specific diet requirements. 
We had a great time at Kwandwe Fish River Lodge !!!

A bubble of luxury

We wanted to do a safari for part of our stay in South Africa but wanted a malaria free zone . Audrey recommended Great River Lodge for three days and it could not have been more perfect . We arrived at around four and were immediately driven t out yo join our group of two other couples. Ivan was our guide for the three days and Andy our spotter . Within an hour we saw our first lions and that night there was a festive outdoor dinner . Everything about these three days was perfect . The staff could not have been more gracious attending to your every whim, food was outstanding and Ivan was such a great and knowledgeable guide and I learned that the joy of a safari is not just seeing animals- it is about learning about them . The other two couples we were with were safari experts with one couple having done 27 and they commented that Ivan was more knowledgeable and explained more than just about any other guide . The accommodation is large and luxurious in a lodge manner . While this was our first safari I now know it will not be the last I hope. !

A memorable first safari in all ways !

Just the most magical experience. Everything about this place is perfection. Lovely rooms, fantastic staff, amazing guides and trackers, food is outstanding. Simply can't find anything to beef about. Love it here, second time but not the last.

Magical

It was an amazing experience to stay at Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge.  Everything was perfect, the facilities and all the staff  The twice daily safari drives were wonderful, our Ranger had an encyclopediac knowledge of animals, birds and plants.  Truly a remarkable place to stay for that very special occasion.

Kwandwe is a unique place. Nature is amazing  the lodges are Luxurious yet made with natural material. The view from the lodge is incredible you can even see animals from there.the employees are very kind and service is above expectation The safari is  twice a day . The ranger and tracker team was exceptional . We learnt so much from them.We were recommended by people who spent a few days there and we will definitely recommend this unforgettable place.  We spend 4 nights and saw all the animals you can expect.

Exceptional property with amazing staff and excellent game drives

The Great Fish River Lodge offers beautiful accommodations and an excellent safari experience.  We feel that it would exceed the expectations of all first-time safari travelers.  However, we have visited multiple safari camps and lodges in four African countries and would offer the following comments. The photos on their website are accurate.  The location is clean and well maintained.  The linens are high quality.  There are international and USB charging outlets.  Wifi works well.  We really liked that Kwandwe provides free laundry services as many locations now charge an additional fee.  We liked that the camp is unfenced as this provides a more authentic experience.  Safari drives at this location, unlike most we have visited, are in uncovered vehicles that necessitate the use of sun protection. They only drive off-road to view cats. The landscape is primary covered by thicket that can make clear viewing of wildlife difficult.  We did not see the “Big 5” during our visit, however we did have multiple excellent wildlife sighting, including black rhino.  While our guides/drivers were energetic, accommodating and focused on providing the best experience possible, we did not feel the same about the remaining staff.  We perceived the lodge staff to be simply “going through the motions” without focusing on providing first class individualized service to the guests.  The staff seemed tired and “burnt out”.  We enjoyed our stay, but would recommend other locations to our friends.

Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge

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