Photo : Kwandwe Land Cruise at Dawn
I get to go on alot of safaris. I love them, its my passion, its why I do what I do. This weekend I decided that it was time to go and explore the Eastern Cape and the Game Reserves around this area. Occassionally I travel with friends, on this particular weekend I decided to invite my friend Wendy Wilson. Wendy is currently studying her PhD in Zoology at UCT and after many years of studying I felt she was definitely in need of a little bit of spoiling !
At a whopping 22, 000 hectares, Kwandwe is arguably one of the largest and certainly one of the most well known of the lodges in the Eastern Cape. In terms of price and rate Kwandwe pitches itself at the very top end of the market, together with Shamwari. Many comparisons are often drawn between these two lodges.
Kwandwe consists of 2 Game Lodges. The Great Fish River Lodge, a colonial style 8 roomed lodge which overlooks the Great Fish River and the Ecca Lodge, a contemporary and funky 70’s inspired camp with bright orange and retro interiors. Also on the reserve you will find 2 exclusive use villas, the Melton Manor and the Uplands Homestead catering for groups of 8 and 6 respectively.
In terms of Game, Kwandwe is home to the Big Five. Realistic the sightings of Leopard are extremely rare, but a full time researcher works hard to track and monitor the movements of these animals. The Cheetahs sightings are as good as you will find anywhere in Africa, and the reserve is a natural habitat for Black Rhino which have recently been reintroduced. Until recently the reserve was home to Wild Dog, but sadly all but one of these Wild Dogs died of distemper. What impressed me about Kwandwe was the high quality and diversity of Plains Game. Plenty of Giraffe, Zebra, Oryx, Eland, Hartesbeeste, Gemsbok, Gnu, Buffalo, Ostrich, Springbok, Bushbuck , Waterhog, Certainly a diversity of which I have not seen in the Sabi Sands or the Kruger Park. And simply from its high quality of game viewing it could, in my opinion compliment a Kruger Park Safari.
From all aspects of our trip we had an unforgettable time. And Kwandwe was definitely the highlight of my stay in the Eastern Cape and I have no hesitation in recommending.
As we drove out of Kwandwe – Wendy – who has spent the best part of the last few years sticking thermometers up Meerkats bottoms, and monitoring the midday habitats of Cape Ground Squirrels, did comment that she didn’t really need all the five star luxury associated with a safari such as Kwandwe and would be just as happy in a tent !
Photo : Wendy and Myself on Safari at Kwandwe !
However, we had not been at our next destination five minutes when Wendy commented on the fact that unlike Kwandwe there was no thoughtfully placed Mohair Blanket at the end of the bed to keep her toes warm during her afternoon snooze, or that the toilet roll had not been placed in a point, and worst still – the coffee was instant, and the amentities were in plastic bottles…..the staff clearly not as happy and as motivated as they were at Kwandwe, the alien vegetation…… Travel Critics Victoria Mather from Harpers and Queen and Andrew Harper from the Hideaway Reports had nothing on this girl !
24 hours at Kwandwe and I’d managed to turn this impoverished student into a safari snob.
Fantastic !!