Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge

Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge

Kwandwe Game Reserve


Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge Location Map

Kwandwe Private Game Reserve lies in the heart of South Africa's malaria-free Eastern Cape near Grahamstown. 22,000 hectares 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. Experienced rangers and Xhosa trackers lead guests on interpretive, twice-daily game-drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles. Guided bush walks and rhino tracking in Kwandwe's pristine wilderness bring you face-to-face with wild Africa at its best.

Elegant, intimate and contemporary, the Great Fish River Lodge boasts plush furnishings and majestic views of the reserve. Perched along the lush green banks of its namesake, Great Fish River Lodge has been designed to showcase the seemingly endless landscape in which it is set. Expansive viewing decks allow for a fully immersive experience in nature and is the perfect spot to enjoy an African sunset.

Décor is classic-contemporary and African-inspired, with natural palettes of earth-toned fabrics. Pewter and glass add an understated glamour to the furnishings, while artefacts such as ostrich eggshells, hides and horns create subtle points of interest and relevance to the lodge's surrounds.

Delicious African-inspired meals are served in the candlelit dining room or in the boma under a magnificent starlit sky.

The 9 air-conditioned and elegant thatched stone and glass suites feature floor-to-ceiling doors which fold back to reveal uninterrupted wilderness vistas. Relax by your private plunge pool on your private thatched terrace with unmatched views over the sweeping landscape beyond and observe playful Cape clawless otters swimming in the cool waters below. After days spent on safari, unwind in the supreme comfort of your kingsized bed and cocoon in fresh linens with a star-filled view.

Everything here takes place on a grander scale, but it is the attention to detail and expansive, unmatched vistas that keep visitors coming back year after year.

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Show Rates in
Our standard rates for a Luxury Chalet
DatesPriceBasisTypeNights
1 October 2024 to 15 January 2025 GBP 979 USD 1,224 ZAR 21,781 EUR 1,175 per person sharingContracted Rate2+ nights
16 January 2025 to 30 April 2025 GBP 985 USD 1,231 ZAR 21,906 EUR 1,181 per person sharingContracted Rate2+ nights
16 January 2025 to 30 April 2025 GBP 750 USD 937 ZAR 16,679 EUR 900 per person sharingHoneymoon Offer - 50% Spouse Discount Offer4+ nights
1 May 2025 to 30 September 2025 GBP 634 USD 792 ZAR 14,106 EUR 761 per person sharingContracted 15% Long Stay Offer - Min 6 - 7 Night6 to 7 nights
1 May 2025 to 30 September 2025 GBP 565 USD 706 ZAR 12,565 EUR 678 per person sharingContracted 25% Long Stay Offer - Min 8 or More Nights8+ nights
1 May 2025 to 30 September 2025 GBP 738 USD 922 ZAR 16,419 EUR 886 per person sharingContracted Rate2 to 3 nights
1 May 2025 to 30 September 2025 GBP 565 USD 706 ZAR 12,565 EUR 678 per person sharingHoneymoon Offer - 50% Spouse Discount Offer4+ nights
1 October 2025 to 31 October 2025 GBP 1,057 USD 1,321 ZAR 23,513 EUR 1,268 per person sharingContracted Rate2+ nights
1 October 2025 to 31 October 2025 GBP 804 USD 1,005 ZAR 17,885 EUR 965 per person sharingHoneymoon Offer - 50% Spouse Discount Offer4+ nights
1 November 2025 to 15 December 2025 GBP 854 USD 1,068 ZAR 19,011 EUR 1,025 per person sharingContracted 20% Long Stay Offer3 nights
1 November 2025 to 15 December 2025 GBP 1,057 USD 1,321 ZAR 23,513 EUR 1,268 per person sharingContracted Rate2+ nights
1 November 2025 to 15 December 2025 GBP 804 USD 1,005 ZAR 17,885 EUR 965 per person sharingHoneymoon Offer - 50% Spouse Discount Offer4+ nights
16 December 2025 to 15 January 2026 GBP 1,057 USD 1,321 ZAR 23,513 EUR 1,268 per person sharingContracted Rate2+ nights
16 December 2025 to 15 January 2026 GBP 804 USD 1,005 ZAR 17,885 EUR 965 per person sharingHoneymoon Offer - 50% Spouse Discount Offer4+ nights

Prices are on a per person sharing basis (pps).

Special offers for longer stays or when booked as part of a longer itinerary may apply - details on request.

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Rates Include

All meals; tea/coffee; house wines, local brand spirits and beers, soft drinks and bottled water; 2 scheduled shared game drives daily in an open 4x4 safari vehicle accompanied by an experienced ranger and tracker; interpretive nature walks daily (one hour) accompanied by an experienced armed tracker; transfers in a game-drive vehicle from Heatherton (Reception and parking area) to the lodge; the Community and Conservation Levy; and a laundry/valet service are included.


Children Policy

Children aged 12 years and older are welcome. Adult rates apply.


Bush Walks / Walking Safaris

Children under the age of 12 years are not permitted on interpretive bush walks. Children under the age of 16 years are not permitted on walking safaris. The final decision on whether any guest can join a bush walk or walking safari remains with the guide and lodge manager.



All of the holidays we prepare are tailor-made, but this might give you an idea of how Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge can be included in you own dream holiday.

Luxury Self-Drive Holiday for 12 Nights

12 nights

5 Star Accommodation

Le Quartier Francais
Le Quartier Francais
The Cape Winelands
Tsala Treetop Lodge
Tsala Treetop Lodge
The Garden Route
One&Only Cape Town
One&Only Cape Town
Cape Town
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge
Great Fish River Lodge
Kwandwe Game Reserve

Destination: South Africa.

12 night itinerary including Cape Winelands, Garden Route, Cape Town and Kwandwe Game Reserve.

Price Per Person From
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*Prices are per person and are based on today's exchange rates. Exchange rates are subject to change and are updated daily.

Prices exclude international flights - ask us if you would like to include these.




Guest Rating: 4.9 / 5.0 based on 17 ratings




Start TestimonialWe loved Kwandwe - it gave us a unique safari. You may not get to see loads of animals but what we saw was magical - Nico the ranger was so knowledgeable.End Testimonial

S JONES

Start TestimonialThe Kwandwe Reserve was just the best experience ever.End Testimonial

M BLACKBURN

Start TestimonialKwandwe was mind blowing - a very special place. Service from Travel Butlers staff was excellent and we would definitely book with you again. Thank you. End Testimonial

M BRIFFA

Start TestimonialFantastic attention to detail by Kwandwe staff made our stay a 5* experience all round.End Testimonial

L GRACE

Start TestimonialOur holiday was superb and lived up to expectation. Particularly enjoyable was our stay at Kwandwe which we both agreed was the highlight of the holiday. We met and are keeping in touch with a number of people including one of the rangers. It was informative, exciting and relaxing. The staff at all levels were terrific but our ranger and guide were exceptionally friendly and professional. If ever we wanted anything or asked for something we were reminded that we were on holiday and everything was possible. We even saw the Big 5 including the leopard which was the first time it had been seen in almost a year.End Testimonial

J SANGSTER


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Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge Location.

Directions For Drivers

From Port Elizabeth: Travel eastwards along the N2 towards Grahamstown. Travel past Grahamstown and the Settlers Monument, ignoring the Beaufort Street and R67 Port Alfred turn-offs. A few kilometres past Grahamstown turn left onto the R67 heading towards Fort Beaufort. Wind your way through the Ecca Pass for approximately 22 km, before turning left onto a gravel road at the Kwandwe sign. This turn-off is also marked Kranzdrift.

Travel about 5 km to reach the Kwandwe gate, and continue straight along that road for a further 6 km. The first house on the left is Heatherton Towers Reception area, where you will check-in and leave your car. You will then be transferred to the lodge, which is about a 40 minutes drive away.

From East London: Travel along the N2 towards King Williamstown and then on to Grahamstown. Before reaching Grahamstown turn right onto the R67 heading towards Fort Beaufort, then follow the directions as above.



General Information For Guests

All suites have floor-to-ceiling framed glass doors which fold back, plus overhead fans and air conditioning, a thatched veranda and a private plunge pool. They also have in-room safes, a mini bar, telephone and a hairdryer. The en-suite bathrooms have a bath, indoor and outdoor showers, separate WC and twin basins.

The lodge consists of the main lounge, dining room, sitting room, outside boma, swimming pool and a large viewing deck.

Complimentary Wi-Fi is available

Evening meals are served on your private deck (on request), in the dining room or in the boma.

A variety of wellness treatments are available to be enjoyed in the privacy of your suite (additional cost).

Twice daily game drives go out early morning and late afternoon in an open 4x4 safari vehicle.

In-between game drives, interpretive nature/bush walks can be arranged (lasting about an hour). Big game tracking on foot can also be arranged - this walk last between 3-4 hours.

Kwandwe offers a variety of fishing options, either in still water or in the Great Fish River (additional cost).

A Community and Conservation Levy has been included within your rate. The proceeds go towards anti-poaching efforts, the community and ecology.


Bush Walks / Walking Safaris

Children under the age of 12 years are not permitted on interpretive bush walks. Children under the age of 16 years are not permitted on walking safaris. The final decision on whether any guest can join a bush walk or walking safari remains with the guide and lodge manager.


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If you're not sure which place might be best for your own trip then either give us a call or get in touch via the website, and we'd be delighted to run through the options with you.

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