Gondwana Family Lodge

Situated at the foot of the towering Warmwaterberg Mountains in the heart of the Little Karoo, Sanbona celebrates the spirit of the San people who once roamed this distinctive area.

Only 3 hours from Cape Town, Sanbona boasts 62,000 hectares of undulating mountains and plains, indigenous flora and fauna, rock formations and rock art.

One of the true joys of Sanbona is the freedom to do nothing at all in absolute luxury. But for those who choose to venture beyond the comfort of the luxury lodge accommodation, a world of new experiences awaits.

Elephant, rhino, hippo, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, cheetah and a large variety of antelope are often spotted on game drives, but the unique draw of Sanbona is the opportunity to spot the free roaming white lions - one of the very few places in the world where you can enjoy this. Guests can also enjoy a boat safari, in search of hippos and birds such as fish eagles, grey herons and Egyptian geese.

Gondwana Lodge offers endless views over the plains of Bellair Dam and onto Anysberg mountains. Children of all ages will are entertained with the exciting 'Kids on Safari' programme,

All the 12 suites have indoor showers, a private patio/balcony, air-conditioning or comfort cooling/heating, and a comfortable sleeper couch which can accommodate one child. Interleading rooms are also available for larger families.

Main guest facilities at Gondwana Lodge include a bar/lounge with fire place, a dining area, a relaxation retreat with 2 therapy rooms and a steam room, a gift boutique, a swimming pool with a shallow area, a children's playroom with TV, and an open air boma.

Rates Include

All meals; shared game drives/boat trips; guided walks; tea/coffee; water; and game drive beverages are included. All other beverages are excluded and can be settled upon departure.

Children Policy

Children of any age are welcome. Rates on request. Child minding facilities are available at an additional cost for children younger than 4 years as they are too young to join game drives.

The authentic safari experience at Gondwana Family Lodge is for the whole family, and is open to children of all ages. It includes the Sanbona Kids on Safari programme, with activities such as an evening scorpion hunt and storytelling around the fire with a marshmallow barbecue, inspired by African folk tales.

The Sanbona Kids on Safari programme was designed to offer education and recreational wildlife experiences to guarantee an unforgettable safari experience, even for the little ones. A skull garden and interpretive trail take children through the gardens to learn about important plants and animals on the reserve.

Two daily game drives are included, along with a family picnic - and children under 4 years old, who may not be accommodated on the game drive, will have complimentary child-minding in the kiddies’ play area during game drive hours.

Guided wilderness walks are also on offer for adults and children older than 16, allowing them to explore some of the vast reserve, which is home to the Big Five.

Other activities include arts and crafts, puzzles, board games, educational children’s books, documentary DVDs on various conservation topics and animals, as well as entertaining animation movies.

There is also a kids’ TV lounge, as well as safe indoor and outdoor play areas with a child-friendly swimming pool.

Guest Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 based on 2 ratings

Directions For Drivers

From Cape Town: Travel on the N1 from Cape Town in the direction of Paarl; continuing on the N1 travel through the Huguenot Tunnel. A tollgate controls this tunnel. A tollgate fee is payable at the tunnel.

The first town is Worcester set in the Breede River Valley. Taking the second turnoff to the right into Worcester, you leave the N1 and the Route 62 (R62) is taken. Follow the signs to the town of Robertson. Once through Robertson, the next town is Ashton. Travel on through Krogmanskloof and Montagu. Continue for approximately 43 km and turn left at “Die Vlakte” and Sanbona Wildlife Reserve sign.

Please be advised that the road changes from tar to gravel and the recommended speed limit from there on is 60 km per hour. The main entrance to Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is 7 km where guests will be welcomed.

From the main gate, it is 15 minutes to the Welcome Lounge where you will be welcomed.  It is then a further 55 minutes to Gondwana Lodge. Please follow the relevant signs in the reserve. The recommended speed limit is 40 km per hour.

Do not get out of your car until you reach the lodge. You may see some wildlife on your way - if you do, slow down and maintain a good distance. Do not drive off-road in any circumstances.

PLEASE NOTE:  The main gate closes at 18:00, should your arrival time be later, please advise prior to arrival in order to make arrangements.

For the foreseeable future, road works will be taking place in and around Montagu. Guests should please be aware that this could cause delays to their arrival time at Sanbona’s main gate and the Welcome Lounge. We recommend to add an extra 10 to 20 min to their travelling time. As of January 2016 until further notice, the road between Montagu and Ashton will be closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 to 13:00 due to blasting taking place. Please ensure you pass through Ashton BEFORE 11:00 to avoid the road closure, or use an alternative routing.

Guests that will make use of the complimentary transfer from the welcome lodge at Sanbona, should pass the main gate around 12 noon to be in time for the transfer which leaves the welcome lounge at 12.30. The welcome lounge is situated 15km into the reserve from the main gate and offers refreshments and secure parking facilities.

General Information For Guests

All rooms have air conditioning, underfloor heating, a minibar, a private deck or balcony, tea/coffee making facilities, an electronic safe, a telephone, and an en-suite bathroom with shower, free-standing bath and twin basins.

The lodge has Wi-Fi, a Relaxation Retreat with steam room and a gift boutique. There is also a children's playroom with TV, and outdoor pool with a shallow area, and a main lounge with a fireplace and TV with satellite channels.

A daily transfer from the Welcome Lounge to the lodge is available on request, and must be booked at least 72 hours in advance. For arriving guests, the first pick-up from the Welcome Lounge is at 12:30 and you will arrive at Gondwana at 13:25 OR the second pick-up from the Welcome Lounge is at 16:00 and you arrive at Gondwana at 16:55 (but you will not be able to join the afternoon game drive).andnbsp; For departing guests you will be picked up from Gondwana at 11:20 and you will arrive at the Welcome Lounge at 12:15.

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