Kwandwe Ecca Lodge

Kwandwe Game Reserve offers 22,000ha of pristine malaria-free wilderness with a magnificent, ecologically varied landscape in the Karoo region of the Eastern Cape. This results in a diverse range of game including elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo as well as aardvark, aardwolf and cheetah. Kwandwe actually means ‘place of the blue crane’ in the local Xhosa language and it's home to this highly endangered bird (also South Africa's national bird). The Great Fish River runs through the reserve for approx 30km and offers a valuable source of water for Kwandwe’s wildlife.

Activities at Kwandwe include morning, afternoon and night game drives in open 4x4s, as well as short interpretative bush walks (usually after breakfast). Kwandwe's night drives are renowned with aardvark and aardwolf regularly spotted. Alternatively you can enjoy longer big game walking safaris which take the place of a morning game drive, or join the rhino monitoring team for a few hours to learn more about these magnificent endangered creatures. (Both activities are offered at an additional charge.) Given the size of the reserve, your game-viewing is very exclusive and is personalized to your needs as much as is possible.

There are four quite distinct lodges on Kwandwe Game Reserve: Kwandwe Ecca Lodge, Great Fish River Lodge, and two smaller lodges, Uplands and Melton Manor which are taken on an exclusive use basis.

Accommodation

Kwandwe Ecca Lodge offers six spacious suites with funky and stylish contemporary interiors and a laid back vibe. Minimalist décor with retro lighting is eclectically mixed with venerable old collectibles. The owners describe the décor as “funk meets futuristic farmhouse”! Emblazoned with giant Warhol-like prints, retro light fittings and shades of olive, rust and burnt orange, you could almost forget you were on safari - until you step outside.

Ecca Lodge is situated on a ridge overlooking a beautiful spekboom, acacia and aloe-filled valley so the views are breathtaking. The main guest areas include a sitting room with fireplace, cosy dining room for the winter months with an interactive kitchen. Outside there’s a deep veranda and viewing deck overlooking thick bush or the rolling valleys with a stylish rimflow lap pool surrounded by teak sun loungers.

Each spacious suite has a mix of wooden paneling and stone walls with a bedroom, separate sitting area with two day beds, en suite bathroom with an impressive shower. Glass doors slide back to admit the cooling breezes and open onto an extensive wooden deck with good-sized plunge pool.

Children at Kwandwe Ecca

Kwandwe Ecca Lodge welcomes children with one or two children utilizing the days bed in the sitting room. There’s an interpretative centre and a special children’s programme which goes down well with children and adults alike. Children of 6 and upwards are able to join in the adult game drives.