A Complete Guide to South Africa’s Gondwana Game Reserve
Along South Africa’s scenic Garden Route, just a four hour drive from Cape Town there is an idyllic luxury private safari park. Welcome to Gondwana Game Reserve! Truly one of the most scenic, magical places I have ever had the privilege of staying.
We spent 3 unforgettable days and 2 nights going on safaris, lounging by the pool and soaking in the atmosphere at this luxurious resort.
This 26,000 acre safari park is privately owned which means unlike public lands in Africa, only guests who have booked a safari are allowed on the property. The animals are still wild and roam freely in their natural habitat though!
And once you arrive, you’ll be swept away by the spectacular views of the Langeberg and Outeniqua Mountains with herds of animals dotted across the landscape.
Highlights of our stay included:
- Game Rangers who were both friendly and truly experts in their field
- Getting up close to herds of elephants, zebras, hippos, giraffes, rhinoceros and lions
- Luxurious rooms for the duration our stay
- Indulgent spa treatments
- Pan African Cuisine (a mix of European & African cooking) at all meals
Book Your Stay & Safari Here.
How To Get To Gondwana Game Reserve
Fly into Cape Town, from there it’s just an easy 4 hour drive east across South Africa. It’s the perfect Big 5 safari destination and easily accessible from this major city.
Accommodation At Gondwana Game Reserve
Imagine luxury villas with a crackling fire place where you can drink your coffee and overlook the rolling African hills while a family of giraffes lazily wanders past. This type of idyllic paradise is what waits for you in South Africa!
And the way the villas so perfectly blend into the landscape is simply stunning.
Wide open lounge space, comfortable bedrooms and a large bathroom with a luxurious tub for that post safari relaxation bath…. the accommodation allows for adventure in the jeeps but all the comforts of home. So you can kick back and relax during your stay!
Our group stayed in the Bush Villas and Fynbos Villas.
Each of these villas sleeps 6 people with private rooms for sets of two. There is a large living room and kitchen which we all shared. It’s the perfect set up for a family or group of friends to split.
If you’re looking for ultimate luxury, book the Kwena Lodge.
The property also offers a tented eco-camp for a more hands on learning experience that lets you get involved with what’s going on at the park. Find out more here.
What animals can you see at Gondwana Game Reserve?
This private safari reserve is home to the Big Five which includes:
- Lions
- Leopards
- Rhinoceros
- Elephants
- Cape buffalo
But you’ll also see dozens of giraffe and zebra roaming the park.
In fact, when we first arrived we found our accommodation was entirely surrounded by a dazzle of zebra! I couldn’t believe it. And they seemed to pay us zero mind as we stood gazing in wonder only 10 feet away.
We were also lucky to repeatedly spot hippos both in and out of the water. (Did you know hippos are among the most dangerous animals in the world? They are incredibly aggressive!)
And although we didn’t spot any, there are quite a few cheetah roaming around as well.
We while we might not have been lucky with some of the big cats, we did right up close and personal to lots of elephants! Even some awfully cute babies ones.
How much is a stay at Gondwana Game Reserve?
During the busy season, the luxury 6 person villas comes out to be ZAR 6,830 ($370 USD) per person after all taxes and fees. But this includes all your meals as well!
However, if you’re willing to travel outside of peak season you can get this incredible villa for at lot less! Their winter special is ZAR 2,475 ($134 USD) for a night. Again, this includes 3 full course meals a day at their luxury dining.
Looking to cut even more costs?
You can opt for just breakfast and dinner each day when booking. Bring some of your own groceries and snacks for lunch and store them in the full kitchen provided in your villa. Having a big breakfast and dinner was more than enough! Relaxing between safaris and snacking on our food for lunch at the villa worked great.
What To Pack For A Stay At Gondwana Game Reserve
Pass on the bright colors and opt for neutral tones to maximize camouflage in the bush. There is a reason khaki is a safari favorite. It’s breathable in the hot sun, camouflages you well and unlike a pure white fabric, when you inevitably get dirty- it’s much less visible!
Early morning game drives can be COLD. Pack layers and you can always remove a coat, gloves or scarves easily since you remain in one vehicle the whole time. Yes, the afternoon sun might be hot. But it’s best to be prepared for all kinds of weather. We were rained on, the wind was freezing cold and we also enjoyed plenty of sunny afternoons. So dress in layers. And be prepared for all kinds of weather. Especially if you are traveling in the fall or winter.
Pro tip for the ladies: You might be more comfortable in a sports bra. The safari jeeps bounce and lurch over all sorts of rough and rugged terrain. You will be jostled around as you cruise over the African plains and you’ll thank me later if you’re prepared and wearing the right bra 🙂
Another pro tip: it helps if your sun hat has a string so it doesn’t go flying off your head as you speed along the African plains!
Quick Guide For Safari Packing:
- Comfortable pants
- A tank top for layering
- A water resistant jacket
- Warm socks
- Waterproof Shoes
- Gloves
- Sports Bra for ladies
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat with a string
- Day bag
- Binoculars
- Travel journal to record your experience
Tops
Bottoms
Safari Accessories
Layers for the winter months
Jumpsuits
Swimwear for the pool
Tips for your first safari
Prepare for early mornings, that’s when the magic happens! You can take a mid-afternoon nap between drives, just like the wildlife! The rooms at Gondwana Game Reserve have incredibly comfortable beds and fireplaces. If you’ve just finished a cold, early morning game drive, you can head back into your cabin to light a fire and crawl under the covers! It’s the best feeling in the world after an adventurous morning 🙂
Most morning game drives begin at 5am or 6am.
Evening drives usually begin at 4pm.
The animals are most active during these hours. Plus the early morning hours provide fantastic light so your photos will turn out great! And taking photos of the wildlife at golden hour is equally as ideal. On top of all that, you’ll get to see the sunrise and sunset everyday! So long story short, don’t forget to set that alarm 🙂
Dress in layers. The weather will vary greatly depending on the season. But while we were there in November, we had hot sunny afternoons and freezing cold mornings in the rain. Gondwana Game Reserve has rain ponchos but having things like gloves and waterproof shoes were a big help!
Takes lots of pictures but be sure to set down the camera and just appreciate the magic! If you plan to stay 2 nights, you can get in anywhere from 4-6 safaris. (Possibly one the evening you arrive then 2 per day and one in the morning before you go!) I would pick one safari where you plan to mostly just observe. Of course, have your camera ready if the most incredible photo presents itself. But it’s worth savoring the experience not through a lens. Especially if you are traveling with another person, set down the camera and marvel at what’s going on around you together. You’ll come back home having shared some unforgettable memories!
Camera Gear For Your First Safari
With all the jostling and bouncing as your safari jeep speeds along, you probably won’t be switching your lenses back and forth. Not only is it inconvenient but the inevitable safari dust that gets everywhere can easily get caught inside your camera.
So I’ve found it’s easiest if you just avoid switching your lenses. Sticking with a zoom lens is a great bet for a safari!
I also recommend traveling with a LensPen so you can easily clean your camera when it does inevitably get dirty out on safari.
Zoom Lens
LensPen
My Camera
More on South Africa: South Africa: Your Next Bucket List Destination & Big 5 African Safari- 7 Things to Know Before You Go
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