Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Malaria-Free tailormade wildlife holidays, honeymoon packages South Africa and venue for a self drive tour South Africa

ABOUT KWANDWE : Kwandwe private game reserve offers scenic wilderness adventures and big five wildlife holidays near the world famous Garden Route. The name Kwandwe is a Xhosa name for 'Place of the Blue Crane' which is a fitting name for the reserve. It consists of 20 000 hectares of restored farmland in the Great Fish River region, and today is home to thousands of indigenous animals, many of which have been reintroduced. Operated by CC Africa, a company world renowned for conservational excellence, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve offers an exceptional safari experience in a region steeped in history and culture. The Great Fish River was a hotly contested border during the Frontier Wars of 1779 to 1878 between the Xhosa nation, Dutch farmers and the 1820 Settlers from England. Kwandwe�s reception building is a Frontier War-era fortified homestead, and the Reserve boasts its own intimate chapel.

WILDLIFE : Apart from the big 5, (african elephant, lion, buffalo, rhino & leopard) the reserve offers fantastic wildlife viewing experiences, including cheetah, hyena, many nocturnal species of mammals, owls, excellent birding with over 283 species of birds. Antelope species include springbok, kudu, oryx (gemsbok), red hartebeest, eland, bushbuck, and Cape grysbok. Smaller mammals include the black backed jackal, cape fox, caracal and bat -eared fox. Rock hyrax, red rock rabbit and elephant shrews live in the rocky terrain. Hippo are often seen at Kwandwe, and move between the Great Fish River and the larger waterholes in the reserve.

BIRD WATCHING : To date, Kwandwe has recorded 283 species of birds, which include ostrich, secretary bird, blue crane, Stanley’s bustard and crowned lapwing are conspicuous in open habitats. Raptors include jackal buzzard, martial eagle, Verreaux’s (black) eagle and pale chanting goshawk. African fish-eagle hunt along the Great Fish River, where giant kingfisher, reed cormorant and green-backed heron also fish. Malachite, amethyst and greater double-collared sunbirds feed on the nectar of aloe blooms, and the strident calls of bokmakierie, Karoo robin and acacia pied barbet ring out across the plains and valleys.

OTHER AFRICAN WILDLIFE : Tent, angulate and parrot-beaked tortoises occur alongside the more widespread leopard tortoise. Dwarf chameleon, southern rock agama and rough-scaled lizard are other interesting reptiles found in the Great Fish River. The giant bullfrog is among 16 species of frog which emerge after rainfall. Abundant termites provide a food source for many animals and their conical mounds are seen all over. Colourful lichens cloak tree trunks, stems, boulders and rocks.

TERRAIN : Kwandwe is located in a biodiversity hotspot with six biomes out of South Africa's 7, all converging in this Eastern Cape paradise. The beauty spots include savanna land and riverine thickets, grassy shrubland.and aloe covered hills. The Great Fish River water level fluctuates greatly and often huge sandbars are exposed changing the landscape.

ACTIVITIES AT KWANDWE PRIVTE GAME RESERVE :
Twice-daily game-drives  Experienced CC Africa rangers and Xhosa trackers will lead you on interpretive, twice-daily game-drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles, bringing you close to Africa’s Big Five. Fascinating nocturnal animals such as aardvark, aardwolf, porcupine, Cape fox, bat-eared fox and springhare are regularly encountered on exciting night drives.
Guided river walking/hiking or fishing  Guided bush walks in Kwandwe’s pristine wilderness bring you face-to-face with wild Africa at its best. Hiking along the river is especially rewarding for those interested in birds, vegetation and folklore, and fishing is available for enthusiasts (Kwandwe supports ‘tag and release’ procedures).
Canoeing  Catch sight of some of Kwandwe’s incredible birdlife while paddling along the Great Fish River in a sturdy canoe.
Rhino tracking  Experience the thrill of tracking rhino on foot under the guidance of an experienced ranger and tracker – an unforgettable safari adventure.
Golf and polo  It is possible to organise golf and polo tours in the vicinity of Kwandwe.
Whale watching air safari  The Port Alfred Flying Club offers breathtaking whale watching flights over the bay. This adventure is seasonal – June to November.

GETTING TO KWANDWE :  From Grahamstown travel a few kms on N2 then take the R67 turn off.   From East London travel towards Grahamstown and take the first turn off on 'R67 Fort Beaufort' and turn right.   Wind your way through the ‘Ecca Pass’ for approximately 22km, before turning left onto a gravel road at the ‘Kwandwe’ sign.   This turn-off is also marked ‘Kranzdrift’.   Travel about 5km to reach the Kwandwe gate, and continue straight for a further 6km.  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/Uplands/Ecca, which are a half-an-hour’s drive away.

About Kwandwe     Main Lodge     Ecca Lodge     Uplands Homestead     RESERVATIONS