Home » Kruger Park Midrange Lodges » Sanbona Wildlife Reserve – Western Cape Malaria Free Safari – South Africa
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve - South Africa
In 1998 Linton Projects (Pty) Ltd. conceptualised the establishment of a private nature reserve, 27 000 hectares in extent, named the Cape Wildlife Reserve. This reserve was concentrated in the south and west area of the Warmwaterberg and was envisaged to operate a resort complex within a private nature reserve. 39 individually owned lodges along the banks of the Kalkoenshoek River were proposed, and permission was granted for the development in January 2000.
This endeavor, however, was not financially successful. And in 2002 the reserve was acquired by a private company. It was extended to the north and east, incorporating land adjoining the Warmwaterberg Forest Reserve and towards the Anysberg Nature Reserve. Altogether, 19 agricultural farms, previously utilized for wheat and Lucerne crops, domestic animal production (cattle, sheep and goats), game farming, recreational farming, and tourism were bought. The reserve size was increased to over 62 000 hectares, forming what is today, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve.
Sabi Sands Lodges Reviews
Sabisandlodges has been amazing in creating a dream holiday!!! They were attentive, quick to respond and arranged everything for us
Sabisandlodges has been amazing in creating a dream holiday!!! They were attentive, quick to respond and arranged everything for us in great detail!!
Thank you so much for arranging all our travel - Ulusaba, amazing. The pick ups were great - through vumba tours!!
The La Rochelle tours were fantastic too. Drivers were helpful, friendly and professional.
Really enjoyed our experiences and everyone involved made it even better!!!!
Our experience with Max from Sabi Sands Lodges was brilliant. His recommendation and attention to details were excellent. We highly
...read moreOur experience with Max from Sabi Sands Lodges was brilliant. His recommendation and attention to details were excellent. We highly recommend booking with Sabi Sands Lodges as it saved us time & effort. Experience counts and Max's knowledge was invaluable.
We’ve have just come back from a 3 night stay at earth lodge. One word incredible. We got to see
...read moreWe’ve have just come back from a 3 night stay at earth lodge. One word incredible. We got to see the big 5 and a lot more animals. The game drives were amazing. The Knowledge of the tracker (Donald) and our guide (Helen) was exceptional and they ensured we were able to see everything. We seen leopards, cheetahs and lions. You stop for a morning coffee out in the bush and sundowners in the evening, this was also excellently organised. The rooms are absolutely stunning with the biggest mini bar I’ve ever seen. The drink options are fantastic. Super comfortable rooms and luxurious. Food was superb. Each evening there was a different location for dinner excellently curated by the team at the hotel, with food prepared to a very high standard. We also used the gym facilities which were great. The service and operational standards at this hotel are exceptional. I would 100% stay at this lodge again it was such an incredible experience
Recommendations were great and all the arrangements worked smoothly. Andy was always reachable and receptive to requests and modification. 100%
...read moreRecommendations were great and all the arrangements worked smoothly. Andy was always reachable and receptive to requests and modification. 100% recommended.
What a memorable stay.
Our experience was perfect from start to finish. Booking the experience through Andy set the tone
What a memorable stay.
Our experience was perfect from start to finish. Booking the experience through Andy set the tone for the stress-free bush experience.
From the vanilla scented towels, to the delicious food, exciting game drives and phenomenal staff, our stay at Shiduli was magical from the second we arrived and lives in our hearts long after we left.
Your helpful staff greeted us as we arrived and and were with us every step of the way... literally. We were escorted to our private villa by Gary, who my children absolutely adored. Richard, in the bar was on form and Gogo Dorris had faith that we would see lions... which we did.
Thandy and Karen were friendly, professional and made us feel like old friends. We will definitely be back and will bring our friends and family so they can share in this beautiful gem.
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve - Image Gallery
Immerse yourself in a landscape where wildlife and flora leave you truly captivated and transformed. Sanbona is one of South Africa’s largest privately-owned nature reserves, stretching across 62 000 hectares of rich protected ecosystems within two biodiversity hotspots. This vast track of land in the Little Karoo outside Montagu, a mere 3.5 hours drive from Cape Town along Route 62, is owned by a non-profit company focused on steering conservation to the forefront of the safari experience. Sanbona offers an authentic and contrasting natural space, striving to create a balance where critically important ecosystems, endangered wildlife and flora can prosper for the benefit of future generations. Sanbona offers four different accommodation options, each with their own distinctive style and appeal. Spend the day exploring every corner of this immense reserve, endless open plains and sculpted Cape fold mountains adorned with San rock art, the endemic flora and some of South Africa’s most sought after wildlife.
Dwyka Tented Lodge
Set in a horseshoe bend of a dry Karoo ravine, the eco-friendly Dwyka Tented Lodge is concealed by rock formations, offering the epitome of secluded luxury and romance.
Gondwana Family Lodge
A thatched Karoo homestead, Gondwana Family Lodge overlooks the Bellair Dam and was built with family fun and relaxation in mind. Children of all ages are welcome, and our exciting Kids on Safari programme will surely keep your kids entertained all holiday long.
Tilney Manor
The historical Tilney Manor offers privacy, tranquillity and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and plains. A lush oasis awaits within its carefully laid out indigenous gardens.
The focus was shifted from private lodge development to the creation of exclusive Five Star lodges for nature based tourism. In 2003 history was made by being the first privately owned reserve in the Western Cape to succeed in introducing free roaming Big Five. To date, millions worth of wildlife species have been reintroduced into the reserve, restoring the ecological balance and allowing Sanbona to support free roaming predators. There were various infrastructure changes made throughout the years.
In 2015, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve was acquired by the Caleo Foundation, a non-profit conservation organisation. The sole aim of the foundation is to preserve and protect nature and wilderness areas whilst providing quests with the opportunity to experience and appreciate nature in it’s purest form without leaving a negative impact.
Persons under the age of 4 years are not permitted on any game drives.
Persons under the age of 14 years are not permitted on any walking safaris.
Persons under the age of 16 years are not permitted at Dwyka Tented Lodge.
Persons under the age of 12 years are not permitted at Tilney Manor.
Children are accommodated at Gondwana Family Lodge only.
0 – 3 Years old
are accommodated at no additional cost.
must share with adults, depending on the availability of cots and/or rooms with a sleeper
couch.
are not permitted on game drives.
4 – 11 Years old
are accommodated at 50% (half) of the adult sharing rate.
may share with adults, depending on the availability of rooms with a sleeper couch.
are permitted on game drives.
Price Includes
* 2 daily nature drives * Guided wilderness walks * All meals * A limited selection of house beers and wines * All on-drive snacks and beverages * Internal reserve transfers between the lodges and welcome lounge * Tourism levy and 15% VAT
Price Excludes
* Daily conservation levy * Additional alcoholic and premium beverages * Discretionary gratuities * All items of a personal nature, which must be settled directly prior to departure.
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve
STARGAZING
One of the great wonders to experience at Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is the night sky. Free from light and city pollution, the Klein Karoo offers some of the finest stargazing in Southern Africa and is an ideal activity for all guests to enjoy. Each lodge has a high-powered telescope and dedicated ranger who utilising a laser pointer guides you through the awe-inspiring constellations and planets.
Stargazing can be conducted at the lodges but can also be incorporated on night drives. Although the winter months may be colder, they offer even better viewing as heat and dust are greatly reduced in the atmosphere, offering a clearer view of the sky.
It’s the ideal activity for the whole family. Guides are happy to explain to younger guests the unique aspects of the Karoo sky, which is not only educational for them, but mom and dad might learn a thing or two as well.
