About this hotel
General information
Kwandwe is a 30,000-hectare private reserve on both banks of the Great Fish River in the Eastern Cape. The land was once farmed; it has since been restored to the wild and restocked with elephant, both species of rhino, hippo, lion, leopard, cheetah and brown hyena. Six of South Africa's seven biomes meet here, more than 13,000 hectares are covered in subtropical thicket, and 315 bird species have been recorded, among them the blue crane, which uses the reserve as a breeding refuge.
Across all that space there are just 26 rooms, so vehicles on the tracks are few. Great Fish River Lodge, with nine suites above the river, takes guests aged 12 and over; the more intimate six-suite Ecca Lodge welcomes all ages. Stays include meals, South African wines, drinks, twice-daily game drives and guided walks. The reserve is open all year, and part of each guest's levy goes to the community-led Ubunye Foundation, which supports early-learning centres in the surrounding villages.
Location
In the Great Fish River valley in the Eastern Cape, about 65 km inland from the coast. Gqeberha airport is roughly 160 km away (around 1 hour 45 minutes by road) and East London about 185 km, or two hours. A helicopter covers the hop from Gqeberha in 35 minutes, and charter aircraft land on the reserve's own tarred airstrip: 20 minutes from Gqeberha or East London, about 1 hour 50 minutes from Cape Town and two hours from Johannesburg. Guests are met at the Heatherton Towers reception and taken on to their lodge by safari vehicle; chauffeured road transfers can be arranged in advance.
Spa
There is no spa building: therapists give massages and facials in the privacy of the suite, bookable on arrival. Treatments use the natural TheraVine and TheraNaka ranges, made with marula, mongongo and baobab oils and shea butter.
Sports & leisure
Days at Kwandwe revolve around the bush, the river and the reserve's conservation work.
- game drives in an open vehicle with a ranger and tracker at dawn and in the late afternoon, plus night drives
- guided walks focused on tracks, animal behaviour, plants and the smaller life of the bush
- catch-and-release fishing — bass at Galpin Dam, yellowfish and catfish in the Great Fish River
- coffee at first light and sundowners at scenic viewpoints
- specialist safaris with a private guide and vehicle: photographic, long walking and birding safaris
- rhino monitoring drives with the ecological team, and hands-on rhino conservation alongside the reserve's vet (May to September)
- visits to the Mgcamabele Community Centre and spekboom planting
- guided runs on the tarred airstrip, and a Gym in a Bag kit for in-room workouts
For children
Children aged three to 12 receive a young explorer's welcome pack, and the programme runs to scavenger and treasure hunts around the lodge and out in the landscape, fishing, plaster casting of animal tracks, face painting, beading, cookie decorating, sand art, eco board games and African bedtime stories. Every lodge has a children's menu, and experienced childminders are available free of charge by prior arrangement — including for an evening when parents dine alone.
Restaurants & bars
Cooking is built on fresh, local produce; all meals and drinks are part of the stay, and dietary needs are catered for.
- Great Fish River Lodge dining room — candlelit dinners with an African accent
- Great Fish River Lodge boma — an open-air fire circle for dinners under the sky
- Ecca Lodge dining room and lounge — meals in the main guest area, beside a timber deck over the valley
- bush breakfasts, and drinks or dinners at sunset in scenic corners of the reserve
- private dining and in-suite meals
Swimming
Great Fish River Lodge has a shared swimming pool, and every suite has its own plunge pool on a thatched terrace. Ecca Lodge's main area has a rim-flow lap pool, and each of its suites has a private plunge pool too.
Rooms
Great Fish River Lodge has nine free-standing suites set well apart above the river; Ecca Lodge has six free-standing suites — three for two adults and three family suites with their own vehicle and guide. Both lodges are furnished in warm, earthy tones.
Air conditioning and fan, safe, minibar, telephone, Wi-Fi, tea and coffee, hairdryer, bathrobes, mosquito net, bathroom with bath, indoor and outdoor showers, a private plunge pool, and daily laundry.
Great Fish River Lodge Suite
A free-standing suite for two adults at Great Fish River Lodge on the banks of the Great Fish River, with floor-to-ceiling glass doors onto the wilderness, a sitting area, a bathroom with bath and indoor and outdoor showers, and a covered terrace with a private plunge pool.
Ecca Lodge Luxury Suite
A free-standing suite for two adults at Ecca Lodge with a king-size bed and views over the valley to shale cliffs, a bathroom with bath, double vanity and indoor and outdoor showers, and a secluded deck with a plunge pool.
Ecca Lodge Private Vehicle Suite
A free-standing suite at Ecca Lodge for two adults and two children under 12, with a super-king bed, lounge area, bathroom with outdoor shower and a deck with a plunge pool; a private safari vehicle and guide are reserved for the whole stay.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.