Founders Lodge By Mantis

“Love the place, the ethos and the people.”

What a delight to spend 4 days at Founders Lodge ... "where it all began". Founders was the private home of conservation pioneer, Adrian Gardiner, and the birthplace of conservation in the Eastern cape. The hosts, Craig and Glynis, and their wonderful team, made us feel so welcome that it really … more

What a delight to spend 4 days at Founders Lodge ... "where it all began". Founders was the private home of conservation pioneer, Adrian Gardiner, and the birthplace of conservation in the Eastern cape. The hosts, Craig and Glynis, and their wonderful team, made us feel so welcome that it really felt like OUR home. Jovian is an excellent ranger, with an instinctive ability to find elephants  lions, cheetah, hippo, zebra, giraffes and of course ... rhino!! He also has an amazing knowledge of birds and plants and literally goes "the extra mile". When not out on game drives we enjoyed the small pool and especially trips into the hide where you can get upclose and personal with animals visiting the waterhole. Fantastic for photos. The food was delicious and plentiful and there are several dining options so that guests can experience different rooms in the lodge.  We loved the place, the story, the ethos and the lovely people. Founders is very special and will always have a place in our hearts. Thank you.

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“Book today, you will not regret it.”

All of the reviews are correct. From the moment you get there to the moment you leave, everything is taken care of. We stayed two nights and wish we had stayed at least three or four. Each game drive goes to a different section of the 50,000 acre Samwari Nature Reserve. Our Ranger, Sikhumbuzo, was… more

All of the reviews are correct. From the moment you get there to the moment you leave, everything is taken care of. We stayed two nights and wish we had stayed at least three or four. Each game drive goes to a different section of the 50,000 acre Samwari Nature Reserve. Our Ranger, Sikhumbuzo, was the best!! He had extensive knowledge of the animals and a keen sense for where they were going and how to put us in a place where we could see their movements. He was always joyful and good humored. When we go back, we will ask for him again. He really made our first Safari experience one we will never forget. We saw an incredible number of animal species, but some of the highlights were the herd of elephants, rhinos, giraffes, lions, hippos, zebra, lots of different types of antelope, cheeta, etc. And the staff, beautiful hotel and room design, placement and the Chef really made our stay the best we had in South Africa. Highly highly recommend!! It’s worth every penny.

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“Faultless amazing experience”

We stayed here in February for two nights. It was a wonderful experience. The drives with our guide Matthew were amazing - saw so much, all the animas we wanted to see and enjoyed our sundowners with spectacular views. Our room was gorgeous and the food was excellent. We ate in different areas … more

We stayed here in February for two nights. It was a wonderful experience. The drives with our guide Matthew were amazing - saw so much, all the animas we wanted to see and enjoyed our sundowners with spectacular views. Our room was gorgeous and the food was excellent. We ate in different areas of the lodge which was interesting. All the staff are lovely and could not have been more helpful and friendly. From Craig, Glynis, Chanel and Cynthia and of course Matthew - everyone was just brilliant. I can’t speak highly enough of this stay and all we saw Make sure to go down to the hide when the animals are at the water hole and you will get some major videos Make sure to stay here - you won’t regret it.

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“Amazing Experience”

Wow! From the moment we arrived until the minute we left we were welcomed, looked after and made to feel at home and part of the family. On arrival the team were waiting for us with welcome drinks and cold towels and we were shown around the beautiful lodge. Our room was perfect: spacious and comfo… more

Wow! From the moment we arrived until the minute we left we were welcomed, looked after and made to feel at home and part of the family. On arrival the team were waiting for us with welcome drinks and cold towels and we were shown around the beautiful lodge. Our room was perfect: spacious and comfortable, spotlessly clean with a huge bathroom and doors on the terrace and garden area with a superb view of the Shamwari Reserve. All meals were exquisite and beautifully presented, though too much food for me. The service was impeccable throughout from everyone. Craig and Glynnis are so passionate about Founders Lodge, and so knowledgeable about its history, it was a pleasure to spend time with people that really cared about their environment. The lookout over the watering hall was a great feature. And then there were the game drives: Juvan was excellent, very knowledgeable and demonstrated great off road driving skills when we went out after rain, what fun! We saw lions, rhino, elephant, giraffes, warthogs, antelopes and zebra on every drive but also hippo’s, monkeys snd tortoise. We came here as a once in a lifetime bucket list experience but we will definitely return, hopefully soon.

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