Gondwana Game Reserve

“Another Visit, Another Unforgettable Experience”

There are places you visit, and then there are places that leave a lasting impression. Gondwana is definitely one of those. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with genuine warmth. Every member of the team—from reception to the porters and restaurant staff—made us feel like valued guests.… more

There are places you visit, and then there are places that leave a lasting impression. Gondwana is definitely one of those. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with genuine warmth. Every member of the team—from reception to the porters and restaurant staff—made us feel like valued guests. Nothing was ever too much trouble, and every interaction was met with a smile. Our accommodation was beautiful, comfortable, and incredibly peaceful. Waking up to the sounds of nature and ending each day surrounded by the African bush was something truly special. A very special thank you to Natasha, our game ranger. Her passion, knowledge, and enthusiasm made every game drive unforgettable. She went above and beyond to make each drive exciting, educational, and filled with unforgettable moments. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide. The food was exceptional. Every meal was beautifully prepared, generous, and absolutely delicious. Paired with wonderful wines and attentive service, every dining experience felt like a treat. The bush picnic was one of the highlights of our stay. It was beautifully set up in the most incredible location, and it perfectly captured what makes Gondwana so special. The spa was equally wonderful—a peaceful escape with skilled therapists who made it so easy to relax and unwind. What really stood out throughout our stay was the attention to detail. So much thought and care goes into every experience, and it shows. It’s the little touches that make all the difference. The birthday cake, accompanied by the staff singing, was such a heartfelt and memorable moment. It was a beautiful gesture that perfectly captured the warmth, generosity, and genuine hospitality that make Gondwana so special. Thank you to everyone at Gondwana for your incredible hospitality, generosity, and kindness. You created memories that our family will treasure forever. We arrived as guests and left feeling like we’d experienced something truly special. We can’t wait to return.

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“Wonderful Safari Resort!”

We had such a wonderful stay at the Kwena Suites at Gondwana Private Game Reserve. From the moment we arrived, everything exceeded our expectations. The suite was beautiful, comfortable, and perfectly surrounded by nature, making it a truly memorable experience for my husband and me. The safari dr… more

We had such a wonderful stay at the Kwena Suites at Gondwana Private Game Reserve. From the moment we arrived, everything exceeded our expectations. The suite was beautiful, comfortable, and perfectly surrounded by nature, making it a truly memorable experience for my husband and me. The safari drives were the highlight of our stay. A huge thank you to our guide, Marlon, whose knowledge, passion, and enthusiasm made every game drive exciting and unforgettable. He went above and beyond to ensure we had the best wildlife sightings while sharing fascinating insights about the animals and the reserve. The food was another standout. Every meal was delicious, with a varied and thoughtfully curated menu that we looked forward to each day. Thank you to the entire team for your warm hospitality and for making our stay so special. We would highly recommend Gondwana Private Game Reserve to anyone looking for an unforgettable safari experience, and we can’t wait to return.

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“Not quite...”

Honestly, a bit disappointed. When you pay what you pay, you expect to get the best out of it. We drove 6 hours from Cape Town, and another 6 to return the day after, and we got the impression to have spent too much money.... and time!!! Rooms: Excellet. Probably the best thing of the whole exp… more

Honestly, a bit disappointed. When you pay what you pay, you expect to get the best out of it. We drove 6 hours from Cape Town, and another 6 to return the day after, and we got the impression to have spent too much money.... and time!!! Rooms: Excellet. Probably the best thing of the whole exprience. Unfortunately there is not much time left to enjoy it. 9/10 Food: Nothing to complain. Not excellent but decent stuff. 7.5/10 Game drives: biggest disappointment. We didnt get to see any lion, and just a couple of elephants from the very big distance. The early drive on the second day was long and certainly boring. A cup of coffee nearby a couple of jiraffes did not compensate. If watching the big 5 is your thing, this might not be your resort. Upon arrival we had to pay an expensive fee that we were not told beforehand. Well.... not what we expected and definitely not what we would recommend

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“A great time overshadowed - would I go back? I am not sure.”

My family and I stayed at Gondwana Game Reserve from 1–4 May 2026 in Kwena Villa 13 on a full-board basis. Overall, the property itself is beautiful, the wildlife experience is unforgettable, and the majority of the staff were exceptional. Unfortunately, our stay was overshadowed by an elephant inc… more

My family and I stayed at Gondwana Game Reserve from 1–4 May 2026 in Kwena Villa 13 on a full-board basis. Overall, the property itself is beautiful, the wildlife experience is unforgettable, and the majority of the staff were exceptional. Unfortunately, our stay was overshadowed by an elephant incident that in the aftermath was handled in a disappointing way by management and a guide with a terrible decorum with guests. During a morning game drive, an elephant approached our vehicle and unexpectedly pushed into my side with her tusk leaving me understandably shaken. Our guide, reacted quickly and professionally, moving the vehicle away safely and checking on me repeatedly afterward. I truly appreciated the genuine concern he showed following the incident. What disappointed me most was the response from management afterward. Communication was extremely poor and lacked the empathy one would expect from a luxury lodge. The entire situation felt more focused on liability management than guest care. Our replacement guide, unfortunately made the experience worse. His communication style often felt condescending and dismissive toward guests. Questions were ignored or answered sarcastically, and the atmosphere on the drive felt tense and uncomfortable rather than welcoming and educational. Basic hospitality details that had previously been part of our Gondwana experience — drink stops, bathroom breaks, checking guest comfort, offering ponchos in the cold — were absent. It was a noticeable decline in service quality compared to our previous drives. I was also concerned by the overall proximity many guides maintained to elephants and predators throughout our stay. Despite hearing that standard elephant viewing etiquette is generally around 25 meters, we repeatedly witnessed vehicles far closer than that — including with the same elephant involved in my incident. Seeing guides continue taking such close approaches, especially after previous known incidents, raised genuine concerns about safety protocols and risk management. That said, the general staff at Gondwana were outstanding and deserve recognition. From reception and housekeeping to restaurant and spa staff, every interaction was warm, professional, and memorable. They are the heart of the lodge and the reason the experience remained positive overall despite the issues we encountered. Gondwana is a stunning reserve with incredible conservation, and I genuinely hope management reflects on guest communication, guide conduct, and safety consistency moving forward. With stronger leadership and transparency, the experience could truly match the luxury standard the lodge aims to provide.

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