Sanbona Gondwana Family Lodge

The luxury suites at Sanbona Gondwana Family Lodge are a blend of modern furnishings and traditional safari character. Large comfortable beds which sit in the centre of the room are covered in plush bedding and crisp white bedsheets and are backed with an authentically patterned headboard. Exposed thatch ceilings add another element of traditional design and also add dimension to the room, matching with the raw wooden furniture which is placed throughout the suite.

The suites can accommodate 2 adults sharing with 1 child, with a king or twin configuration, and a sofa bed which sits at the foot of the bed where a child can comfortably sleep. 4 pairs of suites are interleading, perfect for larger families.

All suites come complete with ensuite bathrooms which include twin basins, a spacious walk-in shower and a freestanding bathtub, with floor to ceiling sliding glass doors allowing guests to enjoy a relaxing soak while overlooking the expansive horizon. All suites also come complete with their own balcony or decking, where guests can relax after a long day exploring with a drink from their in-room minibar while gazing over the sparkling Bellair Dam and sweeping plains of the Sanbona Wildlife Reserve.

A spacious dining area with floor to ceiling glass doors allows guests to enjoy delectable food while still feeling surrounded by the wilds of the reserve. Feast on meals that highlight the multicultural flavours of Africa and are made using the freshest of ingredients from the lodges own vegetable garden or supplied locally. An outdoor dining area is available where guests can enjoy refreshing morning breakfasts, light lunches, and romantic lantern-lit dinners when the weather is clear.

Guests also have the choice to dine in the open-air boma, seated around the crackling fire pit or at a romantic table for two, this is a truly unique safari experience where guests can enjoy delicious meals surrounded by the sights, smells and sounds of Little Karoo.

Head out on a traditional safari game drive for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see some of the amazing animals of the reserve up close and in their natural habitat. In the comfort of a 4×4 vehicle and guided by a trained and friendly ranger guests can keep an eye on bush movements with a pair of binoculars and may see some of the thriving population of hyenas, or zebras, and if you’re lucky you may see elephants, rhinos, lions, buffalo, and leopards too.

This is the perfect opportunity for the keen photographer to capture the perfect shot, and with game drives heading out in the mornings and afternoons, there is the opportunity to explore the bush in the sunrise and sunset.

For a more immersive way to explore the bush guests can enjoy a guided walk through the wild bushveld. Exploring on your own two feet is the ideal way to become at one with nature, and these guided walks offer a more detailed experience than game drives. At a slower pace, guests can marvel at the smaller ecosystems of Little Karoo, and can learn about the 600 species of plants that thrive here from their knowledgeable and friendly guide. This is also a perfect activity for keen photographers as the slower pace allows for more time to capture that breathtaking shot.

While surrounded by ancient rock formations, gently inclining mountain ranges, and fresh South African breezes, reset your mind, body, and soul with a relaxation treatment. Indulge in a relaxing massage, facial treatment, or body scrub re-aligning your body and spirit with the nature which surrounds you. At Sanbona Gondwana Family Lodge there is also a steam room where guests can enjoy a warm cleanse.

Glide gently along the calm, sparkling waters of the Bellair Dam in the fresh morning air or the golden sunset tones. The boat safaris can be enjoyed as part of the game drives, and guests will be able to relax in comfort while keeping an eye out for hippos lounging in the shallows. The boat is specialised to be able to reach most areas of the dam, so guests may also see colourful reed frogs and some of the prolific birdlife wading on the banks. Boat safaris at Sanbona can be booked privately for guests who are celebrating a special event or who wish to enjoy the dam in privacy.

Children will be kept entertained at all times on safari at Sanbona Gondwana Family Lodge, with a range of activities which are both enjoyable and educational. A walk around the gardens at Gondwana can be arranged for children to explore and engage with the beautiful indigenous nature which is found in this area of South Africa, and an activity book can accompany this activity.

If the weather is not suited to outdoor activities children can remain entertained indoors with arts and crafts activities, documentary DVDs and films, educational books, and board games.

After the sun has gone down, turn your gaze to the skies and have your breath taken away by the blanket of bright stars which light up the night. Look for some of the Southern Hemisphere’s constellations such as the Southern Cross, and Ursa Major and Minor. Also, spend this time to enlighten yourself on some of the ancient myths which the San Bushmen told about the stars.

With 7 recorded sites – and many unrecorded sites – of ancient rock art within the Sanbona Reserve guests can hike to view the amazing history whilst on a guided walk, just let your guide know and they can take you to some of the oldest recorded art expressions in the world, this activity will give you a sense of understanding why this land is so important to protect and preserve.

The land of Little Karoo was formerly agricultural land, meaning road networks, fences, overgrazing and ploughing are scars which still affect the land to this day. It is the Wildlife Departments job to try and facilitate new growth and the rehabilitation of the landscape. To do this they work to remove alien species of vegetation and combat soil erosion. The reintroduction of species is important to create the diverse landscape which was once there, the reintroduction of the larger predators and herbivores has taken a few years and is ever-ongoing. All animals are constantly monitored to make sure the process is sustainable and successful, and that a careful balance is maintained between predators and prey.

Currently, there are many flora and fauna species which are found in Sanbona which are on the Red List of Threatened Species. One such example is the Riverine Rabbit which is the 13th most endangered mammal in the world. Sanbona provides riverine rabbits with the space they need to function as they should, which they are being denied in other areas of Africa. Due to this, Sanbona has become one of the major players in the conservation of this species. Sanbona has an anti-poaching and security unit which helps to keep the land protected, as well as the guests and staff. Due to the conservation work which Sanbona are participating in, they have a stewardship with CapeNature which has led to the area receiving ongoing ‘Protected Area’ status.

The three fronts which influence the management philosophy of Sanbona Wildlife Reserve are financial, social and ecological. Partnered with the renowned Wilderness Foundation and the Green Leaf Environmental Standard, Sanbona makes sure that the sustainable management of the land surrounding them extends to the running of the lodge too. They focus on using water and energy effectively and efficiently, capturing rainwater and using wood from removed alien species for fireplaces.

They recycle all their raw materials, compost their food waste and use greywater for watering lodge gardens. To make sure the sustainable initiatives reach everyone in this area Sanbona also focuses on the upliftment, empowerment, and education of the local communities and their staff members. They partake in all these sustainable initiatives to help reduce their carbon footprint, improve education on conservation, and create a more responsible tourism brand.