Sanbona Tilney Manor

The luxury suites at Tilney Manor are spacious and bright, decorated in a traditional and comfortable style with exposed beams and wooden furniture adding a rustic charm to the room. A large, plush bed sits in the centre of the room covered in crisp white bed linens and overlooking the rolling mountains and vegetated plains, allowing guests to enjoy the stunning views without leaving the comfort of their bed. The room can be configured as a twin or king room, and can accommodate a maximum of 2 adults.

All rooms come complete with an ensuite bathroom which includes a walk-in shower, twin hand-basins and a deep freestanding bathtub perfect for a relaxing soak. Guests can spend their evenings unwinding on their private verandahs gazing over the endless horizons, rolling plains and towering mountains complete with a refreshing drink from their private mini-bar.

Meals at Tilney Manor are made with fresh ingredients from the vegetable gardens on-site or produce which is sourced locally. Talented chefs and the fresh ingredients they use work together to create some of the finest South African safari cuisine. Guests can enjoy these delicious meals in the bright and comfortable dining room or seated outside in the fresh South African air with the breathtaking views surrounding you as you dine.

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 during the spectacular 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 learn about the 600 species of plants which 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.

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.

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.

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 needed for them 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.