Reviews of Gondwana Game Reserve

This is one of the best hotels and reserves I have ever been. The staff were wonderful and definitely highly recommended to stay.

Absolutes Highlight. Top Game Drives, super nettes Personal, sehr gutes Essen und eine tolle und außergewöhnliche Unterkunft. Sehr zu empfehlen!

The room was very nice and big... The service staff was friendly and could help guests consider the room placement comprehensively. The private tour guide was great, accompanying us throughout the whole trip and luckily took us to see the Big Five in Africa... In short, it was an unforgettable experience!

Listen, we booked one night because we thought, “Oh, we’re just gonna do a quick overnight safari.” NAH, that wasn’t it. We extended our stay and ended up being on the property for four days. That’s how good it was. You’re not going to want to leave. Everything was immaculate. Service. Food. Staff. The lions. The cheetahs. The elephants. I could keep going on and on. Just go ahead and book it!

If you are looking for to see the big five, there is no need to travel Cape Town to say Kruger, pop in a private car, see the garden route and go to Gondwana Luxury Game Reserve. We booked in to Kwena Suites, and every picture you see, will still never prepare you for the view after you walk out of reception. Your greeted with sparkling wine and then the view across the water holes and the backdrop of the mountains. After a quick freshen up in our amazing lodge, with the most comfortable beds. With electric blankets, much needed due to cold weather and the log burner we were out on our private game drive. This is the place for the big five, but the reserve is vast so there is no guarantee, to see lions, elephants, wilder beast and zebra all roaming we were happy with our guide and to retreat to our warm lodge and stunning showers before a great meal. The full board option is great and there are several choices for your evening meal. Retreating to our lodge all we could hear was the birds. The highlight for me was the giraffes after spending hours on our second evening drive we had decided it wasn’t going to happen, then my daughter spotted them high up in the mountains surrounded by trees. Our knowledgeable guide used all his skill taking narrow tracks so we could get up close to these amazing animals. It truly was an unforgettable moment and it was just us 3 with the animals. No crowds, just us peacefully in the wild with them. Our guide thought of everything for us, due to the weather hot water bottles, blankets, ponchos and a warming tipple on a cold evening. From great food, a luxury lodge where we greeted near our lodge by a deer and had lunch watching zebra at the waterhole, Gondwana Game Reserve leaves you with a great sense of nature, peace and delight.

The lodge is set in a beautiful, very clean area. The rooms are spacious, well-equipped and very comfortable. There was nothing missing in terms of basic amenities, and we appreciated the heated beds and the air conditioning during the cold weather. The view is lovely, and the staff truly went out of their way to help us. That said, there are some important drawbacks. There is no entertainment at all— no TV in the rooms, no activities, nothing to do when it rains. During bad weather, you can’t see wildlife either, so the main reason for staying there is limited. Given the high price, we expected much more. We even left early once before8:30 a.m. and there was no breakfast— not even a cup of coffee available. For this level of pricing, you would hope for at least basic early morning service. I would strongly recommend adding some kind of guest activities, like a gym or a heated pool or even a warm jacuzzi, and some simple in-room entertainment. The setting has great potential, but right now the experience doesn’t match the cost.

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.

What a wonderful experience. We were stunned by the accommodation, the service, the beauty of the nature, the animals. Do not miss it. Thanks to Anja and Ibrahim for making our experience so wonderful.

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.

There are some places that you enjoy while you're there, and then there are places that stay with you for life. Gondwana falls firmly into the second category. We stayed for two nights in a Kwena Lodge Suite and, from the moment we arrived, it felt like somewhere special. The lodge itself is stunning. The communal spaces, lounges, pool areas and restaurants are all finished to an exceptionally high standard and create a real sense of luxury without ever feeling pretentious. During our stay we met several guests who were there on their honeymoons, which says a lot about the quality of the accommodation and overall experience. Of everything we experienced during our trip to South Africa from the UK, Gondwana was the standout gem. Our suite was incredible. Every aspect of the room felt carefully considered, from the quality of the furnishings and décor to the comfort and space provided. It was luxurious in every sense of the word. The food was of good quality. Every meal felt like a fine dining experience, with beautifully presented dishes, generous portions and excellent quality throughout. What elevated the stay from excellent to unforgettable was the staff. Every member of the team was professional, friendly and genuinely invested in ensuring guests had the best possible experience. Whether in the lodge, restaurant, spa or on the reserve, everyone went out of their way to make sure we were enjoying our stay. The safari drives themselves were exceptional. We completed two morning drives and two evening drives, all of which felt completely different and memorable in their own way. We were fortunate enough to see the Big Five, but what stood out most was the knowledge and enthusiasm of our ranger, Andile. Having only worked as a ranger for eight months, his knowledge was remarkable. Whether discussing mammals, birds, plants, conservation or the wider ecosystem, he brought everything to life with genuine passion. He could identify birds from their calls, explain behaviours we would never have noticed ourselves and answer every question with enthusiasm and detail. Before arriving, I would never have expected birds and plant life to become such an interesting part of the experience, but his delivery made every sighting worthwhile. He also struck the perfect balance as a guide, sharing information when appropriate while allowing guests to quietly enjoy the incredible scenery and wildlife encounters. Small touches stood out too, such as arriving prepared with heated blankets made from hot water bottles on a particularly cold morning drive. One aspect I particularly appreciated was that Gondwana is a genuine nature reserve rather than a wildlife attraction. The animals roam freely and sightings are never guaranteed. That unpredictability is what makes each encounter feel special and authentic. We also booked massages at the spa, which were excellent value for money and a fantastic addition to the stay. If I had one criticism, it would simply b

Really excellent and classy accommodation. Rooms very clean and well equipped. We stayed in Kwena Villas. Game drives really interesting and fun. The guide William was very knowledgeable and showed us everything really well. You can get quite close to the animals and we have some great photos. Stopping for a gin and tonic in the afternoon sun out on the reserve was just magical. The staff were great generally . The food is like being in a top class restaurant but the portions were huge

Our overall experience was excellent and beyond expectations in many aspects. The location is perfect, the atmosphere is beautiful, and the food is absolutely delicious — truly outstanding. The staff were extremely professional, friendly, and welcoming, and the service was above excellent. Their hospitality really made us feel valued and comfortable. However, there are two major issues that must be addressed: 1. Room Design & Comfort The rooms were a major disappointment and seriously affected our stay. The interior and exterior design felt like a horror movie, which made it very difficult for us to sleep. The shower and toilet design were uncomfortable and impractical, and they should be redesigned to be more modern, comfortable, and similar in quality to the reception area. The animal-themed decorations and face statues inside the rooms created an unsettling feeling, rather than a relaxing safari experience. A safari concept should feel alive, warm, and inspiring, not scary or uncomfortable. Regarding cleanliness, while some areas were clean, several rooms and bathrooms were not properly cleaned, and we noticed many reptiles/insects, which was disturbing. 2. Accommodation Policy (Very Important Point) We visited as friends, and we only needed one room with a living area (room + lounge). However, we were required to book three large separate rooms, which was unnecessary, inconvenient, and very expensive for our actual needs. The accommodation policy should be more flexible to suit different types of guests, especially friends who prefer shared living spaces instead of multiple large rooms. What we loved: • Wonderful and delicious food • Outstanding service • Very kind and professional staff • Great location and general atmosphere What needs improvement: • Complete redesign of room interiors and bathrooms • Remove scary decorations and statues • Improve cleanliness in rooms and toilets • More flexible accommodation policy for friends With proper improvements to the rooms, cleanliness, and accommodation policy, this place has the potential to become truly perfect.

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

Unforgettable memories of this 2 days stay. Our lodge was luxury, the food was great, it was quiet and clean. we had a great guide (Tim) and we saw all possible animals except the leopard. In total we had an excellent service.