Sanbona – Gondwana Lodge

Overview

At the foot of the 350 million year old Warmwaterberg Mountains, in the heart of the Little Karoo, lies the Cape’s premier wildlife destination, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve. This arid, stark landscape, home to the San for centuries, has an alluring tranquillity and raw beauty.

Just three hours’ drive from Cape Town along the scenic Route 62, Sanbona sprawls across 54 000 hectares of rugged mountains and vast plains. Sanbona is home to an impressive variety of succulents, birds and wildlife, including the only free-roaming white lions in the world.

Guests at Gondwana Lodge experience the majesty of the panoramic vistas over the Bellair Dam and the spirit of the San in a wilderness sanctuary surrounded by ancient volcanic mountains. Outstanding service and private, luxurious 5 star accommodation create a soothing ambience where guests find instant release from the stresses of daily life.

Children’s Program
We take great pride in offering children fun experiences at Sanbona that will create future conservationists for the good of our planet.

The Gondwana Family Lodge resembles a typical thatched Karoo homestead. With family rooms, a children’s activity room, spacious lawn, outdoor play area, and pool. Spending your vacation here ensures entertainment for the whole family.
Upon arrival at Sanbona, kids can expect to have the time of their life through our Kids on Safari packages. With exciting activities planned, interactive welcome packs and even child minding services on request, mom and dad won’t have to worry about a thing.

Accommodation

Gondwana Lodge is the only Sanbona lodge that accommodates children. The lodge offers twelve luxurious suites, two of which have a sleeper couch to accommodate a child sharing with two adults. The six ground floor suites have private decks, whilst the six upstairs suites offer private balconies. Inter-leading rooms are available.

Wildlife

Sanbona offers the Big Five, and has the only free-roaming self-sustaining white lions in the world.  The reserve is home to a variety of large and small antelope, zebra and wildebeest, giraffe, hippo, cheetah, and small game such as black-backed jackal and caracal. Evening game drives provide the opportunity to see nocturnal creatures, such as the aardwolf, brown hyena and porcupine.

Sanbona is home to the critically endangered and highly elusive Riverine Rabbit, which is the thirteenth most endangered mammal in the world and the second most critically endangered species in South Africa. Several endemic tortoises are found in the reserve, as is the Dwarf Blue butterfly, the second smallest butterfly in the world.

Over 200 bird species have been identified in the reserve, which has important raptor nesting sites, including that of the Verreaux’s Eagle. African Fish Eagles, breeding pairs of majestic Black Eagles and Black Harrier are regularly sighted. Other interesting bird species include the world’s largest bird, the ostrich, the Cinnamon-breasted Warbler seen only at dawn, the Booted Eagle, the Namaqua Sandgrouse and the Southern Grey Tit, with its thirteen different calls. The Bellair Lake provides a wetland habitat for a myriad of water birds, including kingfishers, Black-necked Grebe, Black-winged Stilts, and Maccoa Duck.

More Info

Children
Children under the age of 4 are not permitted on game drives.
Children under the age of 3 are accommodated free, while 4 to 11 year olds pay 50% of the adult rate.
Children aged 12 and over pay the full adult rate

Directions

• BY AIR:

•  Flights to Cape Town International

• Transfers to lodge are available

• BY ROAD:

From Cape Town

An easy 3 hour drive, approximately 270 kms from Cape Town.

• Travel on the N1 from Cape Town in the direction of Paarl; continuing on the N1 travel through the Huguenot Tunnel.

• A tollgate controls this tunnel.

• The first town is Worcester set in the Breede River Valley.

• Taking the second turnoff to the right into Worcester, you leave the N1 and the Route 60 (R60) is taken.

• Follow the signs to the town of Robertson.

• Once through Robertson, the next town is Ashton.

• The R60 becomes the R62 in Ashton.

• Travel on through Krogmanskloof and Montagu.

• Continue for approximately 43 km and turn left at “Die Vlakte” and Sanbona Wildlife Reserve sign.

• Please be advised that the road changes from tar to gravel and the recommended speed limit from there on is 60 km per hour.

• The main entrance to Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is 7 km.

From the main gate:

• A further 15 km to the welcoming lounge where guests will be welcomed.

• From the welcoming lounge, it is 45 minutes to Tilney Manor, 65 minutes to Dwyka Tented Lodge and 55 minutes to Gondwana Lodge.

• Please follow the relevant signs in the reserve.

• The recommended speed limit is 40 km per hour.

• Do not exit your vehicle. Predators roam free.

• The main gate closes at 18h00, should your arrival time be later, please advice prior to arrival in order to make arrangements.

• A daily transfer from the main gate to your lodge is available on request, and must be booked at least 72 hours in advance.

Please note: You will need to pay a gate entrance fee of R160 per vehicle and R40 per person.The entrance fee can only be confirmed at the time of making your reservation (Prices subject to change)