safari camps western cape

Experience an Authentic

Exhilarating

Kwena Lodge

Newly refurbished, exhilarating game drives, gondwana game reserve luxury safari accommodation.

Kwena Suites

14 stand-alone luxury suites for two.

Kwena Villas

Spacious 3 & 4 bedroom villas ideal for groups.

Lehele Villas

Spacious and remotely located 3 & 4 bedroom villas ideal for families.

Tented Eco Camp

Off the grid, conservation safari *closing 30 april 2024.

Ulubisi House

Privately staffed exclusive lodge.

Safari Activities

Additional safari activities, make an enquiry, experiences & activities.

Fynbos Experience

Tented Bush Spa

The Junior Ranger Programme

Game Drives

Garden Route Attractions

Gondwana Conservation Foundation

The Gondwana Conservation Foundation (GCF) has been established as a non-profit organization to contribute to the conservation of South Africa’s threatened and endangered species.

The four pillars of the GCF

• Endangered Wildlife The GCF’s habitat restoration and management activities, are fundamental to its conservation of key endangered species such as rhino, bontebok, Cape mountain zebra and cheetah in the Western Cape. The GCF are contributing to halting biodiversity loss, which is a key objective. • Endangered Vegetation The GCF’s work in restoring degraded habitats and implementing sustainable land management practices can contribute to the restoration of biodiversity for all ecosystems within the Cape Floristic Kingdom. The Cape Floristic Kingdom is the smallest and most critically endangered of all the floristic kingdoms and has been classified as world heritage site. • Social Impact The GCF’s focus on education and outreach, as well as its partnerships with local communities to engage and empower local communities in biodiversity conservation. The GCF’s approach to conservation recognizes the importance of ecosystem services for human well-being, and its conservation activities can contribute to enhancing these services.

• Biodiversity Restoration The GCF’s strategy can contribute to achieving the goals and objectives of addressing the underlying drivers of biodiversity loss, promoting habitat restoration and species conservation and integrating different sectors in biodiversity conservation efforts.

Trip Advisor

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• Accommodation
• Experiences
• Conservation
• Destination

Dwyka Tented Lodge

Gondwana Family Lodge

Tilney Manor

Make a direct booking.

Book your stay directly with Sanbona Wildlife Reserve for the best rates.

Guest Enquiry

Not ready to make a booking just yet? Submit a travel enquiry and our team will be in touch.

Alluring Stillness Amid Raw Beauty And Boundless Plains

Uncover the story behind sanbona.

Immerse yourself in a landscape where wildlife and flora leave you truly captivated and transformed. Sanbona is one of South Africa’s largest privately-owned nature reserves, stretching across 62 000 hectares of rich protected ecosystems within two biodiversity hotspots. This vast track of land in the Little Karoo outside Montagu, a mere 3.5 hours drive from Cape Town along Route 62, is owned by a non-profit company focused on steering conservation to the forefront of the safari experience. Sanbona offers an authentic and contrasting natural space, striving to create a balance where critically important ecosystems, endangered wildlife and flora can prosper for the benefit of future generations. Sanbona offers four different accommodation options, each with their own distinctive style and appeal. Spend the day exploring every corner of this immense reserve, endless open plains and sculpted Cape fold mountains adorned with San rock art, the endemic flora and some of South Africa’s most sought after wildlife.

The Ultimate Luxury Mindful Safari

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve invites you for a high-end, conservation-based nature safari in the diverse landscapes of the unique Little Karoo. It’s the closest true wildlife experience you can find near Cape Town, a short three-hour drive away, offering an exclusive and unique malaria-free safari. From the classic Tilney Manor to Gondwana Family Lodge welcoming children of all ages, there’s something for everyone. Couples will love Dwyka Tented Lodge, set in a secluded horseshoe bend, and if you’re looking for something a bit more adventurous, Explorer Camp offers an immersive walking safari experience.

Find your perfect stay

Set in a horseshoe bend of a dry Karoo ravine and concealed by striking rock formations.

Enjoy a funky farmhouse characterised by contemporary interiors with an up-to-the-minute African edge.

Rooted in a more stately past, the Cape Georgian-style homestead gazes out over the renosterveld to the Kleinberg mountain range.

Space and Solitude

At the foot of the Warmwaterberg Mountains, Sanbona stretches across 62,000 hectares of awe-inspiring wide-open plains, with mountain tops to gorgeous gorges and a wide array of endemic flowers and foliage. Sanbona offers a Big Five safari experience, yet it is the emphasis on environmental sustainability, ecosystem conservation and authentic wilderness experiences that sets it apart. Enter our ethereal safari destination, where you’ll become one with your surroundings, reaching the ultimate level of inner peace.

Witness Conservation First-Hand

Every experience at Sanbona is centered around conservation. Owned by a non-profit company, not only will every cent of your stay go toward our conservation efforts, but you also get to see the results with your own eyes. Our sustainable approach to showcasing the region’s unique biodiversity, the wealth of botanical life and endemic, rare and endangered wildlife means you get to see first-hand how you’re helping us make a difference. From twice-daily game drives, nature walks, San rock art tours, birdwatching, photography and stargazing, let us show you a whole new magical world. At our Gondwana Family Lodge, your little future conservationists can enjoy plenty of child-friendly facilities and our Kids on Safari activities.

Experience true Natural beauty

Conserving Ancient heritage, ecosystems and landscapes

Sanbona’s unique setting and delicate ecosystem is something we respect and strive to protect with everything we do. Conservation is a core value at Sanbona, and, with every visit, you play a vital part in preserving the region for future generations. What started as a dream in 2002 is a reality today. We’re proud to be a highly respected player in conservation as we continue to guard the area’s heritage, ecosystem and landscapes while creating employment opportunities to uplift the local communities.

Explore stories from Sanbona’s plains

Find out what's been happening in and around Sanbona, our conservation success stories, and more in our blog.

One of a kind – a unique Cape mountain zebra foal born at Sanbona

The birth of a unique foal at Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is a beacon of hope for Cape mountain zebra conservation. Over the last 300 years, hunting and habitat destruction has decimated Cape mountain zebra numbers and isolated the three remaining small populations.

Sanbona’s White Lions: Icons of Majesty and Conservation

In the heart of the Little Karoo, where the vast landscapes echo with the untamed rhythm of nature, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve stands as a testament to the commitment to conservation and the preservation of endangered species.

A Metapopulation Milestone

A species genetically idled for nearly 100 years, has finally been given the opportunity to bolster and perpetually increase their genetic lineage.

• Loyalty Program

Come and share the breathtaking beauty this 4,500 hectare reserve has to offer on South Africa’s scenic Garden Route. Botlierskop Game Reserve will ensure you enjoy a uniquely South African Safari Experience. Family owned and privately operated, Botlierskop is malaria free and home to free roaming wildlife including lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, cheetah, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, hippo and more.

Experience our range of luxury accommodation: Tented Lodge, self-catering Bush Villas, Village Lodge built with children in mind or a memorable day visitor experience.

All this and a very warm welcome awaits you!

Tented Lodge

Luxurious tented suites, offering splendid views out over the river and mountains beyond, it is the perfect romantic safari escape!

Village Lodge

A child friendly safari getaway with a variety of children’s activities and luxury accommodation. It is the perfect country escape for the whole family!

Bush Villas

The self-catering Bush Villas overlook a waterhole with breathtaking views for the ultimate relaxation. Experience where luxury, privacy and wildlife meet.

Day Visitors 

For those with limited time, it makes for the perfect day trip. Enjoy a range of activities, meals and a leisure area with swimming pool and kids playground.

Explore our experiences & Activities

Conservation.

We only have one planet. Thank you for choosing to make a difference when staying at Botlierskop Game Reserve.

Removal of exotic alien plant species on the reserve.

Spekboom is vital in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere therefore you’ll find it planted all over Botlierskop Game Reserve.

We believe in Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and practices it daily at all our Lodges.

All cleaning products and guest amenities used at Botlierskop Game Reserve are eco-friendly and 100% natural ingredients.

Botlierskop Tented Lodge already runs 100% on solar power on a sunny day.

We buy local to reduce the impact on the environment and benefit the community.

Latest Blog Posts

New Life for Cheetah Cubs at Botlierskop

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that the female cheetah, Catja, wilded and released through Ashia Cheetah Conservation, gave birth to 3 beautiful and healthy cubs at the end of July here on Botlierskop Game Reserve. She kept them mostly hidden in the den for...

Free Roaming Cheetahs at Botlierskop

Botlierskop Game Reserve is giving you an exciting opportunity to spot two free roaming cheetahs during a game drive or horseback safari. During the drive, you will hear the beautiful story about how Ashia Cheetah Conservation gave these cheetahs a second chance to live a...

Introducing our Executive Suites

Introducing our Western Cape Tented Safari Executive Suites at Botlierskop Game Reserve. These canvas tents offer luxury safari accommodation with a jacuzzi.

BOTLIERSKOP DAY SAFARI – Tailored especially for Day Visitors

Conveniently situated midway between George and Mossel Bay along the Garden Route, Botlierskop Game Reserve lends itself to day visitors as seamlessly as to overnight guests. Why not make it a day out to remember - with your family or a group of friends or colleagues - and experience the fun and enjoyment our extensive facilities have in store for you?

Guided Game Drives

A real Garden Route Safari experience! Enjoy close encounters with Rhinoceros, Lions, Elephants, Buffalo, Giraffe, the rare Black Impala, Golden Wildebeest, Mountain Zebra, Hippos and more! Our Private Game Reserve is 4200ha and comprises of over 26 different species of animals and over 200 resident...

Western Cape Glamping Experience In South Africa

21st century travel is characterised by trends and dynamics that attract the traveller to experience getaways in new and exciting ways. One such exciting new trend goes by the name “Glamping”. Glamping, a portmanteau (a word blending the sounds and combining the meanings of two...

Guided Bush Trails

Experience and enjoy the Garden Route’s abundant fauna and flora on foot. Follow a Botlierskop field ranger as he tracks for 2 ½ hours through diverse habitats such as coastal renosterveldt and Cape fynbos. Chance to see wild animals while exploring the wonders of insects,...

Horse Sense At Botlierskop

Taking something of great beauty and passion and developing it into a practical, useful entity has always been present in the vision and all forms of planning at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve. But how do you combine emotion and passion with practicality and usefulness? The...

Why not pack a picnic (provided by Botlierskop) and head down to the Moordkuil River Dam and enjoy a paddle up the 1 km Moodkuil river, passing the tented suites. Enjoy views of the mountains while spotting some bird life and if you’re lucky, animals...