Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, South Africa

Western Cape Game Reserves

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, Western Cape

The 54, 000 hectare Sanbona Wildlife Reserve in the Little Karoo is fast becoming one of the hottest weekend break destinations in South Africa. Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is home to the only free-range white lions in South Africa. The historic predator release means that for the first time in over 200 years, lion and cheetah can once again be seen in the Klein Karoo, making Sanbona the first private game reserve in the Western Cape to play host to free-roaming big cats.

At the foot of the Warmwaterberg, in the heart of the Little Karoo, between Montagu and Barrydale on the famous Route 62, the vision of the San is becoming a reality. Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, 54 000 hectares of undulating mountains and plains, indigenous fauna and flora, rock formations and rock art make this a destination not to be missed. Specialist guiding is a key element in providing a memorable and varied experience. The name Sanbona is a combination of the "San" people who roamed this area for thousands of years and "bona" which represents their vision in order to position this portion of the Little Karoo.

Sanbona has initiated a unique conservation programme that aims to breed the White Lion for release into the wild. Our dream is to reintroduce this rare animal into areas where it has been wiped out - for example, in the Timbavati region, where records indicate that the White Lion was spotted in the wild as far back as 1925.

The White Lion has always been rare, but its unusual beauty has captured the imaginations of people across the globe. Its whiteness is not due to albinism, but due to a recessive gene - similar to that found in the rare white tigers of Asia. However, it is not a separate species of lion from the typical tawny African lion. The cubs are born almost pure white, but darken to a rich cream colour over the course of their first two years.

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

Game Lodges in Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve Lodges

Traverse the landscape of Sanbona Wildlife Reserve with a qualified ranger in comfortable open landrovers. During the drive, be it in the early morning or for sundowners, various species of plants, animals, big game and ...

White Lion Lodge

A private game vehicle with a qualified ranger is available at all times and you can enjoy bush walks through the Karoo Wilderness Area together with a qualified field guide ...

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

Accommodation nearby

For accommodation outside of the reserve, see these towns which border the reserve:
• Barrydale Accommodation • Beaufort West Accommodation
• Calitzdorp Accommodation • De Rust Accommodation
• Herold Accommodation • Klaarstroom Accommodation
• Ladismith Accommodation • Oudtshoorn Accommodation
• Prince Albert Accommodation • Sanbona Accommodation

Or to see all accommodation at once, visit Karoo Accommodation.

Visiting Sanbona Wildlife Reserve?
Search for unique experiences and Things to Do in Cape Town or check out Things To Do in South Africa for sight seeing, scenic flights, sports and leisure and many more categories.

game and nature reserves in the western cape