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Situated between the small, historic towns of Montagu and Barrydale, skirting the edge of the R62 highway. The reserve is bisected by the towering Warmwaterberg Mountain, characterised by sculpted 500 million-year-old Cape Fold Mountains.
Just 3.5 hours from Cape Town, the reserve spans over 62,000 hectares of diverse landscapes in the Little Karoo. An area rich in culture, history, and heritage, and one of the world’s most biologically significant yet threatened regions. Sanbona aims to create a balance where critically important ecosystems, endangered wildlife and flora can prosper.
By placing nature and community above profit through its unique non-profit ownership model, Sanbona empowers guests to choose a lodge with a purpose, helping to preserve and protect this remarkable landscape for future generations.
What to expect at the lodge/reserve
Guests can choose from three luxury lodges, each with its own distinct charm.
Dwyka Tented Lodge is an opulent retreat set near the nesting grounds of Verreaux’s eagles. Tilney Manor, designed in classic Cape Georgian style, offers an intimate Karoo escape. Gondwana Family Lodge is a family-friendly haven, complete with a tailored kids’ Eco-Explorers programme. A range of experiences, including nature drives, guided nature walks, ancient rock art, and stargazing create an unforgettable safari adventure.
Our luxury lodges operate independently, each of which being fully staffed with their own management team, chef brigade, hosts and hostesses and experienced field guides.
We encourage our guests to jump at the opportunity to discover everything the Little Karoo has to offer in terms of fauna, flora and majestic landscapes.
Nature Drives
Interactive nature drives last up to 3 hours and take place in the tranquil moods of sunrise and sunset.
Sanbona is an ongoing conservation project that aims to restore the ecological balance in a landscape formed during cataclysmic times 350 million years ago. Travel through 2 different biomes, and many habitats, including the quartz fields of the succulent Karoo, a very special habitat characterised by beds of angular quartz debris and home to a flora of stunning minute succulent shrubs. You will traverse this wild landscape with a qualified Guide in a comfortable open Land Cruiser where numerous species of plants, animals, big game and birds can be seen.
Birdwatching
The Little Karoo is a well-known birding destination. With the contrast of vast plains, mountains, water-courses, and drainage lines throughout the area, it makes nesting for a variety of species easy.
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is home to more than 200 species of birds. In fact, the banks of the Bellair Dam alone are home to more than 40 species of birdlife, making it a hotspot of avian activity. You can expect to catch a glimpse of birds of prey, such as the Jackal Buzzard or Little Brown Jobs like the Chat Flycatcher. You might even find Chestnut-vented Tit Babblers, mingling with doves, mousebirds, and sparrows.
Nature Walks
There is an array of walks and trails for you to enjoy. Well-informed and experienced rangers can indicate points of interest while divulging important and interesting information about the area.
Rock Art
There are seven recorded sites throughout Sanbona. These rock art sites date back more than 3,500 years and depict the spiritual beliefs and lives of the San and the Khoi-Khoi people that lived in this area until 100 years ago.
The San were nomadic hunter-gatherers and the Khoi–Khoi were pastoral herders who owned livestock such as cattle and sheep. The rock art is a product of what the Shaman of both Khoi-Khoi and San people envisioned in their trances. Some of the only evidence that remains of this way of life is depicted through this delicate rock art. This makes Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, not only a leading destination for an African experience, but a national treasure in terms of heritage.
Stargazing
With the absence of artificial light, the Klein Karoo offers some of the finest stargazing in Southern Africa and is an ideal activity for all guests to enjoy.
• Only 3.5 hours drive from Cape Town which makes Sanbona the closest free-roaming Big 5 reserve to Cape Town
• Vast open plains and rugged mountains
• Situated on the famous Route 62
• Variety of endemic bird and animal life
• Highly competent field guides
• Previously home to the San people where one can experience the legacy of the Bushman in the beauty of their rock art
• The only conserved habitat for the highly endangered Riverine Rabbit (13th most endangered mammal in the world)
• Malaria free
• Situated in the heart of the Little Karoo Wine Route, the longest in the world
• Free-roaming and self-sustaining Big 5
• The Western Cape’s Largest, Premier Wildlife Destination
• Pioneer In The Western Cape To Introduce The Big 5
• Exclusivity - Only 27 Rooms In 62 000 Hectares
• Conscious Approaches
• Accessible And Malaria-free
• Owned And Operated On A Not-for-profit Basis
• Situated In A Global Biodiversity Hotspot
What is loadshedding? Currently suspended.
Select your check-in and check-out dates to view availability and the rates applicable.
Qty: 9
Sleeps: 2 guests (max 2 adults)
Children: not allowed in this room type
Embraced by striking rock formations, Dwyka Tented Lodge epitomises an atmosphere of seclusion. Nine luxury tents, with private decks and plunge pool, are set in a horseshoe bend of a dry Karoo ravine. The lodge stands proudly upon the beautifully weathered landscape reflecting the nomadic lifestyle of the Khoisan hunter-gatherers who once roamed this land. Rejuvenate your mind, body and soul at the Relaxation Retreat, which offers an extensive menu of treatments and therapies. Dine alfresco in the boma or unwind in the communal lounge. For those who enjoy camping, but also appreciate luxury, these tents invoke the feeling of a pioneering adventure. Each luxury tent can sleep a maximum of two adults. There are 9 suites that can be configured as or twin or king bedded luxury tents, each of which have an en-suite bathroom with a shower and bath, spa bath on the deck., outdoor shower, mini bar, tea / coffee making facilities and air conditioning.
Qty: 6
Sleeps: 2 guests (max 2 adults)
Children: not allowed in this room type
Breath-taking views of the undulating mountains and landscape embrace the historical Tilney Manor in a refuge of peace and tranquillity. The Manor offers six spacious open-plan suites leading on to private verandas. Guest experiences include authentic Karoo cuisine, luxurious lounges and a rim flow pool. Indulge your senses at the Relaxation Retreat that boasts a steam room and sauna while witnessing a pure African spectacle – a Karoo sunset. For uncompromised views of fauna and flora at Sanbona, The Manor offers six spacious open-plan suites leading on to private verandas. All suites can sleep a maximum of two adults. Each suite has air conditioning, outdoor showers, an en-suite with a shower and bath, a mini bar and private veranda.
Qty: 12
Sleeps: 3 guests (max 2 adults)
Children: from 0-11 years are allowed; over 11 years treated as adults
This spacious thatched Lodge offers guests a sense of modern comfort with a touch of bush authenticity. Interconnecting rooms, indoor and outdoor play areas and a child-friendly pool cater for guests of all ages. Each room can accommodate a maximum of 2 adults sharing with 1 child, subject to availability of rooms with sleeper couches. Four pairs of rooms at Gondwana Family Lodge are inter-leading. There are King / twin beds, air conditioning, tea / coffee making facilities, a mini bar, private deck and en-suite bathrooms with a shower and bath.
Rates INCLUDE:
“Kids on Safari” program, breakfast, lunch, dinner, game drives, tea, coffee, water, game drive beverages, tourism levy and 15% Vat
Rates EXCLUDE:
All other beverages. These can be settled upon departure.
Conservation fees
5 Reviews from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
A beautiful location and accomodation. The tented chalets are spacious, comfortable and well -equipped including good wi-fi and a nice plunge pool. Game tours are very good, well managed and staffed by excellent guides in our experience. Access to Sambona shouldn't be attempted by private car - use the chauffeur service.
February 2023
Martin C. (Epping)
Verified review
We had an incredible stay. The children had the best time. We definitely plan to return.
July 2022
Shelley W. (Cape Town)
Response timeSanbona Wildlife Reserve typically responds to requests in 5-10 minutes.
Child policyChildren of all ages are welcome at Gondwana Lodge. Children over the age of 12 are welcome at Tilney Lodge and children over the age of 16 are permitted at Dwyka Tented Camp.
Check-in/-out timesCheck-in from 13h00
Check-out by 11h00
Payment methods accepted by the property American Express, Visa, Mastercard, EFT or secure online payment via SA-Venues.com
Host on SA-Venues.com for 23 years
Find out more about Sanbona as a destination
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