Kwandwe Private Game Reserve - Ecca Lodge

A recommended four-night, five-day safari offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the daily operations of a private conservation reserve. Join Kwandwe’s dedicated conservation team to gain first-hand experience in managing and protecting a vast wilderness.This exclusive programme includes participation in key conservation activities, such as rhino monitoring, learning about the K9 Anti-Poaching Unit, contributing to the Spekboom reforestation project, and exploring the cutting-edge AI and technology used in wildlife protection. Under the supervision of experts, guests also have the opportunity to assist in the darting of a rhino for essential conservation procedures such as ear-notching and DNA sampling—critical tasks in ensuring the survival of this endangered species. Guests will have extended time with the conservation team over bush breakfasts and fireside dinners, offering deeper insight into Kwandwe’s pioneering efforts.This experience takes place from May - September (during the cooler months) and is subject to the reserve’s conservation priorities. Available exclusively for villa stays with a private vehicle. Children aged 6+ are welcome. Prior booking is essential and requires approval from the Conservation Manager.https://www.kwandwe.com/specialist-safaris/

Experience the thrill of tracking big game (white rhino, black rhino, elephant and buffalo) on foot, accompanied by an armed specialist ranger and tracker team. The walk lasts 3 to 4 hours and ends with a picnic lunch on the banks of the Great Fish River or at a scenic spot in the bush. Not suitable for children under 16 years of age.

We have a variety of children's activities at our properties: - Children receive a welcome gift on arrival which includes an Eco-nect Guide comprising animal checklists, themed games and activities, and a pledge to ‘live green’ (‘Junior’ for under 6’s and ‘Senior’ for ages 6 and up), crayons/ pencils, and an age appropriate gift from our gift shop.- Families can participate in fun and adventurous activities on the reserve, including kite building, scavenger hunts across the reserve with thought-provoking clues to seek hidden items which will help you in your next task... or treasure hunts during a game drive which teach basic navigation using a sun-compass and how to use major landscape features in order to find the treasure!- Giving back: families have the opportunity to plant Spekboom, a type of thicket vegetation that is native to the Eastern Cape and prolific on the reserve, and one of the top five carbon-storing vegetations on the planet. In this way they are encouraged to offset their carbon footprints. Families can also participate in Kwandwe’s voluntourism activities through the reserve’s Ubunye Foundation, which works with communities living in and surrounding the reserve. - Activities are tailored according to individual and family interests and skillsets. For young guests this includes assisting with gardening projects at the local Mgcamabele Community; participating in arts and craft activities; and toddlers are invited to join in playtime at the pre-school. - Children are also welcome to participate in Kwandwe’s ‘Knit a Bit’ program. The knitted squares are joined to make blankets and given to the Ubunye Foundation that distributes them the communities surrounding Kwandwe.- Other activities for children include ‘crumpet creatures’ (using a variety of coloured crumpet mixtures in squeezy bottles, the ranger and kids will create animal shaped crumpets); sand art, making moulds from Plaster of Paris, beading, Minnow’s fishing trip with a ranger, baking and pizza making with specially designed ‘Chefs in Training’ aprons and toques, DVDs and popcorn, eco educational board games (learning about recycling and the how to care for our planet in a fun way) and African bedtime stories.

Kwandwe offers a variety of fishing options, either in still water or in the Great Fish River. Try your hand at catching Large Mouth Bass on artificial lures or fly rod in the reserve’s largest dam. Coarse (bait) fishing can also be tried in either the Great Fish River or one of the other large dams to target Yellowfish, Carp, Sharptooth Catfish and more. A fun activity for children as well as for adults.

Explore the natural splendour of Kwandwe on early morning and late afternoon / evening game drives in an open 4x4 safari vehicle. An armed ranger and tracker team share their extensive knowledge of the bush with you as you track the Big Five, as well as a variety of other wildlife. Morning drives begin as dawn breaks over the Great Fish River, providing the opportunity to see predators winding up their nocturnal hunts and settling in for the day. Many animals take advantage of the cool morning hours to graze before the heat of the day. In the late afternoon wildlife can often be spotted coming down to the river to drink. Night drives produces some unusual sightings, including aardvark, aardwolf, bat-eared fox and porcupine.

In between game drives, take a closer look at the subtle, unseen wonders of the bush on a leisurely walk within easy reach of your lodge. Dense euphorbia thickets are best explored on foot, revealing a secret world of lichen, mosses and ferns. Various birds of prey and other species nest in the taller trees or in the spiny canopy. An armed ranger guides guests through ‘up close and personal’ sightings of various antelope species, giraffe, warthog or zebra. Not suitable for children under 12 years of age.

Spend as much time as you like looking for those elusive specials and add to your knowledge of South Africa’s birdlife. Your specialist guide has detailed knowledge of where, when and how to find what bird you are after with their intimate knowledge of Kwandwe’s 315 recorded species of bird.

Kwandwe offers a variety of fishing options, either in still water or in the Great Fish River. Try your hand at catching Large Mouth Bass on artificial lures or fly rod in the reserve’s largest dam. Coarse (bait) fishing can also be tried in either the Great Fish River or one of the other large dams to target Yellowfish, Carp, Sharptooth Catfish and more. Spend as much time as you like fishing with your private guide while surrounded by the beauty of Kwandwe’s big 5 wilderness. For a fully private experience this must be booked for the duration of your stay.

Tailor-made to suit the experience level of participants, the photographic guide advises guests of appropriate camera settings at different scenarios, providing compositional ideas and to answer any questions relating to photography. Alternatively simply sit back and enjoy the connected experience of your safari while your specialist guide takes the pictures for you. Includes a private vehicle, edited photographs in electronic format along with a complimentary Kwandwe digital photobook. Must be booked for the duration of your stay and includes a private vehicle, edited photographs in electronic format along with a complimentary Kwandwe digital photobook.

Tailor-make your own safari led by a dedicated specialist ranger and tracker team, ensuring a private game viewing experience (subject to the availability of a private vehicle being available at the time of booking). A private safari vehicle has to be booked for the duration of a stay; a safari day runs from 13h00 (check-in time) to 12h00 the following day.

A professionally qualified and experienced trails guide will enable you to experience Kwandwe on foot. Choose whether to view large game such Black and White Rhino, Elephant or Buffalo on foot, or simply absorb the beauty of nature while walking through the fascinating environments with your armed guide. You decide when to walk, or when to drive as your heart desires. For a fully private experience this must be booked for the duration of your stay. Not suitable for children under 16 years of age.Image: Scott Ramsay

Join Kwandwe’s expert-led rhino darting and notching conservation programme, an immersive experience that directly contributes to protecting this endangered species. From May to September, guests can assist in locating and sedating a rhino before working alongside specialists to administer medication, collect scientific data, and fit solar-powered ankle collars. This advanced conservation system provides critical insights into rhino behaviour and plays a vital role in their protection.As part of this experience, guests also participate in a rhino monitoring drive the afternoon before the procedure. The process involves microchipping the horns and ear-notching for future identification—an essential task in rhino conservation.This experience requires a minimum stay of four nights and is available for guests staying in both lodges and villas (villas recommended). A private vehicle is required for lodge stays (included for villa bookings), and prior booking is essential. While the best time for this activity is May–September, it can be arranged year-round, subject to the availability of the wildlife management team and rhinos requiring notching.Note: Suitable for children 6+ years.https://www.kwandwe.com/specialist-safaris/

Available year-round, subject to availability.Join Kwandwe’s conservation team on a private, hands-on experience tracking and monitoring rhinos in their natural habitat. Spend 3 - 4 hours tracking rhino with a specialist ranger and tracker team and use bush skills, telemetry, drones, and AI to help identify these critically endangered animals while learning about the innovative efforts to protect them. This interactive drive offers a rare insight into rhino conservation, where your participation directly contributes to their survival. The experience ends with refreshments at a scenic spot in the bush. All ages welcome.

A variety of wellness treatments are available to be enjoyed in the privacy of your suite. Since the earliest time, Africa's original inhabitants lived in harmony with nature. Our treatments and rituals were inspired by, designed and based on Africa's rich heritage and created to celebrate mother earth and her connection with life. Only the finest natural ingredients available from nature are used in our products, including oil from the Marula fruit, Mongongo nut oil, healing Shea butter, oil from the Baobab tree, ointment from the African sausage tree and Mafura butter, to name but a few.

The Ubunye Foundation is our social development arm. Established in 2002, the Foundation is an independent, non-profit, charitable trust that currently invests in the development of nine rural communities, two of which are located in the Kwandwe reserve.Guests at Kwandwe have the unique opportunity to participate in volunteering towards the Ubunye Foundation by donating items, getting involved in activities and/or financial donations.