Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Gondwana Private Game Reserve is a Big Five Fynbos reserve within the endangered Cape Floral Kingdom, just four hours from Cape Town. For 20 years, we’ve focused on restoring and rewilding 11,000 hectares, allowing wildlife to roam freely. Experience a safari that’s more than spotting animals; it’s about making unforgettable family memories. Our exclusive lodges, including Kwena Lodge, Lehele Lodge, and Ulubisi House, cater to guests seeking authentic connections with nature. Enjoy game drives, guided bush walks, and spa treatments. Families are welcomed at Lehele Lodge, with activities like the Junior Ranger Programme.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Mountain View
Languages Spoken
English, Afrikaans, German, Xhosa
Location
R327 Heuningklip Farm, Mossel Bay 6505 South Africa
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
Powered by AI
Gondwana Private Game Reserve is often lauded for its cleanliness and the spacious, luxurious rooms that offer breathtaking views, though some guests have noted inconsistencies in heating and service. The amenities, including the food and safari experiences, are typically described as first-class, contributing to the Reserve's cozy and luxurious atmosphere, complete with private plunge pools and fireplaces.
While the staff is recognized for their knowledge and the safaris are highly regarded, there have been mentions of disorganization and slow service. Despite its beautiful location and amenities, some reviewers caution that the hotel may not offer the best value for money due to high costs and additional charges.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Inviting
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Spotless
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Lavish
Was this helpful?
Tripadvisor is not responsible for this summary or the opinions in it. For more information, please read the traveller reviews and learn more about how the site works.
We really weren’t sure what to expect having never done a safari previously. All I can say is wow. A truly life changing experience where you will see nature at its most raw.
Our arrival and check in was seamless. Simply signed in, we’re given drinks and then ushered to the restaurant prior to a late afternoon safari. Meanwhile bags were moved to our lodge/hut.
The accommodation was superb, clean and spacious with panoramic views where we could see a lake and wildlife visitors. WiFi excellent throughout
The safari tours themselves were safe, comfortable and with a guide who was so knowledgeable he put David Attenborough to shame 😃. We saw lions, cheetah, giraffe, umpteen types of deer, zebra etc etc. And witnessed a lion hunt.
Food was 10/10. Only issue was that the portions were massive and we simply couldn’t clear plates.
Staff couldn’t have been friendlier.
I’m actually typing this as we await our transport to leave. We really don’t want to.
BRILLIANT isn’t a word I bandy around for holidays. This is the exception. Thank you.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2025Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Take some fleeces and long trousers. When it rains it can get cold even though they provide gear.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Raquel De Castro Maia, Marketing at Gondwana Private Game Reserve
Responded 03 Feb 2025
Thank you for the great review!
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We chose to do a safari for part of our honeymoon, and our travel agent booked Gondwana for us. We had one of the best holiday / hotel experiences we have ever had!
Hotel
The game reserve is about a 4 hour drive from Cape Town and as such feels very peaceful. The reserve / hotel is probably the most relaxing place we have ever been and the staff are fantastic. The Kwena Lodge has a number of individual luxury huts with double rooms, with rainfall showers and baths with a view over the reserve. The staff were incredibly hospitable, and we especially appreciated help from Rochney in the restaurant and Yzanni on the front desk. The restaurant served a number of menus on rotation and the food was fantastic. There were a number of local wines available too for a very reasonable price.
Game drives
We went out twice a day with our driver, Hennie, who was excellent and who we wanted to give a special mention to. The fact one has the same driver each day was also useful as he was aware of where we had been /what we have seen each day. His knowledge of the reserve and all the flora and forna was exceptional and with Hennie we saw elephants, giraffes, lions (including two cubs!), rhinos (and babies), cheetahs and hippos.
The schedule for the drives are really well thought through, leaving lots of time to see animals and lots of time for relaxing in the middle part of the day. The day started at 6.15 where we would meet in the bar for a tea and muffin before heading out for 2-3 hours. Once the drive had finished we would go back and have a delicious breakfast and relax until going on the second drive around 4pm. Afternoon tea was served before hand and we got back between 7-8 each evening for dinner.
Read more
Date of stay: October 2022
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Priscilla Taylor, Revenue Management at Gondwana Private Game Reserve
Responded 05 Dec 2022
Good afternoon, thank you so much for the lovely comments from your stay with us. We look forward to seeing you again in the future!
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveller reviews.
Amazing experience. We eventually stayed at two places, the scenery is beautiful with green lush mountains and many animals roaming the grounds. Many rhinos up close and boks. Elephants and two giraffes, we got lucky and saw the lions hunt and the guides are very knowledgeable. The game area is big, but fenced and an especially good fit to capture endangered species and for first time safaris. The villas with 4 bedrooms are absolutely stunning with dramatic views and all the luxury you need, beautiful bedrooms, a nice open kitchen, fireplaces in and out, a large living with several couches and board games. When staying with a family or group of friends this is the best choice. The restaurant and choices are excellent and the service is outstanding. We also stayed at the eco camp, the tents offer everything you need and it’s much more of a nature experience, but with some luxury. The food is served in buffet style, so less choice, but very tasty and local options. Eating outside by the fire was a nice experience and the host was such a charm, so enthusiastic and kind. You occasionally get visitors such as deers or elephants, which is exciting. The pool at the eco camp is smaller, I believe the prices are similar in the Kwena lodge huts, so good to decide if you want to stay closer to nature or in more luxury.
Read more
Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We booked our stay at Gondwana Private Game Reserve two weeks in advance, hoping for a unique and memorable way to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Unfortunately, the experience fell far short of our expectations.
Booking and Arrival Issues When booking, we reserved two spa treatments and were informed the stay was full board. The hotel also requested we pre-order lunch ahead of our treatments, which we did via email after reviewing the menu. Upon arrival, we were taken to reception, seated outside, and handed an iPad to complete the necessary forms. This process was smooth enough, but we were then informed that while the stay was full board, water would be an additional charge—something I have never encountered at a full board establishment.
We inquired about our suite and were told it was ready, but there was confusion about our pre-ordered lunch. After some back-and-forth, we were told the kitchen wasn’t ready and we could only eat after our spa treatments. Adding to our frustrations, when we went to the suite, housekeeping was still cleaning, so we were sent back to reception to wait again. First impressions were far from ideal.
Spa Experience The spa is not a dedicated facility but rather a villa a short drive from reception. Upon arrival, we had to fill out our details again, despite having already done so at check-in. The massages themselves were fine, but during mine, other guests accidentally walked in, as the villa wasn’t locked. This disrupted the experience and highlighted a lack of proper setup for the prices charged. A true spa experience should offer privacy and exclusivity, which was not the case here.
Game Drive The game drive was a highlight, and I must commend our guide, Marlin. He went above and beyond to ensure we had a memorable experience, and his efforts were appreciated.
Dining and Service Dinner was a disappointment. The staff were abrupt and unpleasant, which was disheartening given it was New Year’s Eve. The food quality was subpar—steak was overcooked, and venison at breakfast was tough. The overall food and beverage setup did not align with the 5-star standards we expected, given the premium pricing.
General Feedback The suites and game drives are what make Gondwana appealing, but the customer service, front office operations, and food and beverage offerings need significant improvement. Having stayed at Botlierskop, which is now under the same ownership, I found their service far superior. I hope Gondwana can cross-train its team to match those standards.
Overall, while the natural beauty and game drives were enjoyable, the overall experience left much to be desired. At this stage, I would hesitate to return or recommend Gondwana based on this visit. I hope management takes this feedback constructively to improve future guest experiences.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Raquel De Castro Maia, Marketing at Gondwana Private Game Reserve
Responded 06 Jan 2025
Thank you for your value feedback, we will address your concerns with the relevant departments.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We struggled to find the resort and badly signposted but when we did we were wowed with the views, peace and tranquility. Our room was stunning until you looked closely. The toilet seat was so chipped it was brown, the kettle was rusty and the hair dryer just about worked. They only provide water once a day in your room and you have to pay for water with your meals or if you want more for your room. At 1600 euros for 2 nights for 2 people I don’t feel this is acceptable. We had Marlon as our game guide and he was amazing, we saw the big 5 which was incredible. The food overall was good, it’s not 5 star but there is plenty of choice. breakfast service was frantic and took forever to get served, but they have an outstanding member of staff in Martinique and she really tried to keep everything running smoothly. I had a Swedish massage which was fantastic as well. We left with a feeling this is just a business, new lot in old lot out. They portray themselves as 5 star but need to work a lot harder to achieve that status
Read more
Date of stay: February 2025Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Pack warm clothes !!!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Priscilla Taylor, Marketing at Gondwana Private Game Reserve
Responded 2 days ago
Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns about your recent stay at our hotel. We apologize for the disappointment you experienced with your villa. We take all feedback seriously and will share your comments with our team to improve our offerings.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A mixed experience for us during our 3 nights/2 day stay at Gondwana. Safari 5/5 we saw everything and our ranger Greg was fantastic. Very knowledgeable and keen for us to get the best experience. Drinks on the evening safari was a very special event and our group was really lovely and good fun. Lodge 3/5 was not a 5 star luxury lodge, the room lacked amenities eg conditioner, vanity kit, shower cap, room service, minibar, laundry. Room was not made up one day at all. We were in the room when they came, asked the to come back in 30 mins - never returned. Service and food 2/5. Food was really quite awful. Breakfast was okay but buffet was so basic. Evening meal, some of the dishes were quite unpleasant stuffed Chicken was inedible, first night we sat for 25 minutes and had to go and find someone to take our order. Spa was great and we had a lovely Swedish massage. Have no idea who the Manger was which you normally get introduced to at such establishments. The water situation is ridiculous. Water is scare as we know however it also a necessity. You pay for water with breakfast, get tiny bottles once a day comp in the room and water is more expensive than Coke. I’m not sure given the price point with other offerings we would recommend.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2025
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Raquel De Castro Maia, Marketing at Gondwana Private Game Reserve
Responded 09 Jan 2025
Thank you for your feedback, we will address your concerns with the relevant departments.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gondwana is a beautiful location everything there was clean well presented and made for a luxury stay.
The game drive experience itself could not be faulted. Our guide Felix was fantastic, his knowledge, experience and information as well as humour made every drive enjoyable. The communication and team work between all the guides was great to see and supported the experience for all guests I also really appreciated the respect they had for the animals to never make them over crowded or pressured. We saw so many animals and were always given the opportunity to view, learn and take pictures.
The food was all delicious and well presented with very smart portion sizes as you were eating so much food in one day! All the restaurant staff were friendly and helpful, a special mention to Vee whose warm and genuine personality made for a wonderful experience and we looked forward to seeing her every time.
One negative was the reception team, from our first encounter with them on arrival everything felt very disjointed. Information was lacking or confused and we were continually passed off to different people as it was evident many members of the team did not know what they were doing or did not have the answers. There was clearly a very big breakdown in communication between the reception team and reservation team. We had a couple of discrepancies with our initial quote and then what we were billed on arrival, this was not handled well by the reception team and we felt pressured and stressed by the situation. We would like to thank Clive the manager for his involvement in resolving the situation however I would warn others to check your invoices carefully.
Other things to note.
The driveway in is very long but take it slow and enjoy the views.
There are now fences around the Kwena lodge area meaning the animals can no longer approach the accommodation. Completely understand this from a safety point of view but this should be communicated that it is now not as the photos show if you are expecting that!
Read more
Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Make sure to get clear communication and information with the reception staff.
Double check your...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
At the Gondwana Game reserve we stayed at the Ulubisi Residence from the 10th to 12fth June in which we had a private butler and chef and both were outstanding. Even the house was really good and service brilliant. However, the main reason that we have given such a poor review is because the sightings were horrible. Even though the guide tried his level best there were no animals and I am wondering Even though some animals were tagged why the guide did not use that since we were struggling to find animals. We were there for 2 nights and I find it hard to believe we could not find a herd of elephants. This was the same with all the other safaris that were going. We spotted only 2 out of the big 5 buffaloes and rhino's. The only highlight was we got to see a cheetah which had just killed it'd pray and was eating it but otherwise a very sorry experience on the safari front especially for the amount of money that we paid. Definitely a waste of money despite the brilliant service, food, and accommodation.
Read more
Date of stay: June 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
In several ways a much better option than Kruger Park. Gondwana is fairly new, which you could tell by the nicely designed and modern facilities. The lodges, in particular, were amazing. Very spacious, trendy and very clean. Restaurant also very good, excellent menu and service level. Even though Gondwana is not the typical location for big game, the area is actually very nice and over the years it has developed into a truly great reserve with plenty of game. Esp recommended for families with kids, Gondwana is a great addition while doing the Garden route. It also avoids you all the hassle to get into Kruger Park, which is a bit overhyped, therefore overly expensive with many outdated accommodations (even the pricey ones…). All in all, positively surprised and highly recommended!
Read more
Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Louise Illman, Marketing at Gondwana Private Game Reserve
Responded 15 Aug 2023
Dear @ChrisB753. Thank you so much for your honest and rewarding review. Over the last 20 years, the team at Gondwana have passionately worked to create a conservation experience that is as unique as the setting so we love receiving feedback from guests who appreciate the distinctive offering we strive to achieve. We hope to welcome you back again in the future and wish you safe onward travels until then.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
These reviews are machine translated from their original language. Show machine translations?
We had great expectations for the Resort in South Africa, but were disappointed in many ways. The service was a disaster. We had to wait far too long for each meal – even for a simple Coke we waited 15 minutes, and dessert was often up to half an hour in coming. The highlight was a waiting time of over an hour.
Our villas smelled disgusting and the overall quality is not 5 stars. Just 2 bottles of water in the room - freezing cold on arrival - no welcome or a WelcomeDrink and these are just a few things. At a hotel which cost 900€ per night!
Our experience with the game drives was particularly frustrating. We couldn’t even start our last trip because other guests refused to let us drop off after two hours of driving. There was no accommodation from the hotel, and at the high prices this is absolutely unacceptable or the alleged solution was to pay another 400€ extra.
Although the surroundings are scenic, I will choose a different Resort for this type of service in the future. If you expect a holiday with good service, you are definitely in the wrong place.
Conclusion: Nice scenery, but the service is underground – definitely not a Recommendation at these prices.
Read more
Automatically translated
Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Big 5 wird man hier nicht finden
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
An additional night at Kwena lodge will be an excellent touch after spending 3 nights on the walking trail! You are welcome to reach out to us to make the booking!
There are more places to choose from in the Mossel Bay area.
PRICE RANGE
R 12,596 - R 16,813 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
gondwana game reserve hotel mossel bay
LOCATION
South AfricaWestern CapeMossel Bay
NUMBER OF ROOMS
35
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
