5 star Dwyka Tented Camp

• Grading: 5 star
• Location: nr. Montagu, Klein Karoo (3 hours from Cape Town)
• Golf info: Winelands courses 2 hours drive.
• Nightlife: Safari destination, i.e. only bar and lounge available.

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.

Historic preditor release

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.

Accommodation

Gondwana Lodge

Gondwana Lodge offers endless views over the plains of Bellair Dam and onto Anysberg-mountains. Children of all ages are entertained with its exciting “Kids on Safari” program.

All 12 suites have:
• Inter leading rooms available
• Indoor showers
• Private mini bars
• Private patio / balcony
• Underfloor heating
• Air conditioning or comfort cooling / heating
• International dial telephone
• Tea / coffee making facilities
• En-suite bathroom
• Electronic safe
• Hairdryer
• Fitted international adaptors

Facilities at Gondwana Lodge:
• Bar / Lounge with fire place
• Dining area with fire place
• Relaxation Retreat with two therapy rooms & steam room
• Gift Boutique
• Swimming pool with shallow area
• Perimetre electric fence
• Children’s playroom with TV
• Open air boma

Dwyka Tented Lodge

Once the range of ancient Khoisan hunter-gatherers dramatically situated in a horseshoe bend of a dry Karoo ravine and surrounded by awe-inspiring rock formations. These luxurious and secluded tents exude an atmosphere of pioneering adventure in this vast landscape.

All 9 Luxury Tents have:
• Indoor and outdoor showers
• Private mini bars
• Private plunge pools
• Private decks
• Underfloor heating
• Air conditioning or comfort cooling / heating
• International dial telephone
• Tea / coffee making facilities
• En-suite bathroom
• Electronic safe
• Hairdryer
• Fitted international adaptors

Facilities at Dwyka:
• Bar / Lounge with fireplace and TV
• Dining area with fireplace
• Relaxation retreat with two Therapy Rooms
• Gift boutique
• Wine cellar
• Open air boma

Tilney Manor

Tilney Manor has six luxuriously appointed rooms. This exclusivity ensures that guests can experience personal service and world-class cuisine in an atmosphere of privacy and tranquillity.

Comfortable lounges with fireplaces for winter nights, private verandas, romantic freestanding baths and carefully sheltered outdoor showers are just a few of the pleasure that guest can enjoy. More modern comforts include air-conditioning, satellite television, private bars and tea and coffee making facilities.

Our fully equipped Spa offers guest the opportunity to recover for the rigors of the outside world and restore their sense of inner harmony.

This is the perfect environment for rediscovering creativity and regenerating energy. Cape Georgian décor draws on the natural colours of the surrounding stone and vegetation, with subtle touches of San culture influencing the design throughout the guest rooms and conference facility.

Room configuration:
• Six Luxury Cape Georgian suites, sleeping 12 people
• Four Kings, two Twins

Standard Room Features:
• Air conditioning
• Television with DVD
• International dial tone telephone
• Tea and coffee making facilities
• En-suite bathroom, with twin basins
• Shower and free-standing bath
• Private mini-bar
• Safe
• Fireplace
• Luxurious bathrobes for him and her
• Private patio
• His and hers outdoor showers

Additional facilities

• Conferencing facilities
• Rim-flow swimming pool
• Spa
• Wireless Internet Facilities
• TV with Satellite Channels available in the lounge area

Safari

At 54,000 hectares, Sanbona is one of the largest privately owned game reserves in South Africa. Traverse the landscape of Sanbona Wildlife Reserve with a qualified ranger in comfortable open Landcruisers.

During the drive, be it in the early morning or for sundowners, various species of plants, animals, big game and birds can be seen. Sundowner evening drives offer spectacular displays of light as the evening sun sets over the Little Karoo.

Rock Art

The San people of Africa roamed the area for thousands of years until 100 years ago. The /Xam tribe, the nomadic hunter-gatherers living in harmony with nature realised then that man and nature together is sustainable.