Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, South Africa - Dwyka Tented Camp and Gondwana Lodge Reviews

African Renaissance

by Alain Gayot

Luxe room at Dwyka Tented Camp

Some places reinvent themselves, and the Dwyka Tented Camp in the middle of the 135,000-acre recreated wildlife reserve is not a bad place in which to reinvent yourself, either. In fact, the area claims to be the birthplace of humanity. There is something big going on here, turning settled land where not long ago shepherds fought with lions and other wildlife back into a wildlife reserve. The natural habitat with undulating mountain ranges is home again to species that are near extinction. When did you last spot a white lion and in the wild? We had the chance to observe some at Sanbona. Here, the spirit of the San people welcomes you to their semi-desert displaying an array of succulents and other flora with rock art dating back 5,000 years.

Located in the Little Karoo, these towering Warmwaterberg mountains---with the closest town being Montagu---are the home of the Dwyka Tented Camp and the Gondwana Lodge, offering two different sets of accommodations on very different settings. A quality experience awaits you, with gourmet meals, fine local wines, soothing spa treatments, expert local guides and contemporary living quarters. While the luxurious individual tented lodges of Dwyka are situated in the dramatic horseshoe bend of a dry Karoo ravine, surrounded by inspiring rock formations, the Cape architecture buildings of Gondwana have a clear view of the open plain. Both share the reserve, and day or night game drives in purpose-built Land Rovers will produce African wild cats, white rhinos, hippos, an array of bucks and assorted birds, to name a few creatures. But the highlight here is a unique program to release the rare white lion into the wild. Four are currently roaming the park with more to come.

Cozy bedroom	Airy bathroom

Back at the camp, a friendly staff is here to care for your every need. Soak in your private plunge pool, hit the retreat and experience a Karoo heat body wrap, hang at the cozy bar lounge, run by the boutique to buy souvenirs and prepare yourself for a satisfying dinner in the festive dining room. Or choose the open air boma to watch passing shooting stars and let the local spirits rejuvenate you to a satisfying personal renaissance.

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve Route 62 Sanbona, 6720 South Africa 2741-497-1000 www.sanbona.com

Read our reviews of Dwyka Tented Camp and Gondwana Lodge.