Gondwana Game Reserve Review
This Gondwana Game Reserve Review will give you all the deets you need to know before you book this 5-star luxury resort.
Gondwana Game Reserve is a beautiful safari spot along the Garden Route in South Africa. The lodge is about 4 hours from Cape Town and just 30 minutes from Mossel Bay, a popular Garden Route town along the coast. I spent 2 nights here with my siblings on our road trip.
Visit the lodge for a memorable and luxury safari experience, whether you live in South Africa or you’re just here for vacation. You’ll find all your favorite charismatic animals like lions, hippos, elephants, and zebras. The reserve also has plenty of interesting birds and many antelope species like springbok, impala, bushbuck, and waterbuck.
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Gondwana Game Reserve Review
Highlights:
- Food options, including several veg and tofu dishes
- Cabin views
- Reception atmosphere and service
- Lengthy safari trips with knowledgeable guides
Basic tips:
How long should you stay at Gondwana? Two nights of full lodging is all you’ll need for the complete game drive and resort experience.
When should you arrive? Check-in is between 1-2pm. 1pm is a good time to arrive. This will give you some time to settle before having lunch (if you’re on full board). We arrived at 3:30pm and rushed to have lunch and went straight on the game drive without going to our cabin first.
The service is what you’ll expect from the five-star resort along with one of South Africa’s favorite road trip drives. Additionally, it is the closest safari lodge to Cape Town, so if you do not have time to visit Kruger National Park during your South Africa vacation, then Gondwana Game Reserve is the best option for you.
Amazing service as you arrive back from your game drive.
Lodging at Gondwana Game Reserve
There are small huts for couples by the reception and large houses for groups a short drive away. Book your room here.
During my December 2021 trip, I visited with my two siblings and so we booked a house with three full bedrooms. It was huge! The was a full kitchen and large dining and living space. Each bedroom had a king-sized bed, a full bathroom, and access to a balcony. Although we chose to do full board, the house is a great option if you just want breakfast and dinner at the restaurant because you can make your own lunch.
I got a deal and so the cost was about 15% less than what it was on the official site. Check Gondwana Game Reserve’s website for resident and local specials.
Full Board
Full board includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two game drives. There is a coffee station set up in the morning and light dishes available for nibbling in the afternoon before your evening game drive. You’ll only pay for any extra activities (like the spa), alcohol, and bottled sparkling or still water.
I think the full board package is the best option to really experience the full luxury of Gondwana so you get 4 game drives over your 2-night stay. The only negative (which really isn’t a negative) is that we weren’t hungry for lunch on our full day so that meal wasn’t totally necessary for us.
For full board for 3 people in a cabin, I paid around R38,000; that’s about R12,000/pp.
Half Board
Half board includes breakfast, dinner, afternoon tea, and an afternoon game drive.
Read more about all of Gondwana’s accommodation packages.
Safaris at Gondwana
For a 2-night stay, you’ll go on 4 game drives. This is the perfect number of safaris. Your first drive will be the most stunning as you’ll likely be amazed at all the natural beauty and the animals. Each drive is around 3.5 hours, depending on what the animal activity is that day.
You should have a light snack and drink break for each drive. However, this will be dependent on the weather. We only had one day of perfect weather without incident which allowed us to have enough time for the snack session.
Arrival Day
If you have time, you’ll have lunch and then leave for your safari between 4-4:30pm. A light snack and drinks are served before you head out. The cakes here are amazing. Be sure to save some space in your stomach for a slice.
Such a dreamy vibe for pre-safari snacks!
Your game drive guide will take you on the best route for the evening based on the animal movements of the day.
You’ll stop for sundowners, hopefully with some animals in the distance. We were some distance away from elephants and we even heard a lion roar!
On our first safari, we spotted animals like elephants, zebras, and giraffes.
There is nothing quite like a bush sunset!
Full Days
Head to the safari reception space at 6am for a 6:30am departure on your morning game drive.
There will be coffee, tea, and rusks available for you before you head out. You’ll have a full breakfast back at the lodge.
In the afternoon, you can enjoy the pool, go on a walk, or take a biking safari in the protected area.
Have lunch before 2:30pm and then head on over for your evening safari.
Baboon doo drama
On our morning drive, we went off to search for the lion we heard roar the day before. We found it!! Our safari vehicle maneuvered so that we could get a better look at the lions. When our guide decided it was time to go back, he mentioned that there were some baboons above us… The baboons were freaked out by the sound of the car starting that they started pooping! ALL OVER US! The smell was horrid. We didn’t know what was happening! Luckily, Sitara are I were wearing our safari ponchos and so no doo go on us. Jafar was just wearing his jacket and so he got sprayed. Our wonderful guide arranged to have his clothes washed at the lodge.
This adolescent is with his dad and perhaps a sister according to our guide.
Departure Day
You’ll head off on a morning game drive and then have breakfast. Check-out is at 11am, which will give you enough time to eat and then enjoy the space for a bit before heading out.
Rainy Weather
Should you go on a safari in the rain? Well, we did and we didn’t really see much. Most other guests choose to stay in so we felt pretty adventurous. We also had plenty of warm clothing, rain jackets, and the comfy Gondwana ponchos.
All hail the Gondwana pancho!
Meals at Gondwana Game Reserve
Stuffed and delish. That’s all you need to know about the food at Gondwana Game Reserve Review. Jk. The portions are well-sized and there are great breakfast, lunch, and dinner options.
My veg folk will be pleased (as I was) with the selection for each meal. The veg dishes were creative and tasty.
All meals are served with an amuse bush. They were all super good and vegetarian.
On full-board, we paid about R500 in extra restaurant charges for sparkling water with our meals and for some glasses of wine.
Breakfast
During our 2-night stay, the breakfast menu was the same. There were three veg options with tofu. I really liked both the Kwane full breakfast and the breakfast burrito.
There was also an interesting banting option that my brother got: meat with veggies and cauliflower rice.
Lunch
You’ll have lunch before your evening game drive between 1-3pm. I suggest seating at 2:30ish, if not earlier. On our first day, we arrived at 3pm and so were still able to order lunch because the kitchen was flexible with new arrivals.
However, the following day we sat at 2:50pm and apparently caused a lot of drama in the kitchen. We were told the kitchen was already closing and our server made several comments about needing to leave. It just kinda made the experience a little awkward and service was also odd as they were closing up. Assume that the kitchen closes before 3pm, rather than last orders by 3pm as we thought we understood.
That being said, breakfast is so filling that eating a large meal just 3-4 hours apart was tough for us. I ordered a salad for lunch each day. The Harissa salad was very good as it included couscous and several roast veggies. I added on tofu and feta as well.
For meat-eaters, my sister really enjoyed the chicken burger, and my brother thought the wildebeest pie was excellent.
Dinner
You’ll have a leisurely dinner after your evening game drive. The menu changes so you’ll have different options each evening. I chose the fish the first evening and the rooibos marinated tofu (SO GOOD) the second evening.
For my meat eaters, it is highly recommended to try the steak. My sister got that the first night and really enjoyed it. Jafar tried out the various game options and liked them all. He thought the kudu dishes were the most interesting.
Do not skip dessert! It is amazing.
Activities at Gondwana
Hiking and Biking
There is a protected part of the reserve that does not have any large animals. There are mostly zebras and some antelope species wandering around. This area is a 20-minute drive from reception, so budget that into your activity planning to get back to your evening game drive (and lunch) in time.
There are three biking trails from beginners to advanced. Bikes and helmets are available at the Activity Shed. You have to get the key from “Gate 2.” Double check with reception and the gate that the key is available.
Unfortunately, there was a mix-up at reception, so we weren’t able to do the bike ride we planned. (A previous guest had possibly lost the key and not reported that so we were told the shed was open, when in fact it was locked). Instead, Jafar and I attempted the hike…
There is a 2km hike in the protected area bush. WATCH OUT FOR TICKS. There are so, so many. I had 4 on me after just 5 minutes of the hike. If it has been raining, don’t bother going to the trail because it will be completely muddy. I turned around after just a couple of minutes. Jafar went on but his shoes were soaked, and a tick attached itself to him. Eek. All he saw were some beetles on the trail.
The Pool
Spend some time at the pool on a sunny day. You may see some antelope species in the bush below.
Spa
There are several spa services at Gondwana. I thought the prices were reasonable for the status of the hotel. The back, neck, and shoulder massage sounded so good, but there was no time for it! If there is a next time I’ll fit this into the Gondwana Game Reserve Review.