Lanterns glow around the lawn and pool of this colonial-style circa 1905 home on South Africa’s Kwandwe Private Game Reserve. Its traditional architecture—wood floors, high ceilings, stand-alone bathtubs—is a slice of sophistication in an untouched landscape. A full staff (and an invisible fence) will keep you comfortable in this outpost less than 2 hours from Port Elizabeth.

See the reserve’s 22,000 hectares of wilderness on game drives included in your stay. Kwandwe is the largest private reserve in South Africa—and teeming with lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and Cape Buffalo. Open vehicles mean there aren’t any windows between you and the animals, and day and night itineraries mean you’ll see a range of wildlife. (The area is also malaria free, so you don’t have to worry about mosquito bites.) Get even closer to the landscape on a guided walking safari or fishing trip to Galpin Dam.

Start the day with breakfast in the bush and finish with sunset drinks or a scenic dinner. The reserve puts on safaris and activities suited to children, while grown-ups can ask to volunteer at the Mgcamabele Community Centre, which serves remote Eastern Cape communities.

For a stay tailored to your group, ask about adding experiences like a rhino monitoring drive or winter walking safari, where you’ll trek through habitats by day and sleep under the stars at night. Track rhinos under the guidance of Kwandwe’s experts on a rhino conservation safari—and book a massage for when you’re back at the villa.

Copyright © Luxury Retreats. All rights reserved.

Included services:

At Extra Cost (advance notice may be required):