Nestled just outside of the spectacular town of Montagu, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve offers exquisite landscapes, majestic rock formations and an abundance of animals, birdlife, flora and fauna to appease an array of tastes. Thus making this slice of the Western Cape region  a photographer’s dream.

These natural endowments coupled with near perfect light conditions, enable photographers of all expertise the chance to capture wildlife scenes that surpass their expectations.

Whether you prefer photos of game and panoramic landscape shots or want to capture close-up details of the smaller species of insects and plant life on the reserve, your choices are endless.

So, when you’re on your game drive, nature walk, or water safari, be sure to bring your camera so that you don’t miss any magnificent photo opportunities.

Along Route 62 in the Little Karoo, Western Cape, lies a piece of heaven known as Sanbona Wildlife Reserve. Located in one of the most diverse regions of South Africa in terms of fauna and flora, your safari holiday is accentuated by the panoramic landscapes and towering cliffs.

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is packed with opportunities to learn, love and explore nature around you, while residing in luxurious lodges. And, in order to make the most out of your holiday adventure, there are several safari activities available such as:

Program of Events

For planning and itinerary purposes, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve follows a schedule per season, in order for guests to know when and where our activities are happening. These times are to be used as a guideline and may vary depending on weather conditions.

We do suggest that you arrive in time for lunch on your day of arrival as not to miss out on any game drives during your stay.

Game Drives

Interactive game drives last up to 3 hours and take place in the tranquil moods of sunrise and sunset.

Sanbona is an ongoing conservation project that aims to restore the ecological balance in a landscape formed during cataclysmic times 350 million years ago. Travel through 3 different biomes, and many habitats, including the quartz fields of the succulent Karoo, a very special habitat characterised by beds of angular quartz debris and home to a flora of stunning minute succulent shrubs.

You will traverse this wild landscape with a qualified ranger in a comfortable open Land Cruiser. During the drive, either in the early morning or at sunset, numerous species of plants, animals, big game and birds can be seen.

A hot beverage of your choice is offered during the sunrise game drives. Sundowner evening drives offer spectacular displays of light as the sun sets over the Little Karoo.

Please note – no persons under 4 years of age are permitted to join game drives.

To make the best of your safari game drives at Sanbona, do bring along the following:

• Binoculars
• Cameras
• Warm clothing
• Sunscreen
• Hat

Bird Watching

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is home to more than 200 species of birds, a delight for anyone that’s interested in birdwatching. In fact, the banks of the Bellair Dam alone are home to more than 40 species of birdlife, making it a hotspot of avian activity.

Viewing Delights

Pack your binoculars, notepads, and field guides because there is a healthy population of birds to be seen. And due to the unobtrusiveness of Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, all of them are at ease, which makes for pleasurable viewings and easy sightings.

Whether you’re on a game drive, boat safari, or simply relaxing at one of our luxury lounges, you can expect to see many rare and beautiful birds, such as:

Cinnamon-breasted Warblers
Booted Eagles
Southern Grey Tit
Namaqua Sandgrouse
Black-winged Stilts

Birds of a Feather

The Little Karoo is a well-known birding destination. With the contrast of vast plains, mountains, water-courses, and drainage lines throughout the area, it makes nesting for a variety of species easy.

You can expect to catch a glimpse of birds of prey, such as the Jackal Buzzard or Little Brown Jobs like the Chat Flycatcher. You might even find Chestnut-vented Tit Babblers, mingling with doves, mousebirds, and sparrows.

Through our birdwatching activities, you’ll certainly learn about and experience the wonder that is nature. Some species, like the Namaqua Sandgrouse, travel up to 80km in search of water. They collect droplets of water in their breast feathers, and fly back to their nests to deliver it to their chicks.

Best of all, whether you love the larger species like the Ludwigs Bustard, or you’re simply delighted by the more delicate ones like the Black-headed Canary, you and your family are in for a treat.

KIDS ON SAFARI

At Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, we promote nature conservation across everything we do, from our environmentally friendly Lodges, to the activities we offer you as a guest. Which is why we take great pride in offering children fun experiences at Sanbona that will create future conservationists for the good of our planet.

This spacious thatched Gondwana Family Lodge offers guests a sense of modern comfort with a touch of bush authenticity. Interconnecting rooms, indoor and outdoor play areas and a child-friendly pool cater for guests of all ages.  Spending your vacation here ensures entertainment for the whole family.

Upon arrival at Sanbona, kids can expect to have the time of their life through our Kids on Safari packages. With exciting activities planned, interactive welcome packs and even child minding services on request, mom and dad won’t have to worry about a thing.

Outdoor Activities for Children

While kids under 4 years old are not permitted on game drives, there are a host of exciting adventures that await your little ones and mom and dad too, such as:

• Interpretive trail – This takes your kids through the garden of Gondwana, to learn about animals on the reserve as well as their tracks, important plants, and more.
• Sanbona Activity Book – An educational, fun and interactive book, teaching children about the wildlife at Sanbona while also encouraging them to get involved with everyone as they often require the ranger’s assistance to answer some of the questions.

Indoor Activities for Children

Should the weather not be in our favour, it doesn’t matter because Gondwana Family Lodge is prepared to accommodate the unpredictable Western Cape climate through:

• Arts and crafts
• Puzzles of varying sizes and difficulties covering a broad age range
• Documentary DVD’s on various conservation topics and animals as well as animated movies
  Entertaining and educational children’s books
• A selection of fun board games

Special Notes

When travelling with little ones to Sanbona, it’s important to take note that:

• Children younger than 4 years are not permitted on game drives.
• Child minding is done by lodge staff at an additional cost and can be arranged with reservation prior to arrival.
• All swimming activities must be supervised by parents at all times.
• All children’s activities are age and weather dependant.

One of the true joys of Sanbona is the freedom to do nothing at all in absolute luxury. But for those who choose to venture beyond the comfort of the Lodge, a world of new experiences awaits... Game Drives, Nature Walks, Birdwatching, Star Gazing, Rock Art, Rock Formations & Features, Fauna & Flora and Spa Treatments are just some of the options.

• Open-air dining boma
• Lounge with fireplace and television with satellite channels
• Wine cellar
• Gift boutique
• Relaxation Retreat with 2 therapy rooms
• Wi-Fi

Additionally, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve offers a host of exciting outdoor adventures and activities which are fit for the whole family to enjoy.  

Conferences & Incentives

Sanbona is a place to relax and feel inspired, a magnificent reserve of 54,000 hectares where big cats roam free. Get away from it all and give your team the chance to focus on business strategy and development without being interrupted, in a truly relaxed and inspiring environment. An entire team-building experience can be tailored to suit your individual requirements, from star gazing, understanding conservation and retracing the steps of the San people, to tracking cheetah and getting a glimpse of the white lions that call Sanbona their home.

Weddings at Sanbona

There is no more romantic place for a Bush Wedding than at Sanbona Wildlife Reserve. We will put you in touch with suppliers and assist you will all aspects of your dream wilderness wedding at Sanbona.

Time of the wedding

We recommend the ceremony to take place between 11h00 and 14h00, due to the travelling time involved for service suppliers. Alternative times would be at the discretion of the bridal couple, bearing in mind that service providers might choose to charge extra for overnight expenses.

Escape to the Little Karoo and immerse yourself in a landscape where wildlife and flora leave you truly captivated. Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, a malaria-free private game reserve, is one of the Western Cape’s premier wildlife destinations and boasts three luxury lodges and an adventurous Explorer Camp, all nestling in 58,000 hectares of towering mountains and wide-open plains.

FAMILY GETAWAY

Disconnect from the busy work week and enjoy quality time together on a family safari adventure.
The Sanbona Kids on Safari programme offers educational and thrilling recreational wildlife experiences especially designed for the Eco-warriors of the future.

ENJOY A FURTHER 20% DISCOUNT OFF YOUR PREFERRED RATES PACKAGE INCLUDES

•  Snack platter in the rooms on arrival
•  Kids on Safari programme
•  Family picnic
•  Story telling inspired by African folk tales around the fire with marshmallows
•  Exciting evening Scorpion hunt
•  Complimentary child minding in our kiddies play area during game drive hours
•  2 Daily game drives including all game drive beverages
•  Guided wilderness walks
•  All meals and all non-alcoholic beverages
•  Complimentary tea and coffee station in each room
•  VAT and Tourism Levy

TERMS & CONDITIONS

• Valid for new bookings only and for stays post lockdown until 17 December 2020.
• Minimum of a 2-night consecutive stay is required.
• Receive a further 20% off in addition to your 2020 contracted rates.
• Must be requested at the time of booking and cannot be applied retrospectively.
• The offer is for Gondwana Family Lodge only and Sanbona reserves the right to limit the number of rooms available and to discontinue the promotion at any time.
• Traveller names for each night must be for the same clients.
• Cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotions or discounts.

One of the great wonders to experience at Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is the night sky. Free from light and city pollution, the Klein Karoo offers some of the finest stargazing in Southern Africa and is an ideal activity for all guests to enjoy.

Each lodge has a high-powered telescope and dedicated ranger who utilising a laser pointer guides you through the awe-inspiring constellations and planets.

Seasonal Sights

As part of the constellations on show, in summer, Orion can be seen alongside Taurus the bull, and the Seven Sisters.  But, as winter comes around, Scorpius, with the red giant star Antares at its’ heart and the distinctive Southern Cross, come into view.

Experienced or professional astronomers can sit back and enjoy the neighbouring dwarf galaxies, also known as the  large and small Magellanic Clouds. Other deep space features that can be viewed with the telescopes provided at each lodge include the Orion and Carina Nebulas, and not forgetting Tuc47, another brilliant star cluster.

A Night Under the Stars

Stargazing can be conducted at the lodges but can also be incorporated on night drives. Although the winter months may be colder, they offer even better viewing as heat and dust are greatly reduced in the atmosphere, offering a clearer view of the sky.

It’s the ideal activity for the whole family. Guides are happy to explain to younger guests the unique aspects of the Karoo sky, which is not only educational for them, but mom and dad might learn a thing or two as well.  Stargazing can also be incorporated in the Kids on Safari programme.

Guests with suitable or 4×4 vehicles can drive themselves to their lodge from the main gate.

 If you’re driving to your lodge yourself, it’s important to take note of the following:

• Please follow the relevant signs in the reserve.
• The recommended speed limit is 40km per hour.
• Do not exit your vehicle as predators roam free.
• The main gate closes at 18h00, should your arrival time be later, please advise prior to arrival in order to make arrangements.

ARRIVING GUESTS:

PICK UP FROM WELCOME LOUNGE AT 12h30 – arrive at Tilney 13h15, at Gondwana 13h25, arrive at Dwyka 13h35.

PICK UP FROM WELCOME LOUNGE AT 16h00 – arrive at Tilney 16h45, arrive at Gondwana 16h55, arrive at Dwyka 17h05 (these guests will not be able to join the afternoon game drive.

Departing Guests:

• Pick-up from Dwyka Tented Lodge at 11h00 

GPS coordinates for each Lodge: 33°41’44.6″S 20°36’07.6″E

Please Note: All times are estimated and subject to road conditions and vehicle types

Check in & Check out Times

• For guests self-driving to Sanbona, check in is at 14h00 on day of arrival and check out is at 11h00 on day of departure.

What do I need to Pack?

• Sun block
• Hat/cap
• Walking boots
• Comfortable and casual clothing
• Warm tops for game drives
• Camera (300 – 600mm lenses for good photographs)
• Medication for allergies and chronic conditions

Take it all in when you visit Sanbona Wildlife Reserve. We encourage our guests to jump at the opportunity to discover everything the Little Karoo has to offer in terms of fauna, flora and majestic landscapes.

The entire reserve offers an array of nature walks, hiking and wilderness trails for you to explore. Well-informed and experienced rangers can indicate points of interest while divulging important and interesting information about the area.

With the variety of exquisite sites, animals and plants to see while on your excursion, choosing the right time of day is important. Larger and smaller animals alike are most active during the early mornings and early evenings. During the day you’re likely to catch a glimpse of an array of birdlife nesting, hunting or travelling through the area, with waterholes being the most prominent area.

Each adventure is appropriate for any fitness level, from easy walking tours to more advanced hiking trails.