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Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge

4.0 star property

Photo gallery for Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge

Lounge
Great Fish River Lodge Suite | Bathroom
Front of property – evening/night
Dining
Outdoor pool

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Breakfast included
  • Spa
  • All-inclusive
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry

Explore the area

View map
Heatherton Towers, Makhanda, Eastern Cape, 6140
  • Place, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Place, African Pride Pumba Private Game Reserve
  • Place, Rhodes University
    ‪59 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Great Fish River Lodge Suite

Great Fish River Lodge Suite

Great Fish River Lodge Suite

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • 51 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

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About the area

Makhanda

When you stay at Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge in Makhanda, you'll be on a river and 6 minutes by foot from Kwandwe Private Game Reserve. .This all-inclusive lodge is 19.9 mi (32.1 km) from Amazwi South African Museum of Literature and 20 mi (32.2 km) from Diocesan School for Girls.
View more Lodges in MakhandaOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Kwandwe Private Game Reserve - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • St Andrew's College - 58 min drive - 47.6 km
  • Rhodes University - 59 min drive - 47.9 km
  • Settlers Garden 1820 - 61 min drive - 49.2 km
  • 1820 Settlers National Monument - 61 min drive - 49.2 km

About this property

Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge

Riverfront lodge with free breakfast and spa services
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge offers 17 accommodations with free minibar items and safes. Accommodations offer separate dining areas. Beds feature premium bedding. Guests can make use of the in-room refrigerators and coffee/tea makers. Bathrooms include separate bathtubs and showers with deep soaking bathtubs, bathrobes, slippers, and designer toiletries.

This Makhanda lodge provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and phones. Additionally, rooms include complimentary bottled water and hair dryers. A nightly turndown service is provided and housekeeping is offered daily.

Guests can experience the thrill of a safari, and take advantage of an outdoor pool.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

Guests can pamper themselves by indulging in the onsite spa services. Services include deep-tissue massages, facials, body wraps, and body scrubs. A variety of treatment therapies are provided, including aromatherapy.
Make yourself at home in one of the 17 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and free minibar items. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Private bathrooms with separate bathtubs and showers feature deep soaking bathtubs and designer toiletries. Conveniences include phones, as well as safes and desks.
Treat yourself with massages, body treatments, and facials. Encounter the local wildlife with a safari, then enjoy recreational amenities including an outdoor pool. Additional amenities at this lodge include complimentary wireless internet access and a picnic area.
You can enjoy a meal at the restaurant serving the guests of Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge, or stop in at the snack bar/deli. A complimentary buffet breakfast is served daily.
Featured amenities include luggage storage, laundry facilities, and a safe deposit box at the front desk. Free self parking is available onsite.
Guests are offered a complimentary buffet breakfast each morning.
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge has a restaurant on site.

All-inclusive details

This lodge is all-inclusive. Onsite food and beverages are included in the room price (some restrictions may apply).

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free covered self parking on site

Food and drink

  • Free buffet breakfast available daily
  • A restaurant
  • Couples/private dining
  • Private picnics
  • Snack bar/deli

Things to do

  • Game drive
  • Game viewing
  • Hiking/biking trails
  • Outdoor pool
  • Safari

Family friendly

  • Free supervised activities for children
  • In-room refrigerator
  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Separate bedroom
  • Separate in-room dining area
  • Snack bar/deli

Conveniences

  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Proposal/romance packages
  • Turndown service

Outdoors

  • In the mountains
  • On a river
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Picnic area
  • Terrace

Spa

  • Aromatherapy
  • Body scrubs
  • Body wraps
  • Deep-tissue massages
  • Detox wraps
  • Facials
  • Manicures/pedicures

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • No lift
  • Well-lit path to entrance

More

  • Built in 2001
  • Designated smoking areas

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Children's robes
  • Deep soaking bathtub
  • Designer toiletries
  • Dressing gowns
  • Hair dryer
  • Heated bathroom floor
  • Private bathroom
  • Separate bathtub and shower
  • Shampoo
  • Slippers
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Champagne service
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle
  • Free bottled water
  • Free stocked minibar
  • Refrigerator
  • Separate dining area

More

  • Desk
  • Heating
  • Phone
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 1:00 PM; Check-in end time: 5:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 8 AM - 5 PM
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

No pets or service animals allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available

Payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Destination fee: ZAR 350 per person, per night

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a first aid kit

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
No pets and no service animals are allowed at this property

Property is also known as

Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve Grahamstown
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve Hotel
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve Hotel Grahamstown
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve Lodge Grahamstown
Kwandwe Great Fish River
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge Lodge
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge Makhanda
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge Lodge Makhanda

Reviews

Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge Reviews

10

Exceptional

10/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Staff & service

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 17 out of 18 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 18 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 18 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 18 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 18 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Rory

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
…..
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Malcolm

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was an amazing experience to stay at Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge. Everything was perfect, the facilities and all the staff The twice daily safari drives were wonderful, our Ranger had an encyclopediac knowledge of animals, birds and plants. Truly a remarkable place to stay for that very special occasion.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nadine, France

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Kwandwe is a unique place. Nature is amazing the lodges are Luxurious yet made with natural material. The view from the lodge is incredible you can even see animals from there. the employees are very kind and service is above expectation The safari is twice a day . The ranger and tracker team was exceptional . We learnt so much from them. We were recommended by people who spent a few days there and we will definitely recommend this unforgettable place. We spend 4 nights and saw all the animals you can expect.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Exceptional property with amazing staff and excellent game drives
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019

8/10 Good

Scott

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great Fish River Lodge - August 2019

The Great Fish River Lodge offers beautiful accommodations and an excellent safari experience. We feel that it would exceed the expectations of all first-time safari travelers. However, we have visited multiple safari camps and lodges in four African countries and would offer the following comments. The photos on their website are accurate. The location is clean and well maintained. The linens are high quality. There are international and USB charging outlets. Wifi works well. We really liked that Kwandwe provides free laundry services as many locations now charge an additional fee. We liked that the camp is unfenced as this provides a more authentic experience. Safari drives at this location, unlike most we have visited, are in uncovered vehicles that necessitate the use of sun protection. They only drive off-road to view cats. The landscape is primary covered by thicket that can make clear viewing of wildlife difficult. We did not see the “Big 5” during our visit, however we did have multiple excellent wildlife sighting, including black rhino. While our guides/drivers were energetic, accommodating and focused on providing the best experience possible, we did not feel the same about the remaining staff. We perceived the lodge staff to be simply “going through the motions” without focusing on providing first class individualized service to the guests. The staff seemed tired and “burnt out”. We enjoyed our stay, but would recommend other locations to our friends.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location and very comfortable place to stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Fantastic stay. Great game drives, saw all the animals we wanted, and had excellent service from the staff
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Amazing game reserve

Amazing game reserve. Our ranger Marc and tracker Andy went the extra mile to track animals for us. Saw lion, leopard and cheetah at such close range. So very special. We have been to a number of reserves in SA but this was by far the best., Certainly exceeded our expectations.

10/10 Excellent

kiran

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Utterly amazing, exceeded all expectations!

Utterly amazing, great staff, great game drives, great views! Such a special place and staff were so passionate about the animals. We asked for extra small requests and most were all met and with gusto! Could not recommend this place more! The extra events as part of the tours such as the BBQ and champagne receptions were incredible surprises. We had great rangers and a photographic safari that exceeded all possible expectations - including a post processing tutorial! I asked for help surprising the other half and they did not disappoint!!! Two very minor points, veggie selection was a little limited and the restaurant staff did need to be asked a few times after day 1 but as mentioned these were minor. If you can visit, you must.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Superb Safari Experience

We stayed for three nights,had some amazing safari drives and lived in superb style supported by the excellent staff. We had a couple of safari drives where we saw very little in the way of animals but on others had plenty to see. The park at 54000 acres was large enough that you travelled with only seeing the fence line once. We have done about five safari 's like this and would rate this highly but not the best we have experienced but often that is the subject of chance as to particular animal sightings/guides etc

10/10 Excellent

Jeannette

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Paula

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

The most wonderful experience

This was such a lovely experience, everything from the room, the service and the game drives. The room was perfect, with outdoor pool and shower. Great service in every aspect. The game drives were amazing. I have really nothing negative to say.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2018

10/10 Excellent

Kirsten, Ostsee

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Luxus Safari

Tolle Anlage in privatem Reservat, 2 Safaris pro Tag- die Big Five alle gesehen sehr schöne Lodge- Luxus, tolles Team, leckeres Essen- also rundrum toll, jederzeit wieder
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2018

10/10 Excellent

Susanne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2017

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2017

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Ein absolut fantastischer Aufenthalt. Wunderbares Essen, das Zimmer respektive Haus ist genial. Superschöne und spannende Gamedrives mit sehr erfahrenen Rangern. Einfach ein perfekter Aufenthalt!!!! Jederzeit noch so gerne wieder

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Excelente hotel/safari.

Tivemos dois dias agradabilíssimos com a equipe do hotel. O tratamento desde a recepção e transfer foram primorosos. A surpresa da última noite, com água quente na banheira, velas decorando a área e um excelente espumante, nos deixaram com saudade antes da partida.