Reviews of Great Fish River Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
30 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Great Fish River Lodge and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
100% success
60% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
80% success
71% success
20% success
0% success
"Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge review"
Beautiful game reserve.
Excellent accommodation and food and service.
Game drives also excellent.
We had a guide and a tracker and our guide was particularly brilliant.
Excellent game viewing." See all these reviews: 12n in South Africa
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Buffalo
3 sightings
Cheetah
1 sighting
Eland
3 sightings
Elephant
3 sightings
Giraffe
4 sightings
Hippo
1 sighting
Lion
2 sightings
Meerkat
1 sighting
Oryx
2 sightings
White Rhino
3 sightings
Zebra
4 sightings
"Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge review"
"Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge review"
To be honest this was a little annoying not only because it meant packing everything up but also because Ecca wanted us out of our suite before we could take our rooms at GFR. Although there wasn't too much of a wait it just meant that our last full day was not as relaxing as it should have been.
GFR has quite a different vibe, normally there are no kids, it's very quiet and it didn't seem as chilled out as Ecca. The rooms were still gorgeous and the view was better as you can look out at the hills and spot animals...we watched a group of giraffe as we ate breakfast! It's definitely a lodge for couples who want privacy and quiet." See all these reviews: 8n in South Africa
"Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge review"
Excellent ranger and tracker who made a great effort to see a leopard. We succeeded but very poor view from about 80yards.
We were very fortunate to be invited to the assessment of a chef and were able to enjoy a superb tasting menu.
Breakfast not up to standard of other lodges.
Very lucky to see lion mating." See all these reviews: 13n in South Africa
Black Rhino
4 sightings
Buffalo
5 sightings
Cheetah
2 sightings
Eland
8 sightings
Elephant
3 sightings
Giraffe
6 sightings
Hippo
Multiple sightings
Leopard
Multiple sightings
Lion
4 sightings
Oryx
10 sightings
White Rhino
10 sightings
Wildebeest
2 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Safari at Kwandwe"
That said we were very well looked after by all the staff. Our stay was enhanced by getting to know some very nice people who shared our values and interests." See all these reviews: 18n in South Africa
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Buffalo
Multiple sightings
Cheetah
Multiple sightings
Eland
Multiple sightings
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Hippo
1 sighting
Lion
Multiple sightings
Oryx
Multiple sightings
White Rhino
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Incredible safari experience"
The food was delicious and we were never hungry. Rooms were beautiful with a private deck, outdoor shower and plunge pool, over looking the Great Fish River. Our ranger Ruan and Tracker Vusi were so knowledgable and gave us an unforgettable safari experience.
We saw so many animals and learnt a lot about this beautiful reserve. We didn’t want to leave and are already trying to work out when we can go back!" See all these reviews: 10n in South Africa
Black Rhino
2 sightings
Buffalo
3 sightings
Cheetah
3 sightings
Eland
Multiple sightings
Elephant
3 sightings
Giraffe
3 sightings
Hippo
1 sighting
Leopard
2 sightings
Lion
3 sightings
Oryx
Multiple sightings
White Rhino
3 sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
4 sightings
"Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge"
We were completely overwhelmed by the vastness and beauty of this private game reserve from the moment we arrived (with yet another friendly Ilios driver) at reception where we were welcomed with an enjoyable glass of bubbly and chilled wet towels while we registered. We were then transported by Toby, a trainee ranger for approximately 25 minutes down to the Lodge itself.
Great Fish River Lodge was amazing - built in traditional African style, thatched roof with lovely facilities including a small shop to buy essentials for the early morning game drives. Our own lodge was just stunning - it had every thing we needed including an optional outdoor shower which my husband made a point of experiencing. The views across the river were breathtaking and we spotted a lone giraffe feeding in the distance - wonderful.
We did 2 game drives each day with a very experienced ranger - Rouen (a real larger than life character) and his amazing Tracker Vusi. They made a great team and had worked together for a number of years. The afternoon/evening drives were memorable as the sun set (sun downers were obligatory) and the nocturnal animals amazing. We saw lions, elephants, giraffe, a cheetah and her 3 cubs and lots more and really had the most wonderful experience that we definitely plan to return to the reserve.
We were very impressed by how much the owners of the reserve have done over the last 20 years to encourage and reinstate many species which had previously disappeared due to poaching etc. Thankfully the black rhinos have a future on this reserve." See all these reviews: 13n in South Africa
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Buffalo
1 sighting
Cheetah
1 sighting
Eland
5 sightings
Elephant
1 sighting
Giraffe
7 sightings
Hippo
1 sighting
Lion
2 sightings
Oryx
1 sighting
White Rhino
1 sighting
Wildebeest
3 sightings
Zebra
5 sightings
"Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge review"
It is an open site so you have to be taken your room at night by security men with torches. They seemed more worried about our falling over the steps than any animal danger! The food was lovely and as at Gorah far too much. We rarely made it to lunch. The early starts were rewarded by marvellous animal sitings - not so easy to spot as in Gorah as a larger reserve and of course fewer elephants. We saw a lots of animals, birds and some reptiles. We were in the middle of a cheetah hunt with the mother cheetah swerving round the vehicle about 2-3 feet away!
Our guide Nico and Tracker Andy were brilliant, knowledgeable and determined to find a leopard for us, tracking through the bush. i think they were more frustrated than us that they never found one but we enjoyed the whole process and experience pf watching them track it to about a 400x400 yards area. The hospitality staff are very well trained and skilled and were fabulous at making everyone feel at home.
Worth every penny!!" See all these reviews: 17n in South Africa
Black Rhino
2 sightings
Buffalo
4 sightings
Cheetah
1 sighting
Eland
Multiple sightings
Elephant
8 sightings
Giraffe
8 sightings
Hippo
1 sighting
Lion
2 sightings
Meerkat
1 sighting
Oryx
5 sightings
White Rhino
6 sightings
Zebra
6 sightings
"Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge review"
Everything was carefully thought through and we even managed to see the big five in one morning.The room was very comfortable indeed in a great location.
The food was excellent - delicious and varied menus. all the staff were very helpful and nothing was too much trouble" See all these reviews: 6n in Zambia; 3n in South Africa
Black Rhino
4 sightings
Brown Hyena
1 sighting
Buffalo
1 sighting
Cheetah
3 sightings
Eland
2 sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
2 sightings
Hippo
10 sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
8 sightings
Meerkat
1 sighting
Oryx
1 sighting
White Rhino
3 sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Awesome 1st Safari Experience"
Our transfer from Port Elizabeth airport went very smoothly as did the very warm welcome that we received on our arrival at Kwandwe. Our Lodge was really nice and the plunge pool a welcome addition to our expectations. But the real surprise was the wildlife that we could observe from our large outdoor terrace!
A group of Nyala antelope were regulars, including a large very handsome male who regularly used our pool as a watering hole - which was brilliant to stand and watch. One afternoon a herd of elephants could be seen in the distance strolling one after the other across the hills opposite our lodge. Our afternoon 'chill time' took on a whole new meaning!
Our guide Nick was superb as was our tracker who was know as 'Banana'! Between them they tracked down a huge array of wildlife, which very often we were able to see at close quarters, which isn't something we expected. Nick's in depth knowledge of the flora and fauna was so impressive and we learnt so much during our twice daily trips out in the 56,000 acres that make up this superb private game reserve. It is also worth noting that safety was clearly very important to all the staff here and at no time did we feel anything other than completely safe.
The food, the ambiance and staff in the main lodge were also excellent and we had some lovely evenings around the huge logs fires sharing our day's experiences with fellow guests. All in all an awesome start to our South African trip." See all these reviews: 6n in South Africa
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Buffalo
1 sighting
Cheetah
3 sightings
Eland
4 sightings
Elephant
3 sightings
Giraffe
4 sightings
Hippo
1 sighting
Lion
1 sighting
Meerkat
1 sighting
Oryx
3 sightings
White Rhino
2 sightings
Wildebeest
1 sighting
Zebra
5 sightings
Holiday styles & special interests in South Africa
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in South Africa.
Other lodges in Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Ecca Lodge
Kwandwe Ecca Lodge is a smart, chic lodge and is located in the superb malaria-free Kwandwe Private Reserve.
Uplands Homestead
Uplands Homestead is a restored farmhouse and is located in a remote and peaceful valley in the Kwandwe Private Reserve.
Galpin Tented Camp
Galpin Tented Camp is a a comfortable exclusive use set up in malaria-free Kwandwe Private Reserve.
Melton Manor
Sleeping a maximum of 8 people, Melton Manor is an exclusive use villa located in the superb malaria-free Kwande Private Game Resertve.
