Facilities & Services

Please note: these are inclusive in price unless otherwise stated.

• Pool: All Lodges benefit from an inviting swimming pool for cooling off and relaxing during the day. Ecca Lodge suites also feature plunge pools.
• Game Drives: Morning and evening game drives are included in open vehicles with drinks, snacks, rugs and ponchos included. Children between the ages of 6 and 11, are welcome to join the game drives at Ecca whilst all ages can accompany parents in a private vehicle at Melton Manor or Uplands.
• Walking Safaris: Walking safaris for those aged 12 and over, both close to the lodge and further into the Bush to view larger game, are available if booked in advance.

Bars & Restaurants

• Open plan kitchens serve food with flair, whilst guests have the opportunity to enjoy stunning Bush views. Guests at Uplands and Melton Manor benefit from private chef and dining facilities.
• Each lodge provides comfortable areas to settle down and read a wildlife book or enjoy a drink with your Ranger before Dinner. The deep verandas and expansive viewing decks offer a wonderful location to soak up the magical atmosphere.

Overview

Please note no children under 12 are accepted at Great Fish River Lodge.

The Lodges provide a variety of spacious family accommodation options whilst the ‘Planet Manager’ educational programme will enable younger guests to make the most of this unique experience.

Looking after younger guests

• Game Drives: Children age age 6 and above (younger children are generally allowed on a shorter game drive after breakfast) are allowed on the adult game drives whilst there are no age restrictions when staying at Uplands or Melton Manor as a private vehicle is provided. A private vehicle at Ecca can also be booked for an additional charge.
  The Hooves & Stripes wildlife drive takes children under five out to spot non-dangerous animals such as giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, tortoises and warthogs at a safe distance so they can learn about the bush and its residents.
• Bush Playroom: Ecca Lodge has a selection of toys and videos provided in a chalet near to the pool area at Ecca.
• On arrival: Children receive a ‘Rangers in Training’ backpack with bug collectors jar and magnifying glass, a booklet for identifying wildlife, colouring pencils, sun hat, and a special craft pack made by the community.

Children’s Meals

Bespoke Meals provided as and when required.

Babysitting & Supervised activities

• Babysitting: In-house staff provide babysitting facilities.
• Kwandwe’s Planet Manager’s Programme: Children are welcomed at each lodge with a special programme of adventures from bug collection, to pooh-identification walks and are presented with a special book full of entertaining and informative wildlife activities.
• A lovely new children’s activity is minnow fishing trips accompanied by a ranger and tracker, ‘Big 5’ cookie baking, chocolate animal moulding, pizza-making competitions, treasure hunts and finger painting.

Safety

• Animals: Please note that Ecca and Melton Manor are un-fenced, whilst Uplands has a low electric fence.
• Height: Although the decks at Ecca are not situated at a great height, please note there are no balustrades.
• Water: Each lodge has a Swimming pool and Ecca also has plunge pools. Safety nets for these are available on request.

Room types

Ecca Lodge: Six air conditioned, contemporary suites featuring wood panelling, stone walls and breathtaking views of the reserve, offer good space for families. Wrap around decks with plunge pools and outside showers complete the feel of really being in the African bush.

Great Fish River Lodge: Stone walls, thatch roofs and long wooden walkways mixing natural materials into the interiors, blurring the distinction between inside and outside. As at Ecca Lodge, suites also feature plunge pools.

Uplands Homestead: Ideal for Honeymooners or groups, Uplands Homestead is a sensitively restored 1905 farmhouse set in a tranquil valley, offering the ultimate safari accommodation. Parties of up to 6 guests have exclusive use of the property, which includes 3 air-conditioned bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, sitting and dining room, farmhouse-style kitchen, numerous terraces, large swimming pool and gazebo and private butler, chef, ranger and 4 × 4 safari vehicle.

Melton Manor: Kwandwe’s newest lodge, offers four en suite bedrooms set around a social central courtyard with pool. Up to eight guests benefit from a private chef, ranger and 4×4 safari vehicle.

Family

• Up to 2 children under the age of 12 can be accommodated on a sleeper couch in the extensive sitting room area at Ecca.
• Uplands provides ideal family accommodation for those travelling as a group of 5 or 6 or with children under the age of 6 years, as the private vehicle allows them to join all game drives.
• Melton Manor offers the perfect option for two families travelling together or with grandparents due to the excellent private space and facilities.

Rates

From 01/01/12 – 31/12/12 the rates start from £325 per adult sharing, all depending on the season.

Rates for Uplands Homestead are from from £1,145, depending on the season (Valid 01/01/12 – 31/12/12)

Rates for Melton Manor between 01/01/12 – 31/12/12 vary from £1,308 per night, depending on the season.

Family

• Children under age 6 stay free of charge.
• Children aged 6 – 16 years sharing with parents pay 50% of the adult rate at Ecca.
• First child in own room pays adult rate and subsequent children charged at child rates.
• Uplands Homestead and Melton Manor rates are based on a unit cost as above.

Special Offers

Pay 3 Stay 4 Offer applicable at certain times of year – please enquire.

Note: Please enquire for rates for different Room Types and Seasons and we will compile a detailed quotation for your stay.

Kwandwe implements the company’s comprehensive Conservation Strategy focusing on issues such as minimal environmental impact at their lodges and sustainable community development. The Africa Foundation was founded in 1992, and has since built up a highly successful track record in empowering and enriching communities in and around the company’s conservation areas.

Taking the Tribe on Safari

Respected travel journalist Will Gray took his twins on a safari in Kwandwe, staying at Ecca Lodge. Download his detailed account in the Sunday Times Travel Magazine below (2 pages).

• STTM Kwandwe Family Safari – Page 1
• STTM Kwandwe Family Safari – Page 2

How I sent my children wild in South Africa

Rosie Millard travelled with her 4 children for The Times. Click here to read the full feature.

Turn off that mobile, let sleeping Lion’s lie!

Katy Holland took a safari in Eastern Cape with her sons for the Independent on Sunday. Click here for the article in detail.

Baby on board

Julia Hartley-Brewer went on Honeymoon with not only her husband but toddler too. Read the result in the Sunday Express by by clicking here