Sanbona is one of South Africa’s largest privately owned reserves, stretching across 58,000 hectares of rich, protected ecosystems within two biodiversity hotspots. The reserve is conveniently located only three and a half hours from Cape Town, but the beauty of the landscape portrays another world where the roaming wildlife and natural flora will have you truly captivated.
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Picture: Supplied | Sanbona Wildlife
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This stark landscape is dotted with rare succulents and unique rock formations that have been adorned with Khoi and San rock art, offering an authentic natural space. Guests can expect to enjoy endless vistas, wide open spaces, dramatic geological formations, as well as diverse game viewing in a malaria-free area.
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Picture: Supplied | Western Cape. South Africa
Sanbona boasts an impressive collection of rare and endemic botanicals and wildlife, all of which are free-roaming and self-sustaining. One can indulge in the pleasure of viewing big game like elephants and cheetahs, and smaller game species like brown hyenas, steenbok and klipspringer, as well as insightful information on the regional endemic flora.
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Picture: Supplied | Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, Barrydale, Western Cape, South Africa
Sanbona was founded upon the foundation of conservation management, and to this day, it strives to preserve the reserve’s ecological, commercial and social integrity. This ethos extends to the guest experience across its three luxury lodges: Tilney Manor, Gondwana Family Lodge and Dwyka Tented Lodge. Previously for profit, the lodges have now been transferred to a registered non-profit company, with the sole goal being to maintain the reserve and everything on it as a wilderness refuge for future generations.
Opulent and romantic, Dwyka Tented Lodge is embraced by striking rock formations and set in the horseshoe bed of a dry Karoo ravine that is framed by a beautifully weathered landscape.
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Picture: Supplied | Western Cape. South Africa - The spacious lounge and dining area boast stylish, modern interiors, wooden decks that make the most of the glorious setting and a boma for dining under the stars. The accommodation is luxurious and private, with each of the nine luxury tents including an en-suite bathroom and a private deck with a heated plunge pool.
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Picture: Supplied - With views of the magnificent Anysberg Mountains and overlooking the Bellair Dam, Gondwana Family Lodge is the perfect sanctuary for family, friends and groups. The spacious thatched lodge offers guests a sense of modern comfort with a touch of bush authenticity, interconnecting rooms, an indoor and outdoor play area and a child-friendly pool that caters for guests of all ages. With your well-being in mind, the retreat offers an extensive menu of therapies and treatments, including a steam room, for a serene ending to a fun-filled day.
Picture: Supplied
Breathtaking views of the undulating mountains and landscape embrace the historical Tilney Manor in a refuge of peace and tranquillity. The manor offers six spacious open-plan suites leading onto private verandas. Guest experiences include authentic Karoo cuisine, luxurious lounges and a rim-flow pool. Indulge your senses at the Relaxation Retreat, which features a steam room and sauna, while admiring a genuine African spectacle—a Karoo sunset.
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Picture: Supplied
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