Reviews of Great Fish River Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
27 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

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"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
"Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge review"
"Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge review"
From the warm, friendly welcome on arrival till our departure we felt cared for and totally comfortable. The game drives were excellent and, even after 8 days completely varied.
We would highly recommend Kwandwe and would return ourselves." See all these reviews: 17n in South Africa
"Great situation and game viewing"
All the game drives were excellent as was the accommodation.
I could happily return to this lodge on other visits." See all these reviews: 11n in South Africa
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