Reviews of Great Fish River Lodge

"- we had a nice team of Ranger Conor and Tracker Rasi

- we actually stayed a night longer than planned due to bad weather

- the bathroom lighting was a little too dark in our room 7 - additional lighting especially at the mirror and above the luggage rack would be good." See all these reviews: 11n in South Africa

"Now this is part of a managed game park; it is not a proper safari in a National Park because the animals are managed for the purposes of conservation. Although an impressive size for its type, there is obviously a limit on animal numbers but they are in a natural location. This really caters for people new to a safari experience, and who want reasonably assured animal sightings in relative comfort. It cannot be compared to say South Luangwa in Zambia. It worked well for my partner whlo is only interested in the margins of the safari experience--she was able to see the "Big Five"." See all these reviews: 14n in South Africa

"Kwandwe was wonderful, justifying the high cost of staying there. The main lodge and rooms were superb and the staff could not be more helpful. The food was excellent, requiring restraint to avoid eating too much! The restaurant staff were very attentive and dealt well with our food allergies.

The game drives were well guided and we had excellent viewing on each of our six drives.

We'd advise other travellers not to try to go direct from Kwandwe to the airport, as the drive back to Port Elizabeth was slow due to many roadworks - and it wouldn't be possible to take the last morning's game drive, which didn't return until well after 9 am.

We would go here again." See all these reviews: 18n in South Africa

"Well worth the detour! This was luxury, in a unique setting, where individual suites offered complete privacy. The guides were amazingly knowledgeable, and led us to all the wildlife we could wish to see. Full marks for food, service and attentiveness of staff." See all these reviews: 21n in South Africa

"I don't know what to say about Kwandwe because it was really amazing, we loved it.

The whole place was great the trips out on safari were the best we have been on.[we have been on safari before] Our guide Doc and spotter Monde were brilliant and we saw lots of animals. The whole place is well organised and if you don't want to go out on safari you don't have to.

The food was lovely but too much of it. You could have anything to drink at any time and the free laundry was a bonus.

The rooms are unbelievable as is the view. We would highly reccommend it to anyone wanting a safari in the Eastern cape." See all these reviews: 11n in South Africa

"This was an amazing and wonderful highlight and finale to our trip to South Africa. We were welcomed with such warmth, invited into the community who cared for us with superb attention to detail, surprised often by lovely extra touches, such as a handwritten welcome note, an unexpected birthday gift, and a surprise in our room after our last evening game drive which I won't give away because it was so lovely and I wouldn't want you to miss out on that when you go!

We were paired with a great young honeymoon couple and together we explored with our ranger Doc and his Tracker Monde. We had good fun together,, and we could not have been in wiser, funnier, better or more experienced hands as we saw so much of the reserve and so many wonderful creatures. There were long and generous game drives, and the way the teams worked together to make sure that all the guests had a good experience was impressive. Highlights were a sleepy pride of lions, a leopard, a lovely journey of giraffe at sundown, and a final treat of three beautiful cheetahs on our last morning.

The rooms were just lovely, serviced at least twice a day, and with everything one could need. Each room is secluded and separate from the main lodge. Security and safety were attended to well at all times. The different teams, those on the front line and those in the background all worked hard to make our stay one never to forget.

I particularly enjoyed taking my sketchbook and paints, and found there was time while we all watched these amazing animals to make some drawings.

When we booked, we were concerned that the two nights were costing quite a lot of money, but we consider what we received to be tremendous value. We loved the ethos of the place, and especially the fact that a proportion of the money that comes in goes to a fantastic foundation and to the development projects it funds. This is a very special re-wilding project and very well run.

The whole thing was inspiring. We have to go back, and are hatching plans already." See all these reviews: 2n in South Africa

"After a fortnight in SA we didn't think the accommodation could be better - and then we arrived in Kwandwe.

Excellent food, beautiful room and now with the added attraction of excellent guiding and wild animals during dawn and dusk safaris. This really felt like luxury in wild Africa - and free gin!

Neat little "surprises" (which I won't spoil) both in the rooms and on safari!" See all these reviews: 21n in South Africa

"This place is the most amazing place we have ever stayed.

From the staff to the accommodation to the food and overall experience, we couldn’t have asked for any more.

I would highly recommend Kwandwe to anyone and can’t wait to go back one day." See all these reviews: 11n in South Africa

"We arrived after a long journey and having been lulled into a false sense of security re the heat at PE to find temperatures in the mid 40sC – a bit of a shock to the system! A cold drink at main reception was most welcome.

After a short drive through the bush we arrived at the lodge where we were given a good briefing and shown to our beautiful room – quite stunning; our one quibble was that, while the air con kept the bathroom area lovely and cool it didn’t seem to have a lot of effect in the bedroom. Housekeeping was immaculate and it seemed as if the room was cleaned every time we left it. The plunge pool was most welcome on the hot afternoons.

Service overall was excellent with nothing being too much trouble; however we did notice that cleaning of the main area could have been better – drinks can from the afternoon was still there at breakfast and the decking was not cleaned of bird droppings regularly.

The food that we ate was very good but, despite both the management and chef having confirmed they knew of Jane’s allergy, we still had to return food when it came with cheese.

We chose not to go out on our first afternoon but still managed to see game from our deck – kudu, baboons, impala, bushbuck and scrub hare. As Jane wasn’t feeling too good, having picked up a cold on the plane, she didn’t feel like eating that evening but we went up to the main lodge where the staff were happy to keep offering drinks and we met our fellow travellers and guide, Ivan. The lodge has a small shop (more at main reception) which we thought offered very good value.

Our guide, Ivan and tracker, Sibo, were excellent. Very good with both us experienced safari-goers and the Danes we shared the vehicle with, some of whom had never been to Africa before. On our last morning we had them to ourselves when they became positively chatty. Yes, Ivan, we did pop into your Dad’s place in Swellendam – ideal for a visiting rugby club says Martin! He just needs to persuade them to pay for the flights!
The Expert Africa page for Kwandwe states that it is broadly on the flat; we didn’t find this to be the case. There is a significant flight of steps between the parking area and the main building, steps along the boardwalk and steps approaching each room.

Despite our minor quibbles we’ve already booked to go back next year! Find that aardvark Ivan, please!!!" See all these reviews: 17n in South Africa

"We loved Great Fish River Lodge even more than Ecca. Raised on decking and terrace it was possible to see the wildlife on the slopes across the river.

The staff were excellent - great welcome from Chris on arrival - and breakfast waiters charming and helpful. Management clearly on the ball!

Our suite was superb." See all these reviews: 8n in South Africa