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Kwandwe Melton Manor
Kwandwe Melton Manor
Kwandwe Melton Manor
Kwandwe Melton Manor
Kwandwe Melton Manor
Kwandwe Melton Manor
Kwandwe Melton Manor
Kwandwe Melton Manor
Kwandwe Melton Manor
Kwandwe Melton Manor
Kwandwe Melton Manor

Kwandwe Melton Manor


33°5’10.7"S 26°33’30.9"E

About Kwandwe Melton Manor

Melton Manor is an exclusive-use safari villa for up to eight guests, designed for families or small groups ...

... of friends travelling together. Set against a backdrop of gently rolling hills covered with shrubs and low-growing trees in Kwandwe Private Game Reserve in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, it was opened in 2007 and completely refurbished in 2013. Its interior design is full of light earthy colours and comfortable, textured fabrics.

Kwandwe Melton Manor is nicely constructed around a central courtyard and comfortably furnished – and since it has been refurbished, it looks very elegant. As it’s always booked exclusively, Melton Manor provides a high degree of privacy and flexibility for any group or family wishing to explore the Kwandwe Reserve. It’s especially suitable for families with small children, who will find outside space to run around in relative safety.

Our view

Kwandwe Melton Manor is nicely constructed around a central courtyard and comfortably furnished – and since it has been refurbished, it looks very elegant. As it’s always booked exclusively, Melton Manor provides a high degree of privacy and flexibility for any group or family wishing to explore the Kwandwe Reserve. It’s especially suitable for families with small children, who will find outside space to run around in relative safety.

Chris McIntyre

Chris McIntyre

South Africa expert

Accommodation

4 suites

Children

Excellent for children

Open

All year

Activities

4WD Safari

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

Fishing

Fishing

Guided walking safari

Guided walking safari

Night drive

Night drive

Private activities

Private activities

Traveller reviews of Kwandwe Melton Manor

1 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.


100%
1 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
1
Good
0
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
wallace familyfromlondon

Arrived 18 Feb 2025, 4 nights

"Kwandwe Melton Manor review"

"Just stunning.... We had the most wonderful time and couldn’t really fault it. …" Read wallace family’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

See all Kwandwe Melton Manor reviews

Kwandwe Melton Manor: Our full report

Melton Manor is an exclusive-use safari villa for up to eight guests, designed for families or small groups ...

... of friends travelling together. Set against a backdrop of gently rolling hills covered with shrubs and low-growing trees in Kwandwe Private Game Reserve in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, it was opened in 2007 and completely refurbished in 2013. Its interior design is full of light earthy colours and comfortable, textured fabrics.

A member of the Expert Africa team visited Kwandwe Melton Manor in early 2013; and then its design was a bit of a mish-mash – albeit a very luxurious one. However, since then it has been refurbished and its interior design has changed completely. To get an impression of how Melton Manor is now decorated and furnished, have a look at our gallery of promotional images, which contains more current photos than the Expert Africa gallery. Our impression is that its design is now more consistent and elegant than it used to be.

We’re delighted that the Manor’s basic layout and facilities have not changed. This u-shaped private villa is still centred around a courtyard with four suites leading off it. The two sets of rooms on either side of it have interleading doors through which parents can directly enter their children’s rooms.

Each of Kwandwe Melton Manor’s suites is similar in size and décor, with a large double bed in the centre of the room, a minibar and innovative “butler hatches" to ensure discrete room service. Each large, en-suite bathroom features a freestanding bath, double washbasins and a large glass-screened shower. Big windows make the most of the views. All rooms at Melton Manor are air-conditioned and possess under floor heating. Outside each suite you can find a private deck with comfortable wicker furniture.

In the large lounge at Kwandwe Melton Manor you will find a computer with internet access, satellite television and a selection of games to enjoy whilst not out on safari.

There is a spacious open-plan dining room with a rustic wooden table and a farm-style kitchen area where your private chef prepares your meals. If they wish to, guests can also join the chef here for some cooking inspiration and guidance. In one corner of the dining/kitchen area at Melton Manor you can find more comfortable sofas and chairs.

In Kwandwe Melton Manor’s library, which is said to be more user-friendly after the latest refurbishment, you will find some books, games, DVDs and a TV.

The deep, cool verandas overlooking the central courtyard house some homely sofas and a dining area for outside meals. At the far end of the yard you reach the swimming pool, which is lined with sun loungers and offers distant views over the Great Fish River.

After its latest refurbishment Kwandwe Melton Manor is now decorated in natural colours and materials like wood, stone, pewer, ceramic and wicker. The dominant colours are beige, brown and white and we’re told that the manor’s design feels much more natural and consistent now. (Given the high standard of the design at the reserve’s other lodges – this is also what we’d expect!)

For activities, guests can explore the Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, which is home to about 7,000 large mammals, during morning and late afternoon/early evening as well as night game drives in their private, open-topped 4WD vehicle. Our experience of Kwandwe’s guiding is that standards are generally very high, and are actively supported by a regular programme of guide training.

On water, boat trips on the Galpin Dam and fishing on the lovely Great Fish River can make for a very relaxed, enjoyable day.

Kwandwe Game Reserve has recently introduced the concept of voluntourism. Via the Angus Gillis Foundation visitors can get actively involved in local community work, for example assisting in gardening. Children can play with other kids from the local school or take part in arts and crafts activities like the ‘Knit a Bit’ programme, which gives blankets made from individually knitted squares to needy families.

Kwandwe also has many activities specifically for children, and many of these are constructed by the ‘blue crane conservation club’. For more detail on these, see the section on children, below.

Extra activities like rhino darting, rhino monitoring and big game walking safaris are also possible, although they are charged additionally.

Geographics

Location
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, South Africa
Ideal length of stay
It’s normal to spend at least four nights at a place like this, as once you settle in – you probably won’t want to leave.
Directions
Excellent roads from Grahamstown (30 minutes) and Port Elizabeth Airport (one and a half to two hours) account for the easiness of a self-drive to Kwandwe (160km). All vehicles will be left at the car park at Heatherton Towers (reception), from where you will be transferred to your lodge in one of the reserve’s safari vehicles.



Alternatively guests can make use of the daily scheduled shuttle service from Port Elizabeth or charter a private 20-minute flight from Port Elizabeth Airport to Kwandwe airstrip.


Chauffeur-driven road transfers can be arranged on request, too.
Accessible by
Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Full Board & Activities
Food quality
There isn’t a large team in the kitchen here, but one of your hosts is a capable chef. Guests can expect good, high-quality home cooking here – with the menu decided upon by discussion. The food at Kwandwe’s other lodges is a real highlight, and notable for its fresh ingredients, and we’d expect this to be no different – although we haven’t eaten at Melton Manor.

There’s a selection of good South African wines to hand, and with notice your chef will be able to take most special diet requests in his/her stride. That said, if you require kosher food, then note that there’s likely to be an extra cost for this.
Dining style
Group Meals
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service
Travellers who like to enjoy their meals out in nature can make use of the options of bush breakfasts, dinners and sundowners and picnics on the reserve. It is also possible to dine on one of the villa’s verandas.
Drinks included
House wines, beers, local spirits, soft drinks and bottled water are included.

Special interests

Family holidays
Melton Manor is an ‘exclusive-use’ safari villa that is well-suited for relaxed family safari holidays in South Africa’s Cape. Its courtyard and fenced bushveld areas are particularly nice to play in and game activities here can be tailored specifically to children.
See ideas for Family holidays in South Africa
Birdwatching
Explore Kwandwe Reserve’s rich birdlife from the exclusive-use Melton Manor - with a private guide and the possibility to schedule your meals around your activities. Resident African birds include martial eagle, black harrier and the endangered black stork and blue crane.
See ideas for Birdwatching in South Africa
Wildlife safaris
At the private villa Melton Manor in South Africa you can tailor your wildlife safaris completely around your interests, as it comes fully staffed, including a private guide, and with a 4WD vehicle. Kwandwe Game Reserve is notable for high-quality guiding and large mammals.
See ideas for Wildlife safaris in South Africa
Private villas & houses
Kwandwe Melton Manor is a private safari villa in South Africa for groups of up to eight travellers. Having your private guide, 4WD vehicle, butler and chef will allow you to time your activities and meals according to your wishes.
See ideas for Private villas & houses in South Africa
Luxury
Natural materials, plush furnishings and neutral tones blend together beautifully at at Kwandwe Melton Manor to give this exclusive, private home-away-from-home a luxurious, elegant atmosphere. Each of the large suites features underfloor heating, an added luxury during the colder months.
See ideas for Luxury in South Africa

Children

Attitude towards children
Children of all ages are welcome, although Melton Manor can only sleep one infant under two years sharing a room with parents at a time; older children can sleep in an adjoining room.
Special activities & services
The advantage of exclusively booking a private property for families is clear: they can feel really at home and enjoy their own space without concerns about other guests feeling disturbed. As parents don’t have to worry about messes or noise when their children play or run around at Melton Manor, the atmosphere at this private villa is usually much more relaxed for the whole family than at a normal lodge with other guests.


All children staying at Kwandwe receive a little backpack with animal check lists, eco-themed games and puzzles, crayons or pencils in recycled tubes, a reusable BPA-free water bottle, a ‘Frolicking Rhino’ range of bath products and a list of environmentally friendly activities. At the end of their stay at Kwandwe Melton Manor they can also take a “Rangers in Training" certificate home with them.


Children’s activities in Kwandwe Reserve comprise “poo safaris", treasure hunts, creative activities, spoor tracking, DVD-watching, Minno’s fishing trip, cooking, baking, and bedtime stories with milk and cookies. It’s even usually possible for children to head out on gentle game activities without their parents, to view hazard-free wildlife like giraffe, zebra or warthog after breakfast, which is called “Striped and Hooves adventure".


With the launch of the ‘Blue Crane Conservation Club’ in 2013 there have been more eco-themed activities added to raise environmental awareness amongst even the youngest visitors. Some examples are planting spekboom, which are among the most carbon-storing plant species, and guided ‘Bugs & Bones’ walks to look out for insects, bugs, bones, skulls and the tracks and droppings of wildlife.


Child-minders, who are all first aid trained, are available with prior arrangement at no additional cost.

A children’s menu of suggestions can be discussed to choose meals in advance, and separate dining can be arranged – although many guests simply mirror the way they dine at home!
Equipment
There is one cot available at Melton Manor. Children aged three to 16 can be accommodated in their own room next to the parents’ room.
Generally recommended for children
Kwandwe Melton Manor is ideal for families with children aged six years or older.
Notes
Although Melton Manor is fully fenced, we advise parents to keep their children under supervision as smaller animals like snakes could, in theory, still pose a danger.

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Melton Manor

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Kwandwe Melton Manor have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.

Black Rhino

100% success

Buffalo

100% success

Cheetah

100% success

Eland

100% success

Elephant

100% success

Giraffe

100% success

Hippo

100% success

Leopard

100% success

Lion

100% success

Meerkat

100% success

Oryx

100% success

White Rhino

100% success

Wildebeest

100% success

Zebra

100% success

Aardvark

0% success

Brown Hyena

0% success

Communications

Power supply notes
Guests will need to bring a South African adaptor.
Communications
There is a computer for guests' use in Melton Manor's lounge area. However, travellers who bring their own devices can access the internet all throughout the lodge via WiFi.

Each suite at the manor has got a telephone.
TV & radio
Satellite television is also available in the lounge.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
No
Medical care
If in need of a serious medical treatment, you could go to Grahamstown Hospital, which is 40km (about a 40-minute drive) away.
Dangerous animals
High Risk
Security measures
The lodge is extensively fenced. Nevertheless we advise guests to be vigilant at all times.
Fire safety

Activities

  • 4WD Safari

    4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

    Birdwatching

  • Fishing

    Fishing

  • Guided walking safari

    Guided walking safari

  • Night drive

    Night drive

  • Private activities

    Private activities

Extras

Disabled access
On Request
Laundry facilities
Included
Money
There is a safe in each of Kwandwe Melton Manor’s suites.
Accepted payment on location
Visa, Master Card and Amex are accepted as well as the following currencies: US Dollars, UK Pound, South Africa Rand.

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Kwandwe Melton Manor's location

Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Melton Manor.


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When to go to Kwandwe Private Game Reserve

Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Melton Manor in Kwandwe Private Game Reserve


Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

South Africa in January

January is considered one of the best months to travel. In Cape Town the weather is hot and generally dry. The Garden Route is also excellent at this time of the year but has a more temperate climate, with slightly lower temperatures and rain can fall at any time of the year. In the Kgalagadi temperatures often top 40°C and short, sharp thunderstorms are also fairly frequent. Wildlife tends to disperse, although birding is excellent.

As this is the high season in the Cape there are numerous events, festivals and outdoor activities to attract visitors. Accommodation books up quickly and it may be necessary to book at least a year in advance. Reservations will often be needed for restaurants and visitor attractions too.

  • Hot, largely dry days with clear skies – except on Garden Route
  • Wildlife disperses in the Kalahari but birding excellent
  • Events, festivals and outdoor activities staged for the high season
  • The high season in the Cape, accommodation can cost up to 50% more
  • Pre-booking of activities & attractions is essential

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in January

South Africa in February

In February conditions are largely the same as in January, although temperatures can be slightly higher, especially in the interior. The wind in Cape Town starts to ease off. Although the Garden Route can experience some rain, the days are pleasantly warm and largely dry.

The Kgalagadi remains very hot, but the birding is still excellent. Wildlife viewing can be tricky especially if there has been some rain, as the resulting long grass can obscure the animals.

For visitors it’s still the high season, but with the local school holidays over and residents back at work, it is less busy than December and January. Accommodation costs remain high and it’s still advisable to pre-book certain activities and restaurants.

  • Hot, largely dry days with little cloud
  • Wind starts easing in Cape Town
  • Slightly less busy than December & January
  • Accommodation costs remain high, activities still best pre-booked

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in February

South Africa in March

March is still a very good time to visit. Conditions remain dry and very warm in Cape Town, although temperatures start dropping off towards the end of the month. The wind has usually died right down.

The Kalahari remains very hot and in years of good rains vegetation is at its most lush – making wildlife viewing tricky.

Typically, the crowds dwindle, but it can get very busy if Easter falls in March. It is also worth bearing in mind that during major events in March, including the Cape Town Cycle Tour, Cape Epic Mountain Bike Tour, The Cape Town Carnival and the International Jazz Festival, accommodation can get very full.

Attractions remain busy but booking is less essential.

  • Temperatures start falling towards the end of the month
  • Cape Town hosts a number of world class sport and cultural events
  • Wildlife in the Kgalagadi disperses, game viewing more challenging
  • Crowds diminish as the high season comes to an end
  • Accommodation can get busy during major events

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in March

South Africa in April

April is South Africa’s “shoulder” season and is often the most pleasant. Not too hot, not too cold, some rain but not masses. In Cape Town and along the Garden Route days are usually sunny, warm, windless and largely dry, although in Cape Town the chance of rain increases from the end of the month.

In the Kgalagadi the rainy season is typically over and migratory birds are starting to make their journey back up North. Vegetation remains lush but wildlife viewing starts picking up towards the end of the month.

The region is still relatively busy (especially of its still Easter) but it gets quieter towards the end of the month thus availability improves. Accommodation rates start to decrease, and it becomes less important to book restaurants and attractions in advance.

  • Temperatures still warm and very pleasant, with little wind.
  • Rain starts easing in the Kalahari and migratory birds start to depart
  • Less busy, especially towards the end of the month - busy over Easter
  • Accommodation frees up and prices start to come down

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in April

South Africa in May

May marks the start of the dry season in the Kgalagadi. Days are warm and dry with almost zero rainfall. Night-time/early-morning temperatures can drop towards 0°C. Wildlife viewing is at its peak as animals concentrate around the few remaining water sources.

Days can still be warm and sunny in Cape Town and on the Garden Route, but the weather becomes a lot more variable. May heralds the start of the rainy season in Cape Town and the winelands. Night-time temperatures rarely drop below 10 degrees in the coastal areas.

With far fewer tourists, accommodation prices are at their lowest. There is rarely any need to pre-book activities, but reservations are still advisable at some of the top restaurants.

  • Higher chance of rain in Cape Town & the Winelands
  • Day time temperatures drop significantly
  • Wildlife viewing peaks in the Kgalagadi
  • Low season so rarely busy & very few crowds
  • Low season rates at the hotels & lodges

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in May

South Africa in June

Winter is now in full swing. Maximum temperatures in Cape Town rarely reach 20°C and the rainy season is well under way. Outdoor activities therefore become limited, but a number of high-quality indoor events are organised.

The Garden Route has, in general milder weather and less rain than Cape Town.

June sees the arrival of the first whales which migrate to the South African coastline to give birth.

In the Kgalagadi, daytime temperatures are warm but nights and early mornings are bitterly cold. Wildlife viewing is excellent as animals are drawn to the few remaining permanent water points.

Overall tourist numbers are at their lowest, as are the costs of flights and accommodation.

  • Cold & wet weather in Cape Town, Kgalagadi warm days but cold at night
  • One of the best months for wildlife viewing in the Kgalagadi
  • Whales start arriving to have their calves
  • Low visitor numbers & no crowds
  • Accommodation & flight prices remain low

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in June

South Africa in July

The winter weather continues with very cold nights and early mornings in the Kgalagadi and virtually no rainfall. Vegetation here is really thinning out now and water even more scarce – so wildlife is easy to spot.

Despite the winter and local school holidays, Cape Town remains a great place to visit. On a wet and cold day, the Two Oceans Aquarium, Zeitz Mocca (art museum) and the Cape Town Comedy Club all make for great days out, as does a trip to the wine country or the annual Oyster Festival at Knysna.

By mid-July most of the whales have arrived to give birth. Hermanus is the best place to see them.

At the height of the low season, so accommodation and flight prices remain low.

  • Generally cold & wet in the Cape, but good quality indoor events
  • Very good wildlife viewing in the Kgalagadi
  • Oyster festival in Knysna
  • Local school holidays can make places a little busier than usual
  • Accommodation and flight prices remain low

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in July

South Africa in August

While August experiences mostly wintry weather it does mark the very beginning of spring with temperatures starting to rise. Visitors are drawn to the West Coast and Namaqualand to see the wildflowers, which start blooming in late August and can be seen until mid-September. Whales are still in abundance now too.

The Kgalagadi is now very dry and wildlife vieiwng is still good. Temperatures start climbing towards the end of the month.

Despite the weather , visitor numbers can be high as the northern hemisphere schools close for their summer holidays. It may be a good idea to book certain attractions and restaurants in advance.

Simlarly, although accommodation prices are still low, flight prices can be a little higher than in previous months.

  • Temperatures start rising – but still potential for cold & wet weather
  • Wildflowers on the West Coast & in Namaqualand
  • Good wildlife viewing in the Kgalagadi
  • Whales continue to attract visitors
  • Can get busy due to northern hemisphere school summer holidays

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in August

South Africa in September

Good wildlife viewing in the Kgalagadi continues and daytime temperatures increase quite dramatically. Mornings and evenings are still on the chilly side, but not as cold as they are in June, July and August.

The 1st of September is officially the start of spring in Cape Town. Days become warmer but not quite warm enough to enjoy the city’s beautiful beaches. Venues all over Cape Town play host to various artists during the Cape Town Fringe Festival.
Rainy days are fewer, but night times can still get chilly. Many hotels are still charging low season rates making September great value for money.

Elsewhere, Hermanus hosts the popular annual Whale Festival, and in the West of the Cape, wildflowers continue to bloom until the middle of the month.

  • The start of spring; temperatures start rising
  • Whale festival in Hermanus
  • Cape Town Fringe Ferstival attracts a wide range of artists
  • Wildflowers blooming well until the middle of the month
  • Good wildlife viewing continues in the Kgalagadi

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in September

South Africa in October

The weather starts warming up nicely, Cape Town experiences pleasant days, with much less rain, nights can still be quite cool, but not cold. Some days are now warm enough to enjoy the beach. This is one of the best months to visit the Cape Region.

October is one of the hottest months in the Kalahari. Water remains very scarce, so the wildlife viewing is still very good. Towards the end of the month the odd spectacular thunderstorm is possible with much lightning and thunder. Migratory birds start to arrive, and resident species gear up for the breeding season.

The whales are still present with Hermanus and False Bay the best places to see them.

  • Days start warming up; fewer rainy days in Cape Town
  • Very hot in the Kalahari – thunderstorms season starts
  • Migratory birds start arriving & resident birds start breeding
  • Whale watching still excellent in Hermanus and False Bay areas
  • Start of the high season, getting busy and accommodation prices rise

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in October

South Africa in November

By November Cape Town is experiencing summer conditions with hot, clear days and warm, pleasant evenings. It’s a great month to enjoy the beaches before the peak holiday season in December. There are no real downsides to visiting in November and you may even get a few accommodation specials before prices go up for the festive season. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens begins their summer outdoor concerts with local and international artists performing.

The Kgalagadi remains hot but thunderstorms are a bit more regular. With the rains, water sources become more plentiful and wildlife disperses but this is when herbivores such as Springbok start lambing. Photography improves as conditions become less hazy.

This is the last month for regular whale sightings – they tend to migrate back down south by early December.

  • Summer now in full swing, with temperatures often reaching 30°C
  • Rainy days scarce; evenings warm & very pleasant
  • Antelope start lambing in the Kgalagadi; wildlife generally dispersed
  • Last month for regular whale sightings
  • Good time to visit Cape Town before the peak holiday season

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in November

South Africa in December

December is usually Cape Town’s hottest month when temperatures frequently breach 30°C. You can expect hot and cloudless days, and almost no rain but December does see the occasional very windy day.

The Kalahari is still hot, but temperatures are not quite as high as previous months. With the rainfall the bush transforms into various shades of green. Wildlife disperses as water become more widely available.

The Garden Route enjoys warm to hot days with rain at any time but usually not over an extended period.

Mid to late December becomes incredibly busy with concerts, festivals and various outdoor activities in Cape Town. Hotel prices rise, tourist attractions and beaches are crowded and most popular sites and restaurants need to be booked in advance.

  • Long, hot sunny days
  • Kgalagadi bursts into life as rainy season kicks in
  • Wildlife viewing a bit trickier as wildlife disperses
  • Cape Town buzzing with concerts, events, festivals etc
  • Peak season: attractions get very busy & accommodation costs rise

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in December

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