Gondwana recently heard about a heartbreaking story right here in Sedgefield and immediately jumped in and supported the Du Toit family.

Read their story here.

Should you wish to assist the Du Toit family in any way please contact Louise – louise@gondwanagr.co.za so we can see if we can continue to support the family during this tough time.

Thank you for your support and generosity.

View our latest release on Gondwana’s flora & fauna.

PDF Download

Lost in my own thoughts I came around a corner into a small open patch. At that moment four furry bodies ameter from the vehicle caught my surprised eyes. It was an aardwolf mother and her three cubs. They must have been sleeping as they were all bundled up on top of one another before we surprised them. They scattered in all directions, except one that trotted off a few paces and arrogantly turned around to look at what disturbed their peace. It was the big female. Three meters away she stared at me for about 5 seconds and then gave an incredible display. Her hair rose high from her shoulders which were deliberately spread apart to make herself look even bigger. She stood almost side on to show off her enlarged body. I knew she was more scared than anything else as this is typical behavior for aardwolf under stress. But I have to give it to her, for something that eats mainly termites, she did look quite impressive.

That made me realize that aardwolf, like many other smaller African wildlife is so underrated. Although classified under the carnivora genera and hyaenidae family along with the mighty strong hyenas, they do not feed on protein from mammals. The skull and teeth structure differ a lot from other canines and has been especially adapted for the diet they prefer. The cheek teeth are much smaller in size and secondly the palate is much broader. They have a full set of incisors and formidable canines, but the rest of the teeth are poorly developed and peg-like. This allows the aardwolf to consume large amount of termites quickly. There is no need for chewing, because the mastication occurs in the pyloric region of the stomach. However, an even more important reason for the reduction in cheek teeth is said to minimize the terpine release when feeding which would be substantially increased if the aardwolf had to chew on soldier termite head capsules.

In all aardwolf is definitely one of the most interesting family members of carnivora genera and although small, rather brave for its size. I cannot help but to feel proud to have these fantastic animals roaming on Gondwana.

Nearby, 5 star Lehele Lodge is available for gourmet meals, rugby games at the bar, library with computers and expansive outdoor areas including infinity pool. Game Drives can be booked with Gondwana´s expert field guides in open Land rovers. Walking area available for hiking, fishing, mountain biking and horse riding.

Private Bush Villas Photos

• Private Villa Specifications
• Three and four en-suite bedroom villas available
• All homes are fenced within a safe area for freedom of movement, inhabited with plains game.
• Spacious, double volume thatched villas with open plan lounge, dining and kitchen area and folding windowed doors leading onto an expansive deck
• Option of either Twin or King Size beds available on request
• Wrap around 75m2 deck with outdoor fire place
• Gas fire place in 2 downstairs bedrooms, Log fire place in lounge
• Mini Bar, Tea station, Telephone, Internet Access & Safe
• Approximately 300m2 in size

The rate includes daily housekeeping and the house comes fully stocked with necessary cooking equipment and other amenities.

Situated in the heart of the Garden Route, Gondwana Game Reserve offers 11,000 hectares of dramatic terrain with free roaming Big 5 and awe-inspiring scenery that will stir your senses.It is the perfect venuefor a range of events including executive getaways, corporate functions, conferences and product launches.  The reserve is accessibly located a four hours drive from Cape Town or 45 minutes from George airport, making it an easy choice for your function.  Despite being only 15 minutes off the N2, once on the reserve, it is as if you are in the middle of nowhere with endless mountain views and green rolling hills blanketed in colourful Fynbos offering well over 1000 varieties.

The reserve boasts 2 luxury lodges – Kwena Huts a 5 star bush lodge with 14 stand-alone suites and Lehele Lodge a thatched, modern functions venue and boutique conference centre.  There are 10 private bush villas on the reserve with 3 and 4 en-suite bedrooms and open-plan design, which can be utilized for smaller, more private strategic sessions. We can tailor make overnight, full day and half day conferencing packages, irrespective of which venue you are utilising.

Download Corporate Events Brochure

The reserve boasts 2 luxury lodges – Kwena Huts a 5 star bush lodge with 14 stand-alone suites and Lehele Lodge a thatched, modern functions venue and boutique Wedding Venue.  We can tailor make overnight, full day and half day Wedding packages, irrespective of which venue you are utilising.

For full details please download our Brochure - Gondwana Weddings (2010)

We seated the guests and I went to pour the G and T’s they had ordered from the back of my game vehicle. The day could not end any better. Lost in my own mind thinking of the successful series of drives we had, I heard Wendy calling my name in a mildly worried, but more amused tone: “Nadia…uhm…there are four lions staring at us…”

My blood froze in my body and a slight chill went down my spine that made the hair on my arms raise. I knew she was not joking as I could now sense the danger everyone felt in the air. We all from Gondwana have anticipated this moment for a long time. I just did not expect it to happen to me. I was still outside of the boma, but Dirk was already half way in the boma next to the guests. I rushed inside, cautious not to make a too sudden move and attract the attention of the one lioness I now saw in a crouching position. I knew I had to stay calm and get the guests on the vehicle as quickly and discretely as possible.

Before I could even plan my next move Dirk got adrenalin rush and charged at the lions at full speed while waving arms and screaming. It did remind me a little bit of the Springboks winning a final against the Aussies, but at that time I was just hoping that the lioness, that only trotted off lazily and turned around to look at Dirk, did not think of a springbok too. She did not. I could see they were scared and off course the “big and mighty” male was nowhere to be seen in a matter of seconds. We got to the vehicle safely, and I thought well done for my guests staying so cool and calm about it. My guests were excited but also bummed that they did not get a good picture of the lions, although they were merely 5 meters away on foot. So I had to go and see them from a slightly higher and safer perspective.

Dirk was a true hero in the Kevin and Wendy’s eyes especially after he brought them a delicious cooked meal from the safety of the lodge.  It was not the perfect bush dinner, in fact we didn’t ever make dinner outside, but this is something that they will never forget. One thing we do learn from this; if you are not invited to a bush braai, don’t mess with the chef, even if you’re a lion.

Top Shots: January 2011 – June 2011

Top Shot Winner To Be Announced

View Entries for January – June 2010

View Entries for July – December 2010

View Entries for May – December 2009

View Entries for January – April 2009