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.

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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.

Rate includes the following per overnight stay:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• 2 Game Activities
• Junior Ranger Program for Children
• Local Beverages including House Wines
• Taxes
• Mini Bar
• Free Internet

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.

Gondwana Game Reserve, the Perfect Cape Town Safari Break introduces another signature species – Giraffe

Gondwana Game Reserve welcomes the world’s tallest land mammal to the 11,000 hectare reserve.

The memorable release of giraffe took place this morning in the reserve’s awe inspiring Nauga Valley after their short journey from the Eastern Cape.

The Giraffe gracefully disembarked from the transport truck and surveyed their new surroundings with a sense of ownership. They briefly glared at the small silent audience of humans and moved on against the backdrop of the Langeberg Mountains.

The young bull then led his ladies into the distance… The addition of giraffe to the Gondwana family will enhance the wildlife experience and supplement to the diversity of game species which includes Desert Black Rhino, eland, kudu, lion, Cape Mountain Zebra and cheetah among many others.

The Gondwana Guides are all on the hunt to be the first to tick off giraffe!

Let the games begin…

Gondwana Game Reserve – providing the perfect safari break for Cape Town visitors. Less than a four hour drive away along South Africa’s popular Garden Route, the 11,000-hectare (26,000 acre) private game reserve offers a distinctive and luxurious malaria-free safari experience. Indigenous Fynbos vegetation cloaks the undulating valleys, adding vivid colour and interest to a Big Five wilderness experience with awe inspiring views of the Langeberg Mountains wherever you look. This exclusive reserve offers guests attentive service, superb cuisine, inspiring interiors, expert game rangers, and an array of activities including horseback safaris. World-class tourist facilities and attractions on Gondwana’s doorstep include championship golf courses at Pinnacle Point, Pezula, Oubaai and Fancourt, great swimming and surfing beaches and the attractive coastal towns of Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. The reserve is easily accessible through George Domestic Airport, a 45-minute drive from the reserve (transfers provided) with daily flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town International airports.

Guests travelling with children will be charged R 650 per child (ages 4 – 12) FOR 2 NIGHTS ONLY and will be accommodated in a family friendly Fynbos Villa. Families travelling with children 0 – 3 years old are also accommodated in a Villa but the kids stay for free!  Valid as a standalone special, may not be combined with any other special.
Rate includes the following per overnight stay:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• 2 Game Activities
• Junior Ranger Program for Children
• Local Beverages including House Wines
• Taxes
• Mini Bar
• Free Internet

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)