South Africa : Malaria Free Reserves

There are a number of 'malaria free' private game reserves in the Eastern Cape with some excellent game viewing and luxury lodges. Some of the reserves only have plains game but the more established reserves such as Shamwari have the Big 5 and Addo has big herds of elephant and some rhino.
There are also malaria free reserves in the northern province of Madikwe and the Waterburg.

Quick links:
Gorah Elephant Safari Lodge	Long Lee Manor
The Elephant House	Shamwari Lodge
Kwandwe Game Reserve

Gorah Elephant Safari Lodge
Gorah, is a 4500 hectare sanctuary situated in the heart of the rapidly expanding Addo Elephant National Park, home to the densest elephant population on earth. Within the reserve there is an excellent chance of getting incredibly close to Elephants as well as sightings of Black Rhino, many antelope species, Meerkats and fantastic birds. The main house, built in the mid 1856, has been immaculately restored, period furnished and decorated to exude the opulence and romance of safari in the late 1800's. From the lazy, colonial verandas spilling out over the African plains, to the beautifully appointed, luxury tented suites. The emphasis is on personalised, warm, unobtrusive service and meticulous attention to detail.

click on the photos for a larger version

room	elephants	Gorah Safari Lodge

The Elephant House
The Elephant House is an exclusive thatched lodge set in the Sundays River Valley, only minutes away from the Addo Elephant National Park. It is a luxurious retreat to come back to after a day in the African bush. There is a swimming pool and a number of cool verandas to relax on. The 8 spacious bedrooms are beautifully decorated opening out onto courtyards and private verandas. After a day game viewing in either Gorah or nearby Shamwari, sip a sundowner before a sumptuous candle-lit dinner.

click on the photos for a larger version

bedroom	breakfast verandah	pool

Kwandwe Game Reserve
The 15,800 hectare Kwandwe Game Reserve includes vast plains, deep valleys and gorges filled with spekboom, aloe and euphorbia and is characterised by undulating hills covered in sub-tropical thicket, also known as valley bushveld. The massive and ambitious wildlife reintroduction programme at Kwandwe is now virtually complete, with all of the large mammals historically known to occur here, once again roaming free. For the first time in over 100 years, Elephant, Lion, Cheetah, Buffalo and Black Rhino wander free in this reborn wilderness. Giraffe, Zebra, Greater Kudu and several other antelope are resident and regularly seen. Of particular interest are the many unusual nocturnal mammals, which are regularly encountered on night drives; these include the comical Aardvark, termite-eating Aardwolf, Bat-eared Fox and Springhare. This is also the home of the sociable and entertaining Suricates (or Meerkats) which live in close-knit family groups.

The twice-daily game drives in open 4x4 Land Rovers provide excellent opportunities to view the Big Five and many other animals in their natural environment as does walking on foot in this area. You can also visit local areas of interest and the lodge will be happy to organise this for you.

Kwandwe Game Lodge has only nine luxurious suites, set high up on the banks of the Great Fish River. Each thatch and glass chalet has a private plunge pool and observation deck with spectacular views. The main reception area is situated in a turreted, fortressed old farmhouse called Heatherton Towers. Built as the home of Arthur Douglas, the world's first ostrich farmer, Kwandwe Main Lodge boasts spacious rooms, a shady, deep verandah, yellowwood floors and high ceilings from which chandeliers hang. A welcoming fire blazes from the huge fireplace with massive stone chimney. The glass-fronted lounge and dining area follows the river's contours. It is surrounded by timber-decking which overhangs the cliff edge, offering spectacular views. Kwandwe specialises in delicious Pan-African cuisine, which is either served on the private decks or in the candlelit dining room.

The Uplands Homestead is a restored 1905 farmhouse in a different area of the reserve. It offers privacy and a luxurious alternative to the main lodge and is ideal for a small group or family of 6.

click on the photos for a larger version

bedroom	chalet	dinner on the terrace

Shamwari Game Reserve
Shamwari is just 45 minutes from Port Elizabeth and is an excellent game viewing experience at the end of your tour of the garden route. The 14,000 hectares of countryside provides a sanctuary for a large number of wildlife and birds including buffalo, elephant, rhino and giraffe. Activities include morning and evening game walks and drives.

Long Lee Manor, built in 1910, is a gracious Edwardian Mansion with exceptional comforts and excellent service. There are 17 rooms and suites air-conditioning, and television. The suites have 4-poster beds and private balconies overlooking the gardens.

click on the photos for a larger version

the Manor	bedroom	the gardens

Shamwari Lodge is a more rustic lodge with thatched roofs and ethnic decoration. There are 5 deluxe air-conditioned rooms, all en suite. Traditional African cuisine with a European flavour can be savoured either in the dining room or round the outside fire. There is also a swimming pool and pool bar.

click on the photos for a larger version

the Lodge	bedroom	rhino