Kwandwe Melton Manor, Eastern Cape

rooms

The U-shaped lodge has 2 sets of interleading suites on either side of the central courtyard and can accommodate up to 8 guests plus one infant 2 & under in a cot.

facilities & activities

The 4 suites enjoy access to the lovely central courtyard and pool. The library is the perfect spot to unwind with a good book or join the family for old-fashioned board games. The lounge has a TV with a library of DVDs.

Private 4WD game drives in your own safari vehicle, guided walks (12 years & over) and Big Game Walking Safaris (16 years & over) are all included. For an additional charge you can enjoy a 'Save the Rhino Drive' and spend 3-4 hours tracking rhino with a specialist ranger and tracker team (restrictions apply).

dining

Try your hand at combining flavours under the friendly guidance of your expert personal chef, or pick up tips just by watching as meals or snacks take shape. Share meals and laughter in the dining room or around the enormous farmhouse table in the open air terrace.

A children’s menu is available, including fun and nutritious mealtime options such as fish cakes with veggies and homemade chips; vegetable soup and freshly baked bread; DIY pizzas with fun toppings; freshfruit salad; homemade chocolate brownies and more!

family

Melton Manor is a sole-use safari villa and ideal for families - children of all ages are welcome. Guests enjoy a private safari vehicle and guide which offers flexibility for safari activities and allows younger family members to join game drives. Alternatively a babysitter can be arranged with advance notice.

Children are given a warm welcome at the lodge. On arrival they receive a welcome gift which includes a Blue Crane Conservation Guide comprising animal checklists, themed games and activities, and a pledge to 'live green'. Colouring pencils, water bottle, and a 'Frolicking Rhino' range of bath products are also included.

Families can participate in the new range of ‘Eco-nect’ fun and adventurous activities on the reserve, including kite building, pellet gun shooting (a simulation of the ranger shooting assessments and a fun activity for both young and old, where shooting is at a circular target); scavenger hunts and treasure hunts out on the reserve (during a game drive, which will require some basic navigation using a sun-compass and major landscape features in order to find the treasure!).

Children will love the special kids programme, with everything from a ‘Bugs & Bones’ walk (a great way to stretch little legs and learn all about this ecologically diverse reserve whilst searching for insects, bones and skulls and being taught how to identify animal tracks and droppings (yes - really!), to sand art, face painting, making moulds, beading, chocolate fun, Minnow’s fishing trip with a ranger, baking and pizza making with specially designed ‘Chefs in Training’ aprons, DVDs and popcorn, eco educational board games and African bedtime stories.

Children are encouraged to offset their own (small!) carbon footprint with the opportunity to plant Spekboom - a prolific type of thicket vegetation, and one of the top five carbon-storing vegetation on the planet. Families can also participate in Kwandwe’s voluntourism activities through the reserve’s Ubunye Foundation, which works with communities living in and surrounding the reserve.

In terms of accommodation, up to 2 children 3-16 years share their own suite next door to their parents. Interleading doors between the 2 suites ensure privacy but also peace of mind.

Please note the swimming pool is unfenced.

location

Kwandwe is located in the malaria-free Eastern Cape near Grahamstown. The nearest national airport is in Port Elizabeth, which lies 160 km (100 miles) from the reserve. There are daily scheduled flights from both Cape Town and Johannesburg International airports to Port Elizabeth. There is also a daily scheduled flight from Port Elizabeth or Plettenberg Bay directly to the Kwandwe airstrip. The reserve lies approximately 65 km from the coast and is located in close proximity to the renowned Garden Route.

rates & specials

Long Stay Specials:

Stay a minimum of 4 nights & receive a 15% discount OR Stay 6 nights & only pay for 5.

Valid 1 Apr - 30 Sep 17 (close out June)