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    LifestyleSouth AfricaTravel

    The Gondwana Game Reserve Love Story

    by Jared February 4, 2019
    written by Jared

    While the story of Gondwanaland may have centered around the dramatic movements of tectonic plates, the story of Gondwana Game Reserve is a lot more intimate and enchanting. Owner, Mark, met his American wife, Wendy, whilst she was a guest on one of his game drives. At that stage he was the head ranger of a Kalahari reserve, and after a few days into the visit there was already some ‘safari chemistry’. Six months later she arrived to assess whether this bush relationship had a future. Fast-forward a few years, and not only did the relationship blossom, but it’s given birth to Gondwana Game Reserve – among the finest of the reserves in the country.

    Along with photographer Jordan and blogger Omphile, I was invited to take in the splendor of Gondwana over a long weekend. The farm is a four-hour road trip from Cape Town…making a scenic circuitous drive via the N2 and Route 62. Fueled with coffee and venison pies from the compulsory stop at Peregrine Farm Store, we were on our way. With excitement mounting, and the GoPro happily recording, we enter the reserve gates and within minutes were greeted not only by the staff but also hippo, rhino and impala. At reception we were given warm towels to freshen up, and were soon sitting on a safari vehicle heading off on our first adventure.

    Introducing Gondwana

    Similar to other luxury game reserves in South Africa, the daily rhythm includes three welcoming meals and two safaris of around two to three hours each. The breaks inbetween the game drives afford one the opportunity to unwind in the various lodge facilities: a large overflow pool with comfy loungers, the modern bar and lounge, two restaurant receptions and of course the gorgeous chalets.

    The reserve is “free-roaming”, which means at any point it’s possible to bump into an animal on route to the dining room or pool. For this reason, longer walks around the lodge require an escort from one of the rangers on duty. Despite my desperation to see the elephants drinking from the pool they never did oblige me…rather a troop of inquisitive baboons provided some local entertainment.

    With its proximity to the ocean, the reserve is located on the outer perimeter of the Western Cape fynbos belt. The game drives thus take in not only the magnificence of the big five (and the bountiful other animal species on the reserve), but also the majesty of the fynbos. Falling under the Cape Floristic Kingdom, the smallest – and most diverse in the world, the fynbos is ubiquitous on the farm (one of our game drives meandered through a forest of flowering Proteas.

    Lodge Life & Sunset Safaris

    At Kwena Lodge (where we stayed) guests are accommodated in rather swanky thatched rondavels with expansive views over the adjacent valley. I was enthralled to discover that the roofs have an almost two-meter diameter glass centerpiece: you can be treated to some star-gazing without having to leave the comfort of your bed. They’re also equipped with fire places to keep you warm whilst falling asleep, and bathtubs with enchanting views.

    Patrick was our guide for the duration of our stay, and he kept us entertained with stories and educational anecdotes. We were delighted to discover that it was his birthday on our final evening, and couldn’t help but belt along the words of “Happy Birthday” whilst taking in our sunset safari view. He had chosen an elevated hilltop, and the sunset was quick to jump on board and produce one of the most beautiful lightshows I’ve seen for a while: the last slivers of light flirting with the valleys around, and lastly catching the fynbos around us. Accompanied by some bubbly and the ever-present safari snacks, this was the grandest of farewells from a truly special place we’d fallen in love with. Cheers to a love story that started on safari in the Kalahari, and now continues with every safari at Gondwana.
    Visit the reserve here online, or on Instagram for some visual inspiration.

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  • Food & DrinkLifestyleSouth AfricaTravel

    Secret Season at Grootbos

    by Jared February 4, 2019

    When winter grabs us with her cold and wet grasp, the usual temptation is to hide away indoors and not…

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  • Cape TownLifestyleSouth AfricaTravel

    Wild Coast Guys Road Trip

    by Jared June 30, 2020

    “Just ease back slowly, you can do it,” Dirk assures me confidently. I follow his instructions, leaning back gently, and…

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  • Cape TownLifestyleSouth AfricaTravel

    It’s Great-in Greyton

    by Jared February 4, 2019

    ‘Trump has won’. That was all the text message on my phone read. I sat in shock at the magnitude…

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  • Home
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    • All Cape Town Food & Drink International Travel Interviews Lifestyle South Africa Spirituality
      Travel

      Rescue and Release – A South African Rhino…

      Travel

      Private Staycations: 3 Unforgettable Coastal Escapes

      Travel

      Cape Town: Alive and ready for Summer

      South Africa

      Sizzling Summer Vacations

      South Africa

      Unique South African Safari Experiences

      Travel

      The Montagu Magic

      Travel

      SALUT! Travel Feature: Two Winelands Staycations

      Travel

      Meet Ntsika Biyela – A Winelands Trailblazer

      Cape Town

      The Quarter Kitchen Giveaway: Cape Town’s home of…

      Cape Town

      Cape Town Hidden Gems: Part 2

      Cape Town

      Christmas Wishlist 2018

      Cape Town

      A Paarl Winelands Experience

      Cape Town

      3 New Drinking Spots in Cape Town

      Cape Town

      Kagga Kamma: A Bucket-list African Experience

      Cape Town

      South African Heritage Road Trip

      Cape Town

      Men’s Lifesyle Series 4: Meet the Stylist

      Food & Drink

      Meet the New Generation of Whisky Drinkers

      Food & Drink

      South Africa: A World of Wine

      Food & Drink

      Quoin Rock: South Africa’s Golden Vineyard

      Food & Drink

      Tales from the Underground

      Food & Drink

      Flavours So Fyn

      Food & Drink

      Plettenberg Bay: SA’s best Beach and now Cap…

      Food & Drink

      Four must-have South African wines for your collection

      Food & Drink

      A Heavenly Wine Staycation: The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

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      Seychelles on a shoestring: Making Memories in Mahé

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      The South African’s Guide to New Zealand

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      Plettenberg Bay: SA’s best Beach and now Cap…

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      Wilderness in Waiting: ⁣Bringing Safari Home

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      Wilderness in Waiting: Conservation During COVID

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      Food for Thought: What happens to our surplus…

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      The Quarter Kitchen Giveaway: Cape Town’s home of…

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      3 Trends Influencing the Travel Industry

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      A Franschhoek Fling

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      The Manor House: The Byword for Golf and…

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      Navigating Depression: A Personal Reflection

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      A Letter to Myself

      Spirituality

      Love, Hope and Faith

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      What I'm Learning

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      The Locked Church

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