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of Africa and India. Please visit our new website at www.andBeyond.com
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We continue to offer a range of luxury adventure safaris in the wilderness hotspots CLICK HERE |
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   The Kwandwe Private Game Reserve stretches along the lush banks of the Great Fish River. The main lodge buildings and glass and thatch chalets have been built along a steep cliff edge overlooking the river. The 15 800 hectare land 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. Find out more about: Greater Kudu Lion Elephant Black Rhinoceros  Kwandwe supports a great diversity of birds with over 200 recorded species. Several of South Africa's rare and endemic birds occur here. Kwandwe means "Place of the Blue Crane" in the local Xhosa language and these graceful and sadly threatened birds are seasonal breeding visitors. Resident species in the bush clumps and thickets include Bokmakierie, Karoo Robin, Acacia Pied Barbet and Chin-spot Batis. When the abundant aloes are in flower between July and September, hundreds of nectar-feeding sunbirds - Greater Double-collared and Malachite dominating - visit the spectacular blooms. Ground-dwelling birds are well-represented, with Kori and Stanley's Bustard, Southern Black Korhaan, Helmeted Guineafowl and Spotted Dikkop all regularly encountered. In well-wooded areas, the Black-headed Oriole, Knysna Woodpecker and Narina Trogon may be encountered. Birds of prey flourish with Jackal Buzzard, Rock Kestrel, African Fish Eagle, Black Eagle and Secretarybird among those most frequently seen. Find out more about: Blue Crane Ostrich  Interesting insects abound, with colourful grasshoppers particularly abundant during the warmer months. Nectar-feeding bees and wasps are prolific when aloes and euphorbias are flowering. Butterflies include the African Monarch, Citrus Swallowtail and African Migrant.  A variety of small lizards and four species of tortoise are present in rocky areas and bush clumps. Several species of snakes (most are harmless) occur but they are rarely encountered. The large Nile monitor is regularly seen sunning itself on the banks of the Great Fish River, but will quickly dive for cover when approached too closely. At night, look out for nocturnal geckos hunting around lights.  The Great Fish River is home to Banded Tilapia and Chubbyhead Barb, as well as the predatory Sharp-toothed Catfish which has invaded the system from the Orange River. Frogs are more readily heard than seen, but Common River Frog, Raucous Toad, rattling Frog and Plaintive Rainfrog are among the 17 species thought to occur in dams, rain pools and the river itself.  A great variety of plants occur, with numerous succulents being among the most interesting. Flowering aloes are at their spectacular best during the dry winter months. Common trees include the Karoo Boerbean, Sweet Thorn, Jacketplum and Karoo Shepherd's Tree. A stroll around the lodge surrounding will reveal a host of fascinating miniature plants, and several species of lichen. Find out more about: Aloes Euphorbia   Four distinct habitats (based on dominant vegetation and topography) can be recognised. Bushclump Savanna Thicket, Tall Succulent Thicket, Grassy Dwarf Shrubland and Riverine Thicket each support characteristic animals and plants.  At Kwandwe, CC Africa has followed their conservation model of restoring barren farmland to its former pristine wilderness state. Over 2 000 kilometres of fencing was removed, along with windmills, metal pipe-lines, drinking troughs and other signs of organised agriculture. Rehabilitating the land from damage caused by extensive sheep, goat and cattle grazing was a project that was started two-and-a-half years ago and is expected to continue for quite some time. Up and until the mid-1800s, the Fish River valley was full of large numbers of game, which included herds of elephants and animals like the now extinct Cape Lion. Before opening for guests in October 2001, 7 000 animals were re-introduced to the reserve. Kwandwe currently supports the Endangered Wildlife Trust's Eastern Cape Crane Project which monitors both Blue and Grey Crowned Cranes in the province. |
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