THE FACTS ABOUT KWANDWE PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

South_Africa

Kwandwe, or 'place of the blue crane', is the latest addition to Conservation Corporation Africa's collection of luxury camps, set in 15,800 hectares in the Eastern Cape. More than 7,000 animals, including buffalo, lion, cheetah, rhino and elephant, have been reintroduced to the landscape they last roamed more than a century ago. The lodge overlooks the Great Fish River, and has nine air-conditioned suites with cordless phones and plunge pools. The main lodge has a snug, open-fire library and a soaring thatched roof. Nothing in the Eastern Cape compares with Kwandwe: the guides are highly skilled; the 1820 'settler'-influenced decor and the food are excellent; the landscape is inspirational. In keeping with CC Africa's community-based policies, staff were recruited locally, so shortly after opening service could be unswervingly enthusiastic but a little misguided. WHEN TO GO The aloes put on their fiery show in the dry, cooler months (May-August) WHICH ROOM TO BOOK Suite 9 is the most private CONTACT Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, Conservation Corporation Africa, Private Bag X27, Benmore 2010, Johannesburg, South Africa (00 27 21 425 0222; fax: 425 0234; enquiries@ccafrica.com; www.ccafrica.com). Suites US$350-US$450 per person per night, including all meals, drinks, game drives and laundry. Uplands Homestead £653-£900 per night (sleeps six)