Kwandwe Ecca Lodge  Verified Listing

Set in thick vegetation overlooking a dense valley, Ecca Lodge offers breathtaking views onto an escarpment of steep shale cliffs. With only 6 suites, of which 3 are dedicated to families, the lodge is intimate, relaxed and trendy, with décor inspired by the vibrant colours and textures of African culture. Highlights of the guest areas include expansive wooden viewing decks, an open interactive kitchen and a rim-flow lap pool.

Rooms are airy and open, with barely a barrier between the indoors and the African bush. Wraparound wooden decks with private plunge pools and outdoor showers provide relief from the heat of the day. Super-King sized beds, spacious bathrooms and separate lounge areas feature funky bean bags. Family Suites accommodate 2 adults and 2 children (under 16yrs on day beds in the lounge) and include a private vehicle and ranger.

Kwandwe is located in South Africa's 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 a daily scheduled flight from Port Elizabeth directly to the Kwandwe airstrip. The reserve lies approximately 65 km from the coast and is located, the renowned Garden Route.

Twice daily game drives, nature walks accompanied by an armed ranger, big game walking safaris (tracking white rhino, black rhino, elephant and buffalo on foot, accompanied by an armed specialist ranger and tracker team) are all included in your stay. Back at the Lodge, a play centre for kids keeps little hands busy for hours and a shared lodge pool provides the perfect place for a communal splash.

* Twice Daily Game Drives:
Explore the natural splendour of Kwandwe on early morning and late afternoon/evening game drives in an open 4x4 safari vehicle. An armed ranger and tracker team share their extensive knowledge of the bush with you as you track the Big Five, as well as a variety of other wildlife. Morning drives begin as dawn breaks over the Great Fish River, and guests have the opportunity to see the predators winding up their nocturnal hunts and settling in for the day. Many animals take advantage of the cool morning hours to graze before the heat of the day. In the late afternoon, wildlife can often be spotted coming down to the river to drink. Night drives produce some unusual sightings, including aardvark, aardwolf, bat-eared fox and porcupine.
* Interpretive Bush Walks:
In between game drives, take a closer look at the subtle, unseen wonders of the bush on a leisurely walk within easy reach of your lodge. Dense euphorbia thickets are best explored on foot, revealing a secret world of lichen, mosses and ferns. Various birds of prey and other species nest in the taller trees or in the spiny canopy. An armed ranger guides guests through ‘up close and personal’ sightings of occasional buffalo herds, various antelope species, giraffe, warthog, bushbuck or bush pig.