Guests photographing elephants from an open safari vehicle. Photo: Pexels (free licence).
Is Sanbona Wildlife Reserve a good company to book a safari with?
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 2 November 2026
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is in the Uncompromised Travel table of safari camp owners. Everything below is from its own website and its review listings, each line with the page it was read from: no score, no rank.
What do guests say about Sanbona Wildlife Reserve?
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve has 4.8 out of 5 on Google (listing 'Sanbona Wildlife Reserve') from 324 reviews, each read on its own platform and never added together.
- 4.8 out of 5 from 324 reviews. On the Google listing 'Sanbona Wildlife Reserve' (nature preserve), R62, Montagu, South Africa. Camps with listings of their own are not added in.
- SafariBookings
- No SafariBookings listing in Sanbona Wildlife Reserve's name was found.
- Trustpilot
- No Trustpilot listing in Sanbona Wildlife Reserve's name was found.
Where are Sanbona Wildlife Reserve's camps?
South Africa. Khanni Lodge opened in 2003 and closed in 2009.
- Countries
- South Africa.
- Camps
- Khanni Lodge opened in 2003 and closed in 2009. Owned and run by the reserve's non-profit company.
- Where they are
- All on Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, Little Karoo, Western Cape, outside Montagu: Dwyka Tented Lodge (horseshoe bend of a dry ravine), Gondwana Family Lodge (overlooking Bellair Dam, Anysberg views), Tilney Manor (Cape Georgian homestead, Kleinberg mountain views).
- Land and traversing
- Private reserve of 62 000 hectares owned by a non-profit company, under a Protected Area Management Agreement and being proclaimed a nature reserve with CapeNature. The southern 25 000 ha section is predator-free.
- Camp sizes
- Dwyka Tented Lodge: 9 luxury tents. Gondwana Family Lodge: 12 suites (6 ground floor, 6 upstairs), 4 sets of interleading rooms.
How much does Sanbona Wildlife Reserve cost?
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve publishes its own rates: High (1 Oct-14 Dec) R13,495 (R17,545). Seasonal Peak (15 Dec-11 Jan 2027) R18,045 (R23,460). Peak (12 Jan-31 Mar) R17,090 (R22,215).
- Rates by season
- High (1 Oct-14 Dec) R13,495 (R17,545). Seasonal Peak (15 Dec-11 Jan 2027) R18,045 (R23,460). Peak (12 Jan-31 Mar) R17,090 (R22,215). High (April 2027) R13,495 (R17,545).
- Prices published
- The terms say 'Only RACK rates are allowed to be published' 'Nett' rates are confidential.
- What the rate includes
- Included: two daily nature drives, guided wilderness walks, all meals, a limited selection of house beers and wines (Gondwana: all non-alcoholic drinks), on-drive snacks and drinks, internal transfers between lodges and the welcome lounge, tourism levy and 15% VAT. Gondwana adds the Kids on Safari / Eco-Explorers programme. Extra: daily conservation or community levy, additional alcohol and premium drinks, gratuities, personal items, outsourced certified meals (Kosher, Halaal) at a surcharge, transfers to the reserve.
- Minimum stay
- 'We recommend a minimum stay of two nights throughout the year'; a minimum 2-night restriction applies in the Seasonal Peak period. Groups of eight or more: minimum two nights all year.
What are Sanbona Wildlife Reserve's booking terms?
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve does not publish a deposit on its own website; ask for its booking terms in writing before you pay.
- Balance due
- Full pre-payment 60 days before arrival. Groups of eight or more: 50% at 90 days and the balance at 60 days, with rooming lists 30 days before arrival.
- Cancellation charges
- General terms: 50% of booking value if cancelled less than 60 days before arrival; 100% if less than 30 days. Low-season terms: 25% at 60-31 days, 50% at 30-15 days, 100% under 14 days. Groups of eight or more: 10% within 120 days, 50% within 90, 100% within 60.
- Currencies and card fees
- Rates are quoted and invoiced in South African Rand (ZAR). Not stated on their website: which cards are accepted or any card surcharge.
- How guest payments are protected
- Not stated on its own website.
Who is Sanbona Wildlife Reserve best for?
Best for: Lodges in the Little Karoo, on Sanbona Wildlife Reserve's own published facts; its terms for children, couples, solo travellers and private guiding are below.
- Children
- Gondwana Family Lodge is the only lodge for children: 'children of all ages are welcome'. Ages 0-3 free, sharing with adults; ages 4-11 pay 50% of the adult sharing rate (child rates are listed per season). Under 4 not on game drives; under 14 not on walks.
- Teenagers and families
- Anyone 12 or older is charged as an adult and needs their own room. Gondwana has four sets of interleading rooms and each room takes one cot and one sleeper couch.
- Honeymoon
- Honeymoon and Anniversary offer, valid all year: a complimentary bottle of bubbly, welcome platter, romantic turn-down and private bush picnic. Dwyka Tented Lodge is billed as 'the ideal setting for a romantic getaway' with private heated plunge pools and offers a romantic turndown and in-room dining on one evening for honeymooners.
- Solo travellers
- A Single Adult rate applies when one adult stays alone in a room (about a third above the sharing rate, for example Dwyka Low Season R13,950 against R10,730 sharing, ZAR 2026). Not stated on their website: any solo offers.
- Activities
- Not stated on their website: boating, horseback or night drives.
When is Sanbona Wildlife Reserve not the right choice?
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is not the fit if its own published limits rule you out: they are below, in its own words.
- Children
- Under 4 not on game drives; under 14 not on walks. Dwyka Tented Lodge: under 16 not permitted.
- Minimum stay
- 'We recommend a minimum stay of two nights throughout the year'; a minimum 2-night restriction applies in the Seasonal Peak period. Groups of eight or more: minimum two nights all year.
What are the best alternatives to Sanbona Wildlife Reserve?
Cheetah Plains, Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Etali Safari Lodge, Garonga Safari Co., Jaci's Lodges and Samara Karoo Reserve also own and run their own camps in South Africa only, each with the fact that it is best for.
- Cheetah Plains: best for: Sole-use villas in the Sabi Sand. 4.9 out of 5 on Google (listing 'Cheetah Plains Private Game Reserve') from 73 reviews.
- Elephant Plains Game Lodge: best for: Big Five game viewing in the northern Sabi Sand. 4.8 out of 5 on Google (listing 'Elephant Plains Game Lodge') from 242 reviews.
- Etali Safari Lodge: best for: A small malaria-free Madikwe lodge. 4.7 out of 5 on Google (listing 'Etali Safari Lodge') from 134 reviews.
- Garonga Safari Co.: best for: Three camps in Greater Makalali. 4.9 out of 5 on Google (listing 'Garonga Safari Company') from 130 reviews.
- Jaci's Lodges: best for: A personal family lodge in Madikwe. 4.8 out of 5 on Google (listing 'Jaci') from 162 reviews.
- Samara Karoo Reserve: best for: Three stays on a Great Karoo reserve. 4.7 out of 5 on Google (listing 'Samara Karoo Reserve') from 165 reviews.
Each is in the same table, read the same way. Alphabetical order; none paid to be listed.
Who owns Sanbona Wildlife Reserve?
Since 2020 owned by the non-profit company Sanbona Nature and Wilderness Reserve, after the CALEO Foundation 'donated its ownership title' to it.
- Trading name
- Trading name 'Sanbona Wildlife Reserve'. The reserve is owned by a non-profit company named on the conservation page as 'SANBONA NATURE AND WILDERNESS RESERVE NPC'.
- Based in
- The reserve is in the Little Karoo outside Montagu, Western Cape, South Africa, about 3.5 hours' drive from Cape Town.
- Owner or parent
- Since 2020 owned by the non-profit company Sanbona Nature and Wilderness Reserve, after the CALEO Foundation 'donated its ownership title' to it. Earlier owners per the timeline: Mantis Collection (2002), Dubai World Africa (majority 2008, full 2011, when Sanbona joined the Shamwari Group), CALEO Foundation (2015).
- In its own words
- Headline: 'Alluring Stillness Amid Raw Beauty And Boundless Plains'.
- Conservation model
- 'every cent of your stay' goes to conservation.
How do you book Sanbona Wildlife Reserve?
Direct to guests ('Make a Direct Booking ... for the best rates') and by enquiry form.
- Where it sells
- Direct to guests ('Make a Direct Booking ... for the best rates') and by enquiry form.
- How it is paid
- Direct bookings, plus agent and tour operator sales at confidential 'Nett' rates that require the source of booking and guest origin. The conservation levy is 'not commissionable'.
- Price against a planner
- Only rack rates may be published. No further parity statement.
- Planner partnerships
- The terms set out nett rates, FIT group, set departure tour and tour series policies for agents and say rooms may be held for agents. No preferred partner statements.
Sanbona: the questions people ask
How many camps does Sanbona Wildlife Reserve have?
Khanni Lodge opened in 2003 and closed in 2009.
What activities does Sanbona Wildlife Reserve offer?
Not stated on their website: boating, horseback or night drives.
Does Sanbona Wildlife Reserve have honeymoon offers?
Honeymoon and Anniversary offer, valid all year: a complimentary bottle of bubbly, welcome platter, romantic turn-down and private bush picnic. Dwyka Tented Lodge is billed as 'the ideal setting for a romantic getaway' with private heated plunge pools and offers a romantic turndown and in-room dining on one evening for honeymooners.
How does Sanbona Wildlife Reserve fund conservation?
'every cent of your stay' goes to conservation.
What is included in Sanbona Wildlife Reserve's rates?
Included: two daily nature drives, guided wilderness walks, all meals, a limited selection of house beers and wines (Gondwana: all non-alcoholic drinks), on-drive snacks and drinks, internal transfers between lodges and the welcome lounge, tourism levy and 15% VAT. Gondwana adds the Kids on Safari / Eco-Explorers programme.
What are Sanbona Wildlife Reserve's cancellation charges?
General terms: 50% of booking value if cancelled less than 60 days before arrival; 100% if less than 30 days. Low-season terms: 25% at 60-31 days, 50% at 30-15 days, 100% under 14 days.
Does Sanbona Wildlife Reserve charge a single supplement?
A Single Adult rate applies when one adult stays alone in a room (about a third above the sharing rate, for example Dwyka Low Season R13,950 against R10,730 sharing, ZAR 2026). Not stated on their website: any solo offers.
Does Sanbona Wildlife Reserve accept children?
Gondwana Family Lodge is the only lodge for children: 'children of all ages are welcome'. Ages 0-3 free, sharing with adults; ages 4-11 pay 50% of the adult sharing rate (child rates are listed per season).
Where are Sanbona Wildlife Reserve's camps?
All on Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, Little Karoo, Western Cape, outside Montagu: Dwyka Tented Lodge (horseshoe bend of a dry ravine), Gondwana Family Lodge (overlooking Bellair Dam, Anysberg views), Tilney Manor (Cape Georgian homestead, Kleinberg mountain views).
Who owns Sanbona Wildlife Reserve?
Since 2020 owned by the non-profit company Sanbona Nature and Wilderness Reserve, after the CALEO Foundation 'donated its ownership title' to it.
What are Sanbona Wildlife Reserve's reviews?
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve has 4.8 out of 5 on Google (listing 'Sanbona Wildlife Reserve') from 324 reviews, each read on its own platform and never added together.
Can I book Sanbona Wildlife Reserve through Uncompromised Travel?
No. Uncompromised Travel is a publication and does not sell safaris. Use Sanbona Wildlife Reserve's own enquiry page, www.sanbona.com, or a safari planner.
Read next
Built to answer the question in the main heading. What is shown: facts Sanbona Wildlife Reserve published on its own website and its review listings on Google, SafariBookings and Trustpilot, read on 20 October 2026, from the Uncompromised Travel safari camp owners table. No score and no rank. Sanbona Wildlife Reserve did not pay to be on this page and is not a partner of Uncompromised Travel. Photos are stock images from Pexels and do not show the company's camps. How this site earns · How we work.