Location: South Africa » Eastern Cape » Garden Route » Grahamstown

Amakhala Game Lodge

Amakhala Game Lodge

Description

The Amakhala Game Reserve began in 1999 as a joint conservation venture. Today, six independently owned lodges of The Heritage Collection, are all TGCSA Star Lodge accredited. The lodges are owner managed by the descendants of the original families who arrived here with the British settlers of 1820. The lodges offer various styles of accommodation, which include two gracious colonial homesteads, two classic bush lodges, an historic inn and a Settler farmhouse.

Amakhala Game Reserve is a unique conservation initiative that allows animals to be re-introduced to the area where they once roamed freely and so making a contribution to the conservation of our natural heritage. The land was used to ranch sheep and cattle up to the turn of the century. The challenge has been to re-establish the original flora and fauna species to the area and to return the land to nature.

ACCOMMODATION

BUSH LODGE

Situated in the bush, at the top end of an open valley in the reserve, Bush Lodge's luxury tents overlook a watering point with big sky views. Each suite has a secluded private viewing deck with intimate plunge pool.

LEEUWENBOSCH

The Country House on Leeuwenbosch caters for the whole family. We offer two family suites, baby sitting services and a children’s programme.
Shearer’s Lodge has been beautifully converted into four luxury en-suite rooms, three twins and one really special honeymoon suite and surrounded by indigenous gardens.

REED VALLEY INN

 This colonial lodge encompasses South Africa’s historical past and provides a personalised homely experience.
Each room has a separate entrance onto a private patio. Children 12 years and older are welcome.

THE SAFARI LODGE

This intimate thatched lodge with its unique air-conditioned safari huts offers all the comforts of a luxury five star lodge and is an undisturbed retreat where you can regenerate your soul and tune into the sounds of nature.

WOODBURY LODGE

Guests are accommodated in 6 comfortably appointed stone-and-thatch sleeping lodges, each with air-conditioning and en-suite bathroom. The seclusion of the lodges and the design of the bathrooms and private decks enable our visitors to enjoy the unique and breathtaking views at their leisure.

CARNARVON DALE

This consists of the 1820 Settler farmhouse, the Bottom House, and an elegantly restored early Edwardian cottage, the Top House. On offer is a choice of en-suite serviced bedrooms meeting three star grading requirements. A family suite is available on request. A sparkling swimming pool set in large gardens offer complete relaxation and peace.

THE SAFARI EXPERIENCE

Become part of Africa as you experience our Big 5 Safari Adventure on Amakhala Game Reserve.

Included in your stay are morning and evening game drives leaving from your lodge. You will be guided by informative, professional rangers through Amakhala Game Reserve in open Land Rovers. Here you can return to nature and explore the abundant wildlife, the diverse vegetation and the dramatic landscape of the Eastern Cape.

On Amakhala Game Reserve's 18 000 acres the animals that you are likely to encounter are: lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, monkeys, tortoise and plenty of antelope species. You might be lucky and see some of the more elusive and shy animals like hyena or bat eared fox.

This is your chance to be privileged enough to see the world famous African animals close up in their own habitat .The focus of the game drives is not only the large majestic beasts but also the humble smaller mammals, birds and insects which will leave you in awe.

The reserve hosts five of the worlds six vegetation biomes, bushveld to savannah. For a change of pace relax on board the boat cruise while meandering lazily along the Bushman's River.

Refreshment breaks have been included to make your safari experience that much more enjoyable. This safari experience will create memories which will linger for a life time.

Other excursions to neighboring Addo National Elephant Park and The Born Free Foundation can be done by prior arrangement.

DAY VISITS

Guided by experienced rangers on open Land Rovers, Amakhala offers a day safari aimed at providing visitors with an experience of the diverse wildlife and landscape including: The Big 5, Black Wildebeest, Cheetah, Giraffe, Zebra and numerous other antelope.

Easily accessible from Port Elizabeth, Grahamstown and Addo this product is run daily.

Start Time:

11h.00 am - 1 May -31 August
12h.00 pm - 1 September-30 April

Itinerary:

Meet at Reed Valley for orientation and welcome drinks;

Game drive through the reserve enjoying spectacular views and descending into the Bushman’s River Valley;

Enjoy authentic African cuisine with a mouth watering buffet served in the true African way before departing on a tranquil 45-minute river cruise;

After the river cruise enjoy a further game drive through other parts of the reserve making your way back to Reed Valley.

 

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Contact Details

Name of hostsAmakhala Game Lodge
Tel:+27 (0)46 636 2750
fax+27 (0)86 694 6895
5 Star
Enquire now
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Attractions

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

Extend your Amakhala visit to include one of these add-on excursions.

ADDO ELEPHANT BACK SAFARIS

Appreciate nature from an elephant's perspective. Walks and rides from R650 (2 hours) to R 850 (3 hours includes lunch) per person. Transfer time 50 min (drive) or 10 min (light aircraft). 

Alan Weyer “Spirits of the past” historical and battle field tours.Well-known historian and story teller exposes some of the haunting accounts and stories of our bloody past. “Stories have to be told or they die, and when they die we can’t remember who we are or why we’re here…”

Shield ToursTransfers, frontier wars (1779-1878) and battlefield tours of the local region. Day tours in the Port Elizabeth area. The European Migration from the Cape into the Eastern regions of South Africa. 

olf at Bushman Sands

This Gary Player signature course is situated within 40 minutes drive of Amakhala and features 18 holes as well as a Health Spa and restaurant facilities.

 

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Accolades

5 Star:Tourism Council of SA Star Grading

TGCSA Star Grading

5 Star

Facilities

WEDDINGS

LEEUWENBOSCH -
THE COUNTRY HOUSE & SHEARER’S LODGE

Set in beautiful surroundings, Leeuwenbosch on Amakhala Game Reserve offers you and your guests a true country wedding experience that will be remembered forever. This wedding venue, with a quaint chapel on site, and set on a Big 5 Game Reserve, will prove both idyllic and memorable. Leeuwenbosch and Shearers’ Lodge offer luxury accommodation, superb culinary delights combined with personalised attention to detail. The Fowlds family guarantees true Eastern Cape hospitality.

We cater for weddings up to 140 guests with additional accommodation packages available at the other lodges.

THE SAFARI LODGE

Make your wedding day an unforgettable occasion that you can cherish for the rest of your life. Set in the African bush on the Amakhala Game Reserve, The Safari Lodge offers a luxurious venue with ambiance, hospitality and personal service.

We cater for weddings up to 24 guests and offer menus to suit your preferences.

Please contact us for more information.


Directions

From Port Elizabeth take the N2 towards Grahamstown. Approximately 50 km from Port Elizabeth is an intersection, keep left on the N2 towards Grahamstown. From the intersection travel for a further 13km towards Amakhala Game Reserve (see road signs of various lodges along the way).

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