Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve is the ideal setting for unforgettable safari experiences for families, groups or romantic couples visiting the Wild Coast, in the Eastern Cape. Inkwenkwezi actually means ‘star’ in isiXhosa.
Besides having breathtaking, natural landscapes and abundant wildlife – including four of the Big Five, Inkwenkwezi has also built a reputation for its emphasis on luxury and thoughtful detail. Everything certainly comes together for one memorable holiday.
The 4-Star reserve is the realization of a dream that the Mthatha-born brothers, Graham and Keith Stanton, had of sharing the splendour of the area with their fellow countrymen and international visitors.
What started as a small parcel of land near the Bulura River is today a 4000-hectare, malaria free reserve – most of it consisting of unspoilt indigenous bush teeming with animals big and small.
Inkwenkwezi is actually among a few places in South Africa where you can see the rare white lions.
As you arrive there, it becomes immediately apparent that the brothers managed to fulfil their goal as Inkwenkwezi is no ordinary game reserve. Visually, you get a sense of a bygone era when much of Africa was yet to be explored. Here, the ways of the bushveld continue as they have since time immemorial.
For the experience, the rates are reasonable. Their staff, from the game guides, waiters and chefs to the managers, have been known to be knowledgeable and accommodating of guests’ individual needs.
Accommodation at Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve
After checking in, expect to be whisked off in game viewing vehicles to your choice of lodging – either at the Bush Camp or at the Valley Camp. All are set within the dense valley bush.
The Bush Camp is a hilltop site that overlooks the valley. It consists of six en-suite safari tents that can accommodate up to 12 people and offerguests a private game viewing area.
They might be safari tents, but the element of luxury has not been overlooked. All tents have electricity, Cloud 9 twin beds and slatted headboards, bedside tables and bedside lamps, fans, heaters, an internal telephone, a chest of drawers and a personal tea and coffee station. The en-suite bathrooms feature showers that resemble a cave, blending with the natural rock and bush of the area.
You will find the Valley Camp equally spacious and well-appointed. There are six tastefully designed luxury tents that can accommodate up to 12 guests. One of the tents has a special children’s tent attached for two.
Besides large bath tubs, each luxurious Valley Camp tent comes with Cloud 9 beds, percale linens, a stocked mini-bar, and a four-sided glass shower, as well as an air-conditioning unit.
Each tent in the Bush and Valley Camps is positioned on its own elevated timber deck among indigenous trees. Privacy is absolute privacy and the tents have inside seating areas as well as covered and uncovered private viewing decks. You’ll find it hard not to relax!
Facilities at Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve
Dining at Inkwenkwezi is an experience in itself. Sumptuous meals – breakfasts, lunches and dinners are served for accommodation guests, prepared fresh on-site and can be enjoyed with your favourite refreshments at the Sunset Lapa, which is located near the lodges in the reserve.
The Sunset Lapa is an elevated venue, which offers amazing views of the reserve.
On a Wednesday and Sunday day visitors can dine at the Emthombeni Restaurant, which serves both a la carte and buffet meals. Wednesday nights are Giant Burger Nights while Sundays are reserved for their Sunday Carvery Buffet. Rumour has it that the locals also come from near and far to enjoy the restaurant’s legendary 1.2kg giant hamburgers!
The Emthombeni Restaurant can be used for small and large private functions of between 50 and 300 people. Ask them about hosting your weddings, conferencing, team building, product launches, festivals, year-end functions, retirement functions and birthday parties.
Things to do at Inkwenkwezi
There is plenty to keep your days occupied at the reserve including game drives – during which you may be lucky enough to enjoy sightings of four of the Big 5 and numerous other game species, quad biking; canoeing; walking & birding trails and eco trails (there are five different biomes in the reserve).
At the lodges are opportunities for visiting the beach, fishing, surfing and swimming. Guests can also view migrating Southern Right Whales and dolphins in season as the reserve overlooks the Indian Ocean.
Reviews from previous Inkwenkwezi Game Reserve guests
“Service received from staff was excellent, Guide was very informative, drive to the lodge is breathtaking if you are looking forward to safari drive, view is spectacular… I would visit over and over again,’ wrote jonellewyngaard on their TripAdvisor page.
Biancasmet added; “My mother and I had an amazing time. We really loved it. We did a roundtrip and Inkwenkwezi was our favourite lodge. Byron and William really knew what they were talking about and went out of their way to make our stay amazing.The food was really good. We would definitely go back a next time!”
Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve is located along Schafli Road, between Chintsa East &Chintsa West, outside East London. For bookings, call +27 (043) 734 3234 or email pgr@inkwenkwezi.co.za. Here is their location on Google Maps. Also follow them on Facebook HERE.
