Garden Route Game Lodge

ABOUT US

Set against the backdrop of the majestic Langeberg mountain Range, the Garden Route Game Lodge guards the entrance to South Africa’s world famous Garden Route Coast.

Only 3½ scenic hours drive from Cape Town, this malaria free, family owned and operated private game reserve is home to an abundance of animal and bird life including the Big 5.

Visitors to the Garden Route Game Lodge can enjoy game viewing in open Landrovers, luxury accommodation and a memorable dining experience in one of our African style restaurants.

Safari On The Garden Route

• 5 Sunset Ridge Luxury Suites, 16 Lodge Rooms and 18 Private Chalets
• Located on the Garden Route, 3½ hours scenic drive from Cape Town.
• African style dining experiences
• Home to lion, white rhino , giraffe, elephant, buffalo , cheetah and an abundance of antelope and smaller mammal species
• Close up sightings of wildlife, exquisite sun downer stops while out on safari
• Family friendly & malaria free private game reserve

THE LODGE

ACCOMMODATION

HONEYMOON BUSH CHALET

Enjoy the seclusion and privacy of these free standing luxury units. All chalets have private viewing decks and en suite bathrooms. The chalets are elegantly decorated in a contemporary African theme and fitted with modern conveniences to ensure a comfortable and relaxing stay. Linked to the main lodge via a wooden walkway, the discreetly located honeymoon chalet overlooks the waterhole frequented by resident wildlife and enjoys breathtaking sunset views over the game reserve.

• En-suite bathrooms with shower
• Air conditioning
• In room safe
• Private-label room amenities
• Custom designed soft furnishings
• Fully stocked mini-bar
• Bathrobes and slippers
• Tea and coffee unit
• Nespresso coffee machine
• Direct –dial telephone
• Discreet housekeeping daily
• Flat screen Satellite TV
• Complimentary wifi available throughout the main lodge public areas
• All rooms are non-smoking

WATERHOLE VIEW BUSH CHALET

Enjoy the seclusion and privacy of these free standing luxury units. All chalets have private viewing decks and en suite bathrooms. The chalets are elegantly decorated in a contemporary African theme and fitted with modern conveniences to ensure a comfortable and relaxing stay. Linked to the main lodge via a wooden walkway, the chalets overlook the waterhole frequented by resident wildlife and enjoy breathtaking sunset views over the game reserve.

• En-suite bathrooms with shower
• Air conditioning
• In room safe
• Private-label room amenities
• Fully stocked mini-bar
• Bathrobes and slippers
• Tea and coffee unit
• Direct –dial telephone
• Discreet housekeeping daily
• Flat screen Satellite TV
• Complimentary wifi available throughout the main lodge public areas
• All rooms are non-smoking

VALLEY VIEW BUSH CHALETS

Enjoy the seclusion and privacy of these free standing luxury units. All chalets have private viewing decks and en suite bathrooms. These chalets are elegantly decorated in a contemporary African theme and fitted with modern conveniences to ensure a comfortable and relaxing stay. Linked to the main lodge via a wooden walkway, the chalets overlook a lush valley of indigenous trees filled with birdlife and enjoy breathtaking sunset views over the game reserve.

• En-suite bathrooms with shower
• Air conditioning
• In room safe
• Private-label room amenities
• Fully stocked mini-bar
• Bathrobes and slippers
• Tea and coffee unit
• Direct –dial telephone
• Discreet housekeeping daily
• Flat screen Satellite TV
• Complimentary wifi available throughout the main lodge public areas
• All rooms are non-smoking

DELUXE LODGE ROOM

Deluxe lodge rooms all have private viewing patios and en suite bathrooms offering his and hers vanities, bath and shower. These rooms are elegantly decorated in an contemporary African theme and fitted with modern conveniences to ensure a comfortable and relaxing stay. There is convenient access to the two swimming pools at the Lodge. Deluxe lodge rooms overlook landscaped gardens and enjoy breathtaking sunset views over the game reserve.

• En-suite bathrooms with bath and shower
• Air conditioning and ceiling fans
• In room safe
• Private-label room amenities
• Fully stocked mini-bar
• Nespresso coffee machine
• Bathrobes and slippers
• Tea and coffee unit
• Direct –dial telephone
• Discreet housekeeping daily
• Flat screen Satellite TV and DVD player
• Complimentary wifi available throughout the main lodge public areas
• All rooms are non-smoking

LUXURY FAMILY SUITES

This luxuriously appointed and perfectly positioned free standing two bedroom suite is our newest addition and offers a spacious main room plus additional room with private deck overlooking the game reserve. Décor is elegant, fresh and contemporary while maintaining earthy elements. The en suite bathroom boasts a free standing bath, double vanity, spacious shower and separate toilet. For the adventurous, the outside bath and shower set in the African bush will take your breath away.

• En-suite bathrooms with bath and shower
• Outside bath and shower
• Wood burning fireplace
• Air conditioning
• In room safe
• Private-label room amenities
• Custom designed soft furnishings
• Fully stocked mini-bar
• Bathrobes and slippers
• Tea and coffee unit
• Nespresso coffee machine
• Direct –dial telephone
• Discreet housekeeping twice daily
• Complimentary wifi available throughout the main lodge public areas
• All rooms are non-smoking

LUXURY SUITES

This luxuriously appointed and perfectly positioned free standing suite is our newest addition and offers a spacious room with private deck overlooking the game reserve. Décor is elegant, fresh and contemporary while maintaining earthy elements. The en suite bathroom boasts a free standing bath, double vanity and separate shower. For the adventurous, the outside bath and shower set in the African bush will take your breath away.

• En-suite bathrooms with bath and shower
• Outside bath and shower
• Wood burning fireplace
• Air conditioning
• In room safe
• Private-label room amenities
• Custom designed soft furnishings
• Fully stocked mini-bar
• Bathrobes and slippers
• Tea and coffee unit
• Nespresso coffee machine
• Direct –dial telephone
• Discreet housekeeping twice daily
• Complimentary wifi available throughout the main lodge public areas
• All rooms are non-smoking

FAMILY LODGE ROOM

Family lodge rooms all have private viewing patios and en suite bathrooms offering his and hers vanities, bath and shower. The rooms include a king size bed and two sleeper couches with a cot available for infants. These rooms are elegantly decorated in an contemporary African theme and fitted with modern conveniences to ensure a comfortable and relaxing stay. There is convenient access to the two swimming pools and children’s play area at the Lodge. Family lodge rooms overlook landscaped gardens and enjoy breathtaking sunset views over the game reserve.

• En-suite bathrooms with bath and shower
• Air conditioning and ceiling fans
• In room safe
• Private-label room amenities
• Fully stocked mini-bar
• Bathrobes and slippers
• Tea and coffee unit
• Direct –dial telephone
• Discreet housekeeping daily
• Flat screen Satellite TV and DVD player
• Microwave
• Complimentary wifi available throughout the main lodge public areas
• All rooms are non-smoking

LODGE ROOM

Lodge rooms all have private viewing patios and en suite bathrooms offering his and hers vanities, bath and shower. These rooms are elegantly decorated in an contemporary African theme and fitted with modern conveniences to ensure a comfortable stay. There is convenient access to the two swimming pools at the Lodge. Lodge rooms overlook landscaped gardens and enjoy breathtaking sunset views over the game reserve.

• En-suite bathrooms with bath and shower
• Air conditioning and ceiling fans
• In room safe
• Private-label room amenities
• Fully stocked mini-bar
• Bathrobes and slippers
• Tea and coffee unit
• Direct –dial telephone
• Discreet housekeeping twice daily
• Flat screen Satellite TV and DVD player
• Complimentary wifi available throughout the main lodge public areas
• All rooms are non-smoking

GAME VIEWING

Enjoy sunset and sunrise game drives in an open Landrover with your experienced game ranger who will bring you sightings of lion, elephant, white rhino, buffalo and cheetah.

Garden Route Game Lodge is also home to giraffe, zebra and numerous antelope species such as bontebok, red hartebeest, kudu, eland, impala, springbuck and many more.

Game drives will take between 2 and 3 hours depending on how much time is spent at each sighting. There will be a coffee stop on the morning drive and a sundowner stop on the evening drive.

It is advisable to bring warm clothes along for the drive even in the hot summer months. Your game ranger will provide ponchos and warm blankets and has a bird book and binoculars. Remember to bring your camera and video camera with you.

FAMILY SAFARI

Children of all ages are welcome to join the morning and evening drives when accompanied by an adult. Families are either accommodated on there own game viewer or with other families which gives the kids a chance to make new friends while on holiday. Child minders are available to assist should you wish to enjoy a child free safari during your stay.

Our Kids Bushwise Activity program is led by your friendly game ranger and includes activities such as a kids game drive where children will enjoy the experience of getting up close to some of the wildlife on the game reserve, a guided bush walk and insect walk or fishing at the nearby waterhole.

Kids will love the interactive tours of the Reptile Center, home to numerous snakes and crocs.

Other facilities on the property include heated and cold swimming pool and two children’s themed play areas.

All family rooms are equipped with microwaves and dvd players and kids toyboxes are placed in your room on arrival.

Our restaurant offers a kiddies menu and early meal times for breakfast and dinner. Room service is also available and child minders are on hand to take care of the young ones should you wish to enjoy a leisurely dinner.

Kids activities are only for children aged between 6 – 12 years.

TYPICAL OVERNIGHT STAY

There’s much to see & do at Garden Route Game Lodge, to get the full experience while having some time to relax & unwind we recommend you spend 2 nights with us.

Day 1

Check in at 2pm: Although check in is at 2pm you are welcome to arrive earlier and enjoy a light lunch or refreshment while taking in the views of the game reserve.

Once you have checked in to your room you may want to stretch your legs and take time to explore the surrounds, relax by the pool or on your own private deck.

Evening safari departs at 5pm (4pm winter). While we do provide warm ponchos and hot water bottles (weather depending) we do advise that you take something warm on the evening safari. Complimentary still water is provided on the evening safari, should you wish to enjoy a sundowner you are welcome to purchase a refreshment from the bar to enjoy at the sundowner stop.

We return to the lodge at around 7pm to enjoy a complimentary refreshment around the fire at the Boma after which dinner is served in the Boma or Serengetis Restaurant. After dinner you are welcome to relax in one of lounges in front of the roaring fire.

Day 2

Sunrise safari at 7 am, filter coffee, tea and hot chocolate can be enjoyed in the restaurant before departing on the early morning safari. While we do provide warm ponchos and hot water bottles (weather depending) we do advise that you take something warm on the morning safari.

We return to the lodge at around 9am to enjoy a generous English and Continental breakfast in our Serengetis Restaurant.

Enjoy an informative guided tour of the Reptile and Interpretive Centre at 10:30am. Depart from reception and follow the signs to the Reptile Centre.

Relax and unwind on your private deck, enjoy a dip in the sparkling pool, enjoy a light lunch in our Serengetis Restaurant or at the Poolside Terrace. Enjoy some of the activities on offer at Garden Route Game Lodge.

Evening safari departs at 5pm (4pm winter). While we do provide warm ponchos and hot water bottles ( weather depending) we do advise that you take something warm on the evening safari. Complimentary still water is provided on the evening safari, should you wish to enjoy a sundowner you are welcome to purchase a refreshment from the bar to enjoy at the sundowner stop. Ask your ranger to find some of those elusive animals you have not yet managed to spot during your stay.

We return to the lodge at around 7pm to enjoy a complimentary refreshment around the fire at the Boma after which dinner is served in the Boma or Serengetis Restaurant. After dinner you are welcome to relax in one of lounges in front of the roaring fire.

Day 3

Sunrise safari at 7 am, filter coffee, tea and hot chocolate can be enjoyed in the restaurant before departing on the early morning safari. While we do provide warm ponchos and hot water bottles (weather depending) we do advise that you take something warm on the morning safari. As this is your last safari with us your ranger may use this opportunity to find some of the more rare animal and birdlife.

We return to the lodge at around 9am to enjoy a generous English and Continental breakfast in our Serengetis Restaurant.

Check out at 10am, contact reservations from the telephone in your room to arrange for your luggage.

DAY VISITORS

The malaria free Garden Route Game Lodge offers Day Visitors a chance to experience some of Africa’s wildlife as they journey down the Garden Route.

Enjoy a thrilling game drive in an open Landrover with your experienced game ranger who will bring you sightings of lion, elephant, white rhino, buffalo and cheetah.

Garden Route Game Lodge is also home to giraffe, zebra and numerous antelope species such as bontebok, red hartebeest, kudu, eland, impala, springbuck and many more.

Game drives will take between 2 and 3 hours depending on how much time is spent at each sighting. There will be a refreshment stop during your game drive at selected look out points on the reserve.

Complete your day visit with a relaxing lunch on the wooden deck of our stunning Serengetis Restaurant which looks out over the game reserve. Savour one of our famous traditional South African dishes from our a la carte menu and a refreshing drink as you reflect on the days activity.

Day Visitor game drives depart daily at 11am and 2pm, Monday to Sunday and entrance to our game reserve is free. Lunch is optional extra.

GUIDED GAME DRIVE

Its all about the wildlife at Garden Route Game Lodge and your safari is the time when you get to spot some of our resident game. There are two safaris included per night spent at our game reserve.

Departure is early morning and late afternoon as this is when our wildlife are most active, in the heat of the day they tend to rest up. We offer guided safari drives and our qualified field guides are there to find the animals and interpret nature allowing you to sit back relax and enjoy.

Our game reserve is home to elephant, lion, buffalo , white rhino, giraffe, cheetah and a variety of antelope species so be sure to bring your binoculars and camera. If you are in luck you may be treated with a sighting of our free roaming cheetahs.

Evenings and mornings can be cool so be sure to bring a warm top. Ponchos are provided. There will be a coffee stop on your morning safari and a sundowner stop at one of our popular look outs in the game reserve on your evening safari.

Expect your safari drive to last 2 – 3 hours depending on how much time is spent at each sighting.

ACTIVITIES

SPA

Set within the game reserve, the Ayana Spa at Garden Route Game lodge provides an ideal opportunity to compliment the feeling of wellness ones gets from being in nature with a relaxing treatment.

End your day’s game viewing with a soothing full body massage or pamper yourself with one of our indulgent treatments. Built from locally sourced stone and thatch our treatment room overlooks the game reserve and features its own private plunge pool for your enjoyment. Relax and allow our professional and highly skilled therapists to rejuvenate your mind, body and soul.

REPTILE ENCOUNTERS

From the deadly black mamba to the African rock python, Reptile Encounters at Garden Route Game Lodge is home to 28 different snake species, Nile crocodiles, tortoises and terrapins. The collection of snakes includes most local species one would encounter in South Africa as well as some exotic species. The guided tour will allow you a chance to handle some of the non venomous snakes if you are brave enough including the African python, corn snake, ball python, milk snake and albino burmese python, great for photo opportunities.

KIDS ON SAFARI

A holiday is a time for both fun and relaxation and our Kids on Safari activity program allows Mom and Dad some alone time to relax while the children take part in a host of supervised outdoor activities.

Some of the activities on offer include:

Walk and stalk : Stalk game on a 1 hour bush walk in the predator free safe area of our game reserve and learn more about some of the smaller mammals that inhabit our game reserve.

Fishing : Kids get to try their hand at catching some of the local Tilapia fish that inhabit some of our dams. Fishing rods and equipment supplied.

Skull Garden : Explore our skull garden and learn more about the anatomy of Africa’s wildlife on this interpretive walk.

Reptile Encounters : overcome your fear of snakes when you handle one of our non- venomous reptiles under the careful supervision of your field guide.

Cheetah tracking : Using a telemetry device, track and spot Africa’s fastest land mammal under the guidance of your field ranger.

BIRDWATCHING

Twitchers or bird watchers will be spoilt for choice by the abundance of resident feathered creatures. Enjoy bird watching while out on safari or from the comfort of your private viewing deck. Colourful sunbirds and sugarbirds are attracted to the fynbos and Aloes that abound. Visit our bird hide to enjoy the nest making antics of the red and yellow bishop with their colourful display or take a leisurely stroll along our bird walking trail where our head guide and keen birder has posted colourful images with information about the various birds one can expect to find along the walk. Our game reserve borders the Overberg District where more than half of the remaining population of the threatened Blue Crane reside so expect to witness these graceful birds in flight and hear their distinctive loud call.

Over 150 species has been sighted on our game reserve.

FLORA & FAUNA

Wildlife on our game reserve

Started in 1999 the wildlife reintroduction has seen the return of elephant, white rhino, lion and buffalo to the area. Antelope such as the Cape Eland, kudu, black wildebeest, zebra, springbok and gemsbok are now at home on the grassy plains. Smaller resident mammals such as the shy Cape Fox, bushbuck, caracal, bat eared fox, duiker and the elusive Cape Mountain leopard are a rare treat to spot on safari.

Garden Route Game Lodge was the first reserve in the Western Cape to reintroduce cheetah in 2007 and through our co-operation with the Endangered Wildlife Trust we have played a role in increasing the meta population of this threatened species in South Africa.