Great Fish River Lodge, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, Eastern Cape, South Africa

The Great Fish River meanders through the Kwandwe Private Game Reserve and creates a deep horseshoe bow in which the Great Fish River Lodge languishes.

Taking its cue from the history of this part of South Africa’s Eastern Cape, CC Africa’s Great Fish River Lodge is furnished in ‘frontier settler’ style. Early-settler antique china, pewter and silver are combined with African artefacts in a rich palette of earthy tones and crisp greys.

The architecture of the guest area is ranch-style, with indigenous timber logs supporting a soaring thatch roof. A cosy fireplace and massive stone chimney dominate the central lounge of this safari lodge.

The nine suites are designed to make the best use of the extravagant views across the river and the surrounding wilderness. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors fold back to provide uninterrupted vistas. Added to this are private plunge pools and decks overlooking the water.

Although temperatures can get up to 36°C in summer – when a cool pool is just what is needed – this safari region of the Eastern Cape has an enviously mild climate throughout most of the year.

Settlers surely never had the kind of cuisine you are served at Great Fish River Safari Lodge. The chef’s pan-African menu is created with international taste in mind to the accompaniment of fine wines. Eating meals by candlelight in the dining room or by firelight in the safari lodge boma may be reminiscent of bygone days, but nothing can top Kwandwe’s bush banquet by lantern light deep in the backwoods. It has a certain romance fit for a honeymoon in Africa.