Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

5.0 star property
your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

Exterior
Aerial view
Game drive
Game drive
Dwyka Tented Lodge 1

Reviews

9.8 out of 10

Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Restaurant
  • Pool
    Pool
  • All-inclusive
    All-inclusive
  • 24/7 front desk
    24/7 front desk
  • Breakfast included
    Breakfast included
  • Spa
    Spa

Explore the area

Map
R62 between Montagu and Barrydale, Barrydale, Western Cape, 6720
  • Sanbona Wildlife Reserve
    2 min walk
  • Swellendam Golf Course
    69 min drive
  • Bontebok National Park
    96 min drive

Room options

Gondwana Lodge 1

  • 57 sq m
  • Valley view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed OR 2 Twin Beds

Tilney Manor

  • 60 sq m
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed OR 2 Twin Beds

Dwyka Tented Lodge 1

  • 65 sq m
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed OR 2 Twin Beds

Similar properties

About the area

Barrydale

When you stay at Sanbona Wildlife Reserve in Barrydale, you'll be in a national park and steps from Sanbona Wildlife Reserve. .This luxury lodge is 7.8 mi (12.6 km) from Cape Floral Region Protected Areas and 18.8 mi (30.3 km) from Wilderbraam Berry Estate.

What's nearby

  • Sanbona Wildlife Reserve - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Drostdy Museum - 65 min drive - 70.4 km
  • Swellendam Golf Course - 69 min drive - 72.9 km
  • Marloth Nature Reserve - 72 min drive - 73.2 km
  • Bontebok National Park - 96 min drive - 74.6 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Joubert-Tradauw - ‬21 min drive
  • ‪Karoo Saloon - ‬18 min drive

About this property

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

Luxury lodge with 3 restaurants and a full-service spa
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve offers 27 air-conditioned accommodations with minibars and complimentary bottled water. Rooms open to balconies or patios. Beds feature premium bedding. Business-friendly amenities include desks, safes, and phones. Bathrooms include separate bathtubs and showers with deep soaking bathtubs and rainfall showerheads. Bathrooms are also outfitted with bathrobes, slippers, and designer toiletries. Additionally, rooms include hair dryers and complimentary toiletries. A nightly turndown service is provided and housekeeping is offered daily.
Guests can experience the thrill of a safari, and take advantage of an outdoor pool.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

The onsite spa has couples treatment room(s). Services include deep-tissue massages, facials, body scrubs, and body treatments.
Make yourself at home in one of the 27 air-conditioned rooms featuring minibars. Rooms have private balconies or patios. Private bathrooms with separate bathtubs and showers feature deep soaking bathtubs and rainfall showerheads. Conveniences include phones, as well as safes and desks.
Relax at the full-service spa, where you can enjoy massages, body treatments, and facials. Encounter the local wildlife with a safari, then enjoy recreational amenities including an outdoor pool. This Colonial lodge also features complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and gift shops/newsstands.
All-inclusive rates are available at this lodge. Meals and beverages at onsite dining establishments are included in all-inclusive rates. Charges may be applied for dining at some restaurants, special dinners and dishes, some beverages, and other amenities.

Satisfy your appetite at Gondwana Family Lodge Res, one of the lodge's 3 restaurants. A complimentary full breakfast is served daily from 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM.

Featured amenities include dry cleaning/laundry services, a 24-hour front desk, and multilingual staff. Free self parking is available onsite.
A complimentary full breakfast is served each morning between 6:30 AM and 9:30 AM.
Gondwana Family Lodge Res - Overlooking the pool, this fine-dining restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Tilney Manor Restaurant - Overlooking the pool and garden, this fine-dining restaurant specializes in African cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Open daily.
Dwyka Tented Lodge Rest - Overlooking the garden, this fine-dining restaurant specializes in African cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Open daily.

All-inclusive details

All-inclusive room rates at Sanbona Wildlife Reserve are available. These rates are higher because they include onsite food and beverages in the room rate (some restrictions may apply).

Food and beverages

All à la carte meals and snacks included

Activities and facilities/equipment

All onsite activities and use of facilities and equipment are included.

Languages

Afrikaans, English, Xhosa, Zulu

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and public transport

  • Free self-parking on site

Food and drink

  • Free full breakfast available daily 6:30 AM–9:30 AM
  • 3 restaurants

Restaurants on site

  • Gondwana Family Lodge Res
  • Tilney Manor Restaurant
  • Dwyka Tented Lodge Rest

Things to do

  • Full-service spa
  • Game/wildlife drives
  • Game/wildlife viewing
  • Outdoor pool
  • Playground
  • Safari

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Playground

Conveniences

  • Banquet hall
  • Front-desk safe
  • Gift shop/newsstand
  • Library

Guest services

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Concierge services
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Dry-cleaning service
  • Laundry facilities
  • Multilingual staff
  • Tour/ticket assistance
  • Turndown service

Outdoors

  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor entertainment area
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Pool sunloungers
  • Pool umbrellas
  • Terrace
  • Vegetable garden

Spa

  • Body scrubs
  • Body treatments
  • Couples treatment room(s)
  • Facials
  • Manicures and pedicures
  • Massage - deep-tissue

Accessibility

  • If you have any requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • This property does not have any lifts
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel

More

  • At least 80% of lighting from LEDs
  • Comprehensive food waste policy
  • Comprehensive recycling policy
  • Designated smoking areas
  • Double-glazed windows
  • Fireplace in reception
  • Humane treatment of captive wild animals
  • Local artist showcase
  • Local culture and ecosystem education
  • TV in lobby
  • Vegan dining options
  • Vegetarian dining options

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Air conditioning
  • Bed sheets
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • Heating
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Dressing gowns
  • Deep-soaking bath
  • Designer toiletries
  • Hairdryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Rainfall showerhead
  • Separate bath and shower
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels

Food and drink

  • Electric kettle
  • Free bottled water
  • Minibar

More

  • Desk
  • Electrical adapters/chargers
  • Laptop-friendly workspace
  • LED light bulbs
  • Phone
  • Recycling
  • Safe
  • Slippers
  • Turndown service
  • Water-efficient showers only
  • Water-efficient toilets only

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: noon; Check-in end time: 11:30 PM
Contactless check-in available
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staff will greet guests on arrival
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 48 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 6:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Resort fee (May 01 - April 30): ZAR 190 per person, per night

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts major credit cards and cash
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
The seasonal pool will be open from September 01 to March 31
Reservations are required for massage services and spa treatments; reservations can be made by contacting the property prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation

National rating

Quality Graded by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) – South Africa's official quality assurance organization.

Property is also known as

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve Barrydale
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve Lodge Barrydale
bona Wildlife Reserve Barryda
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve Lodge
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve Barrydale
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve Lodge Barrydale
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve Lodge
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve Barrydale
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve Lodge Barrydale

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 111 out of 129 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 14 out of 129 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 129 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 129 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 129 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Staff & service

9.8/10

Amenities

9.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Amy

Travelled with partner, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I have never gone on a safari and Sanbona exceeded my expectations! The staff was very friendly and the rooms were gorgeous. I would recommend our safari guide Josh to anyone. He was very knowledgeable. I would definitely come back.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Fiona

Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

wang fung

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Wonderful Experience !
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Matthew

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kim

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Highlight of our trip
This was without doubt the best part of our two week stay in the Cape Area. We stayed in the Tilney Manor part of the reserve in one of the best rooms we have ever stayed in. There were only 6 couples in the Tilney Manor so it was very personalised service. The staff including the guides were excellent as was the food. We were only there two nights but packed in so much. We did four drives in the Game reserve and got very close to a host of animals. I would thoroughly recommend this to anyone.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Food not 5 star
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ellen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stay here....you won't be disappointed!!
An absolute amazing stay from beginning to end!! We stayed in one of the tents and it was absolutely gorgeous!! The service was top notch and a big thank you to Julio who took such good care of us in the dining room! The Safari's were incredible with Josh as our guide. He had such passion and was so interesting and knowledgeable. My only regret was that we were only there for one night. This was definitely one of the main highlights on our 3 week vacation in south Africa!
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023

8/10 Good

Saroj

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gerald

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mike

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
An amazing experience from start to finish, every aspect of the stay was special and the attention detail was superb. In addition, the safari itself was wonderful, Josh our guide/ranger was extremely knowledgeable and engaging. This will be an experience that we will always remember. Mike and Michelle
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Darren

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Staff were all very helpful and friendly. Accommodation was fabulous and the whole experience great
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ann

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
An exceptional safari experience.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Erik

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Carl

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Staff was excellent. Cannot say enough about them. Everyone is friendly and goes above and beyond from the moment you get there. The guides are great and knowledgeable. The property and room/tent is beautiful.
Stayed 1 night in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Julie

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Amazing game reserve
We had just the best time at Sanbona we stayed in the Tilney part of which at the most is 12 people it feels very exclusive. Our rooms were just magnificent it was a shame we didn’t have more than one night. The reserve is huge but feels like a proper game reserve hunting for the animals is a true Safari experience. The staff were all very friendly and the game drives were fun. Keep up the good work can’t wait to come back.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Fabulous experience. Accommodation 1st class. Staff exceptional.

10/10 Excellent

Jose

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was an amazing experience, the beautiful tented lodge, the game drives with Josh, the landscape, the excellent service an attention to detail. Looking forward to returning in the not so distant future.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Neil

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was an excellent experience - authentic and unspoiled, but with all the creature comforts at the lodge. The accommodation was luxurious! We got a great amount of time 'in vehicle' and saw lots of animals in their natural habitat. Would hugely reccomend.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Oliver

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
This place is amazing. Did not want to leave!!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Meredith

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
My husband and I had the most memorable experience at Sanbona. There are truly no words to describe how much we enjoyed our time at the reserve. The service at the lodge was impeccable, the room was gorgeous, and our guide on the game drives was extremely knowledgable. Even more, Sanbona is clearly committed to sustainability. I cannot recommend Sanbona enough!!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Stan, London

Travelled with family, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff were fantastic, accommodation was excellent and the guide of the game drives was incredible.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2020

10/10 Excellent

Keith, Springfield, MO

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful location and unique and private tented lodges.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful property. Very large rooms. Excellent spa. Food was distinctly average
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Barbara, Cupertino, California

Travelled with family, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Reserve is amazing! The rooms were gorgeous, the food excellent and the staff were all friendly and went out of their way to be helpful. Our guide, Chris, was incredible, extremely knowledgeable about all of the wildlife and he went out of his way to make sure we saw all of the animals. It was a wonderful experience!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2020