Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

We had a fantastic time at Sanbona. 3 nights in Dwyka Lodge. All the staff were brilliant, food was great, atmosphere was great and rooms really comfortable. Game drives were amazing and we saw such wonderful wildlife close up, but it was also great to hear about Sanbona’s conservation efforts and ethos. A special mention for Ethan, his knowledge, passion and enthusiasm for everything that Sanbona is looking to achieve was refreshing and inspirational. All in all I can’t recommend this place highly enough

Sanbona is a wonderful experience. Tilney Manor was luxurious, the food fabulous and the drives memorable. Jordan was brilliant and taught us so much. To be highly recommended.

…the context being, we’ve had the privilege of experiencing many safaris - exclusive, high end & not so - in countries both rich in game and hugely diverse in regards to physical environment. Tilney Manor is without doubt, an impressive former family ‘home’ that has been extended & transformed into a beautifully comfortable space in the heart of the Karoo. There are nods to its former heritage all over the place and these blend effortlessly with luxurious touches which together, work well. You have character. And you have relaxation and indulgence. We appreciated the bedroom designs, the bathrooms and the views from the private terraces. The modest infinity pool was the perfect antidote to the 41° heat. Quality is not in question as evidenced for example, by the wonderful pool furniture which you sink into. Everything ideal for sitting back and ‘taking in’ the local entertainment which in our case, came in the form of a visiting family of Klipspringer and later, a mischievous troop of baboons ! Magical. The staff are without exception, fantastic. Jo-Ann and Janice effectively lead a magnificent team of dedicated professionals - who are thankfully devoid of any pretension or stuffiness. All are personal, respectful and playful too. Here you can banter at the same time as expecting the highest standards. Standout delivery came from Lwentile who effortlessly engaged & inspired, alongside Langa the chef who created the most magnificent & unexpected birthday cake. The food at the Manor is delicious - best ingredients, creative menus and expert cooking that delivers on taste ! Many other staff are tucked away and our experience was certainly affirming…in the sense that without everyone’s contribution, the sum total would be vastly inferior to what was our reality. So why only 3 bubbles…? 2 reasons ! 1. Density & variety of animals & 2. Consistency of guiding quality. Sanbona is a Reserve and as such it is highly ‘managed’. It does brilliant conservation work and for this, it is rightly applauded. It sustains… But with this level of ‘control’ comes relatively limited ‘stock’. Yes, there are circa 1,500 Springbok, but counter this volume with the 9 hippos, 3 lion, 25 buffalo et al. The Guides all work together, so are able to pinpoint pretty accurately where the main players are located and here, the experience whilst wonderful, lacks anticipation and excitement. And the animals are clearly unperturbed by their human neighbours. That said, seeing a rhino in the flesh is still an exhilarating interaction, no matter how relatively ‘easy’ the search for it. Safety & comfort is a clear priority for all the Guides and we felt incredibly ‘secure’ and personally well looked after at all times. We were hosted by 2 Guides and with them came 2 very contrasting levels of connection, engagement, energy and involvement. Rigchter ( we took the liberty of calling him Rick ) is wonderfully gifted ; a brilliant Head Guide in the making and a compelling storyteller. He c

We spent two wonderful days here at Tilney Manor in January 2025. The service, accommodation and food were very exclusive and we felt very comfortable. We saw a lot during four trips. Elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, lions, hippos, rhinos, buffalo, bamboos, antelopes, springboks and much more. The drive from Tilney Manor to the area where the animals are takes about 20 minutes. The other two accommodations are a little closer and therefore have a slight advantage. - Conclusion: Absolutely recommended