If you’ve been watching my South African Travel YouTube channel, then you would have already seen my videos about visiting the Eastern Cape and Kwantu Private Game Reserve. But for those of you who are a little data skint, let me get you up to date:
I was kindly invited to visit Kwantu Game Reserve with Mr John in June. Kwantu is South Africa’s first ‘wholly black owned’ game reserve and boasts being nominated for the Luxury Travel Awards 2010. Situated in a tiny town called Sidbury in the Eastern Cape, Mr John and I flew from Cape Town to East London for his show and then drove to Kwantu Game Reserve.
Kwantu is one of South Africa’s few luxury halaal game reserves, catering to those looking to holiday at a location that caters to their religious needs. Kwantu is the perfect location for this as it combines a traditional African safari with halaal services such as diet, alcohol free bars, prayer rooms and bathroom etiquette norms.
Once we had parked the park, we were warmly greeted with a cup of red velvet hot chocolate. It had taken us about 4 hours to get to Kwantu due to a late start and road works, so it was a welcome drink.
Kwantu means ‘gathering’ and this is signified by the number of fires burning throughout the lodge. It constantly smells like a warm winter fire – and you do too!
After our hot chocolate, we took a quite tour around the premises to capture some of the spaces including a games room, courtyard and various large lounge areas:
We were then shown to our hotel room which was a beautifully, large suite with one of the best and biggest beds I had ever slept on! I think two hippos could have fit in here!
Our room as a lovely view across the valley too…
The bathroom was also fresh, clean and well catered to with a large bath, double sink, shower and showerhead in wc.
Once we had settled in, we popped downstairs to the dining room for lunch. The dining room overlooks the valley with large, glass paned windows giving diners a view across the land. As the light changes it is very pretty. At night time, however, they have fluorescent lighting with is a little hard on one’s tired eyes! But during the day the view is lovely.
Well! All my Muslim friends tell me know one knows how to eat like Muslim people and boy were they right! They offered us a three course meal, just for lunch! This included a chicken soup starter, chicken kebab second course, a steak third course and they even tried to give us desert! But I had to decline before I burst!
Evening Game Drive at Kwantu
After this lunch we fell asleep. KIDDING! We went on a quick game drive before it got too dark. I love game drives and this was WONDERFUL as we saw the Kwantu elephants AND lions!
Dinner at Kwantu
After our game drive we returned to the hotel for dinner. Again, a spread of afro-eastern cuisine with soups, curries and vegetables. The food is good, but it’s not gourmet. I know many visitors like gourmet food at their hotels these days, Kwantu’s food is Halaal safari country cooking.
While I went off to bed, Mr John stepped outside to take some photographs of the beautiful night sky:
For more, why not check out Kwantu Morning Drive – Part 2.
