Western Cape - South Africa - Home To The Big 5 !

At the foot of the Warmwaterberg, in the heart of the Little Karoo, between Montagu and Barrydale on the famous Route 62, the vision of the San is becoming a reality.

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, 54 000 hectares of undulating mountains and plains, indigenous fauna and flora, rock formations and rock art make this a destination not to be missed.

Specialist guiding is a key element in providing a memorable and varied experience.

The sheer expanse and stark beauty of the Reserve gives one a sense of humbleness, the realization of the inconsequentialities of life, a temporary release of the daily stresses of everyday living and could be a deemed a profound spiritual experience. Sanbona Wildlife Reserve allows one to be at peace, allowing one to curl up with a book, seeking solitude and introspection.

The name Sanbona is a combination of the "San" people who roamed this area for thousands of years and "bona" which represents their vision in order to position this portion of the Little Karoo.

Be it a journey of rejuvenation and self-discovery or absorbing the various essences and activities, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve represents in true form the philosophy of the Mantis Collection - taking care of the small things in life.

One of the most interesting landmarks on Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is the Bellair Dam, which was hand built by local farmers and labourers and completed in 1922. It covers a surface of 186 hectares when full and the original aqua ducts can still be seen.

The stunning 54, 000 hectare Sanbona Wildlife Reserve in the Little Karoo is fast becoming one of the hottest weekend break destinations in South Africa.

...and with the exciting arrival of elephant, buffalo, black rhino and a male and female white lion during September, Sanbona is now home to the Big 5.

A historic predator release means that for the first time in over 200 years, lion and cheetah can once again be seen in the Klein Karoo, making Sanbona the first private game reserve in the Western Cape to play host to free-roaming big cats.

Other exciting new developments at Sanbona include the arrival of the much-anticipated hot air ballooning, which will be available to guests from 1 November at only R1,900 per person, subject of course to ideal weather conditions!

The reserve, which opened in November 2002, is being restored to its natural state through the reintroduction of indigenous fauna and flora. While staying at historic Tilney Manor on the reserve, guests can also visit the raptor rehabilitation and breeding centre, enjoy some leisurely trout fishing, or spend a an afternoon spotting some of the reserves 150 bird species.

Sanbona is the proud custodian of four Cheetah, they are at present in the bomas and will be released in the near future.

Thanks to Johan and John and the team at Shamwari for all of their help in getting the animals.

Thank you to Hannes Stadler of Cape Nature Conservation board for going the extra mile.