White Lion Lodge on Sanbona Wildlife Reserve
A Karoo Wilderness Retreat on the Route 62, offering a unique nature and wildlife experience near Cape Town. The privately-owned White Lion Lodge is situated in the southern part of the Sanbona Wildlife Reserve. It offers luxury accommodation, exceptional personal service and delicious cuisine combined with nature based safari's through the Sanbona Wildlife Reserve.
"Right from the start the magic surrounds you"
The Sanbona Wildlife Reserve spreads over 62000ha in the malaria-free Klein Karoo, along the Route 62, between Montagu and Barrydale, just over 3 hours away from Cape Town. We operate a nature-based tourism business and like to introduce our guests to the biodiversity hotspots, Fynbos and Succulent Karoo Biome together with indigenous free-roaming animal species, that what the San saw hundreds of years ago.
Welcome to the White Lion Lodge on the Sanbona Wildlife Reserve
Specials available, book direct or send enquiry (WhatsApp)
Summer Program
1 October to 30 April
MINIMUM STAY 2 NIGHTS
DAY OF ARRIVAL
On the day of arrival lunch is served between 13:00 - 14:00
Your suite will be ready and waiting for you at 14:00
The Afternoon Botanical 4x4 Tour through the South (30000 ha Concession) will start 15:00 - 16:00
Dinner will be served after your return from the afternoon drive
SECOND DAY
Your day will start between 05:00 - 06:00
The morning drive, a Karoo Safari, will take you to the northern part of the Sanbona Wildlife and Nature Reserve (Conservation fee applicable)
10:00 - 10:30 you will return to the Lodge and breakfast will be served
13:00 - 14:00 Lunch will be served
15:00 - 16:00 Afternoon drive through the southern part (30000 ha Concession)
Dinner will be served after the outing
Read more about the Karoo Safari
DAY OF DEPARTURE
Your day will start between 05:00 - 06:00
The morning drive will take you to the northern part of the Sanbona Wildlife and Nature Reserve (Conservation fee applicable)
10:00 - 10:30 you will return to the Lodge and vacate your room
Breakfast will be served
After breakfast it is time to say good bye
Winter Program
1 May to 30 September
MINIMUM STAY 2 NIGHTS
DAY OF ARRIVAL
13H00 - 14H00 A light lunch will be served
14H00 Your suite will be ready and waiting for you to settle in.
15H00 Embark on an afternoon botanical 4x4 tour through the enchanting landscapes of the southern part of the Reserve.
Traverse rugged terrain as you discover the hidden botanical treasures that thrive in this diverse ecosystem, the Renosterveld. Let our experienced guide, Romeo, unveil the secrets of the flora and fauna. (30000 ha Concession)
19H30 A meticulously curated three-course dinner will be served, offering a culinary journey that harmonizes the beauty of the surroundings.
SECOND DAY
08H00 Delight in a delectable breakfast experience that blends the best of Continental and English flavours. From freshly baked pastries to hearty classics, our breakfast spread is designed to fuel your exploration and set the perfect tone for your day in the wild.
09H00 A day drive through the Klein Karoo awaits, offering a captivating safari experience that will take you to the northern part of the Sanbona Wildlife and Nature Reserve. Immerse yourself in the untamed beauty of the landscape as you encounter the majestic wildlife that calls this region home. (Conservation fee applicable)
14H00 A light Lunch is waiting for you on your return to the Lodge
After lunch indulge in the luxury of a relaxing afternoon, where you can embrace the tranquillity with a rejuvenating siesta or pamper yourself with a blissful spa treatment, hot tub, unwinding amidst serenity and bliss
18H00 Join us for a sundowner around the crackling fireplace in the lounge, where you can mingle and unwind in the cosy ambiance. Alternatively, immerse yourself in the serenity and tranquillity of your balcony or suite, soaking in the peaceful atmosphere and enjoying a moment of quiet reflection.
19H00 At the close of the day, savour the exquisite flavours of a carefully crafted three-course dinner. Let each course be a celebration of the day's adventure and a toast to the beauty of the natural world.
Read more about the Karoo Safari
DAY OF DEPARTURE
08H00 - 11.00 Check out time is like bidding farewell to a delightful stay, ensuring you depart on a satisfied note after a leisurely morning meal.
Game Drives /Safari Drives
Your safari within the Wildlife and Nature Reserve can be carried out at any time throughout the day where you will be guided by your own private knowledgeable field guide in an open game viewing vehicle, who will provide you with insightful information on the fauna and flora of the Klein Karoo.
If you have any particular interests, please discuss them to your dedicated guide who will be happy to merge your plans with those of the group, or mention them when reserving the accommodation. Be it a shorter southern game drive or heading north on an extended safari, the various game drives can take between 2.5 - 5 hours, depending on weather and time of departure. Game drives can include a bush breakfast or sundowners picnic for you to enjoy at one of our amazing viewpoints.
Karoo Safari
The Reserve is home to fascinating animals and plants and if you are lucky you might spot a Cape Mountain Zebra, numerous antelope species, elephants, buffalo, Rhino, black backed jackal, brown hyena, giraffe, lion and not to forget to mention the different bird species. You may even spot the elusive Cheetah. (Conservation fee applicable)
Botanical 4x4 Tour
Enjoy a very informative botanical 4x4 Safari in an open Land Rover and soak up the vastness of the Klein Karoo. You will be amazed at things you learn on a botanical tour. Explore the historically significant vegetation in all its diversity with countless botanical secrets, intriguing and diverse in a hidden wilderness called the renosterveld. (30000 ha concession)
Tribute to an iconic duo
The story of the renowned white lions of Sanbona has come full circle. All chapters have been finished, and this book is now sadly closed. In 2011 two wild white lion cubs were born to the then mixed pride of Sanbona. Through the years, they grew up and learned to survive in this harsh Little Karoo environment.
The lion and lioness (31 and 30) soon became an iconic duo on the reserve with their white coats and icy blue eyes. The male lion’s contributed to the lion metapopulation when one of the tawny females in the pride gave birth to two male cubs in 2015, who were then translocated to as reserve in Kwa-Zulu Natal.
Over the years the lions have been observed hunting various species from aardvark to giraffe, they were resilient lions who persisted through the drought and against many odds. Now, after 12 years they have lain down their heads on the Sanbona ground for the last time.
Old age, injuries from large prey encounters and finally the severe storm conditions that descended over Sanbona earlier this week has claimed both their lives within 5 days of one another. They will be remembered by many across the world for their beauty, their chilling blue stare, and their contribution to the Sanbona Lion Project.
They have paved the way to a new lion chapter on Sanbona.
Climate and Weather
The climate is semi-arid with rainfall mainly in the winter month. The Klein Karoo is traditionally hot and dry, with cooling south-westerly winds during the afternoons in summer, making it ideal conditions for a lovely sunset game drive. On average the nights cool down to 15C – 20C degrees in summer.
Very little rain occurs during summer, and if it does, it is usually in form of thunderstorms. Normally the area receives about 250mm-350mm of rain per year, mostly in the winter months.
The lowest rainfall (6mm) is in January and the highest (27mm) in August. The coolest months are July & August, when the mercury drops to -2 & -4 degrees Celsius on average during the night, but during the day the temperatures range between comfortable 15-20 degrees, ideal safari conditions.
What to bring
For your safari dress completely informal, natural colors are recommended.
A warm jacket, a fleece, scarf, beanie, gloves for early morning and night drives
Comfortable walking shoes
Swimming costume
Binoculars, camera
Hat, sunglasses
Suntan lotion
Please note that the White Lion Lodge is situated within a malaria free area.
If there is anything else you would like to know, don’t hesitate to contact us.
