Specialist Safaris
Book a specialist safari for a completely flexible and unique experience founded on our ethos of conservation in action.

In addition to our daily activities, dedicated specialist rangers are on hand for those searching for a private and unique experience. Tailormade to every wish, these specialist experiences include involvement in important conservation work, walking, fishing, birding or photographic safaris.

Private guide & vehicle

Led by a dedicated ranger and tracker team, booking a private guide and vehicle will ensure a private game viewing experience throughout your stay. Days are entirely up to you and mix and match chosen activities with specialist experiences and down time. Private guides and vehicles must be booked for the duration of stay (already included for all Villa stays and Ecca Lodge Family Suite stays).

Rhino Monitoring Drive

Be part of a unique insight into how Kwandwe Private Game Reserve’s ecological team monitor and protect our notable population of black and white rhino. Led by one of the eco-team specialists, the 3-4 hour rhino drive focuses on tracking and locating each of our rhinos. Getting an eyes-on check is a critical part of the monitoring and managing of the species in a private reserve. Each rhino is identified through ear-nothings, and guests can join the rhino monitoring team as they skillfully use resources of bush skills, telemetry, drones and even AI as they locate individuals. This is a drive with a difference, it is a fun and interactive learning experience as you are focused on the task at hand and have a mission to accomplish.

2024 Rates: R4 950 per person and 2025 Rates: R5 450 per person (Prices exclude accommodation)

Please contact us for availability and details. 

Rhino Conservation Safari

A three-night, four-day Rhino Conservation Safari offers an opportunity to participate in Kwandwe’s rhino-darting and notching programme. As the world of conservation integrates with technology and the power of AI, Kwandwe have embraced leading tech applications to preserve and protect their rhinos.  Besides the required DNA sample, each young rhino has to be ear notched for ID purposes before it leaves its mother. The adult rhinos are also being fitted with state-of-the-art solar powered ankle collars that feed critical information to the conservation team on the movement, stress levels and behaviour of the rhinos. This is a crucial tool for conservation and can only be done through the  immobilisation of the rhino, which makes an ideal opportunity for Kwandwe guests to be active participants.

2024 Rates: R 68 750 per safari (max 8 guests) and 2025 Rates: R75 620.

Please contact us for availability and details. You may also read more about our rhino conservation efforts on the Kwandwe Rhino Trust website.

 

Backstage Kwandwe

Backstage Kwandwe is a unique and exclusive opportunity to join the Kwandwe team and get a glimpse into the full suite of conservation efforts. With two set dates and limited participation, this is a rare opportunity to gain a first-hand understanding of the commitment required to sustain and conserve a private wilderness area in South Africa.

Dates: 22 – 25 September and 25 – 28 September 2025

2025 Rates: R51 765 per person (R103 350 per couple) includes accommodation at Ecca Lodge and Conservation Fees

Please contact us for availability and details.

Specialist photographic safaris

Book a specialist photographic guide to provide direction when it comes to capturing memories through the lens. Ask questions about camera settings, compositional ideas, and different wildlife scenarios, or simply sit back and connect with your safari experience whilst your guides takes photos for you. The experiences includes a selection of edited photographs in electronic format. This experiences require a private guide and vehicle to be booked at an extra cost for the duration of a stay. Rates are in addition to the private guide and vehicle.

Enquire with reservations for rates. 

 

Specialist walking safaris

Allow one of our professional and experienced trail guides to shape your walking safari experience at Kwandwe. Choose to track large game, such as black and white rhino, elephant or buffalo, or immerse yourself in the smaller, often-forgotten aspects of the bush and watch as dung beetles go about their business or trace the pattern of a butterfly’s wings. With a private guide, the choice is yours.

Specialist birding safaris

Spend time looking for those elusive specials and add to your knowledge of South Africa’s birdlife with a specialist birding guide. These guides have detailed insight of where, when and how to find the birds you might be looking for and a an intimate understanding of Kwandwe’s 315 recorded species.