Garden Route Safari Camp Review: A Boutique Game Lodge Experience in Mossel Bay
The first time I heard a zebra bray, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. Not out of fear, as I felt completely safe: it was the combination of surprise and sheer delight. They’re funny little creatures that make an equally strange noise to let you know they’re there. In the bush, moments like these are frequent, that doesn’t make them any less special, but it’s the collective experience of special moments like these that serve as a definite reason to visit one of South Africa’s emerging stars on the bush holiday stage.
If you ask me, an African safari is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that every traveller should have. To be among some of the world’s most captivating wildlife on the planet, just a few feet away from giraffes grazing on trees and gemsbok gallivanting across the veld, is a travel experience matched by few others.
South Africa has no shortage of safari options to choose from. But, if you are searching for a game reserve adventure that combines boutique hotel-style hospitality, African wildlife, conservation, and close proximity to the popular Garden Route, then look no further than Garden Route Safari Camp.
Situated in the heart of the Garden Route, near Mossel Bay, the camp is nestled between the majestic Langeberg and Outeniqua Mountains on the Brandwacht Game Reserve. This owner-managed game lodge offers unmatched hospitality for those who don’t want to be just another name in the reservation book. The safari camps is a Cape Country Routes (CCR) South Africa member — which should tell you everything you need to know about the service you’ll receive here.
CCR represents a group of owner-operated accommodation and activity establishments located on scenic and historic routes in the Western, Eastern, and Northern Cape. All members are vetted before joining, which makes having the CCR stamp of approval a badge of honour travellers can trust. All carefully selected for their character, charm, and romance, Cape Country Routes is quickly becoming a brand synonyms with offering accommodation and activities with stellar personalised service at the heart of every business.
Re-wilding the cape
Starting from humble beginnings in 2018, Brandwacht Game Reserve is just the start of an ambitious plan to re-wild previous farmland and regenerate the previous existing ecosystems on the Garden Route. It’s a plan many years in the making, but one that will see previously endemic wildlife return as the area recovers. In time, visitors to the area will have the opportunity to enjoy a game drive experience that includes lions, elephants, and even rhino.
But you don’t have to wait years to visit, Garden Route Safari Camp already offers incredible wildlife encounters and is sure to offer a safari escape you won’t soon forget. I spent two nights at this special spot in the Western Cape bush.
Wildlife viewing with all the bells and whistles
Accommodation at Garden Route Safari Camp is geared for nature and wildlife lovers; blending African chic with upmarket touches, an air of lived-in luxury permeates throughout the lodge. With an option to suit every taste and travel style, anyone can feel right at home at this safari hideaway.
Guests can choose from four accommodation options including: five 2-sleeper Luxury Tents (ideal for couples); 4-sleeper thatched roof Luxury Family units; the three-bedroom thatched roof Mountain View Loft (ideal for six adults); and the one-bedroom Nyala Terrace unit (ideal for honeymooners).
I shared the Mountain View Loft with a fellow traveller and it was such a treat to have the entire 3-bedroom private homestead to ourselves. The loft offers ample space for all sorts of group activities and features a kitchen, open-plan dinning room and living room area as well as a large balcony overlooking the private swimming pool. The private balcony offers an outdoor dinning area and relaxed seating, making it the perfect place to take in the incredible views of the mountain, bushveld, and roaming wildlife.
With its ‘bath-with-a-view’ and elegant decor, the Mountain View Loft’s master bedroom suite is indeed something to behold. I arrived at Garden Route Safari Camp feeling a little under the weather but after two restorative nights spent in this incredible suite I was like a new person. Having access to such a gorgeous bathtub to melt into and a luxurious king-sized bed was just what my soul and my sinuses needed.
Channeling wilderness camping on an elevated level are the Luxury Tents — a must-book if you are after a ‘bush camp’ experience. The rest of our group spent two blissful nights in the 2-sleeper tents located a stone’s throw away from the main lodge building. Fortunately I had the opportunity to snoop around one of their tents so I could report back.
These stand-alone units offer a spacious tented pavilion set on raised decking. Tents are spaced apart amid a cluster of trees, where the only sound at night is the occasional roar of a lion in the distance. Complete with luxury features like an indoor and outdoor shower, coffee station, mini fridge, and private outdoor veranda overlooking the pool; the tents are ideal for couples or solo travellers.
The Garden Route’s wilder side
Of course, it’s on the safari vehicle where the real magic happens. If you’re looking to get in touch with nature then Brandwacht Game Reserve has plenty to take in. Guests at Safari Camp can choose from a variety of wildlife activities including Early Bird, Late Bloomer (a slightly later morning safari after breakfast), and Sundowner game drives, as well as guided hikes, bush walks or runs with skilled guides.
Game drives reveal graceful giraffes grazing on tree tops, the breathtaking sight of zebras frolicking in the grass, and spectacular bird watching opportunities. Other wildlife surprises include wildebees, gemsbok, springbok, and ostrich set against the indigenous Renosterveld landscape. When it comes to magical bush holidays, Garden Route Safari Camp ticks all the boxes; majestic wildlife coupled with restful skies in a landscape being reborn to its former glory from previous millennia. Now, that’s a mic drop if ever there was one.
Daily game drives are made even more special thanks to the passionate guides. When it comes to giving guests an unforgettable wildlife viewing experience the whole family chips in. We were fortunate enough to experience guided walks and daily game drives with guide Stephan (who happens to be the son of owners Abram and Nanette Knoetze) as well as his wife, Unelle. The family of four is instrumental in making each and every guest’s stay one they will never forget and I was truly surprised by the lengths to which the family goes to put that personal touch on your visit.
Game drive snacks and drinks were peppered with personal touches like Unelle’s homebaked cookies and individually packed snack boxes — complete with hand written notes! Every effort was made to ensure each guest was looked after and the family was so engaging, not just with our group but with every guest that we encountered during our stay, from reception to the dinning area.
And then there’s Stephan; I don’t think I have ever met a more passionate guide. Stephan’s absolute passion for the bush is infectious. He will have you marveling along with him at the majesty of the tiniest bug with an almost childlike innocence. His knowledge of the bush and the passion he exudes when sharing his love of nature is truly remarkable. The bush is obviously his favourite place in the world and whether you’re taking it all in on foot or on the back of a safari vehicle, he has a knack for turning an already incredible bush excursion into an unforgettable experience.
Even humans need watering holes
When not trying to catch a glimpse of the animal kingdom in action, the Garden Route Safari Camp property was a sublime place to relax. The main lodge building is where guests can go to mingle or enjoy a quiet escape. Boasting an indoor and outdoor lounge area with uninterrupted views of the landscape and adjacent watering hole, there’s always some action to catch here. Whether it’s the quiet pleasure of birds singing in the trees or the snort of a zebra coming for a mid-day drink.
The main lodge feels more like a private home than a hotel. Owners Abram Knoetze and Nanette Knoetze have gone all out to create lavishly layered spaces where carefully selected textures and prints enliven everything from rugs to walls, armchairs to scatter cushions. The result is a relaxed, stylish space that amplifies rather than detracts from the vibrancy of the surrounding bush.
The roofed terrace makes for a great watering hole for guests to meet up with their group each evening to enjoy a drink as the sun sets over the trees. This evening ritual offers an opportunity to talk about your favourite moments from that day’s game drives and share the best photos and videos on your phones and camera reels.
Inside, you’ll find the bar and plenty of couches and armchairs where guests can enjoy an after dinner night cap or just find a quiet place to read after lunch. A selection of snacks and fresh fruit, along with tea and coffee is also available here for guests to nibble on and enjoy throughout the day.
The main lodge building is also where you go to enjoy homemade tasty meals paired with pitch-perfect service. Whether it’s breakfast, a light lunch or a three-course dinner the Giraffe Valley Restaurant at Garden Route Safari Camp does not disappoint. Breakfast is a treat of home-baked pastries, yoghurt, fresh fruit, with made-to-order fry-ups, and delicious coffee served on on the deck outside.
Lunch was a light affair with healthy eats like wraps and salads for those just looking for a nibble and ostrich burgers for the perpetually hungry (that’s me). The ostrich burger was an absolute delight, served with crispy fried chips to crown it off.
At night, Garden Route Safari Camp is an enchanting place: lanterns glitter in the dark, leading your way to the restaurant as chefs prepare dishes of venison potjie, butternut soup, vegetarian lasagna and poached pears with South African Milk Tart.
What’s more, at every meal, the team expertly catered to the tastes and dietary requirements of everyone in our group, with free-from and alternative options aplenty.
How to get there
Garden Route Safari Camp is a 4.5-hour drive from Cape Town, with plenty of beautiful scenery along the way. Our party of five cruised up to the South Western Cape in the luxurious Ford Ranger Stormtrak. You don’t need a 4×4 to access Garden Route Safari Camp, but it sure is nice to have!
The perfect car for a road trip off-the-beaten-track, the Ford Ranger Stormtrak is based on the luxuriously appointed Wildtrak. The Ranger Stormtrak builds on the strong foundation set by the Wildtrak by introducing even more striking visual enhancements and convenience features to Ford’s generously specified bakkie. With a rugged look and luxurious interior finishes, there’s no better car for an adventure.
The Stormtrak is an absolute asset on a long road because this bakkie practically drives itself! The vehicle comes with an extensive list of innovative active and passive safety systems and driver aids, such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Forward Collision Alert, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Keeping Alert and Lane Keeping Aid, and Driver Alert System, making long country drives easier than ever before. Read our full review of the Ford Ranger Stormtrak here.
