About This Property
Dwyka Tented Lodge sits in the horseshoe bend of a dry Karoo ravine, wrapped in weathered rock formations, on the malaria-free Sanbona Wildlife Reserve in the Little Karoo. It is an easy three-hour drive from Cape Town along the scenic Route 62, which makes it one of the simplest Big 5 escapes from the city.
Nine canvas suites are spaced well apart for privacy, each with a private deck and a heated plunge pool framed by the stark, beautiful landscape. The surrounding reserve spans tens of thousands of hectares of open plain, river valley and mountain, and is one of the few places on earth where free-roaming white lions can be seen.
This is an adults-only, romance-leaning lodge — slow days between game drives, spa treatments, stargazing and dinners under the boma. Rates are fully inclusive of meals and selected beverages.
Why We Love It
It is the setting that gets us: suites tucked into a ravine among ancient rock, a plunge pool on your private deck, and silence in every direction. For a malaria-free Big 5 reserve you can reach from Cape Town in an afternoon, that is hard to beat.
Add the chance of a white-lion sighting, San rock art older than three thousand years, boat safaris on the Bellair Dam when water levels allow, and a spa for the hours between drives, and Dwyka becomes far more than a one-night stopover.
Rooms & Details
Luxury Tented Suites
Nine spacious canvas suites, well spaced for seclusion, with king or twin beds, an open-plan en-suite with indoor and outdoor showers and a free-standing bath, air-conditioning, and a minibar.
Private Deck & Plunge Pool
Each suite opens onto a private deck with a heated plunge pool and long views over the rugged ravine — the spot for a sundowner under the stars.
Lounge, Bar & Boma
A solid-timber main lodge gathers a cosy bar and lounge with a fireplace, wide wooden decks, and an open-air boma for dinners beneath the Karoo sky.
Main Deck & Spa
Communal decks look out over the ravine and rock formations — the heart of the lodge for meals, drinks and downtime — while the Relaxation Retreat spa, with two therapy rooms, handles the pampering.
Amenities & Features
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation and payment terms follow Sanbona's booking conditions — confirm the current policy when you book.
Photo Gallery
Rates
Prices start from $635 per night. Final pricing depends on season, room type, and availability. Check current rates on our booking partner's site for the most accurate pricing.
Rates are per person sharing and fully inclusive (all meals and selected beverages). Indicative ZAR equivalent is roughly R10,730 to R18,045 per person sharing, depending on season. Confirm current rates and availability before booking.
What's Included
- All meals included (fully inclusive)
- Boma dinners under the stars
- Private deck & in-suite dining
- Wine cellar selection
- Twice-daily game drives
- Guided nature walks
- San rock-art excursions
- Boat safaris on Bellair Dam
- Photographic safaris
- Stargazing
- Spa treatments
Included: accommodation, all meals, and selected beverages, plus twice-daily game drives and guided nature walks. Excluded: premium and imported drinks, spa treatments, gratuities, and any conservation or community levies. Confirm specifics at the time of booking.
Location
How to Get There
Dwyka is reached by road — about a three to three-and-a-half hour drive (roughly 270 km) from Cape Town via the N1 and the scenic Route 62. Self-drive guests check in at Sanbona's Welcome Lounge, where there is secure parking and a complimentary transfer to the lodge by arrangement; high-clearance or 4×4 vehicles may drive through to the lodge. Cape Town International is the nearest airport.
Nearby Attractions
Ancient San rock-art sites within the reserve, the Bellair Dam for boat safaris, and the Route 62 towns of Montagu and Barrydale. Cape Town and the Garden Route are both within reach.
Things to Do
Morning and afternoon game drives track the Big 5 across open Karoo plains, with a real chance of Sanbona's free-roaming white lions alongside cheetah, elephant and black rhino. Guided nature walks, photographic outings and visits to ancient San rock-art sites round out the days.
When the dam is full, boat safaris on the Bellair Dam offer a different angle on the reserve, and the Relaxation Retreat spa and famously starry skies fill the quiet hours.
Good to Know
Dwyka is an adults-only, couples-focused lodge, and rates are fully inclusive of meals and selected beverages. Honeymoon and anniversary stays are treated to extras such as a welcome platter, a romantic turndown, a private bush picnic and an in-room dining evening.
Sanbona is malaria-free. Self-drive check-in is via the reserve's Welcome Lounge, with transfers to the lodge by arrangement; note the main gate closes at 18:00.
Who It's For
Couples, honeymooners and anyone after an adults-only wilderness retreat — wildlife and photography enthusiasts, and Cape Town visitors wanting a malaria-free Big 5 escape within a few hours' drive.
Best Time to Visit
Year-round. Summers (December to February) are hot and dry, winters (June to August) crisp and cool, with rewarding Big 5 viewing in every season.
