Overview
Kwandwe is a private game reserve offering visitors a Big Five wildlife experience while they enjoy top luxury accommodation and food. Wildlife isn’t as habituated yet as in some other private reserves because Kwandwe was established relatively recently. However, this is prime black rhino country and sightings of these very shy animals are common. The adventurous can embark on a four-day safari participating in a rhino-darting and microchipping program.Why Go:
- A variety of accommodation available
- Excellent value-for-money
- Amazing game viewing, including the Big Five
- Game drives both, during the night and day
Wildlife
Kwandwe is home to all the big safari animals, including the Big Five. As it is recently established, Kwande's wildlife isn't as prolific as in some other parks, but the drama of the setting makes up for this. Black rhino and cheetah are some of the flagship species you can expect to see. Some of the interesting antelope often encountered are eland, red hartebeest and gemsbok. Night drives can produce sightings of aardvark, aardwolf and bat-eared fox.
More About the WildlifeScenery
The scenic Great Fish River meanders for 30km/19 mi through Kwandwe GR. The vast rolling landscape seems to go on forever, and forest-like thickets of Euphorbia trees grow on the steep slopes. This habitat is prime black rhino country.
Best Time to Visit
Kwandwe’s wildlife viewing is favorable all year, but best during the driest months of the year (June through September). This is during the winter season, and it can become very cold at times. It is important to prepare for this with warm clothing, which is particularly important for evening and morning game drives in open vehicles.
More About the Best Time to VisitWeather & Climate
Kwandwe enjoys a temperate climate. Daytime temperatures are quite comfortable throughout the year, but it does get colder at night in the winter months (May to September). Winter and summer are at the opposite time as compared to Europe and North America. Unlike the summer rainfall pattern in the rest of the country, it rains throughout the year. It doesn't rain that much, but most of it falls in the summer months, from October to March.
More About the Weather and ClimateWildlife & Animals
Kwandwe is home to all the big safari animals, including the Big Five. As it is recently established, Kwande’s wildlife isn’t as prolific as in some other parks, but the drama of the setting makes up for this. Black rhino and cheetah are some of the flagship species you can expect to see. Some of the interesting antelope often encountered are eland, red hartebeest and gemsbok. Night drives can produce sightings of aardvark, aardwolf and bat-eared fox.-
Elephant
Occasional -
Giraffe
Occasional -
Hippo
Occasional -
Buffalo
Common -
Zebra
Common -
Wildebeest
Common -
White Rhino
Occasional -
Black Rhino
Occasional -
Lion
Occasional -
Leopard
Rare -
Cheetah
Occasional -
Hyena
Occasional -
Wild Dog
Rare
Wildlife highlights
The much localized black wildebeest, rare cousin of the blue wildebeest, is one of the special animals common in Kwandwe. This is one of the best places to see black rhino, which is more common here than the white rhino. Night drives are excellent and offer a chance to see the nocturnal aardwolf, porcupine and aardvark as well as the elusive and much sought-after pangolin.Best time for wildlife viewing
Animals are easily seen at remaining water sources during the Dry season (June through September) so this is the best time for wildlife watching, although it tends to be good throughout the whole year.Best Time to Visit
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May - August
Little Rain
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October - December
High Season Rates
-
May to September
Low Season Rates
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September to April
Warmer nights and Mornings
-
May to August
Cold nights and mornings
May to September
- Winter- Animals concentrate around waterholes due to the a lack of water in the bush
- It is low season, and lower rates apply
- Skies are bright and clear
October to April
- Summer- Newborn animals are present
- Abundant flowers and vegetation
- Birding is excellent with migratory birds present, including breeding pairs of the endangered blue crane
Weather & Climate
Kwandwe enjoys a temperate climate. Daytime temperatures are quite comfortable throughout the year, but it does get colder at night in the winter months (May to September). Winter and summer are at the opposite time as compared to Europe and North America. Unlike the summer rainfall pattern in the rest of the country, it rains throughout the year. It doesn’t rain that much, but most of it falls in the summer months, from October to March.Climate Chart
- 272-479m / 892-1,572ft© chart & park data: SafariBookings. © climate grid data: WorldClim project. All rights reserved.
Winter
- May to SeptemberThe winter months are chilly at night and early in the morning. It is essential to bring warm winter clothing for early morning drives in open vehicles. Winter skies are clear, with less rainfall than in the summertime.
- May Temperatures decrease to around 10°C/50°F in the morning and 22°C/72°F in the afternoon. This is the beginning of winter.
- June & July Afternoons temperatures are around 21°C/72°F, while morning temperatures average 7°C/45°F. These months are the coldest of the year.
- August & September The temperatures gradually increase to an average of 22°C/72°F during afternoons. The typical morning temperature is around 9°C/48°F.
Summer
- October - AprilNights and mornings are generally more comfortable during the summer, with slightly more rainfall. Sometimes it rains for days, and off-road driving will stop until the ground dries up sufficiently to protect the delicate environment.
- October & November Temperatures are between 11°C/52°F in the morning and 24°C/75°F in the afternoon. October is a peak month for rain, but it doesn't fall every day. When it does, it can drizzle for the whole day.
- December , January & February Average afternoon temperatures reach 27°C/81°F during the warmest months of the year. Mornings are pleasant, averaging 16°C/61°F. This period sees less rain.
- March & April March is a wet month, but it seldom rains for days on end. It starts to cool down again with an average day temperature of 25°C/77°F in the afternoon and 14°C/57°F in the morning.