Swartberg Game Reserve — Attraction in George

Big thank you to Craig and Peggy for organizing game drive followed by the walks with giraffes. Place was not supposed to be open on 3 Jan 2020 as we read on the website but we decided to phone them anyways in the morning and they were very gracious to organize the tour for us. They shared very detailed directions how to get there and we didn’t have any issue to get there. Tip - Pls follow their directions and not the one google maPs Suggests! So the ride over property starts with an intro of the land (apparently it’s quite young, only 20 years), importance of conversation and why it’s a hot topic in SA and worldwide in general. Then we moved to the reserve and saw different types of antipopes, wildebeest, Buffalo, birds, and obviously giraffes. Once we spotted these beautiful gracious animals we stopped around 700 meters and walked to probably 100 m away from them and hid in the shadow of the tree. Apparently giraffes have bad eyesight so they were looking at us without running away. We’ve seen 9 of them they literally on the display, 7 grown ups and 2 baby calves. It’s a magnificent animal and Craig gave us lots of interesting insights about them and conservation achievements. If you are lucky you can even see a leopard but they are hard to spot + They are usually active at night. Worth taking binoculars (even though they provide one pair for a vehicle) and good camera but this advice is pretty much for all the game drives Bonus : on the way back follow the dirt road (if the car allows). It’s very scenic and picturesque, we also spotted a jackal...

We spent two really special hours being driven by Craig around a tiny portion of the 7000 hectares in the Reserve. Unlike so many "Safari's" where you find yourself in a convoy of trucks, we were the only LandRover out there which made it particularly magical. The variety and quantity of game we saw far exceeded our expectations, including pronking springboks , Cape Zebra, and really close encounters both with buffalo and a beautiful group of giraffe. We were even lucky enough to see a Courtship dance with two Blue Crane, something which Craig has only see three times in the 20 years he has lived on the Reserve. Ironically though, another of the real highlights was Craig himself. His knowledge of and passion for the Reserve and its animals was infectious and the simplest questions would be answered with really clear and comprehensive answers. He seemed to take a genuine pleasure in sharing his knowledge and we felt that we had engaged with his re-wilding project rather than just being passive observers. Add to that his charming personality, and it was a late afternoon we will treasure for a long time. Utterly brilliant and great...

Swartberg Game Reserve offers an extraordinary experience that blends breathtaking landscapes with unforgettable wildlife encounters. Our visit, which included a guided walk with giraffes, was nothing short of remarkable. Koos, our guide, demonstrated deep knowledge and passion for the reserve's wildlife, making the experience both educational and enjoyable.

During our game drive, we indulged in delicious biltong, cold beers, and a variety of snacks, all while soaking in the stunning beauty of the reserve.

Another unique highlight was discovering crystals in the ground, thanks to the reserve's special geological location. It added an unexpected and fascinating element to our adventure.

Swartberg Game Reserve stands out as one of the most picturesque places we’ve ever visited, and it is undoubtedly the perfect destination for anyone seeking an authentic and enriching wildlife experience no matter the age. This is something for everyone, for nature enthusiasts or those simply looking to unwind in serene surroundings, this reserve is a must-visit. Highly...