Tilney Manor, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is one of the largest privately owned game reserves in South Africa. It is malaria-free and located in the Western Cape’s Little Karoo, about three hour’s drive from Cape Town, one of my favourite cities in the world. Covering over 58,000 hectares (about 143,000 acres), Sanbona offers a unique wildlife and safari experience, combining the Big Five animals (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and buffalo) with stunning landscapes.

Rental car: CABS Car Hire
South Africa is one of my favourite countries in the world, but until this year’s trip, I had never rented a car in the country. This year, I rented a car near Cape Town International Airport from a company called CABS Car Hire, which I can highly recommend. I left Cape Town and visited Swellendam on the way to Sanbona, which is a nice little town, worthy of a visit.

Arrival
Upon arrival at Sanbona, I drove all the way to Tilney Manor which is a smaller alternative to their family-focused lodge, Gondwana. Tilney Manor has only six rooms which all are suites. After a warm welcome and information about the stay, I was escorted to my suite.

Room
I stayed in a beautiful suite which had a freestanding bathtub and two outdoor showers as highlights. The interior design is focused on comfort and relaxation, blending modern luxury with subtle hints of traditional African décor.

Experience
The service at Tilney Manor is great. The staff are friendly and accommodating. I had some special requests for my stay and I am thankful for their help. The food is really good here and I enjoyed some great meals. The game drive is a special experience with stunning nature and exciting animals. A really special experience awaits guests at Tilney Manor. More information can be found on their official website.