Sanbona Wildlife Reserve | Tilney Manor

Guests arrive at Tilney Manor within Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, a sixty-two-thousand-hectare protected area between the towns of Montagu and Barrydale in the Little Karoo. The Cape Georgian homestead overlooks renosterveld plains that extend to the Kleinberg mountain range. Six open-plan suites open onto private verandas with views of the undulating landscape. Each suite is fitted with air-conditioning, underfloor heating, a fireplace, an en-suite bathroom with shower, twin basins, and a freestanding bath in the centre of the room, plus his-and-hers outdoor showers. A king or twin bed configuration accommodates a maximum of two adults per suite. The manor admits no child under the age of twelve.

Indigenous gardens surround the main building. A rim-flow pool faces the plains. The Relaxation Retreat houses a steam room, sauna, and treatment menu drawing on fynbos extracts. An exercise room, signature heritage lounge, and lounges with fireplaces and satellite television provide indoor retreat. Dining takes place indoors or in the open air. Daily game drives in open Land Cruisers depart with a qualified ranger. Guided walks reveal fauna, flora, and rock-art sites left by the /Xam San people, some dating back more than three thousand five hundred years. More than two hundred bird species inhabit the reserve, including African fish eagle, black eagle, and black harrier. Stargazing sessions interpret constellations of the southern hemisphere. Complimentary wireless internet, laundry service, and mini-bar are included. The lodge closes annually from early June through early October.