Hotels of Earth

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

★★★★★ R62 between Montagu and Barrydale, Barrydale, Western Cape, 6720, Barrydale, ZA

9.6 guest rating· 79 reviews

The five stars

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve holds a five-star rating in its official classification, the requirement for every property in the Hotels of Earth collection.

The service side of those stars shows in its listing: Full-service spa, Terrace, Concierge service and Outdoor pool - seasonal.

Guests score it 9.6/10 across 79 reviews.

About this hotel

Luxurious Spa Retreat

Experience ultimate relaxation at the full-service spa offering massages, body treatments, and facials. Engage in a thrilling safari or unwind by the outdoor pool. Enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, concierge services, and on-site dining with all-inclusive rates. Gourmet Dining Indulge in meals at one of the three restaurants, including a daily complimentary full breakfast. Elegant Accommodations Stay in air-conditioned rooms with private balconies, deep soaking bathtubs, and rainfall showerheads. Immerse yourself in luxury at Sanbona Wildlife Reserve.

Rooms & rates

Pick your dates. Prices are live, not cached.

Tilney Manor

Sleeps 2 · 60 m² · King bed

  • Desk
  • Laptop-friendly workspace
  • Air conditioning
  • Balcony or patio
  • Bathrobe

<p><strong>1 King Bed OR 2 Twin Beds</strong></p><p>646-sq-foot room, balcony/patio with mountain views </p><br/><p><b>Layout</b> - Bedroom </p><p><b>Relax</b> - Fireplace</p><p><b>Food & Drink</b> - Coffee/tea maker, minibar (fees may apply), electric kettle, and free bottled water</p><p><b>Sleep</b> - Premium bedding, blackout drapes/curtains, turndown service, and bed sheets </p><p><b>Bathroom</b> - Private bathroom, deep soaking bathtub, and separate shower with a rainfall showerhead</p><p><b>Practical</b> - Safe, laptop workspace, and phone</p><p><b>Comfort</b> - Air conditioning, daily housekeeping, and heating</p><p><b>Eco-friendly</b> - Recycling bin and LED light bulbs</p><p><b>Need to Know</b> - No cribs (infant beds) or rollaway/extra beds available</p><p>Non-Smoking</p>

Dwyka Tented Lodge 1

Sleeps 2 · 65 m² · King bed

  • Desk
  • Laptop-friendly workspace
  • Air conditioning
  • Balcony or patio
  • Bathrobe

<p><strong>1 King Bed OR 2 Twin Beds</strong></p><p>700-sq-foot room, balcony/patio with mountain views </p><br/><p><b>Relax</b> - Private plunge pool</p><p><b>Food & Drink</b> - Coffee/tea maker, minibar (fees may apply), electric kettle, and free bottled water</p><p><b>Sleep</b> - Premium bedding, blackout drapes/curtains, turndown service, and bed sheets </p><p><b>Bathroom</b> - Private bathroom, deep soaking bathtub, and separate shower with a rainfall showerhead</p><p><b>Practical</b> - Safe, laptop workspace, and phone</p><p><b>Comfort</b> - Air conditioning, daily housekeeping, and heating</p><p><b>Eco-friendly</b> - Recycling bin and LED light bulbs</p><p><b>Need to Know</b> - No cribs (infant beds) or rollaway/extra beds available</p><p>Non-Smoking</p>

Gondwana Lodge 1

Sleeps 2 · 57 m² · King bed

  • Desk
  • Laptop-friendly workspace
  • Air conditioning
  • Balcony or patio
  • Bathrobe

<p><strong>1 King Bed OR 2 Twin Beds</strong></p><p>614-sq-foot room, balcony/patio with valley views </p><br/><p><b>Food & Drink</b> - Coffee/tea maker, minibar (fees may apply), electric kettle, and free bottled water</p><p><b>Sleep</b> - Premium bedding, blackout drapes/curtains, turndown service, and bed sheets </p><p><b>Bathroom</b> - Private bathroom, deep soaking bathtub, and separate shower with a rainfall showerhead</p><p><b>Practical</b> - Safe, laptop workspace, and phone</p><p><b>Comfort</b> - Air conditioning, daily housekeeping, and heating</p><p><b>Eco-friendly</b> - Recycling bin and LED light bulbs</p><p><b>Need to Know</b> - No rollaway/extra beds available</p><p>Non-Smoking</p>

Amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Outdoor pool - seasonal
  • Pool sun loungers
  • Pool umbrellas
  • Full-service spa
  • Free self parking
  • Free breakfast
  • Free full breakfast
  • Vegetarian breakfast available
  • 24-hour front desk
  • Safe-deposit box at front desk
  • At least 80% of all lighting comes from LEDs
  • Banquet hall
  • Comprehensive food waste policy
Show all 42 amenities
  • Comprehensive recycling policy
  • Concierge service
  • Designated smoking area
  • Double-glazing on all windows
  • Firepit
  • Fireplace in lobby
  • Game viewing on site
  • Garden
  • Gift shops or newsstand
  • Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
  • Humane animal treatment
  • LED light bulbs
  • Library
  • Multilingual staff
  • Outdoor entertainment area
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Playground on site
  • Recycling
  • Safari on site
  • Showcase for local artists
  • Sustainability/community reinvestment (10% revenue or more)
  • Television in common areas
  • Terrace
  • Tours/ticket assistance
  • Vegan menu options available
  • Vegetable garden
  • Vegetarian menu options available
  • Water-efficient showers only

Location

© OpenStreetMap contributors

R62 between Montagu and Barrydale, Barrydale, Western Cape, 6720, Barrydale, ZA

Check-in
from 12:00 PM to 11:30 PM
Check-out
until 11:00 AM

What guests say9.679 reviews

+ Incredible stay+ Knowledgeable and passionate staff− Food was occasionally lacking
Cleanliness9.4
Service10.0
Location9.9
Room Quality9.8
Amenities9.9
Value for Money9.5

Guest review

10.0

Incredible stay, everything from food to staff to safari was amazing. The staff went above and beyond to ensure we had a fantastic stay

Christopher · 2025-09-24

Wonderful Experience

10.0

This was our first safari experienced in Africa and loved every minute. We loved the whole ethos of Sanbona .... they are creating a wildlife reserve that is a true representation of the semi-arid Little Karoo. There may not be as many animals here as on other large-scale reserves further east but we were privileged to see many species, including witnessing lions chasing an Eiland through the gorge. Our guide, Ryan, was wonderful ... SO knowledgeable, calm, funny and totally passionate about the animals and the whole ecology of the reserve; their ethos surrounding sustainability is outstanding. The scenery is both vast & beautiful. Rooms were extremely comfortable, service from all staff excellent; we felt valued as guests, particularly regarding the "extras" we received as celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary; a big "thank you" for that. One small area of disappointment was that the food was a little lacking at times, in comparison to other venues we have stayed on our trip. We would return in a heartbeat!

Deborah · 2025-09-16

First Safari!

10.0

The property is amazing, eco friendly, 10 star comfort, and food. Friendly and supportive staff. The cottages are incredible!, clean, large super comfortable quarters! very spacious. The Location is spectacular with incredible views. The safari excursions are fabulous. The Guides are great. Our guide Nicole was fabulous, friendly and informative. This is the way to safari!!! Its a must for everyone, especially families! You'll remember this forever!!!

carlos · 2025-05-31

Guest review

10.0

Really love that Place

Nadja · 2025-04-29

Guest review

10.0

Exceptional Hospitality

Angelika · 2025-03-16

Guest review

10.0

Sanbona was amazing! They are very focused on the conservation of plants and animals, but manage to do this while offering the utmost luxury! We loved our stay at Sanbona!

Dawn · 2025-03-16

Hotels of Earth · questions

Is Sanbona Wildlife Reserve really a five-star hotel?
Yes. Its own classification data carries five stars; that rating, not a style label, is what puts a property in this collection.

Good to know

The seasonal pool will be open from September 01 to March 31.

Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.

Contactless check-in and contactless check-out are available.

›Pets

Pets not allowed

›General

Gap period enforced between guest stays - 72 hours

›Check-in & Check-out

Contactless check-out is available

›General

Cashless transactions are available

›Accessibility

No elevators

›General

Professional property host/manager

›Check-in & Check-out

Contactless check-in is available

›Children and extra beds

No cribs (infant beds) available