Sanbona: Tilney Manor

The Western Cape’s answer to a luxe safari experience, here wildlife roam free in over 58 000 hectares of wilderness below the purple folds of the Warmwaterberg mountains. You come here for Big Five-spotting, wide-open savannah, indigenous flora, birdlife and tranquillity, plus the luxury of five-star service and privacy. While the two daily nature drives are the main event, you can fill your days with wilderness walks, visits to ancient rock-art sites, spa treatments and guided stargazing excursions.

Among the three accommodation options, the Georgian-style Tilney Manor stands out for its graceful elegance and historic ambience. The original homestead dates back to 1894 and was once the home of Swellendam’s district magistrate, with a formal dining room spilling out onto an outdoor dining area and a beamed lounge with a fireplace. Surrounded by an oasis of indigenous gardens, six serene suites are built around the old house, each offering long views over an unspoilt valley of Karoo wilderness, with a wide private verandah where you can soak up the silence.

THE LODGINGS

Tilney Manor has six spacious open-plan suites opening onto private terraces.

Indoor living

• King-size bed
• Ensuite bathroom with a shower, free-standing bath, and twin basins
• His and hers outdoor showers
• Small lounge area
• Fully stocked mini-bar
• Tea- and coffee-making facilities
• Electronic safe
• Complimentary wifi
• International dial telephone
• Shared lounge with fireplace and satellite television in the main building
• Indoor and outdoor dining areas
• Relaxation retreat with a steam room and sauna
• Exercise Room

Outdoor living

• Private verandah with outdoor furniture
• Rim-flow swimming pool
• Indigenous gardens

Good to know

All meals, a limited selection of house beers, wines and soft drinks, on-drive snacks and drinks, nature walks and two daily nature drives are included.

THINGS TO DO

• Two daily game drives – in addition to the Big 5, smaller game roam the plains, including rarely seen aardvarks, caracals, brown hyenas and riverine rabbits
• Guided nature walks to identify birds, insects, plants and animals
• Guided visits to ancient Khoi-San rock-art sites
• Guided stargazing (it is Karoo big-sky country, after all)
• A Relaxation Retreat with a steam room and sauna for pampering treatments
• Relax in and around the rim-flow pool