Name: Founders Lodge by Mantis - ALL
Address: Sidbury Eastern Cape South, Africa, Gqeberha, 6001, ZA
Telephone: +27415550009
Rating: 4.9

Founders Lodge by Mantis

Boutique hotels with personality for a remarkable travel experience

Founders Lodge by Mantis, an hour's drive from Gqeberha's Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport 's in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, is a game reserve with 5-star hospitality focused on tailored and convivial service, authentic South African cuisine and magnificent game viewing. This 7-suite lodge and newly renovated Founders Railway Carriage offers a pampered safari with an intimate, romantic experience for couples or an engaging, interactive social environment for families and friends.

Located in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, Founders Lodge by Mantis is the birthplace of conservation in the region.

A celebration of essential beginnings in sustainable tourism, culture, conservation and community inclusion. It is a monument to conservation history and offers soul-reviving safaris in the place where Adrian Gardiner pioneered private game reserves.

Craig Turner, Hotel Management

Founders Lodge is more than just a safari destination, it is an embodiment of the lasting legacy of which founder, Adrian Gardiner, dreamt. It is about preserving and nurturing, as well as conservation of our wildlife and nature for future generations.
Hotel News:
In line with meeting our guests' standards, we will be carrying out some essential maintenance work 04 - 26 June 2025 that will greatly enhance our lodge and ultimately benefit to your clients.

Hotel extras

4x4 guided game drives on 25 000ha of wilderness area
Gymnasium and steam room
Outdoor Pool
Community and conservation focused guest experiences
Home to the first South African Bear Gryll's Survival Academy Kids Experience

Our accommodation(s)

Room

Honeymoon Pod

2 pers. max
32 m² / 344 sq ft

Bedding 1 x King size bed(s)
Views: Hills view or Panorama view
Most of the accommodation: Balcony

See availabilities

Suite

Heritage Suite

2 pers. max
30 m² / 322 sq ft

Bedding 1 x Single bed(s)
Views: Garden View or Hills view
Most of the accommodation: Terrace

See availabilities

Suite

Master Suite

3 pers. max
40 m² / 430 sq ft

Bedding 1 x King size bed(s)
Views: Garden View or Hills view
Most of the accommodation: Terrace

See availabilities

Suite

Contemporary Suites

3 pers. max
35 m² / 376 sq ft

Bedding 1 x Joinable bed(s)
Views: Garden View or Hills view
Most of the accommodation: Terrace

See availabilities

Suite

The Founders Railway Carriage

5 pers. max
18 m² / 193 sq ft

Bedding 2 x Single bed(s)
Views: Hills view
Most of the accommodation: Fireplace or Private Pool or Terrace

See availabilities

Take advantage of our Flight + Hotel offers

Discover

Hotel location

Founders Lodge by Mantis

Sidbury Eastern Cape South, Africa
6001 Gqeberha
South Africa

GPS:-33.457189, 26.123962

+27 41 555 0009

Hotel services

Check-in from 01:00 PM - Check out up to 11:00 AM

On site

Swimming pool
Car park
Restaurant
Fitness center
Wi-Fi
Air conditioning
Breakfast
Bar
100% Non Smoking Property

FOUNDERS

Enjoy the enticing flavours of the Eastern Cape, traditional BBQ dinners and sumptuous lunches.

Our guest reviews

100% genuine reviews from our guests

Find out more

ALL Rating 4.9/5 85 reviews

Susan M. Couples - 4/15/2026 Confirmed reviews ALL

Our short stay at Founders Lodge was absolutely fabulous. We were taken care of and looked after in every possible way. From the very caring managers to all the other staff we felt utterly spoilt. We never expected to witness so many animals and we fell in love with the wildlife. It was breathtaking to see elephants, cheeters, lions, giraffe, rhinos and so many more at close range. Then to return to the lodge and relax in the super comfortable rooms and sun terraces where we were served delicious food and drinks was an absolute delight. I was emotional to leave!

Thank you so much for this great review Susan - we loved having you & Arek here with us at Founders Lodge! Please thank Arek for all the great photos he has put out on social media tagging Founders Lodge :)

Suzanne M. B. Solo - 4/5/2026 Confirmed reviews ALL

From the time we were welcomed on arrival, to the time we left on departure we were treated like royalty.

Thank you for this great review, Sue - we loved having you with us at Founders Lodge and hope that our paths meet again in the future :)

Peter H. Families - 4/4/2026 Confirmed reviews ALL

Fantastic experience from the moment we arrived until we left. Rooms and location were perfect, food was fantastic and plentiful. Staff were friendly, helpful and always on hand to assist.

Thank you Peter - we so appreciate your great review and hope to welcome your family back to Founders Lodge in the future :)

Geoff E. Families - 4/3/2026 Confirmed reviews ALL

Lovely location, excellent team and the safari was mind blowing!

Thank you Geoff - it was great having your family here with us and I hope that Fiona is well recovered :)

Sally F. Couples - 3/13/2026 Confirmed reviews ALL

We saw exceptional game sightings.

Thank you, Sally, we so appreciate your review :)

Web-users rating

Other web-users rate our hotel

28 reviews 9.8/10 Location
43 reviews 8.8/10 Room
85 reviews 9.4/10 Service
51 reviews 9.9/10 Food
44 reviews 9.7/10 Amenities
19 reviews 10/10 Vibe
11 reviews 9.3/10 Comfort

6 reviews 8.5/10 Room
17 reviews 9.3/10 Service
10 reviews 9.9/10 Food
9 reviews 9.8/10 Amenities

8 reviews 8.7/10 Room
13 reviews 9.3/10 Service
9 reviews 9.8/10 Food
7 reviews 9.6/10 Amenities

Powered by Trustyou

Free: become a member

When making a booking at this hotel:

I earn Status & Rewards points
I can use my Rewards points
I benefit from advantages
I can take advantage of the Members' rate
I can take advantage of the Members' rate

Our other establishments nearby

Mantis Hiddn in Addo 5 stars

At 46.41 km

See the hotel

No5 Boutique Art Hotel by Mantis 5 stars

Customer review rating (ALL Rating) 4.8/5 (111 reviews)

At 72.635 km

See the hotel

All our hotels in Port Elizabeth