Founders Lodge by Mantis 5 stars

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

Customer review rating (ALL Rating) 4.9/5 93 reviews

65 65 photos

Sidbury Eastern Cape South, Africa, 6001 Gqeberha, South Africa

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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ALL Rating 4.9/5 93 reviews

Melissa G. Couples - 6/10/2026 Confirmed reviews ALL

The best experience we could hope for. From the initial greetings to the help with leaving the lodge, everything was excellent. Our experience with our guide and the whole staff was great. The daily safari rides will not be forgotten nor will the dining experiences. We stayed at the carriage which was the most unique experience, secluded yet also well looked after. We wish all the best to everyone working at the Founders lodge and would like to include everyone there even if we didnt meet personally during our visit!

Thank you Melissa - we hope to welcome you & Jason back in the future :)

Bartle B. Couples - 6/4/2026 Confirmed reviews ALL

What a wonderful experience. Game Lodges come in all shapes and sizes but this small 7 suite boutique lodge within the Shamwari Reserve in the Eastern Cape of SA hits the right balance. We have been to many in South Africa and this is now our favourite for this reason. This is the former homestead of the Mantis collection who have preserved the country house feel. It’s not glitzy and Brash like some, no spa, no TV’s but it is unobtrusively professionally run by Glynnis and her team with genuinely friendly efficient staff. The rooms are spacious and well equipped and have an individual intimacy. A lovely touch each your meals were taken in a different location. A special shout out to Chantel (front of house) and Craig (head ranger) who went over and above to sort out the issue with our hire car by organising a new battery to be couriered to the Lodge from 65kms away. Allowing us the peace of mind to relax and enjoy our game drives with our hugely knowledgeable and entertaining ranger Sikhumbuzo.

Thank you Bartle - we look forward to welcoming you and Karen back to the Lodge in the future :)

Anna T. Solo - 5/30/2026 Confirmed reviews ALL

Thank you, Anna - we loved hosting you at Founders Lodge and hope to welcome you back one day in the future! Mathew sends lots of love to his 'UK Gran' ♥

Marie V. R. Friends - 5/20/2026 Confirmed reviews ALL

Thank you, Marie - we appreciate your kind words.

Sheena W. Solo - 4/28/2026 Confirmed reviews ALL

If I had to sum up my 5 nights at Founders Lodge by Mantis in one word, it would be home. An extraordinary, wild, luxurious home. From the moment I arrived, I knew this was an amazing place. My room was incredible — the kind of space that makes you stop and breathe it in. Spacious, immaculate, and thoughtfully designed with literally everything I could have wished for. The bed was a cloud I sank into each night, the bathroom was spa-level luxury with plush towels and beautiful amenities, and can we talk about that shower gel and hand + body cream? The scent was heavenly. I found myself looking forward to every shower. Add in a proper coffee setup, a selection of teas, delicious biscuits, and fresh water refreshed several times a day, and I was spoiled before I even stepped outside. But the real showstopper was the vista. My room opened onto what felt like my own private garden, and “garden” means the African bush. I could have happily sat there all day. Zebra, giraffe, rhino, blesbok and more wandered past like I had front-row seats to the best nature documentary ever made. What truly elevates Founders Lodge, though, is the people. Lodge managers Craig and Glynnis are simply adorable. Warm, genuine, and they went out of their way to make me feel at home — and it did feel like a home away from home. In fact, everyone was so friendly, smiling, and happy. I wish I could name them all because they all deserve it, but special thanks to Cat, Chanel, Nini, and Matt — you made every day brighter. As a solo traveler, experiences can feel different, but here it only made everything more special. I met some extraordinary fellow guests, and the game drives with Ranger James were a highlight. His knowledge of the bush is remarkable, but it’s his care that stands out. He knows how to read his guests — and for me, that meant understanding that the sightings matter. He looked after us completely — from morning coffee with a splash of Amarula to keep us warm, to sundowners served at a beautifully set table in the middle of nowhere, done so professionally it felt effortless. And the sightings! We had some truly amazing moments I’ll never forget. Every drive fed that wild-animal fix I crave. Then there’s the food. Every meal was delicious, thoughtfully prepared, and paired with a fantastic selection of South African wines. Dining here is an experience in itself — unpretentious, flavorful, and always served with a smile. I left Founders Lodge with a full heart and a promise to myself: I can’t wait to go back. If all goes well, you’ll see me again next year. To Craig, Glynnis, James, Cat, Chanel, Nini, Matt, and the entire Founders team — thank you for the magic. You’ve set the bar impossibly high.

Sheena, what a wonderful review from a most wonderful lady! Thank you so much for your kind words - we truly appreciate them and can't wait to welcome you back in the future! Sending lots of love your way! Glynnis

Web-users rating

Other web-users rate our hotel

28 reviews 9.1/10 Location
42 reviews 9.1/10 Room
88 reviews 9.6/10 Service
56 reviews 9.9/10 Food
46 reviews 9.1/10 Amenities
19 reviews 10/10 Vibe
13 reviews 9.4/10 Comfort

8 reviews 8.7/10 Room
20 reviews 9.6/10 Service
11 reviews 9.9/10 Food
10 reviews 9.3/10 Amenities

5 reviews 9.2/10 Location
7 reviews 9/10 Room
13 reviews 9.5/10 Service
9 reviews 9.8/10 Food
8 reviews 8.8/10 Amenities

Frequently asked questions

Where is the hotel located and how can I get there?

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What services and amenities are available?

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What are the check-in and check-out times?

At Founders Lodge by Mantis, check-in is available from 01:00 PM and check-out is up to 11:00 AM. For more flexibility, many hotels offer the late check-out option, allowing you to enjoy your stay longer. Indeed, members of the ALL Accor loyalty program benefit from preferential conditions and late check-out. If you are not a member, you can also request a late check-out when booking online, upon arrival or directly at the front desk the day before or the day of departure. A late departure can sometimes be offered until 1-2 PM.

Are there any special offers or discounts available?

Yes, Founders Lodge by Mantis regularly offers special deals and discounts, mainly accessible through our ALL Accor loyalty program. By becoming a free member, you benefit from preferential rates year-round, often 5% to 10% off. You can also take advantage of exclusive offers sometimes up to 30% or 40% off stays for certain periods. To maximize your savings, check the Deals section on all.accor.com, sign up for newsletters to receive the best offers by email, be flexible with your dates and book directly via the website or the ALL Accor app, to enjoy the best guaranteed rates and earn loyalty points.

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