Founders Lodge by Mantis 5 stars

Name: Founders Lodge by Mantis - ALL
Address: Sidbury Eastern Cape South, Africa, PORT ELIZABETH, 6001, ZA
Telephone: +27415550009
Rating: 5.0

Customer review rating (ALL Rating) 5.0/5 21 reviews

52 52 photos

Sidbury Eastern Cape South, Africa, 6001 PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa

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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Fees and taxes included

1 night | 1 adult

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Not available on the dates requested See availabilities

Suite

Heritage Suite

2 pers. max
30 m² / 322 sq ft

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

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Fees and taxes included

1 night | 1 adult

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Not available on the dates requested See availabilities

Suite

Master Suite

3 pers. max
40 m² / 430 sq ft

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

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Fees and taxes included

1 night | 1 adult

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Suite

Contemporary Suites

3 pers. max
35 m² / 376 sq ft

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

From NaN € NaN ZAR Note

Fees and taxes included

1 night | 1 adult

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Not available on the dates requested 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: Terrace or Fireplace or Private Pool

From NaN € NaN ZAR Note

Fees and taxes included

1 night | 1 adult

Book

Not available on the dates requested See availabilities

Hotel location

Founders Lodge by Mantis

Sidbury Eastern Cape South, Africa
6001 PORT ELIZABETH
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 5.0/5 21 reviews

TripAdvisor Rating 5.0/5 187 reviews

Memorable location and fantastic service

simon-t8t Couples - 5/1/2025 TripAdvisor review

We had a really fantastic 3 night stay at Founders Lodge. The staff were all, without exception, outstanding, welcoming and friendly. It truly felt they were all passionate about the property and the service provided. Our guide on the game drives, Juvan, was outstanding. His knowledge of,and passion for, the animals really shone through. He really went out of his way to make each game drive a brilliant and memorable experience. Our room was super, with a view over to the waterhole and hide. Waking up to views of a passing giraffe or rhino is definitely memorable. Founders Lodge is highly recommended.

Thank you, Simon - it was wonderful hosting you & Ellen here at Founders Lodge and we hope to welcome you back in the future :)

Incredible

Jeremy Families - 4/15/2025 Confirmed reviews ALL

Thank you, Jeremy, for such a wonderful review - we really appreciate it and look forward to welcoming your family back to Founders in the future!

Blissful

David M. Couples - 4/13/2025 Confirmed reviews ALL

Thank you so much for this great review, David - it was our pleasure having you & Dawn spend a couple of days with us!

Founders Lodge is second to none.

Denise H Couples - 4/13/2025 TripAdvisor review

Second to none - Founder’s Lodge has been absolutely wonderful. Craig and Glynnis are just the best hosts. Service is personalised and personable. Food was delicious. Your experience really matters to them. The guiding was terrific and we saw Lions, Giraffes, Black Rhino, White Rhino, Warthogs, Impala, Springbok, Kudu, Buck, Zebra, Mongoose, Gennet and much more. Watch the animals from your bedroom as they visit the waterhole. Beautiful pool overlooking the waterhole. Enjoy a Braai/Barbeque with other guests. With over 28,000 hectares there’s a huge expanse of land and animals for you to discover. We cannot recommend Founders highly enough.

Oh Denise, what a wonderful review....thank you so much! We hope to welcome you & Dermot back in the future! Sending lots of love your way xx

5 Star,- once in a life time experience

Greg B. Couples - 3/24/2025 Confirmed reviews ALL

Thank you, Greg - it was great having you all with us for a few days and we hope to welcome you back in the future :)

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Other web-users rate our hotel

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5 reviews 9.3/10 Room
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Price from: 1 night for 1 person in the room category identified within the same price range, excluding additional services and breakfast. This refers to the lowest public price, including all taxes (Some taxes may be payable on arrival at the hotel (for example, tourist tax), depending on current local regulations.) for the accommodation concerned, found on https://all.accor.com/ site today, for a one-night stay in the next 20 days. Varies according to period and availability. The price is only guaranteed at the time of booking. All bookings (foreign) are payable in the local currency where the hotel is situated. Only the amount confirmed during the booking in the hotels local currency is guaranteed. An estimated conversion in your local currency may be given for reference but is not part of the contract. Your bank may charge you bank fees and/or exchange fees at the time of payment.