Founders Lodge by Mantis 5 stars

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!

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.

The best experience in a fantastic place. Comfortable and welcoming lodge. Brilliant food and friendly staff.

Our stay was an exceptional blend of refined luxury, warm hospitality and a level of excellence that exceeded our expectations - truly unforgettable. We were deeply impressed by every detail - from the caring service to the delicious cuisine.

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.