Founders Lodge by Mantis

Founders Lodge by Mantis Where it all began for private conservation in the Eastern Cape. The birthplace of conservation in the Eastern Cape.
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An exclusive 5-star, malaria-free reserve with intimate Big 5 safaris, seven suites, and a private Railway Carriage. Founders Lodge by Mantis offers luxurious hospitality that is focused on tailored service. This 7 suite wildlife safari lodge and the new exclusive use Founders Railway Carriage permanently stationed on a hill on the reserve, located in the Eastern Cape, just one hour from Gqeberha

. Founders offers a luxurious safari experience with a flair of romance for couples, and an intimate social environment for families and friends travelling together. Founders Lodge is a celebration of essential beginnings in sustainable tourism, culture, conservation, and community inclusion. This lodge is a monument to conservation history, and it offers soul-reviving safaris in the place where Adrian Gardiner pioneered private game reserves and eco-tourism in the Eastern Cape. Guests enjoy intimate nature-inspired experiences focused on the smaller lesser known wildlife and ecology, as well as big five viewing on 4×4 guided game drives on 25000ha of game reserve.

04/09/2026

Your room with a view... just happens to include rhino. At Founders, some of the most memorable wildlife encounters happen without ever stepping into a game viewer.

Some evenings unfold beneath the stars, others around the fire, perhaps on the terrace overlooking the reserve or gather...
31/08/2026

Some evenings unfold beneath the stars, others around the fire, perhaps on the terrace overlooking the reserve or gathered together in the warmth of the lodge.

At Founders, every meal is designed to feel different because every day in the bush deserves its own ending. It’s another thoughtful detail that guests remember long after they’ve returned home.

“Every meal felt like a special occasion.”” – Guest Review.

27/08/2026

Just a few steps from your suite lies one of Founders Lodge’s most unforgettable experiences. Accessible to every guest throughout their stay, our underground hide overlooks a busy waterhole, allowing you to quietly observe wildlife as it comes and goes on its own terms. No game drive required, just patience, stillness and the privilege of seeing the wild unfold naturally.

“The hide was unlike anything we’ve ever experienced.” – Guest Review.

04/08/2026

Luxury can be measured in many ways, but one of the greatest compliments we hear isn’t about the suites, the safari or the food, it’s when guests tell us that Founders Lodge felt like home.

Perhaps it’s the warmth of being welcomed by name, the conversations around the fire, or the feeling of returning from a game drive to a place that already feels familiar.

It’s a different kind of luxury: personal, unhurried and genuine.

“It didn’t feel like a hotel... it felt like home.”” – Guest Review.

Today, every lion’s roar and every sunrise over the bush reminds us that conservation is more than a moment, it’s a lega...
28/07/2026

Today, every lion’s roar and every sunrise over the bush reminds us that conservation is more than a moment, it’s a legacy.

This Nature Conservation Day, we celebrate those who chose restoration over destruction, who saw wilderness where others saw farmland, and believed the wild was worth fighting for.

Long before the Eastern Cape became one of Africa’s great safari destinations, Adrian Gardiner and fellow conservation pioneers imagined a different future, one where wildlife would return, landscapes would heal, and a legacy would be created for generations to come.

Packing for safari is often simpler than people think. A few neutral layers, comfortable walking shoes and a camera are ...
22/07/2026

Packing for safari is often simpler than people think. A few neutral layers, comfortable walking shoes and a camera are all you really need. We’ll take care of the rest with a water flask and binoculars, so you can focus on what really matters - immersing yourself in the wild.

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16/07/2026

This is what slowing down looks like. Sometimes, the greatest luxury isn’t doing more, it’s taking the time to reconnect with nature, with those around you, and with yourself. Out here, the world moves at a different pace.

Winter reveals a different side of Founders Lodge. Crisp mornings, golden days, wildlife at its most active, bush coffee...
09/07/2026

Winter reveals a different side of Founders Lodge. Crisp mornings, golden days, wildlife at its most active, bush coffee enjoyed a little slower, and spaces that invite you to settle in and feel at home. From quiet corners warmed by the fire to intimate, candlelit dining experiences that change with each evening, every detail is thoughtfully shaped around your stay. Perhaps that’s why winter remains our best-kept secret.

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For those seeking a more immersive experience, guided bush walks provide an opportunity to explore the wilderness on foo...
06/07/2026

For those seeking a more immersive experience, guided bush walks provide an opportunity to explore the wilderness on foot. From identifying animal tracks and medicinal plants to observing insects and bird calls, these walks reveal the smaller details that are often overlooked during a traditional game drive.

03/07/2026

Long before the first game drive begins, Founders already has a way of drawing you into its story. Inside, the walls are filled with photographs, treasured collections and memories of the people who helped shape one of South Africa’s great conservation journeys. Once the home of Adrian Gardiner, the lodge still carries that sense of history quietly through every room.

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Address

Founders Lodge
Sidbury
6131

Telephone

+27415550009

Website

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