Founders Lodge by Mantis
1 night
Rooms and Guests
1 room, 2 adults, 0 children
All Properties in Grahamstown
Founders Lodge by Mantis
Sidbury, Grahamstown, Eastern Cape 1724, South Africa
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We Price Match
Highlights
Free parking
Excellent service
Sparkling clean
Top local pick
Ideal locationShow More
Amenities
Outdoor swimming pool
Massage Room
Fitness Room
Private parkingFree
Airport pick-up
Bar
Billiards Room
Restaurant
All Amenities
Property Description
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.
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10.0/10
OutstandingCleanliness10.0
Amenities10.0
Location10.0
Service10.0
All 42 Reviews
Surroundings
Landmarks: Quatermain's 1920's Safari Camp - Check-In
(5.0km)
Landmarks: Sidbury Sports Club
(5.4km)
Landmarks: Kwantu Private Game Reserve
(5.7km)
Landmarks: HillsNek Safari Camp – Amakhala Game Reserve
(6.2km)
Landmarks: Shamwari Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape
(8.5km)
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Overview
Rooms
Guest Reviews
Services & Amenities
Policies
6
Contemporary Suite
1 King bed
Non-smoking
Private Toilet
Connecting Room
220V Socket
Smart Door Lock
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4
King Room
1 King bed
Non-smoking
Air Conditioning
Private Bathroom
Bathtub
Minibar
Check Availability
4
Suite, 2 Twin Beds
2 Single bed
Non-smoking
Air Conditioning
Private Bathroom
Bathtub
Minibar
Check Availability
3
Multiple Bed Room
3 Double bed
Non-smoking
Air Conditioning
Private Bathroom
Bathtub
Minibar
Check Availability
Guest Reviews
10/10
Outstanding
42 reviews
Verified Reviews- Cleanliness10
- Amenities10
- Location10
- Service10
Average for similar properties in Grahamstown
AI Summary
The Founders' staff provides exceptional, friendly service. Guests appreciate the spacious, beautiful rooms and luxurious amenities. Facilities include a full-size snooker table, swimming pool, and small gym.
simon-t8t
May 1, 2025
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.
Denise H
April 13, 2025
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.
Ruth P
February 18, 2025
This was a really wonderful experience for our first safari. The accommodation was lovely with a stunning view and super clean. In addition, the food was amazing and I can’t speak highly enough of all the staff. Every single person made it their business to make us feel special and we really appreciated it. Our guide, JV ,was fab. He had such passion for the animals and was so knowledgeable. Plus his tracking was amazing. Thank you all for a brilliant stay.
aisling M
January 9, 2025
Where to start with this review…. This place is heaven. From the moment we stepped foot out of the car (after taking the wrong road!!) we were made to feel like royalty. We were met by Glynns and some of the other staff and were given a tour. We were shown down to the water hole and Our kids were amazed by this part, to be able to sit in the peace and quiet and wait for whatever animal was going to show up was fantastic. The food here is to die for, you most definitely won’t go hungry and your clothes maybe a little tighter going home !! The amazing staff Cynthia, Ntombi and Nazi just could not do enough for you, such beautiful people. Our guide Cillie, this man has the patience of a saint. Every game drive was different, he went above and beyond for us. Spent time with my son showing him where things were in the distance when none of us could see!! Explained everything in such detail, all the questions we had and he was so full of information for us. He was brilliant. Glynn and Craig, you guys are fabulous , you made us feel so welcome from the moment we arrived until the time we had to leave. This has been a dream come true and we will remember this forever. Hopefully we will see you guys again xx
Guest User
June 4, 2025
What an exceptional establishment-we were treated like royalty and thoroughly enjoyed our 4 night stay. The rooms were comfortably furnished with spectacular panoramic views of the reserve and beyond. The animals were so close to our room and the water hole was an added bonus. The dining experience was as good as any Michelin restaurant in England and the varied locally sourced ingredients were executed with skill and culinary innovation. The lodge has many different areas therefore dining was a nice surprise lunch and evening as different areas were used e.g. outside, courtyard, rooms with roaring fires etc. The game drives were exceptional our driver was superb -Sikhumbuzo was so knowledgeable and we were so close to the animals. We saw so many animals at least 10 types of antelope, lions, elephants, baboons, giraffes, zebras, cheetah’s, rhinoceros, wart hogs and so many more! There was also an abundance of birds! What really makes this establishment the best is the management and staff as they are so efficient hospitable and really there to ensure you have the best experience! My husband and I are avid travellers however we have never experienced anything like we did at our stay at ‘ Founders Lodge’ it is a very special place. Thank you Craig and Glynis and to all your staff for ensuring that we returned home to Guernsey with unforgettable memories. We cannot wait to return in 2027. Kali and Larry
wombat-madness
November 15, 2024
A little bit late writing this review, but better late than never as they say! Our stay was fantastic (we stayed for 3 nights), from the moment we arrived until the morning we left, we were very well taken care of. The staff at Founders Lodge are very good, nothing is too much trouble and you never had the feeling of being rushed. It was all very relaxing. The food was excellent, especially the braii (the chef and team excelled themselves) and the locations to eat change daily, with the most beautiful views across the reserve. Every game drive was amazing. We saw so many birds and animals everyday (nobody can deny the beauty of a water buffalo!). Our Ranger, Cillie, was incredibly knowledgeable, from learning about tracking when we spent time tracking a leapard’s paw prints to understanding how an elephant is feeling just by how its ears move. It was an incredible unforgettable experience everyday. Thank you for giving us a beautiful suite (no 3, opposite the watering hole), the sunrises from our room were gorgeous and a beautiful start to each day. The view of the watering hole and all the animals that visited it was lovely to watch. We were addicted to going to the hide and to get up close to the animals drinking from the watering hole…now home, I love watching the live feed of it on You Tube. If you are thinking of staying here, please do! You will have a wonderful time! Myself and my husband would like to thank Glynnis and her team for a very lovely stay and to Cillie (our Ranger), thank you, the drives were amazing (and the views for the Sunrisers and Sundowners beautiful). Thank you :)
Jo K
October 23, 2024
What a fantastic place! All the staff were friendly and went out of their way to make sure we had a great experience. The room was amazing, looking out over the waterhole and with a little veranda we could sit on to watch the animals. The bathroom was enormous with a deep claw- foot bath and a separate shower cubicle. The food was delicious and exceedingly high quality. The game drives were well organised and we saw lots of animals. The addition of the viewing area at the waterhole meant we saw lots of animals up close. It was an amazing experience and we both wished we could have stayed for longer!
Annette V
September 30, 2024
The Lodge is Amazing . They have the friendliest staff. The managers made sure to make us feel welcome and the Contemporary Suite is so beautiful with all the luxury amenities. They cater to your evey need and would highly recommend. ❤️ The animals are just outside your door and the new Hyde is my favourite feature. Dont even get me started on the food its amazing, hats off to the chef.
Services & Amenities
Most Popular Amenities
Outdoor swimming pool
Massage Room
Fitness Room
Private parking
Free
Airport pick-up
Additional charge
Bar
Billiards Room
Restaurant
Airport drop-off
Additional charge
Meeting Room
Multi-Function Room
Babysitting Services
Additional charge
Wi-Fi in Public Areas
Free
Outdoor swimming pool
Fitness Room
Billiards Room
Restaurant
Restaurant
Restaurant
No additional info available
More Amenities
Internet
Wi-Fi in Public Areas
Free
Outdoor swimming pool
Parking
Private (exclusively for guests) is available On-site parking. Reservation not needed.
Private parking
Free
Transportation
Shuttle Bus Service
Additional charge
Airport pick-up
Additional charge
Airport drop-off
Additional charge
Front Desk Services
Front Desk with Limited Hours
Concierge Service
Front Desk Safe
Languages Spoken
Xhosa
Food & Drink
Bar
Lobby Bar
Room Service
Health & Wellness
Massage Room
Billiards Room
Fitness Room
Activities
Game Room
Eco Tours
Public Areas
Picnic Area
Garden
Smoking Area
Water Purifier
Cleaning Services
Clothes Dryer
Laundry Service (On-Site)
Additional charge
Ironing Service
Facilities for Children
Babysitting Services
Additional charge
Children's Meals Available
Business Services
Multi-Function Room
Meeting Room
Safety & Security
First-Aid Kit
Security Alarm
Smoke Detector
Fire Extinguisher
First Aid Services
Property Policies
Check-in and Check-out Times
Check-in: After 13:00
Check-out: Before 11:00
Front desk hours: [Mon-Sun]08:00–17:00
Child Policies
Children can stay in some rooms of this hotel.
Additional fees may be charged for children using existing beds. Add the number of children to get a more accurate price.
Cots and Extra Beds
For all room types, extra beds cannot be added. Cot policies vary according to room type. Please refer to the relevant room type policy.
Pets
Pets are not allowed
Service Animals
Service animals are not allowed
Age Requirements
The main guest checking in must be at least 18 years old
Paying at the Hotel
Property Description
- Opened: 2008
- Renovated: 2022
- Number of Rooms: 8
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.