Our History
The Garden Route Game Lodge established itself in 1999 as the first Private Game Reserve in the Western Cape & Garden Route region to offer big game viewing.
In 2002 the game reserve was acquired by the Apteker and Doherty families whose enthusiasm for wildlife, conservation and hospitality is evident.
The game reserve started as an ambitious project to restore an area of once degraded farmland to its former glory and stock it with game that previously occurred there.
With the assistance of Dr Ken Coetzee of Conservation Management Services, a scientific study was conducted with the emphasis on sustainable utilization, long term conservation of the remaining natural habitats and the rehabilitation of already degraded lands. Once completed, scientific calculations were used to determine the carrying capacity of the reserve and the restocking program could begin.
Over the past 10 years the reserve has grown in size by acquiring neighbouring farm lands and incorporating them into the game reserve. In doing so we have managed to create more habitat for our wildlife which has allowed us to increase our stocking rates.
From humble beginnings the reserve now employs 65 staff from the local community and has become a favourite safari destination among local and foreign travelers.
