Shamwari is one of the largest private game reserves in the Eastern Cape, and is a natural extension to the Garden Route tour along South Africa’s beautiful coastline. This award winning private game reserve is a malaria-free safari destination, promising to provide the very best in Big 5 game-viewing, as well luxury 5 star safari lodge accommodation to suit every need.
Shamwari is part of the Open Africa Safari Collection, a selection of hand-picked safari lodges that are committed to the conservation of African wildlife, the environment and the development of local communities while offering authentic big game safari experiences. All our partners share revenue with Open Africa (at no extra cost to the traveller) thereby empowering you to be a responsible tourist. For enquiries and bookings please email bronwen@openafrica.org.
Big 5 Safari Experience:
Shamwari Game Reserve spans across a massive 25,000 hectares of perfect African wilderness, and is home to the Big 5 – lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard, as well as a great number of other African game. With spectacular vistas over the African landscape and close-up viewing of African wildlife, Shamwari game drives promise the safari experience of a lifetime, presenting guests with the opportunity for unparalleled photographic safaris.
Guests are assigned a personal game ranger who will host no more than six guests at a time. These skilled and trained personnel will act as your safari guide – tracking and locating game, providing interesting information on the local fauna and flora, and revealing the secrets of the bush as well as local history and folklore. If guests have any special interests, our game rangers welcome requests which they will gladly accommodate wherever possible.
During morning safari game drives guests will stop over a cup of coffee to admire the African landscape come to life in the stillness of the dawn. In the afternoons guests will celebrate the close of the day with sundowners as the nocturnal creatures of the bush come to life and the air is filled with the calling noises of the wild. Be sure to bring binoculars and photographic equipment so as not to miss out on amazing wildlife footage opportunities.
Guided walks are also offered and are often be the highlight of your African safari trip. These walks are only lead by specially trained and qualified game rangers. Your personal game ranger can make guided walking safari arrangements for you.
Wildlife Conservation & Social Upliftment:
Shamwari Game Reserve was itself born out of a drive to restore the land to its original glory. The Eastern Cape is a naturally rich area with extremely high biodiversity, however human development has left the province void of most indigenous wildlife. With the recent trend emphasising the ethical and aesthetic importance of conservation, people of the Eastern Cape have in the last few decades begun to actively restore the landscape – eradicating alien vegetation, restoring natural water systems and repopulating conservation areas with indigenous game.
Shamwari Game Reserve is a proud forerunner in the effort to heal the landscape. The basis of Shamwari’s management philosophy is centred on sustainable development of the reserve; ecological management and growth of the region; and sustainable socio-economic development within the regions eco-tourism industry. Among its greatest achievements are two Big Cat Sanctuaries established at Shamwari in partnership with the Born Free Foundation. Here wild African cats are rehabilitated after being held captive in impoverished conditions.
Luxury Safari Accommodation from R4200 per person per night sharing:
Shamwari Game Reserve is home to six world-class safari lodge camps, all of which are 5-star graded. Not only will guests experience the safari of a lifetime, they will also be treated to luxury accommodation, and choice from such a wide selection of safari camps means that there is something to suit everyone. Shamwari is a great family safari destination and children are welcome, with those under 11 years enjoying 50% off the adult rate, while children 3 years and under are accommodated at no extra cost.
Bayethe Lodge:
Afro-chic classic safari lodge overlooking popular waterhole. The lodge is characterised by a traditional stone and thatch camp coupled with tented safari suites overlooking a waterhole. The lounge and dining areas spill onto the wooden viewing deck. The traditional boma is popular for outdoor dining.
Eagles Crag Lodge:
Ultimate luxury safari accommodation with nine premier suites.Designed for privacy and tranquillity, the lodge is located in a magnificent valley and overlooks the surrounding cliffs, and riverbed below. Each of the suites have a private viewing deck and pool, accessed from wall-to-wall glass sliding doors.
Long Lee Manor:
Refined elegant manor including opulent honeymoon suite. Built originally in 1910, the Edwardian Manor house has been restored to offer guests a luxurious safari experience. The premises overlook a nearby waterhole and vast African plains leading down to the Bushman’s River. A combination of elegant rooms and suites ensures accommodation to suite every need. The honeymoon suite offers breathtaking balcony views.
Riverdene Lodge:
Restored frontier home perfect for families. The lodge has been restored to offer a distinctly colonial experience with strong overtones of contemporary African textures, colours and designs. The luxury safari accommodation includes nine rooms, spacious living areas, and specialised children’s facilities.
Sarili Lodge:
Great river location exclusively for groups and families. The theme of this safari lodge accommodation is a stylish blend of colonial farm-style living, fresh colours combined with the rich textures and materials of Africa. With an environmentally conscious design this thatched villa overlooks the river and provides a tranquil, relaxing and rejuvinating place to stay.
Villa Lobengula:
Tranquil luxury villa with six luxury suites. Bookable for sole use only. The recently refurbished villa is set in dense bush and surrounded by rollings hills. There is one chief suite with a large lounge, fireplace and private pool; and five luxury suites, two of which have private plunge pools.
