Welcome to Shamwari Game Reserve, the ultimate luxury big five African safari adventure and conservation effort coupled with responsible tourism. Shamwari Private Game Reserve is home to Africa’s Big 5 (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard), is malaria free and is situated in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. This reserve has received numerous international awards, including the World’s Leading Conservation Company and Game Reserve for many consecutive years. Luxury safari accommodation is offered in 7 different lodges on this private game reserve. Choose a lodge that compliments your ideal African experience. Shamwari is about conserving a vanishing way of life and is the realisation of one man’s dream, and the success of many people’s passion. Steeped in pioneer history, and dating back to the time when a multitude of game roamed wild and free, the 25 000 hectare reserve boasts five eco-systems, thus enabling the support of many forms of plant, animal and bird life. Shamwari is situated in verdant bush along the Bushmans River, halfway between Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown, a pleasant drive from Cape Town and forms a natural extension to the famous Garden Route.
Accommodation
Luxury Lodge Overview Luxury accommodation is offered in 7 different lodges at Shamwari Game Reserve, all of which are 5 Star graded. Choose a lodge that perfectly compliments your ideal African experience.
Eagles Crag Lodge
Ultimate Luxury personified in a contemporary African design. Eagles Crag is nestled in a valley and provides the ultimate luxury for the most discerning of travellers. Each of the nine superior rooms has been built to maximize the privacy of the guest in the most tranquil of settings. The en-suite suites boast a private deck with pool, as well as, indoor and outdoor showers. Decorated in light and contemporary colours, with wall-to-wall glass doors on two sides, these suites provide stunning views of the surrounding cliffs. Our luxury spa offers a wide variety of personalized treatments. The upper floor dining room and lounge, and ground floor library, lounge and cocktail bar, all further compliment the guests "African bushveld experience".
Lobengula Lodge
Classical African elegance in ethnic thatched surrounds. Lobengula Lodge is a truly classical African experience. Tucked away deep in the valley bushveld, this ethnically decorated thatched lodge offers guests a tranquil, luxurious and exclusive getaway. Two of the 5 luxury suites have private plunge pools whilst the remaining 3 suites are situated adjacent to the large swimming pool. The Chief suite boasts a large lounge with fireplace and private pool. Lobengula Lodge serves lavish meals either on the main deck, in the diningroom beside the fireplace or in the outside boma under the stars. A selection of fine and rare South African wines are available from the cellar. A selection of Cuban cigars are on offer from the humidor.
Long Lee Manor
Refined Elegance from a bygone era. Gracious living Long Lee Manor, originally built in 1910, offers a distinctive Colonial experience. This splendidly restored Edwardian Manor House offers guests refined comfort, congenial service and enticing cuisine in the African bush. Long Lee Manor accommodates 38 guests in 15 elegant en-suite rooms and 3 luxury suites. Sumptuously prepared meals are enjoyed in the main dining room, under the Pepper Tree, or around the open blazing fire at the Barn. A river boma offers an outdoor option for meals. The Shamwari wine list is especially selected and includes a choice of 12 red and 12 white South African wines. A further selection of rare and fine wines and imported French champagne is also available. A selection of Cuban cigars are on offer from the humidor.
Bushmans River Lodge
Sweeping views of the Bushmans River Bushmans River Lodge is a Victorian homestead that offers an intimate atmosphere that is a welcoming reminder of true South African hospitality. Beautifully decorated in an artistic ethnic theme, this lodge is another representation of the true uniqueness of Shamwari. This 4-bedroom lodge is ideal for small groups of friends or couples and offers a very private experience. Dining is varied between the dining room, the verandah, which is adjacent to the pool, or the stunning boma under thatch overlooking the Bushmans River. The Shamwari wine list is especially selected and includes a choice of 12 red and 12 white South African wines. A further selection of rare and fine wines and imported French champagne is also available. A selection of Cuban cigars are on offer from the humidor and can be enjoyed in the cosy lounge with fireplace. The ideal family lodge for an intimate experience.
Riverdene Lodge
A colonial African experience in an elegantly restored frontier homestead. The colonial-style, Riverdene Lodge with nine inter-leading luxury rooms, rim flow pool, supervised playroom, spacious green lawns and jungle gym facility ensures entertainment for the whole family. Rooms are fully air-conditioned; all feature television, telephone and small lounge area, en-suite sandstone bathroom and private balconies leading onto the landscaped gardens. There are two elegantly furnished casual lounges as well as a magnificent rim flow swimming pool to entice guests to relax and restore their energy. The lounge opens onto an outdoor barbeque area. Meals can also be taken in the spacious dining room or the magnificent stone boma under thatch with a deck overlooking the Bushmans River. The Shamwari wine list is especially selected and includes a choice of 12 red and 12 white South African wines. A further selection of rare and fine wines and imported French champagne is also available. A selection of Cuban cigars are on offer from the humidor.
Bayethe Lodge
Bayethe Lodge offers the ultimate in luxury tented accommodation. Bayethe is a splendid stone walled and thatch roofed lodge with a large deck area overlooking a waterhole. There is a double volume lounge and dining area which spills out onto the deck which is adjacent to the outside boma for traditional fireside dining under the stars. The Shamwari wine list is especially selected and includes a choice of 12 red and 12 white South African wines. A further selection of rare and fine wines and imported French champagne is also available. A selection of Cuban cigars are on offer from the humidor. The 9 luxury tents are camouflaged under trees allowing for ample privacy and unsurpassed comforts. Each tent is air-conditioned and heated and has an en-suite bathroom, shower, private plunge pool and viewing deck. The 3 premier tents at Bayethe Hills are the ultimate in tented luxury. These tents offer the additional luxuries of a fireplace, satelite TV, plunge pool and hammocks suspended out of the wooden decks.
Sarili Lodge
The perfect combination between a colonial and bush experience. Perfect for families or small parties. With African travel becoming a family affair, Shamwari Game Reserve will open Sarili, a new luxury lodge exclusively for families soon. An environmentally friendly private African thatch designed villa with a spacious deck overlooking the Bushman’s River with expansive views of the plains, the lodge is positioned in the southern region of the Reserve. The décor emulates an old traditional farmhouse with interiors that reflect an easy living home lifestyle in a natural environment. The lodge consists of five suites and can sleep a maximum of ten (10) guests. The lodge features a child friendly swimming pool, dining and lounge areas, courtyard barbeque area and special children’s menu. Child minders are available at an additional cost. Shamwari offers a special “Kids on Safari” programme where kids aged 4 and older have a chance of a lifetime to view the Big 5, view a special educational film and visit the Born Free Foundation and Shamwari Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.
Activities
When you visit Shamwari Game Reserve, we would want you to have the 'safari of a lifetime'. We will assign a personal game ranger to your group of 6. Your game ranger and lodge manager will design your daily program with you. We want you to experience, learn and enjoy the very best that African wildlife viewing can offer. To achieve this goal, we have brought together the best that the area has to offer. There is great game viewing, in modern open game viewing vehicles that have been especially converted to maximise comfort and viewing potential. Your personal game ranger will provide insightful and valuable information about the fauna and flora. In between game drives your time is filled with relaxing, reading, spa treatments, swimming, enjoying delicious cuisine, a game walk, or a visit to one of the two Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary.
COST
From R 3850.00 per person sharing per night, incl. of all your meals, drinks and game drives
Children welcome at some of the lodges