Into South Africa
Cape Town
South Africa Regions
Shamwari Game Reserve, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Offering a unique, award winning nature experience, Shamwari Game Reserve is a very special place. In 1990, the Shamwari dream began when Adrian Gardiner started buying up over grazed barren farmland in the Eastern Cape and turned it into what is today the largest private game reserve in the Eastern Cape.
Stretching over 25 000 hectares that boasts five eco-systems, malaria free, Shamwari Game Reserve is home to one of the largest and most varied populations of wildlife in the Eastern Cape.
The enormous private conservation initiative that went into re-establishing the game that originally populated the area has resulted in strong numbers of lion, elephant and rhino - including the rare black rhino - roaming freely in their natural habitat. Cheetah, leopard and Cape buffalo are also frequently spotted. The landscape is characterized by rolling hills with typical Eastern Cape vegetation of euphorbia and the tall aloe, which when flowering covers the hillside with bright red flowers.
Shamwari Game Reserve has a dedicated wildlife team, a wildlife rehabilitation centre and two Born Free Rescue Centres. In addition to providing a sanctuary for lions and leopards rescued from appalling captive conditions the Born Free centres provide an educational resource for visitors, school children and students, particularly from less privileged backgrounds. Shamwari is about conserving a vanishing way of life and is the realisation of one man's dream and the success of many peoples passion. Something that really stands out at Shamwari is the close knit team of dedicated rangers, general staff and the wildlife team - they really are a special bunch of people.
On Shamwari Game Reserve there is a choice of seven lodges that operate independently of each other and have their own distinct identity, atmosphere and style. All the lodges offer the same wild life experience so it's a matter of choosing a lodge that suits your taste in order to provide you the ultimate African safari.
Bayethe
The very popular Bayethe has nine tents and the newer Bayethe Hills Tented Lodge has just three. All the tents have wooden floors, canvas sides, sliding wooden doors and thatch roof. Standard facilities include en...
Bushmans River Lodge
Bushmans River Lodge is a lovingly restored four bedroomed Victorian homestead. Small and intimate it is the perfect lodge choice for a small group of friends. African décor and colonial opulence is a welcome remi...
Eagles Crag Lodge
Hidden in a gorge filled with forest vegetation and looking out onto a riverbed and cliff face, where crowned eagles make their nests Eagles Crag Lodge has a more clinical contemporary look and feel. There are nine suite...
Lobengula Lodge
Lobengula Lodge offers a classical African experience. Tucked away deep in the valley bushveld, this ethnically decorated thatched lodge imitates a traditional African kraal with six individually decorated suites encircl...
Long Lee Manor
Built in 1910 Long Lee Manor is the flag ship lodge at Shamwari. With a regal setting overlooking a water hole and wide open plains this restored Edwardian manor house has a distinctly colonial air. The 15 rooms and suit...
Riverdene Lodge
When it comes to children Riverdene Lodge is where the adventure begins. A restored Settlers lodge reflecting Shamwari's Pioneer history, Riverdene has nine inter-leading rooms which makes it the perfect choice for famil...
Sarili Lodge
The most recent addition to the Shamwari family is Sarili Lodge. Named after a paramount Xhosa chief who reigned in 1856 this stylish African home is the perfect retreat for a group of friends or a family travelling toge...
All regions in South Africa: Cape Town, Eastern Cape, Garden Route, Kalahari, Kruger National Park, Madikwe Game Reserve, Mpumalanga, Sabi Sand Reserve, Sun City, Thornybush Game Reserve, Timbavati, Waterberg Biosphere, Winelands