Shamwari Game Reserve (Eastern Cape) South Africa
Location:
Shamwari Game Reserve is Africa's most successful conservation project stretching across 18,000 hectares of land and spanning 5 ecosystems. Not only will you experience nature this close and in their natural surroundings but also pamper yourself in Shamwari's luxurious accommodations and facilities.
It has received numerous international awards, including the World's Leading Conservation Company and Game Reserve for three consecutive years.
The Shamwari Game Reserve is steeped in settler history, and dates back to the time when game roamed freely in the Eastern Cape.
Shamwari means 'friend' in the Shona Language, but now its about conserving a vanishing way of life and is the realization of one man's dream, and the success of many people's passion.
This private Game Reserve is malaria free and situated on the Garden Route of South Africa and only 40 minutes by road from Port Elizabeth.
Accommodations:
Long Lee Manor
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.
Lobengula Lodge
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 dining room 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.
Riverdene Lodge
Riverdene Lodge consists of nine twin rooms, and sleeps 18 guests in total. Rooms are fully air-conditioned, with television and telephone, and feature a small lounge area.
Each bathroom en-suite has a 'his' and 'hers' vanity basin, separate shower and bath.
The public areas consist of two elegantly furnished casual lounges and a glorious sunroom, a rim flow swimming pool with sun deck and poolside bar.
Bushman's River Lodge
Bushman's 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 Bushman's 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 cozy lounge with fireplace. The ideal family lodge for an intimate experience.
Bayethe Lodge
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, satellite TV, plunge pool and hammocks suspended out of the wooden decks.
Eagles Cragg Lodge
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".
Sarili Lodge
The perfect combination between a colonial and bush experience. Perfect for families or small parties.
With African travel becoming a family affair, Sarili Lodge is a new luxury lodge exclusively for families.
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.
Game Viewing / Activities:
Game viewing is carried out morning and evening on game drives, when you are driven in your open vehicle (which seats up to 6) over the rolling hills and valleys. If you have a particular species you would like to see, please mention it to your ranger; he will be happy to merge your plans into the group. In the early morning (if you are keen) you will leave before dawn, spending up to 3-4 hours spotting before returning to your lodge for a hearty breakfast. Blankets are supplied for those cold morning starts!
The heat of the day is usually spent in the shade, playing tennis, swimming, reading and, of course, eating a large buffet lunch. Between 4:00 - 5:00pm, you assemble again for the evening drive. As the animals emerge from their midday cover, you may see elephants browsing, rhino drinking at a waterhole, or perhaps the shy bushbuck motionless in the dense bushveld. At dusk, the Land Rover stops at some panoramic spot for a sundowner (from the icebox ) and snacks.
Then, as the light fades, your ranger will plug in a powerful hand-held light. With its help, you can sweep the veld, seeing first the eyes and then the forms of a variety of nocturnal animals. By 8:00pm you are back at your lodge where a drink in the bar with your ranger, amid cheerful recollections of the day's discoveries is followed either by another great meal expertly prepared by our chefs, or a barbecue next to a roaring fire. Finally, a hot shower and a well-earned sleep.
Accommodation Rates: From $580 per person per night
sharing. Please contact us for a quote and suggested
itinerary