Shamwari Private Game Reserve, situated in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, is steeped in pioneer history, dating back to a time when a multitude of game roamed wild and free. Boasting five eco-systems, Shamwari is home to Africa’s Big 5; elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard and is malaria-free.
The 25,000 hectare reserve, situated in verdant bush along the Bushmans River, is halfway between Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown, a pleasant drive from Cape Town, and forms a natural extension to the famous Garden Route. One of the largest private game reserves in the Eastern Cape, Shamwari Private Game Reserve is also one of the most successful private conservation initiatives in Southern Africa and has received numerous international awards, including the World’s Leading Conservation Company and Game Reserve for many consecutive years. Personal Game Rangers are on hand to ensure that guests of the reserve experience the safari of a lifetime!
The accommodation boasts eight individual intimate lodges, all with their own character, atmosphere and range of facilities. Long Lee Manor, Riverdene and Sarili are situated in the South of the reserve while Eagles Crag and Bayethe are in the North. Activities abound, with two game drives daily as well as time to relax, read, swim, have spa treatments, stargaze or even visit the Reserve’s two Born Free Big Cat Sanctuaries.
Children are welcome at Shamwari - there is a special Kids on Safari programme as well as children’s menus, childminders, child-friendly swimming pools, play areas and family-friendly rooms at both the Riverdene and Sarili Lodges.
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- We will always quote the best price available
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- ABTA & ATOL Protected Holidays
- Exceptional service guaranteed
3nts from £1,515 per person, Shamwari Long Lee Manor, accommodation only
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Shamwari Private Game Reserve Gallery
×Bayethe Lodge
Bayethe Lodge offers the ultimate in luxury tented accommodation. A splendid stone walled and thatch-roofed lodge, Bayethe has a large deck area overlooking a waterhole as well as a spacious lounge and dining area which spills out onto the deck, adjacent to the outside boma for traditional fireside dining under the stars.
The nine 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 three 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.
Shamwari Private Game Reserve – Bayethe Lodge Features
×Shamwari Private Game Reserve – Bayethe Superior Tents
×Eagles Crag Lodge
Nestled in a forested valley, Eagles Crag Lodge provides exclusivity, privacy and serenity. This luxurious lodge provides a spa, a library, a lounge and a cocktail bar. Dining venues include the upper floor dining room, the lower deck and the outdoor boma, under the stars and around the fire. Each of the nine detached, spacious suites has a private deck with a pool looking out towards the surrounding cliffs.
The Lodge boasts an authentic African Experience, secretly hidden in a gorge, filled with temperate forest vegetation & looking out onto a cliff-face & riverbed. Tucked away and surrounded by imposing mountain cliffs, expresses an elegant ambience amid nature’s beauty. Exclusive suites fashioned in glass and stone offer guests expansive views of the surrounding rock faces; where the eagles soar. Each suite is a secluded haven in which to unwind in sheer comfort.
Shamwari Private Game Reserve – Eagles Crag Lodge Features
×Shamwari Private Game Reserve – Eagles Crag Junior Suite
×Sindile
Sindile at Shamwari Private Game Reserve provides luxury tented accommodation within the wilderness. The luxurious lodge, catering to individuals over the age of 16, comprises nine luxury tents each with a private heated plunge pool, elevated above the surrounding bush, allowing uninhibited views.
The dining area and bar are situated to make the most of the views over the reserve, with focal points including a large harvest table and fire pit.
Shamwari Private Game Reserve – Sindili Features
×Shamwari Private Game Reserve – Sindile Premier Tent
×Long Lee Manor
Long Lee Manor, originally an Edwardian Manor House built in 1910, offers a distinctive Colonial experience whilst overlooking a water hole and the sweeping plains leading to the Bushmans River. Providing refined comfort, friendly service and tempting cuisine in the African bush, Long Lee Manor accommodates 38 guests in 15 elegant en-suite rooms and 3 luxury suites. Meals are enjoyed in the main dining room with indoor and outdoor seating, under the Pepper Tree, as well as a boma for outdoor dinner evenings. It also has a spa and fitness centre.
Shamwari Private Game Reserve – Long Lee Manor Features
×Shamwari Private Game Reserve – Long Lee Garden Room
×Shamwari Private Game Reserve – Long Lee Plains Room
×Shamwari Private Game Reserve – Long Lee Manor House Suite
×Shamwari Private Game Reserve – Long Lee Family Suite
×Riverdene Lodge
Riverdene Lodge is perfect for families. This restored frontier homestead has 9 luxury rooms and offers an infinity pool, supervised playroom, spacious green lawns and jungle gym facility. The inter-leading rooms each feature a small lounge area, en-suite sandstone bathroom and private balconies leading onto the landscaped gardens.
There is an elegantly furnished casual lounge that opens onto an outdoor barbeque area as well as a magnificent swimming pool. Meals can also be taken in the spacious dining room or the magnificent stone boma under thatch with a deck overlooking the Bushmans River. Guests can book spa treatments at the Long Lee Manor Spa.
Shamwari Private Game Reserve – Riverdene Features
×Shamwari Private Game Reserve – Riverdene Luxury Rooms
×Sarili Lodge
The perfect combination between a colonial and luxury bush experience, Sarili Lodge is perfect for families and small parties. The lodge is located in the southern region of the Reserve and offers an environmentally friendly, private, African thatch-designed villa with a spacious deck overlooking the Bushman’s River and expansive views of the plains.
The lodge consists of five suites and can sleep up to ten guests. The lodge features a child-friendly swimming pool, dining and lounge areas, courtyard barbeque area and special children’s menu. Childminders are available at an additional cost. Shamwari also offers a special "Kids on Safari" programme where kids aged 4 years 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 Centre.
Shamwari Private Game Reserve – Sarili Lodge Features
×Shamwari Private Game Reserve – Sarili Lodge Rooms
×Junior Guests
Shamwari is a malaria-free area, making it perfectly safe for families. While kids under the age of 4 years old are not permitted on game drives, there are a host of activities for them to enjoy. Shamwari offers a children’s coordinator at Riverdene, and for an additional fee, a childminding service.
Children staying at Shamwari Private Game Reserve have the chance to go wild at Riverdene’s Adventure Centre. In addition, there are swimming pools and many more activities to keep children happy. Visits to the Born Free Foundation Big Cat Rescue Centre are focused on promoting the conservation of species and the protection of habitat whilst maintaining a humane and compassionate approach to the welfare of animals.
Weddings & Honeymoons
Shamwari is an unsurpassed wedding destination. With seven luxurious five-star lodges, Shamwari can offer a variety of unique and breathtaking venues that will help create the wedding experience of a lifetime. They offer a variety of spectacular settings, including our Old Elephant Boma in the heart of the bushveld, our bomas at Riverdene and Long Lee Manor.
It goes without saying that Shamwari offers the perfect honeymoon experience, with a stay in a luxury tent an absolute must and a highlight of your trip.
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