South Africa Safaris > South Africa Safari Lodges & Camps

Shamwari Game Reserve

Eastern Cape, South Africa - Premier 5

Shamwari Game Reserve is situated in the malaria-free Eastern Cape region among verdant bush along the Bushmans River, halfway between Port Elizabeth (45 minutes drive outside the city) and Grahamstown, a pleasant drive from Cape Town, forming a natural extension to the famous Garden Route. Steeped in Settler history, and dating back to the time when a multitude of game roamed wild and free, the 20 000 hectare reserve boasts five eco-systems, thus enabling the support of many forms of plant, animal and bird life. This is the ultimate African adventure and conservation effort coupled with responsible tourism.

There are six different lodges on the Game Reserve property all offering exclusivity, privacy, serenity and great game viewing as well as being close to the infamous Garden Route of the Eastern Cape region. Day and Evening game drives and walking safaris are conducted at all lodges.

Eagles Cragg Lodge is an avante-guard masterpiece of thatch, stone and glass nestled in a valley and providing the ultimate in privacy, tranquility and luxury for the most discerning of travelers. Each of the nine superior rooms have been built to maximize the privacy of the guest in the most serene of settings. The en-suite rooms boast a private deck with pool, as well as, indoor and outdoor showers. The luxury spa offers a wide variety of personalized treatments. The upper floor dining room and lounge, library, lounge and cocktail bar, all further complement the guests "African bushveld experience".

Long Lee Manor, originally built in 1910, offers a distinctive Colonial experience, with refined elegance from a bygone era. Long Lee accommodates 38 guests in elegant en-suite rooms, all with air-conditioning and heating, as well as family suites for the children. Sumptuously prepared meals are enjoyed in the main dining room or around the open blazing fire at the Barn. Between game drives guests can laze around one of the two pools, relax in the beautifully appointed garden lounge, or experience a rejuvenating treatment in our spa.

Bushmans River Lodge is a beautifully restored Victorian homestead overlooking the beauty of the Bushmans River valley with sweeping views. Bushmans River Lodge is pure unadulterated luxury, surrounded by the African wilderness. Relax under the thatched boma with a cocktail and absorb the sights and sounds of the Bushmans River valley, dine sumptuously inside or take casual meals outside overlooking the densely wooded valley. Bask in front of a glowing fire in the lounge during winter, in summer cool down in the delightful plunge pool and at night, retire to one of the four deluxe en-suite air-conditioned rooms.

Lobengula Lodge, is traditional African elegance tucked deep in the valley bushveld. The thatched ethnically decorated lodge offers guests a tranquil, luxurious and exclusive getaway. The five luxury rooms are en-suite, with air-conditioning and heating, whilst the Chief suite boasts a large private lounge with fireplace and pool. Lobengula Lodge serves lavish meals either on the main deck or in the outside boma.

Riverdene Lodge is elegance in the wilderness with a colonial African experience. Rooms are fully air-conditioned. All feature television, telephone and small lounge area. Each en-suite sandstone bathroom has a 'his' and 'hers' vanity basin, separate shower and bath. Private balconies lead onto the landscaped gardens. The two elegantly furnished casual lounges and glorious sunroom, as well as a magnificent rim flow swimming pool entice guests to relax and restore their energies. The lounge opens onto a spacious outdoor barbecue area.

Bayethe Lodge offers the ultimate in luxury, tented accommodation at this splendid stone walled and thatch roofed lodge. Absorb the pulse of the African bush from the viewing deck, framed by riverine trees and overlooking river pools where antelope venture. Enjoy a twilight drink while crowned eagles glide on the darkening sky. Each of the nine tents are nestled along the bed of the river, camouflaged under trees allowing 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.

Kids on Safari

A truly unique, educational and fun family safari

The colonial-style, Riverdene Lodge with nine inter-leading luxury rooms, rim flow pool, supervised playroom, spacious green lawns and jungle gym facility will ensure entertainment for the whole family.

Upon arrival, the children’s co-ordinator will discuss activity options with the family taking the family’s size, children’s ages and the weather into consideration. Child minding facilities are available at an additional cost for children younger than four years as they are too young to join game drives.

Each child will receive a gift pack which includes a cuddly toy, activity workbook and other surprises.

Exclusive visit to the Born Free Foundation Big Cat Rescue Centre
Activities 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.

Shamwari Wildlife Hospital
Different types of wild animals or raptors that are being cared for at the time, under special supervision by the Shamwari veterinarian team, for release back into the wild. Read About Themba the orphan elephant.

Shamwari Film Studio
Children will be given a sneak preview of the film footage of the new “Shamwari – a wild life” series, which is due for airing in August/September 2008 on the Discovery Channel’s Animal Planet.

Exclusive access to one of the Shamwari Film Studio crew members is available to film and produce a high quality DVD of your Family Safari experience. Advanced bookings are essential as the filming and production of the DVD is at an additional cost. You enjoy the moment while we record the memories.

Children can partake in various social, sporting and arts and cultural activities under the supervision of our children’s co-ordinator. Options could include: African bead making, clay making activities, face painting, star-gazing and African story-telling

Special notes:
All swimming activities must be supervised by parents at all times
Children younger than four years of age are too young to join game drives
Parents must accompany children of younger than four years when visiting the Born Free Centre and Shamwari Wildlife Hospital
Children’s menu available

Activities Overview

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.