Shamwari Game Reserve

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 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
Eagles Crag is nestled in a valley and provides the ultimate luxury for the most discerning of travellers. Each of the superior rooms has been built to maximize the privacy of the guest in the most tranquil of settings.

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.

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.

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

Bushmans River Lodge
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.

Bayethe Tented 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.

Sarili Lodge
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.

Activities:

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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 Sanctuarys.

How to get there:

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Reaching Shamwari by road

Follow the N2 between Port Elizabeth towards Grahamstown for 65kms, turn left at the Shamwari sign on to gravel (R342) for 7 kms, turn right at the Shamwari sign.

From Port Elizabeth
Follow the N2 on the Grahamstown road for 65kms, turn left at the Shamwari sign on to gravel (R342) for 7 kms, turn right at the Shamwari sign.

From Johannesburg
(R32) turn left at Paterson (R342), follow the road for 11kms, turn left at the Shamwari sign.

From Grahamstown
Follow the N2 towards Port Elizabeth for 58kms, turn right at the Shamwari sign (R342) for 7kms, and right at the Shamwari sign.

Most car rental companies have branches at the major cities and airports. Check with Avis, Budget, Imperial, Europcar, Tempest.

Transfer Service
A chaffeur-drive service is available between Port Elizabeth Airport / major hotels and SHAMWARI Game Reserve.

Bookings for this service can be made directly with Shamwari.
Unlike much of Africa, South African roads are excellent, and you can expect to travel at 60 - 70 mph. Like the British, they drive on the LEFT-hand side of the road. Wearing seat belts is mandatory.

Clothing & Accessories:

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Shamwari is MALARIA FREE - no tablets/syrup needed.
Walking shoes, sun hats, sunglasses, sun protection cream.
Cameras and binoculars.
Warm clothing - anoraks/jerseys for Land Rover trips at all times.
Light clothing and swimming costumes for summer.

Health & Climate:

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Known to some as sunny South Africa, the country has a warm to hot climate, making it one of the best year-round destinations in the world.

Most provinces enjoy a summer rainfall with occasional afternoon thunderstorms, which are spectacular to see.

At Shamwari, winter (April-August) temperatures range from 7.1 degrees Celsius (44.8 degrees Fahrenheit) to 19.5 degrees Celsius (61.3 degrees Fahrenheit) and in summer the temperatures range from 18.6 degrees Celsius (65.5 degrees Fahrenheit) to 32.4 degrees Celsius (90.3 degrees Fahrenheit). Peak rainfall (500-650 mm) occurs in spring and autumn.

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