Shamwari Private Game Reserve

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There are 7 different lodges in total: Riverdene - is perfect for families, with a very exciting and complimentary children's programme. This is a wonderful lodge with relaxed loungers, offering the perfect stay for families, with interconnecting rooms, childcare facilities and an exciting new outdoor kids activity centre, child-friendly game-drives for children from the age of 4 years, a child friendly dining room, pool and a place to relax and enjoy the bush. There are only 9 rooms, all with private facilities, air conditioning and TV, sleeping maximum 2 adults and 1 child.

All Inclusive of: meals and selected local beverages. All game-drives and visits to Education Centres, Animal Rehabilitation centre, Vulpro @ Shamwari and The Born Free Foundation.

Long Lee Manor - this colonial building offers a traditional stay in either a room or suite and has amazing views over the open plains with game wandering across throughout the day and night. With a rim-flow pool, a garden lounge and spa* you are sure to feel at home in this gracious manor house. Offering accommodation in 17 beautifully decorated rooms and one 2-bedroom villa with a private pool. All with air-conditioning, TV, heating and en-suite facilities. Children from the age of 8 years old are welcome at Long Lee.

Sarili - suitable for older families, couples or small parties. This luxury lodge consists of 5 Luxury Rooms sleeping a maximum of 10 people. Enjoy Bushman's River and plains view on the deck of this African thatch design villa. There are bar/lounge and dining areas and a child friendly swimming pool. Choose from a Luxury Courtyard Room (rooms are interconnecting via a passage so are suitable for a family) or a Luxury River Room, each sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Bayethe - located in the northern part of the reserve, here you can enjoy drinks with the wildlife after dark, and relax in one of the 12 luxury tents. All with en-suite facilities, private outdoor shower, plunge pool and viewing deck.

Eagles Crag - this premium lodge, which has been newly refurbished, is for the traveller who wants to enjoy contemporary and modern African design alongside the traditional chic of the African bush. The upper level offers a great dining area and lounge with individual 'dining pods' that look over cliffs. There is also a spa* for extra relaxation - and with only 9 rooms, you are sure to be spoilt. Secluded by natural vegetation your suite offers privacy and tranquillity, with your own private deck and heated plunge pool, indoor and outdoor shower and luxury en-suite facilities. Sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Sindile - set deep in the African veld, with 9 free standing luxury tents. Premier Luxury Tents are elevated high above the bush and feature a private deck with heated plunge pool and lounging area under a pergola. Sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Explorer's Camp - from October to May, Shamwari Private Game Reserve expands its offering even further by opening the Explorer Camp. The camp is located on a plateau set among the only basalt and granite extrusions on Shamwari, a truly magical setting. This once-in-a-lifetime experience takes guests on a guided walking safari of the surrounding land, allowing you to get up close and personal with nature. These tents feature two single beds, and en suite bathroom with shower, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

We left our hearts in Shamwari

Dec 6, 2024 Ames1012

We felt like we had won the lottery staying in long lee manor Shamwari. The most magical place. My husband always wanted to do a safari and this was by far the best experience of our lives. Unreal from the moment we arrived. We met some amazing people and our ranger Odi made the 4 days so special. Odi is such a gentleman and so much fun his knowledge and passion for his job made the experience unforgettable . ( team castle lite) :) The food was beautiful and the staff are great always greeted with a warm smile very friendly and nothing is too much trouble so so helpful. The Braai evening was so much fun and my husband even enjoyed the dancing especially with Daheem and Njabulo. The lodge was beautiful and clean and the views of the reserve amazing. The special little touches we loved like the little drinks and fresh towel we got every time we came back from the game drives the surprise birthday cake even our room being made cosy in the evening Just made it so so special. I also have to mention Lisa at the rehabilitation centre what an amazing young woman and the guys at the born free sanctuary the work and passion is inspiring. Keep up the good work it’s brilliant. We cannot wait to return we never wanted to leave. Thank you for the most amazing experience. we left our hearts in Shamwari 🫶🏻 Read less

Simply unbelievable

Nov 27, 2024 Jerseyalex Jersey, United Kingdom

We have just come back from 2 weeks in S.A. including 3 days at Shamwari and our stay there was the standout highlight of our trip by a country mile. We stayed at the Eagles Crag lodge it everything about it was magical. The service was exceptional, the food was outstanding and the villa was luxurious and a wonderful place to stay. From a practical perspective, I would suggest that 3 nights is the perfect length of stay. As wonderful as the game drives are, the days are pretty full on with the morning and evening drives and I think any more than 3 nights would get a little exhausting. In fact my wife and I only went on 1 of the 2 drives per day, simply because we wanted to enjoy our surroundings and the facilities, so we went on 4 of the 6 available game drives. The reserve itself is beautiful and the wildlife is spectacular. It was amazing being no more than 10 feet away from lions, cheetah's, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, etc etc. There are leopards there but that was the only 1 of the big 5 that remained elusive during our stay. If you are trying to decide on a safari location then I urge you to pick Shamwari, you won't regret it, it is one of the best things we have ever done. Read less

Magical

Nov 18, 2024 Mary M Richmond, Virginia

We cannot say enough about our magical stay at Shamwari! Everyone we met at Bayethe was genuinely warm and welcoming - they made us feel like family. The food was amazing and no request was too difficult. One of our daughters is vegetation and has a severe dairy allergy - not a problem for our talented chef! They even packed us box lunches for our trip to the airport. The tents were luxurious and thoughtfully appointed. We never wanted for any creature comfort. The best part of our trip was our guide, Patrick. We got up close to so many animals - lions, rhinos, cheetahs, giraffes, buffalo, antelope, warthogs- and we learned so much about the animals from Patrick. We had 6 game drives and each one was amazing- especially being in a field while a herd of elephants went around our jeep. He made our trip even more amazing than we had thought possible. Thank you Patrick and everyone at Bayethe! Read less

Warm feelings of home

Nov 5, 2024 PragmaticFoodie Morges, Switzerland

What is there to say? We stayed in Riverdene in three adjoining rooms as we were there with additional family. From the moment we arrived and were greeted with a warm tisane to the moment we left, we all were made to feel like we were part of a different world. A world of nature and purity and calm. My children fell in love with the staff, including our exceptional host and ranger, Abel, and the head of the children's facility, Leanco. My parents who, while spry still have age-related challenges, were handled with care. My husband and I enjoyed the on site spa (as did the kids with kiddie massages). We don't usually go to an all-inclusive 5* property like this, so we were not prepared for what to expect. Amenities is a given from the star-rating. But we did not expect to learn so much and to feel such warmth from the staff. On a side note, my father and I did damage in the boutique which has appropriately-priced outerwear for chilly morning and evening game rides. I was so busy enjoying myself that I forgot to take photos of the property itself. The website has ample as do other travelers here. Tips: -RESPECT YOUR RANGER; he/she is the leader of your pack so treat them as such; listen to them for your own personal safety and also for the safety and sustainability of Shamwari; if accidents happen on their watch, it puts the livelihoods of all the people at the property at risk -listen to your ranger and don't rush to tick off boxes for species of animals; if they are stopping to check something out, it probably means it's something unique and worth waiting for; don't rush! -dress in layers; mornings and evenings in 2h October are COLD! Windbreakers, layers, and a light hat are essential. -bring binoculars - two pair if you can, esp if you have more than 2-3 people in the vehicle -keep your body parts and blankets inside the vehicle; letting things hang out invites animals to attack/defend themselves (part of respecting your ranger) -make time for stargazing, esp if you're from the northern hemisphere; your ranger will know the southern skies, I wish we had made more time for this -be curious/ask lots of questions all the time; in our experience, anyone we asked about nature or civics or society in South Africa, including the uncomfortable topics of class, poverty, segregation, were met with openness and a willingness to give frank opinions -with children, Riverdene is a dream; make time for them to enjoy the great play structure and facilities -both the boutique and spa are reasonably priced in my opinion, esp given the nature of the property; Read less

Top package with great nature experience and top hotel

Nov 4, 2024 Adrian D Kirchberg CH

1. Hotel: absolutely phantastic. Very spacious and comfortable rooms. Although the style of the premises is not African, you feel relaxed and easy. The hotel is accessible with any kind of car. 2. Food: top cuisine. Healthy and all fresh. Light lunch. Dinner à la carte. All inclusive. 3. Game drives: our guide (Nikkita) was very good. She showed us not only animals but explained a lot of things about plants and nature as well. If you stay long enough, we recommend to do a full day trip instead of two drives (morning and evening) because the area is so big. 4. Staff: all extremely friendly and helpful and you feel that their only goal is to make you happy. 5. Specials: I went to a back and neck massage which was very good. You will also find a sports pavillon. Not cheap but top quality in any sense. Read less

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