Shamwari Safari Lodges

The rumble of the regal lion’s roar reverberates across the plains, answered by the distant beating of scattering hooves. Jackals perform a suppertime serenade while the brown hyena scavenges under the cloak of night. A natural extension to the scenic Garden Route, stretching along the Bushman’s river, the Shamwari Private Game Reserve covers 25,000ha of prime natural terrain. 

The reserve allows visitors to indulge their penchant for wildlife with close encounters with the Big 5, a variety of antelope and a profusion of birdlife and hidden gems such as the white-fronted bee-eater. With five ecosystems, it is no wonder the reserve boast such a stunning variety of fauna and flora. See, feel and smell the wild allure of South Africa with guided walks, following in the tracks of the elusive leopard and stout buffalo. ‘Shamwari’ means ‘friend’ in Shona and true to its name, the reserve creates a warm welcoming and hospitable ambience.

For families and children, the malaria-free zone offers specialised activities to entertain and enrich. Conservation and protection are top priority as Shamwari endeavours to rehabilitate an ecosystem and its inhabitants almost destroyed by farming. It houses two sanctuaries that care for rescued lions and leopards and orphaned, injured or abandoned wildlife with the hope of eventually releasing them back into the wild. 

Shamwari Game Reserve in The Eastern Cape is home to some of the most exclusive and luxurious safari lodges in South Africa. 

Highlights

• Specialised activities for children such as visits to the Born Free Foundation Big Cat Rescue Centre and the Shamwari Animal Rehabilitation Centre
• A key player in the conservation and protection of numerous plant and animal species
• Experience wildlife up close with private game drives and guided walks
• Home to the most sought-after Big 5, a profusion of birdlife and hidden gems such as the white-fronted bee-eater