Shamwari Private Game Reserve

Shamwari, Eastern Cape

PLATINUM HOTEL
Simply the best. All Platinum hotels are hand-picked by our experts to provide only the finest amenities, food, service and accommodation. Go on, you know you’re worth it.
Kids' on Safari
Riverdene
Riverdene
Riverdene
Adventure centre at Riverdene
Lobengula
Lobengula
Lobengula
Lobengula
Lobengula
Bayethe
Bayethe
Bayethe
Bayethe
Bayethe Spa
Eagles Crag
Eagles Crag
Eagles Crag
Eagles Crag
Eagles Crag
Eagles Crag
Sindile
Sindile
Sindile
Sindile
Kids' on Safari
Riverdene
Riverdene
Riverdene
Adventure centre at Riverdene
Lobengula
Lobengula
Lobengula
Lobengula
Lobengula
Bayethe
Bayethe
Bayethe
Bayethe
Bayethe Spa
Eagles Crag
Eagles Crag
Eagles Crag
Eagles Crag
Eagles Crag
Eagles Crag
Sindile
Sindile
Sindile
Sindile

The hotel

Home of two Born Free big cat sanctuaries, the Shamwari Private Game Reserve boasts an impressive 25,000 hectares of land, bursting with free roaming wild animals, birdlife and indigenous Flora and Fauna. Game-drives leave twice a day with your specialist Ranger in open 4x4 vehicles, during the morning and early evening with sightings of the ‘Big Five’ plentiful. Guided walks are also a fantastic way to get to grips with your stunning surrounds and make sure you visit the brand new Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. Accommodation is of the highest standard throughout the seven lodges with Eagles Crag lodge recommended for those who adore privacy and serenity. Families are also more than welcome at Riverdene Family Lodge, offering a range of child-friendly activities to take advantage of (kids aged 4 and over are welcome on family game-drives too). As well as the wildlife, there’s a swimming pool with shallow area just for them, a kids club and outdoor adventure centre. Long Lee Manor offers the feel of a bygone era and Bayethe tented lodge offers a wonderful ‘back to the bush’ experience never to be forgotten. Sarili Lodge offers an intimate experience with only five rooms, perfect for families, groups and friends with a large deck overlooking the Bushman’s River. Meals can be enjoyed in your lodge, the dining room or in the boma, feasting on traditional African dishes from the barbecue.

Amenities

  • Bar
  • Safari
  • Spa
  • Wheelchair access
  • Restaurant

Where is it

On 25,000 hectares of bushveld in the Eastern Cape. Driving time from Port Elizabeth Airport: 1 hour.

Hotel information

There are 7 different lodges in total plus the Explorer Camp: Long Lee Manor - has been completely refurbished and has recently re-opened. This colonial building offers a traditional stay 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 15 beautifully decorated rooms, 4 Garden rooms with veranda, 11 Plains Rooms with veranda and outdoor shower. All with air-conditioning, TV, heating and en-suite facilities, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

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 Born Free Sanctuary.

Long Lee Manor - has been completely refurbished and has recently re-opened. 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. Upgrades include 2 Manor House Suites with a balcony or a Family Suite with 2 bedrooms, a living room and private plunge pool. All with air-conditioning, TV, heating and en-suite facilities.

Lobengula - this lodge has been designed to reflect a traditional Africa Kraal and and is located in a secluded spot with views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Combining contemporary design with traditional African touches, the lodge offers 6 Junior Suites with a private patio or deck with private plunge pool, sleeping maximum 2 adults. 

Sarili - this lodge is for sole use only. 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. From June 2020 this lodge will be available for exclusive use.

Bayethe - recently refurbished, this wonderful and popular tented lodge is nestled along the riverbed and overlooks a busy waterhole, 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 - Shamwari’s new, ultra luxurious tented camp offers superior accommodation, all in a a great location. 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.

Traditional African bomas. African barbecues. Game-drives take place in the early morning and late afternoon. Guided walks and night drives. Kids on Safari programme. Eagles Crag, Bayethe and Long Lee Manor all have a spa* but spa treatments are available at all lodges. Complimentary WiFi. 2 night Explorer Camp experience*, in dome tented lodges, is also available. Guided walking safari (available Oct-Apr). Born Free and Animal Rehabilitation Centre. New Welcome Lounge (for guests staying at Long Lee Manor, Riverdene, Sarili, Sindile and Explorer camp).

Wheelchair adapted rooms with partially accessible amenities or facilities available on request (Riverdene and Long Lee Manor). Please note that these rooms are subject to availability and may be restricted to specific room categories and bedding arrangements. Rooms and facilities vary between hotels so please check at the time of booking. For more information and contact details please check out our Special Assistance page

2 nights between 1 May-20 Apr.

* Denotes local charge.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (1233)
  • Very good (78)
  • Average (24)
  • Poor (10)
  • Terrible (4)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Trip of a lifetime

Oct 2, 2021 Corie R Delray Beach, Florida

Shamwari Reserve is absolutely gorgeous! I stayed in the Sindile Tents and they are stunning. The staff is so friendly and helpful. Shannon the massage therapist was fantastic. The food was 5 star and so beautiful. Mino the Ranger was amazing. Is love for Shamwari is infectious. I cant wait to go back.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Best private game reserve

Aug 1, 2021 sanjeevkgupta Aligarh, India

Shamwari game reserve experience is one of the best experience. Our ranger meeno was too good and his services amazing. We have use sarili private lodge. We got indian food here all chef tried to make vegetarian food for us and they got success. All staff was amazing fully supportive. We have seen lot of animals like 10 hippo together and 6… Read more
Shamwari game reserve experience is one of the best experience. Our ranger meeno was too good and his services amazing. We have use sarili private lodge. We got indian food here all chef tried to make vegetarian food for us and they got success. All staff was amazing fully supportive. We have seen lot of animals like 10 hippo together and 6 lion together. Too many rhinos. Amazing experience Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Fantastic!!!!!! Incredible!!!!! Magical!!!!!

Jun 1, 2021 NatsSouthAfrica South Africa

Blown Away!!!!! Speechless!!!!! Fantastic!!!!!! Incredible!!!!! Magical!!!!! Luxury and adventure combined for the experience of a lifetime for our family of four visiting to celebrate my husband’s 40th birthday. Our Ranger Jesse was an absolute gem, she is amazing with kids, intelligent (her extensive knowledge of animals WOW), patient, kind and… Read more
Blown Away!!!!! Speechless!!!!! Fantastic!!!!!! Incredible!!!!! Magical!!!!! Luxury and adventure combined for the experience of a lifetime for our family of four visiting to celebrate my husband’s 40th birthday. Our Ranger Jesse was an absolute gem, she is amazing with kids, intelligent (her extensive knowledge of animals WOW), patient, kind and most important FUN! FUN! FUN! My kids cried when they left Shamwari. I have never seen them cry after a holiday or leaving a hotel ever so this was definitely a first. Customized to our every desire and a great surprise on each drive. They went above and beyond in making my husband’s 40th the most memorable birthday ever. We were blown away by the hospitality at Shamwari. The staff are incredible every single one of them. The most delicious fine dining experience, kids variety of food met every expectation. The facilities are among the finest we have experienced. The well trained staff made our stay world class. No details were left undone. As the staff gathered to wish us a farewell, we couldn’t help but feel we were leaving our friends. An extremely emotional departure. Thank you Shamwari you will always stay close to our hearts Suresh, Natalie, Tamia and Gia... thank you for a truly brilliant experience. See you soon. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Truly “Shamazing” Family Safari

Apr 22, 2021 rnkhammond Ladera Ranch, California

Luxury and adventure combined for the experience of a lifetime for our family of four visiting from California. Our Ranger Jan is a pro at both tracking animals and getting a smile from a teenage daughter. Customized to our every desire and a great surprise on each drive. We spent 3 days at Shamwari and had new discoveries on each game drive.… Read more
Luxury and adventure combined for the experience of a lifetime for our family of four visiting from California. Our Ranger Jan is a pro at both tracking animals and getting a smile from a teenage daughter. Customized to our every desire and a great surprise on each drive. We spent 3 days at Shamwari and had new discoveries on each game drive. The facilities are among the finest we have experienced. The well trained staff made our stay world class. No details were left undone. As the staff gathered to wish us a farewell, we couldn’t help but feel we were leaving our friends. No matter the distance, we committed then to return soon. Thank you Jan, Liza Marie, Kim, Mandla and Theo for a truly brilliant experience. See you soon. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Best Experience Ever!!!

Jan 17, 2021 Lindyabro Cape Town Central, South Africa

My family and I ( 2 adults , 3 kids aged 13,12 and 8) have just returned from one of the most wonderful experiences of our life. We stayed at Long Lee Manor in the most amazing family suite. It was pure perfection. Long Lee Manor staff are incredible. Nothing was too much trouble for them! I cannot commend them enough. Service and hospitality… Read more
My family and I ( 2 adults , 3 kids aged 13,12 and 8) have just returned from one of the most wonderful experiences of our life. We stayed at Long Lee Manor in the most amazing family suite. It was pure perfection. Long Lee Manor staff are incredible. Nothing was too much trouble for them! I cannot commend them enough. Service and hospitality extraordinaire! And now onto the game drives..... Our Game Ranger was Mino, and after having experienced game ranging in this manner, we are forever spoilt for any other game drive. Mino made it his goal to pamper us and make us all feel like kings and queens ... and that’s besides all the actual game spotting and experiences. He went above and beyond for us. We had the most incredible sightings and experiences. Unforgettable! On our last day we bumped into Shamwari’s CEO, Mr Joe Cloete. And it’s no wonder Shamwari is run so well ! Such a humble man with a fantastic attitude. Our Shamwari Game Reserve experience was everything we wanted and MUCH more. We highly , highly recommended it! ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Read less