Shamwari Private Game Reserve

Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape

Virgin rating

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

  • Wheelchair access
  • Safari
  • Bar
  • Restaurant
  • Spa

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 8 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 and Animal Rehabilitation centre.

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. 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.

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 - 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.

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.

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 (1292)
  • Very good (81)
  • Average (24)
  • Poor (10)
  • Terrible (4)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Eagle's Crag Lodges were exceptional

Mar 25, 2024 Gina N Magnolia, Texas

From the moment we arrived, we were treated graciously by the entire staff. Eagle's Crag lodges are absolutely gorgeous and sumptuous. The rooms are large with all amenities and each has it's own plunge pool, deck, lounge chairs. Our food, which was plentiful, was delicious. There were 2 safari drives per day, and our ranger, Dominic, was… Read more
From the moment we arrived, we were treated graciously by the entire staff. Eagle's Crag lodges are absolutely gorgeous and sumptuous. The rooms are large with all amenities and each has it's own plunge pool, deck, lounge chairs. Our food, which was plentiful, was delicious. There were 2 safari drives per day, and our ranger, Dominic, was excellent. His enthusiasm and knowledge about the fauna, as well as the flora, was helpful and very interesting to learn about. The days are pretty filled, getting up each day at 5am. Each ride took about 4 hours and Dom took us to see as much as possible. We were able to get pretty close to a lot of the animals. What a great experience to be out in the bush and have evening cocktails out in the expanse. It was an incredible experience and the facilities are first class. My only regret is that we didn't stay long enough (2 nights/3 days) I would have liked to be able to have half a day to just relax by the pool and enjoy the spa. Maybe next time. The entire staff were wonderful. It was my birthday and the staff surprised me with a birthday cake and a song. Such great memories. I would definitely suggest a jacket on the drives. It gets pretty chilly and there is a lot of wind, so bring something to cover your head and ears. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Amazing (except the food)

Mar 23, 2024 2018travelgal London, United Kingdom

Only reason for a 4* review is the food. Everything else was 5*. There are really no words that do our game drives at Shamwari justice. We stayed at Eagles Crag for 4 nights and had the most incredible time. The communal lodge area is beautiful, the decor is very modern and tasteful and gives a very homely feel. Our lodge was gorgeous, and felt… Read more
Only reason for a 4* review is the food. Everything else was 5*. There are really no words that do our game drives at Shamwari justice. We stayed at Eagles Crag for 4 nights and had the most incredible time. The communal lodge area is beautiful, the decor is very modern and tasteful and gives a very homely feel. Our lodge was gorgeous, and felt very fitting with the thatched roof. The lodge wasn’t spotlessly clean like I would have expected from 5* accommodation, namely the floors were a bit dirty - we could notice this on our socks from walking about. Be prepared for some bugs/spiders - purely given the location. There is a free laundry service which is perfect, and just what we needed with so many outfit changes and the dust from the drives. The game drives were by far the highlight of our whole holiday to South Africa. Our ranger Dominic is a credit to Shamwawi. His knowledge is exceptional, he knew everything about everything and answered a plethora of questions throughout our stay. He was such a lovely, caring man and was a joy to spend our time with. The respect and love he shows the animals is incredible - he truly cares and it was touching to watch. We seen the most incredible animals throughout our stay and had moments that will stay with us forever. The only issue we had with Eagles Crag was the food. There is an abundance of food - morning tea/snacks, breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks, dinner. Morning tea was perfect with flapjacks/biscuits and a selection of tea and coffee. Breakfast was great with a continental buffet and a la carte hot food. Lunch always started with a large sharing salad and with dressing. It was then followed by a tapas style menu with 5 different dishes. These varied most days, but were very niche in terms of taste. There was no option for soups/salad/baked potatoes/paninis etc and a smaller lunch. We ended up only choosing 2 or 3 after our 1st day as it was too much food. Dinner followed the same format as lunch with a tapas style for starters & main courses - with the exception of 1 night where it was an a la carte menu). The lodge does cater to dietary requirements but the food was restrictive if you are not an adventurous eater. There was a night that I didn’t like anything on the menu and didn’t eat anything for dinner other than some bread as it was so restricted. I do eat most things, but it was even too much for me. One lunch, my husband was served completely raw chicken wings. And at breakfast he was served partially cooked sausages. The staff seemed ill equipped to deal with these things, and he was asked if the other chicken wings were also cooked. There was no apology or taking the food away. We also weren’t offered a replacement. I feel that they should have an a la carte menu every night as well as the tapas so that there is an option of a normal single meal. The a la carte had options of risotto/fish/pasta which are staples that could be offered every night. We did expect better from the food which was disappointing. From speaking with the other people who were staying, they were of the same opinion. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Out of this world.

Mar 13, 2024 Global629696 Basingstoke, United Kingdom

I struggle to find the words to adequately describe the experience we had at Shamwari that will do it justice. It was hands down one of the best experiences of my life (after having my daughter!). From the moment you arrive to the moment you leave, you are treated incredibly. We stayed for two nights at Long Lee and it was divine, the most… Read more
I struggle to find the words to adequately describe the experience we had at Shamwari that will do it justice. It was hands down one of the best experiences of my life (after having my daughter!). From the moment you arrive to the moment you leave, you are treated incredibly. We stayed for two nights at Long Lee and it was divine, the most outstanding part is the service, from the staff in the manor to the game drives, it's impeccable and makes the time you have there worth every penny. The game drives take up a large portion of the time, so when you're back at your lodgings, the relaxing and calm nature are just what you need. A swim in the pool, watching the wildlife at the watering hole or a massage in the spa are perfection. The food is wonderful and we genuinely felt like we were never hungry as you are so well fed during your time there. Our guide Maurice was beyond amazing, his knowledge and passion for the job truly shine and he made the trip what it was in our opinion. Shamwari is great as it's smaller in terms of reserve sizes, so you do get to see everything and what a privilege it is to be surrounded by natures natural killers and getting to observe them in their habitat. The luxury element of Shamwari makes it such a special place, as because the lodges are all spaced out it almost feels like there's barely anyone there and it's such a tranquil oasis. We are longing to get back already and trying out the tented lodges for a change of scene in the not so distant future. The rooms are huge! massive bath, shower and outdoor shower alongside mega comfortable super king beds that look out onto a terrace that overlooks the reserve. They have left no stone unturned in their approach to ensure every guest is left not wanting to leave! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Close to nature

Mar 4, 2024 Dirk S

We spent two days here at the Explorer Camp. The experiences we had during this time were overwhelming. The camp itself is located pretty much in the middle of the park. The Shamwari team consisted of two rangers, the camp manager, two cooks and a woman who looked after the guests' tents. The group of guests consisted of four people, which is… Read more
We spent two days here at the Explorer Camp. The experiences we had during this time were overwhelming. The camp itself is located pretty much in the middle of the park. The Shamwari team consisted of two rangers, the camp manager, two cooks and a woman who looked after the guests' tents. The group of guests consisted of four people, which is quite a ratio. The tents have a large, comfortable bed and a separate wash/bath area. The food was excellent throughout. Everything was prepared on an open fire. We didn't think it was possible to prepare food of this high quality. During the four hikes over the two days, we were able to observe numerous different wild animals thanks to the experienced rangers. We can only recommend the Explorer Camp. Here you can get really close to nature without having to compromise on comfort. A clear recommendation! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Exceptional

Feb 29, 2024 priyajethwa92

What an incredible place! The service is exceptional as is the food, and our game drives were spectacular with our ranger Sihle (who was so knowledgeable and a really lovely person). We stayed in the Bayethe lodge which was stunning - the rooms, turn down service and little touches are second to none. It would have been better if our private pool… Read more
What an incredible place! The service is exceptional as is the food, and our game drives were spectacular with our ranger Sihle (who was so knowledgeable and a really lovely person). We stayed in the Bayethe lodge which was stunning - the rooms, turn down service and little touches are second to none. It would have been better if our private pool was heated (we couldn't get in even on a 40 degree day) but that's a small point. I would wholeheartedly recommend Shamwari for an unforgettable safari experience. Read less