There are many good reasons for visiting Shamwari Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.
They offer excellent game viewing, superb accommodation and fantastic food. All this in a malaria free environment that is easily accessible from a major city with an airport. In fact the entire experience is not only greatly enjoyable but very memorable.
However, the most important reason for visiting this wonderful game reserve is that you will, in fact, be assisting in one of the most effective environmental projects in Africa.
Conserving a vanishing way of life
For many years the Shamwari motto was “Conserving a vanishing way of life”. This has two meanings. The first is that they preserve the old aristocratic style of good service and the second is that they are preserving the wildlife of the area.
“Conserving” is perhaps an understatement because Shamwari Private Game Reserve does a lot more.
They have acquired over 25 000 hectares of land that had been ravaged by drought, overgrazing and the wholesale slaughter of indigenous mammals since the early 1800’s. In the past few decades Shamwari Private Game Reserve has rehabilitated the bush and reintroduced much of the large game that had been shot into local extinction.
This has not been an easy task. In the face of opposition from surrounding farmers, an indifferent government and no legislation for the movement and introduction of large species, Shamwari Private Game Reserve persevered.
Today the government welcomes the contribution that this private game reserve gives to the local economy and many of the local farmers have now bought into the idea of conservation and converted their farms into game reserves too!
Shamwari Private Game Reserve is now home to vast herds of wildlife, birdlife and incredible ecological diversity.
None of this would be possible without the thousands of people who have paid to stay at Shamwari Private Game Reserve in the past twenty odd years.
Shamwari Private Game Reserve has a lot to offer
The game reserve comprises of seven individual 5-star lodges, an Explorer Camp and three different education and rehabilitation facilities.
The Eastern Cape of South Africa, the region in which Shamwari Private Game Reserve is found, is one of the most ecologically diverse regions on Earth.
The game reserve is home to five of South Africa’s seven biomes, making it a destination unlike any other.
Because of their conservation efforts, Shamwari Private Game Reserve has officially been declared a Protected Environment.
The accommodation is varied and each has its own unique characteristics. What they all have in common is luxurious rooms, excellent service, great food and a very pleasant bush experience.
Long Lee Manor
This was Shamwari Game Reserve’s first lodge and it was renovated from the farm house and work shed on the original piece of land that was bought for rehabilitation.
The owner was a wealthy wheel wright and he built a substantial house by local standards. This building was lovingly and beautifully restored when the area was first converted to a game reserve.
In 2019 the manor as well as the surrounding buildings and infrastructure have been renovated once more.
Over 20 years of conservation and hospitality experience have been incorporated into the newly refurbished Long Lee Manor and today it is superb in all aspects.
There are 17 Luxury Rooms and a Two Bedroom Suite. The rooms are beautifully furnished with a mix of contemporary convenience and African colonial style furniture. The bathrooms are modern and come with bath and shower. There is even (my personal favourite aspect) a private outdoor shower.
Shamwari Private Game Reserve can get very hot in summer and the large Rim-Flow Pool is the best place to be during the midday heat. Adjacent to the pool is the Bar Lounge and the waiting staff will happily serve you a frosted refreshment while you lounge pool side.
Sindili Tented Camp
This is the latest addition to the Shamwari Private Game Reserve. Situated on the banks of the Bushmans River and with a spectacular view across the African plains and the distant hills, you can expect an unprecedented luxury tented safari.
The entrance to this camp is dramatic – step off the game drive vehicle and walk through the huge front doors and, well, you need to see this for yourself.
The camp offers nine Premier Tents that are luxuriously appointed. Each has its own private heated swimming pool, and spectacular view. The attention to detail and the style of the furnishing is wonderful.
This lodge does not allow children under the age of 16.
Sarili Private Lodge
Sarili Lodge is intended as a private villa that can be hired by families, friends or corporations for a private game reserve experience.
The lodge has 5 luxury rooms and is family friendly. There is a swimming pool as well as a large deck with a view across the game reserve and the Bushmans River.
To find out more about the game drives and Eagles Crag lodge please click here.
Rehabilitation Centre
To quote the Shamwari Game Reserve website, “The Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre at Shamwari is a registered facility and as such, animals in need come from all over the Eastern Cape and even further afield. The primary goal is to ultimately return all the animals that are in our care back to the wild, or at least give them the best possible opportunity. To achieve this goal requires sensitive management and treatment is required by our vet, vet nurse and the team.”
Many of the African mammal and bird species are subject to ever encroaching human development and human greed. Those that have suffered at the hands of direct or inadvertent human interaction can expect to be rehabilitated after their injuries have been healed.
As part of your safari experience with Shamwari Private Game Reserve you will have the opportunity to visit the centre and the animals in our care.
The team managing the centre are enthusiastic and caring. This is not an interactive visit, but an informative and educational experience.
In recent times the centre has specialised in raising orphaned rhinos from the poaching epidemic that has become too common an occurrence in Southern Africa. Despite the horrific ordeals these young animals have endured, they have successfully raised and released several into safe environments where they are now helping to grow rhino populations for the future.
Shamwari Private Game Reserve remains one of my favourite game reserves in all Africa. I first visited the reserve in the mid ‘90’s and have watched it develop into one of the most successful environmental rehabilitation projects I have ever seen.
A visit to Shamwari Private Game Reserve is not just about making personal memories it is also helping ensure the survival of an environment that is spectacularly beautiful and enormously good for the soul of humanity.
Click here to find out more about Shamwari Private Game Reserve. Click here to make an online reservation and click here to find the lodge on Google Maps. You may also call to make your booking by calling 042 203 1111.