Shamwari Private Game Reserve – Overview

Shamwari Private Game Reserve is one of South Africa’s most exclusive and famous safari destinations. Familiar to many from the Netflix documentary ‘Shamwari Untamed’, it offers excellent viewing of a good variety of wildlife, including all the Big Five. Luxurious accommodations are complemented by immaculate service and gourmet food, and packages include expertly guided game drives in open vehicles.

Best Time To Go

January to December (All year)

High Season

October to April (High-season rates)

Size More info

280km² / 108mi²

Altitude More info

196-592m / 1,079-1,654ft

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Pros & Cons

• Excellent all-round wildlife viewing
• One of the best places anywhere for black rhino sightings
• Open-vehicle game drives with knowledgeable guides
• Night drives and bush walks available
• Some lodges are family-friendly and run a Kids on Safari program
• Great volunteering options
• Malaria-free
• Home to a respected Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
• Not easy to see leopards
• No day visits, self-drive or budget accommodations

Wildlife

Shamwari is the oldest private wildlife reserve in the Eastern Cape. Of the Big Five, you’re almost certain to see lion, elephant, buffalo and rhino, but leopard encounters are unusual. The white rhino is common in the grassier southern half of the reserve, and the shier black rhino is also spotted with some regularity. Shamwari is also home to cheetah, brown hyena, hippo, giraffe, zebra and 16 antelope species.

Scenery

Shamwari is a scenic reserve that supports a very diverse ecosystem and a wealth of endemic plants. Five of South Africa’s eight biomes (main vegetation regions) are represented: subtropical thicket, fynbos, grassland, savannah and Nama Karoo. The Bushman’s River divides the relatively flat open grassland of the south from the ruggedly mountainous north. Although this river is seasonal, it has several small dams that usually hold water all year round.

Activities

Guided morning and afternoon game drives reliably offer excellent wildlife viewing. Optional guided activities include boat trips on the Bushman’s River, bush walks and night drives. Also recommended is an informative tour of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, which prepares orphaned and injured animals for release into the wild, and houses a vulture breeding project called Vulpro. A well-designed kid’s adventure center in Riverdene Family Lodge makes it particularly suited to families with youngsters.

Weather & Climate

Shamwari has a distinct summer and winter. Summer (October to April) is typically hot by day but cools down pleasantly in the evening. Winter (May to September) days are generally warm but seldom very hot, while nights are cold and sometimes even freezing. Occasional rain falls throughout the year, with slightly more in summer than in winter. March is the wettest month, while June and July are the driest.

Best Time To Visit

Wildlife viewing is pretty consistent all year round in Shamwari. Like other reserves in the Eastern Cape, the relatively temperate climate makes it a good alternative to more tropical parks such as Kruger in summer (October to April). The winter months (May to September) are fine too, and slightly drier, but it can get very chilly in the late afternoon and early morning. Accommodations are discounted in winter, as this is the area’s low season.

Want To Visit Shamwari GR?

• Tour Operators for Shamwari