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Write a User ReviewAward-winning private reserve with extremely high standards
Small enough for some to consider more of a zoo than a reserve, I nonetheless admire Shamwari’s high level of commitment to animal welfare and rehabilitation. Thanks to a careful wildlife stocking and management process, you can see the Big Five here, albeit in circumstances which feel rather tame; you can also learn about some of the challenges of wildlife conservation by visiting the Born Free big cat rescue centres within the reserve.
The accommodation is certainly sumptuous – a string of celebrity guests including Tiger Woods, Brad Pitt and John Travolta have all visited in recent years – and the family facilities are good. Overall, if you’ve already been to one of the larger, wilder parks and reserves and are looking for more of the same, you may feel let down by Shamwari, but if you’re new to safaris and appreciate comfortable surroundings you’re likely to love it.
Indulgent game viewing
There are many reasons why I love Shamwari and keep returning, but the most simple is that it always delivers. Situated along the Bushman's River, Shamwari is a private, family-owned game reserve which offers visitors a chance to combine Big Five viewing with luxury living… Well, at least for the few nights you stay here. Any place that combines game viewing with spa treatments certainly wins my tick of approval. The accommodation and meals at the well-run lodges are included in packages. As are the twice daily game drives. While the vegetation is not as lush as in the north around Kruger and the 20,000-hectare park is comparatively small, this is a major advantage when it comes to game viewing. It’s also malaria-free, which is a big bonus, especially for anyone travelling with children. On my last visit I saw all of the Big Five as well as numerous other larger mammals. I watched cheetahs feed and got within metres of a pride of lions. Then topped my day off with an indulgent massage… Heaven!
Shamwari: A Luxurious Wildlife Haven in the Eastern Cape
The reserve is a Big Five destination, although leopard sightings are rare. Lions, elephants, buffalo and rhinos are easily seen, often within just a two- or three-day visit. What makes Shamwari truly special, however, is the chance to encounter black rhino. These elusive and famously temperamental animals thrive in the dense Albany thicket that dominates the reserve’s landscape, offering a thrilling experience for visitors.
Shamwari is also renowned for its wildlife rehabilitation
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efforts. The Shamwari Rehabilitation Centre plays a vital role in caring for orphaned and injured animals. Particularly endearing was the sight of a baby rhino with its surrogate friend, Frank the sheep.Accommodations at Shamwari reflect the reserve’s commitment to quality and comfort. The luxury lodges are set in serene locations with sweeping views of the bush, offering elegantly designed suites, private decks and gourmet dining. Staying here combines the thrill of the safari with indulgent relaxation.
A slick conservation triumph
Today, thanks to sterling and multiple-award-winning conservation efforts, Shamwari is home to all of the Big 5 in abundance. I brought my partner here last year for her first ever safari and we saw all 5 on day one, along with cheetah. Our guide that day had been at the reserve for 17 years, not an uncommon length of time here – Shamwari certainly seems to treat its staff well, and they deserve it. From my experience, all of the guides here remain among the best I’ve encountered anywhere in Africa.
And so do the lodges. All seven of the luxurious and exclusive five star options offer a completely different style and
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experience; the food and service are flawless. For me, the rehabilitated reserves in the Eastern Cape can never recreate that utterly raw and unadulterated bush feel, but there’s no denying that everything else about Shamwari operates like a very well-oiled safari machine.Shamwari, the Ferrari of safaris
If this all sounds a bit un-adventurous, it is – the vibe at Shamwari is very much all about luxury and ease rather than wilderness and exhilaration, and the prices can be eye-watering. But spa treatments and amazing food are still always welcome, and this would be a great place to bring a friend or partner who’d like to see game but doesn’t fancy roughing it. It’s also easily accessible from
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Port Elizabeth, making it a good one-night stopover option on a driving holiday in the Eastern Cape.Luxury, conservation, and the Big Five
Once, this relatively small 250-square-kilometer reserve was little more than a farm stocked with sheep and cows, crisscrossed with fences, and lacking in wildlife.
Now, after decades of dedicated work by the owners, Shamwari has once again become a self-sustaining ecosystem, teeming with all your favorite African animals.
It stands as a shining example of how a landscape can be successfully rewilded.
Of course, the reserve’s modest size and the historical background do somewhat diminish the true feeling of untouched wilderness one might find in places like the Serengeti or the Mara; but as an upmarket safari destination, Shamwari still manages to check most of the boxes.
A game drive at Shamwari promises encounters with elephants, black rhinos, buffalo, and lions, and if you cross your fingers tightly,
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you might also have the chance to spot a leopard or two.The lodgings and meals are all as five-star as one could hope for, and its location (situated at the end of the Garden Route) offers a genuine safari experience in a popular region that generally lacks this type of attraction.