Eagles Crag

Eagles Crag Lodge is an avante-guard masterpiece of thatch, stone and glass for the most discerning of traveller who is looking for privacy and tranquillity.

Eagles Crag is nestled in a valley in the 25,000 malaria-free Shamwari Private Game Reserve, and provides the ultimate luxury. Game viewing is carried out morning and evening on game drives, when you are driven in your open vehicle over the rolling hills and valleys in search of the wildlife. The reserve is home to many forms of plant, animal and bird life, including the Big 5 as well as cheetah, hyena, giraffe, hippo, zebra and numerous antelope species.

The upstairs lounge with bar and fireplace opens onto a terrace with aerial viewing pods, plus there is also a downstairs lounge with a fireplace and TV. The dining room has intimate dining pods and also opens onto a deck.

There is also a luxury spa offering a wide variety of personalised treatments.

Guests at Eagles Crag are also able to visit the Born Free Big Cat Santuaries and Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, home to a number of big cats and other wildlife which been rescued from dangerous situations and are now provided with excellent life time care.

Each of the 9 Junior Suites at Eagles Crag have been built to maximize the privacy of the guest.

Decorated in light and contemporary colours, with wall-to-wall glass doors on 2 sides, the en-suite rooms all provide stunning views of the surrounding cliffs.

Each room has both indoor and outdoor showers, as well its own private deck and heated plunge pool with an uninterrupted view of the bush.

Rates Include

All meals; selected drinks (excluding French champagne and premium products); twice-daily shared game drives; guided walks; and the Conservation Levy are included.

Children Policy

Children aged 12 years and older are welcome. Adult rates apply.

Bush Walks / Walking Safaris

Children under the age of 16 years are not permitted on guided walks in the reserve.  Guests over 65 wishing to join a guided walk are required to have a letter or certificate from their doctor confirming they are in good health and are physically fit to do the walk. A  guided walk can last a couple of hours and involve walking over uneven terrain that may contain dangerous wildlife in potentially high temperatures. Guests may need to move quickly and for a sustained period through rough bush terrain if instructed to do so by their guide.

Regardless of age or the provision of a doctors certificate, the final decision on whether a guest can join a guided walk remains with the guide and lodge manager.

Guest Rating: 4.8 / 5.0 based on 22 ratings

Directions For Drivers

From Port Elizabeth: Follow the N2 out of Port Elizabeth heading towards Grahamstown bypassing the town of Colchester. 11 km past Colchester use the left lane to take the N2 ramp to Grahamstown. Continue on the N2 for 17 km bypassing the R342 turn-off. Continue along the N2 a further 11 km until you reach a sign board Eagles Crag and Bayethe on the Sidbury road. Turn left onto the gravel road and follow this road for 9 km until you reach a T-junction. At the T-junction follow the sign boards left to Eagles Crag for 5 km.

From Grahamstown: Travel along the N2 towards Port Elizabeth, and follow the directions as above.

Please note that you drive through the reserve to get to the lodge - do not get out of your car until you reach the lodge. You may see some wildlife on your way - if you do, slow down and maintain a good distance. Do not drive off-road in any circumstances.

General Information For Guests

All rooms have air conditioning, tea/coffee making facilities, a hair dryer, electronic safe, fitted international adaptors, international dial telephone, indoor and outdoor shower facilities, private minibar, and a private heated plunge pool on the deck.  Wi-Fi is available in all the rooms too.

The main area has 2 lounges with a fireplace. The upstairs lounge has a bar that opens up onto the deck where there are viewing pods and a fire pit. The downstairs lounge has a large television and billiard table. There is also the dining room and deck, gift boutique, a fitness centre, and a Relaxation Retreat with a hydro bath, steam room and sauna.

A laundry service is available (additional cost).

Credit cards are accepted.

Should you wish to leave a gratuity, envelopes are available at reception. Alternatively you can add it to your final bill and settle by credit card when you check out.

All guests will be provided with a pair of Swarovski Optik Binoculars (EL 10 x 42 range) - one pair per couple - for use when out on game drives. Should you then wish to purchase your own binoculars, they are available to buy in the gift boutique.

The game drive vehicle seats 6 guests.

In collaboration with the Born Free Foundation, the Big Cat Rescue and Education Centres are situated within the game reserve. They aim to draw attention to the plight of wild cats, confined in impoverished, captive environments throughout the world. It is the mission of The Born Free Foundation, founded by actress and conservationist Virginia McKenna and her late husband Bill Travers, to ‘Keep Wildlife in the Wild’. Both Shamwari and Born Free aim to promote conservation and protect these species and their habitat, whilst maintaining a compassionate approach to the welfare of animals. The rescue and education centres home rescued lions and leopards from across the world and aim to be an enlightening experience for all visitors.

You also have the opportunity to visit the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre when you visit Shamwari Private Game Reserve. The Centre helps to rescue, rehabilitate and care for sick, injured, abandoned or orphaned animals under the care of professional veterinary team. Once these animals have been nursed back to health, they are released back into their natural habitat. Part of this experience is Vulpro - a unique captive breeding centre and the only one of its kind in Africa. Injured vulture species that can’t fly will breed in captivity and the healthy young are released back into the wild.

A compulsory Conservation Levy has been included in your rate - this contribution will aid conservation efforts as well as the anti-poaching unit.

Bush Walks / Walking Safaris

Children under the age of 16 years are not permitted on guided walks in the reserve.  Guests over 65 wishing to join a guided walk are required to have a letter or certificate from their doctor confirming they are in good health and are physically fit to do the walk. A  guided walk can last a couple of hours and involve walking over uneven terrain that may contain dangerous wildlife in potentially high temperatures. Guests may need to move quickly and for a sustained period through rough bush terrain if instructed to do so by their guide.

Regardless of age or the provision of a doctors certificate, the final decision on whether a guest can join a guided walk remains with the guide and lodge manager.

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If you're not sure which place might be best for your own trip then either give us a call or get in touch via the website, and we'd be delighted to run through the options with you.