Award-Winning Game Reserve
Shamwari is an award-winning private game reserve situated in the Eastern Cape towards the end of the beautiful Garden Route. Covering a huge 25,000 hectares and boasting 5 eco-systems, it's home to the Big Five as well as cheetah, hyena, hippo, zebra and antelope. The whole reserve is malaria-free, making it a worry-free choice for families and travellers of any age.
Staying in Shamwari, you'll set off on 2 thrilling game drives per day, one at sunrise and one at sunset, on the lookout for roaming animals from your open-topped 4x4 safari vehicle. During these games drives, you'll learn all about the landscape and wildlife from your experienced ranger. What's more, you'll make a stop on each drive for an atmospheric coffee or sundowner drink, so you can soak up the sights and sounds of the bush as you sip. The game drives normally last between 3 and 4 hours and, for an on-foot safari adventure, you can also arrange guided walks after breakfast. Nature lovers and birdwatchers can also organise nature walks with expert guides to learn about the birds, insects and plant life of the reserve.
Shamwari means ‘my friend' in Shona, and the reserve is famed for its animal conservation efforts. It runs in partnership with actress Virginia Mckenna's brilliant Born Free Foundation and the reserve has a Born Free Foundation of its own, rescuing big cats and campaigning against animal captivity and exploitation. There's also a Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, where injured, ill or orphaned animals are treated and cared for before being released back into the wild. The centre focuses on rehabilitating the wildlife without habituating them to human contact, making their return to their natural habitat easier. You can visit all of these facilities during your stay at Shamwari. No entry fees are required, just donations to these worthy causes.
The combination of excellent game viewing, luxury safari lodges and the outstanding work that the reserve does with the Born Free Foundation has earned Shamwari numerous travel industry and conservation awards over the years.