Shamwari Private Game Reserve | Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape | Virgin Atlantic Holidays
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Shamwari Private Game Reserve
Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
5 stars
Home of two Born Free big cat sanctuaries, the Shamwari Private Game Reserve is a malaria-free private game reserve near Port Elizabeth, boasting just under 30,000 hectares of land, bursting with free roaming wild animals, birdlife and indigenous Flora and Fauna. Game drives depart twice a day and are included within your stay, travelling in open 4x4 vehicles with your experienced ranger, with sightings of the ‘Big Five’ plentiful. Guided walks are also a fantastic way to get to grips with your stunning surrounds and make sure you visit the brand new Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. Accommodation is of the highest standard throughout the seven lodges with Eagles Crag lodge recommended for those who adore privacy and serenity. Families are also more than welcome at Riverdene Family Lodge, offering a range of child-friendly activities to take advantage of (kids aged 4 and over are welcome on family game-drives too). As well as the wildlife, there’s a swimming pool with shallow area just for them, a kids club and outdoor adventure centre. Long Lee Manor offers the feel of a bygone era and Bayethe tented lodge offers a wonderful ‘back to the bush’ experience never to be forgotten. Sarili Lodge offers an intimate experience with only five rooms, perfect for families, groups and friends with a large deck overlooking the Bushman’s River. Meals can be enjoyed in your lodge, the dining room or in the boma, feasting on traditional African dishes from the barbecue.
Amenities
Wheelchair access
Safari
Bar
Restaurant
Spa
Explore the local area
On 30,000 hectares of bushveld in the Eastern Cape. Driving time from Port Elizabeth Airport: 1 hour.
Hotel Information
Room Information
Room Upgrade Information
There are 7 different lodges in total: Riverdene - is perfect for families, with a very exciting and complimentary children's programme. This is a wonderful lodge with relaxed loungers, offering the perfect stay for families, with interconnecting rooms, childcare facilities and an exciting new outdoor kids activity centre, child-friendly game-drives for children from the age of 4 years, a child friendly dining room, pool and a place to relax and enjoy the bush. There are only 9 rooms, all with private facilities, air conditioning and TV, sleeping maximum 2 adults and 1 child.
All Inclusive of: meals and selected local beverages. All game-drives and visits to Education Centres, Animal Rehabilitation centre, Vulpro @ Shamwari and The Born Free Foundation.
Hotel details
Facilities
Traditional African bomas. African barbecues. Game-drives take place in the early morning and late afternoon. Guided walks and night drives. Kids on Safari programme. Eagles Crag, Sindile, Bayethe and Long Lee Manor all have a spa* but spa treatments are available at all lodges. Gym at Long Lee Manor. Complimentary WiFi. 2 night Explorer Camp experience*, in dome tented lodges, is also available. Guided walking safari (available Oct-Apr). Born Free and Animal Rehabilitation Centre. Welcome Lounge (for guests staying at Long Lee Manor, Riverdene, Sarili, Sindile and Explorer camp), all guests staying at Eagles Crag and Bayethe will check in at the new Northern Welcome Lounge and be transferred to their lodge, this transfer would be approximately 30 minutes’ drive time.
Accessibility
Wheelchair adapted rooms with partially accessible amenities or facilities available on request (Riverdene and Long Lee Manor). Please note that these rooms are subject to availability and may be restricted to specific room categories and bedding arrangements. Rooms and facilities vary between hotels so please check at the time of booking. For more information and contact details please check out our Special Assistance page
Minimum Stay
2 nights between 1 May-20 Apr.
Additional Information
* Denotes local charge.
Trip advisor rating
5/5
1,446 reviews
Excellent
92%
Very Good
6%
Average
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
“OUTSTANDING, 7 STAR lUXURY . Class Act.”
Aug 26, 2025Paradise15485252236
OUTSTANDING ! this place is amazing . the Hospitality is mind-blowing . the rooms are superb. the game reserve is a must do . We stayed at the Sarili lodge . we were just blown away.
“Best safari experience on earth and amazing lodges, food and staff”
Jun 29, 2025972gemmat
The BEST BEST place to go on safari with the most amazing staff and people to ensure you will have the greatest trip of your life! We were recommended it by a friend and I recommend it to anyone who wants to have their dream safari. Ruin our guide was amazing, Jean, Noah… all the staff just next level brilliant and lovely. And we were so close to the animals who are looked after fully. This is the place to do safari, nowhere else. Loved every second
“Unforgettable Family Safari at Shamwari – Worth Every Second of the 21-Hour Flight!”
Jun 18, 2025m l
We stayed at Riverdene Lodge in 2024 and had an absolutely phenomenal experience. The food was out of this world, and the staff went above and beyond, especially with our 8-year-old son, he was treated like royalty from the moment we arrived.
A special shoutout to Josh, our guide, who was incredibly enthusiastic and attentive to our needs. He made every game drive engaging, informative, and fun—even during the freezing early morning safaris, he made sure we were comfortable and well taken care of.
The lodge was luxurious yet kid-friendly, the wildlife sightings were incredible, and the entire experience was smooth and thoughtful from start to finish.
Yes, the 21-hour plane ride from the U.S. was a haul—but Shamwari made it absolutely worth it. Highly recommended for families looking for a high-end, unforgettable safari experience.
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Some of the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. However, ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on this website. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: https://www.atol.org/about-atol/atol-certificates.
This product offers you combinations of a hotel and flights at an inclusive price. This product enjoys the protection of the Package Travel, Package Travel and Linked Arrangements Regulations 2018.
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