About
Ideal for safari virgins or those coming from Cape Town or the Garden Route, malaria-free Shamwari Game Reserve boasts Big Five game and six superb lodges across a 25,000 hectare reserve. Home to prolific game and exceptional game rangers, Shamwari is well known for their intense conservation practices, and their ethos is to 'conserve a vanishing way of life' which is apparent at each of their lodges.
Most luxurious is Eagles Crag, a gorge-side hideaway made from thatch, glass and stone. Surrounded by lush vegetation and sheer cliffs, this nine-suite lodge delivers a seclusion perfect for amorous couples or parents seeking a little quietude.
Accommodation
The nine suites are spaced out along the plant-filled ravine to ensure privacy. Each is fabulously luxurious, with air-conditioning, outdoor showers, a lazy deck and your own plunge pool. Eagles often ride thermals nearby, explaining the property’s name and the provision of bird-watching telescopes. Inside, wall-to-wall glass doors on two sides deliver more breathtaking cliff views, and light woods and colours set an airy, easy-going vibe.
Facilities
After a day of game drives, the Relaxation Retreat stands ready to remove any aches or pains via its personalised treatments, hydrobath, steam room and sauna. Equally indulgent are the two-floor main lodge’s two lounges, each with fireplaces and terraces, cocktail bar and cigar room. Dinners are served in a contemporary dining room, or romantically in the al-fresco boma around another fire.
Activities
Included in your board are 4x4 game drives at dawn and dusk, each lasting 3-4 hours. You’re very unlikely to see vehicles from Shamwari’s other lodges, but odds-on to spy the Big Five and numerous other beasts. Also complimentary are guided nature walks and visits to the Rhino Awareness Centre, the Born Free Centre and a Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and Hospital – where guests can have one-to-one experiences with current patients. As all this suggests, Shamwari is extremely conservation-minded, scooping regular awards for its efforts.
Child Policy
Only children aged 12 and over can stay. However, the reserve’s Riverdene Lodge and Sarili Lodge welcome all ages.
The Best of South Africa Travel map displays the locations of the destinations and accommodation that we have selected and visited; for each item, hovering over or clicking the marker will display a short summary and photo of that place or hotel, and hotel pricing. Follow the links in the info box to the full page listing which has much more information.
Note that the online map offers both a satellite view (click satellite in the top right) and, for some locations, a street level view (Drag the person in the top left onto the map). These let you explore the country; and when you wish to explore in person, or if you have any questions about the places you see, give our staff a call, or request a quote. Our staff regularly visit the places and accommodation that we feature.
When you book a holiday with us we will provide full driving instructions for reaching your accommodation, where necessary; these can be used by yourself, or you could enjoy the luxury of a driver. Alternatively we will arrange private (car rather than coach) transfers for you; helicopter transfers are also possible for some destinations.
