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.
Available for exclusive hire and perfect for small groups of friends or families with older children, this modern-looking thatched villa affords views of the Bushman’s River and surrounding plains - views which are especially majestic at sunset. Inside, the décor and colours depict a modern urban feel.
Accommodation
All with air-conditioning and underfloor heating, Sarili’s five rooms are divided into three categories. Downstairs, are two interconnected Luxury Rooms around a courtyard while a further upstairs pair have balconies facing the river. The first floor also contains a much-bigger Suite with its own balcony plus a dark-tiled bathroom, sofas and a writing desk. Clever use of doors can turn certain areas into private, spacious family accommodation.
Facilities
The main lounge unites two sitting areas and large sisal mats. One focuses on a flatscreen telly with the other arranged around its fireplace. Next door is a homely and high-thatched dining room. Dinners are also served in the courtyard, or on the main viewing deck. Talking of views, Sarili’s heated saltwater pool includes a shallow area for children.
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
Children of all ages are welcome and safaris can be tailored, although Riverdene Lodge has a more extensive kids’ programme. Nonetheless, Sirili has children’s menus and can arrange babysitting (additional cost). Its suite can accommodate a cot and extra ¾ bed for families with two small children.
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.
