Let go of the stresses and anxieties of daily life by reconnecting with yourself and nature at Shamwari. This bush retreat promises to be both a relaxing and eye-opening event. Leave your worries behind and restore your mind, body, and soul in the heart of the Eastern Cape wilderness. Read on to learn more.
What To Expect From Our Luxury Bush Vacation
The tranquil surroundings of South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province make it the perfect destination for a restorative bush retreat. Feel all your cares fade away and regain a fresh perspective on life as you immerse yourself in the gorgeous valleys, breathtaking plains and other wonders of nature found at Shamwari Private Game Reserve.
A gorgeous view of our Yoga instructor.
Your Yoga Instructor
Your classes will be led by the talented Angela Bott. She follows a mindful and slow approach during her classes, making them accessible to yoga practitioners of all levels and abilities.
Angela has a background in Inyenga practice, as well as being a trained teacher of Vinyasa yoga. Every person that attends one of her classes will reap the benefits and leave the session feeling more flexible and at peace in both body and mind. She has spent a lot of time working at health care and healing institutions throughout her career as a yogi.
About Shamwari Private Game Reserve
A Shamwari bush retreat is second to none. Once you’ve arrived, you’ll never want to leave again, thanks to the reserve’s unspoiled beauty, along with the world-class luxury and tranquil atmosphere you’re exposed to throughout your stay. It’s no wonder that there are so many positive guest reviews (see TripAdvisor, SafariBookings, and Booking.com, amongst others) available online.
While at Shamwari, you have the opportunity to coexist in harmony with nature and its creatures – great and small. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see all of the members of the Big Five in their natural habitat, along with numerous other creatures, such as giraffes, zebras, martial eagles, and flightless dung beetles. The property spans 25 000 hectares and is home to one of the greatest wildlife concentrations in both the Eastern and Southern Cape, making it a prime game viewing destination.
Shamwari is also blessed with a diversity of different habitats, as five of South Africa’s seven biomes can be found within its borders. Only guests staying at the reserve are permitted on the grounds, ensuring your game viewing excursions remain exclusive.
In terms of accommodation, you have the opportunity to choose between several 5-star lodges, each with its distinct air about it, and one Explorer Camp (more on that in a bit).
Gorgeous view of wildlife at Shamwari.
Proximity to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
Shamwari is conveniently located under an hour’s drive from the city formerly known as Port Elizabeth – now Gqeberha – using the N2 highway. Guests who are flying to Gqeberha and don’t wish to rent a vehicle at the airport can arrange to make use of Shamwari’s preferred airport shuttle pickup service (available at an additional fee). If you would like to use this service, please inform and book with our reservations department before your arrival
The reserve’s proximity to Gqeberha is especially attractive to guests who want to make Shamwari one stop on a longer retreat to the Garden Route. Other nearby destinations of interest include the Tsitsikamma Forest, Baviaanskloof Wilderness, Drakensberg Mountains, part of the Great Karoo, Jeffrey’s Bay, and Cape St Francis, to name but a few.
Your Accommodation Options
Shamwari is home to seven luxurious lodges and all accommodation options are fully equipped to make your time with us an exceedingly pleasant one.
The two lodgings you can choose from are Long Lee Manor and Sarili Private Lodge. Long Lee Manor is our reserve’s historic manor house that has recently. The manor’s adjacent accommodations have also been extensively rebuilt. It consists of 17 luxury rooms, and one two-bedroom suite and features a splendid rim-flow swimming pool, amongst other things.
Perfect for families or friends who wish to enjoy a tailor-made safari retreat together, Sarili Private Lodge is fully equipped with all of the modern comforts you could desire. This exclusive-use lodge features a deck with gorgeous views across the Bushman’s River.
Sindile is our next lodge. It’s the reserve’s latest tented camp and offers a comfortable and secluded bush retreat. The camp consists of nine premier tents, each of which has a private heated plunge pool.
- Surrounded by majestic cliffs, Eagles Crag is situated deep within one of the reserve’s valleys. Beautiful scenery can be experienced all around this splendid lodge. It consists of nine junior suites and is a favourite amongst couples looking for a romantic getaway.
- For a world-class tented safari, make your reservation at Bayethe Tented Lodge. Here you’ll be able to immerse yourself in nature and bask in complete tranquillity. The lodge consists of twelve superior tents, each boasting an in-room fireplace.
- Families with young children who want to go on a bush retreat together should opt to make their reservation at Riverdene Family Lodge. Each aspect of the lodge was designed with family enjoyment in mind. It consists of nine luxurious inter-leading rooms and offers several additional activities for kids of all ages to enjoy.
- The Explorer Camp is available to our more adventurous guests who wish to go on our guided walking safaris. This camp consists of only three tents, which are settled on a plateau amongst the reserve’s only granite and basalt extrusions. Campfire dining is one of the unique features of this accommodation option.
A stunning view of our Sarili Lodge
Facilities Available At Shamwari
The facilities you’ll have access to throughout your stay differ slightly from accommodation option to accommodation option, but most of our lodgings feature the following:
- Reception and/or lounge area
- Dining room/facilities
- Relaxation Retreat bush spa
- WiFi connection
- Gift boutique
For full details of the facilities and in-room amenities of your preferred lodging, please contact our reservations department or visit the desired lodging’s page, easily accessible from here.
Activities Available At Shamwari
When making Shamwari your bush retreat destination of choice, you can look forward to enjoying the following activities:
- Two (2) safari game drives per day – one in the morning and the other in the afternoon
- Professionally guided bush walk(s)
- Bird watching
- Various Kids on Safari Programme activities for young ones (parents, please remember to register your children for the Kids on Safari Adventure Centre upon arrival at Riverdene)
- Visits to our Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary
- Relaxing by the pool (at lodges that feature them)
Please note that some activities are available at an additional fee, such as treatments at one of our Relaxation Retreat spas.
Book Your Stay At One Of The Top Luxury Bush Retreats In South Africa
If a Shawmari Weekend Getaway sounds like the perfect cure for the worries and stresses of your everyday life, then be sure to make your reservation today. Break away from the daily grind and reconnect with yourself and nature at a scenic Eastern Cape wilderness destination unlike any other.
We look forward to hosting you during your rejuvenating retreat.
For a closer look at life at Shamwari – please view our Youtube video below:
