The Kruger National Park And The Best Safari’s in South Africa – Traveller’s Choice.

Finding the best safari in South Africa that’s perfectly suited to you is easy, especially with the help of previous guests. Reviews give more than valuable insights. They are personable, and they can guide you to choose the ideal breakaway.

Nature-lovers are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing the best safari in South Africa. Whilst it is common to think of The Kruger National Park when you think of Safari, they are not the only option available by a long shot.

Beautiful landscapes, friendly hosts and remarkable wildlife abound, but which destination is the one perfectly suited to you?

Fortunately, finding your ideal getaway is made easy through past travellers’ experiences. Online reviews are accessible, numerous and provide many insights into what to expect from any of the best safari lodges in South Africa. Websites like TripAdvisor or Google reviews are excellent sources that offer prospective guests an idea of what their future trip could be like. There are also wonderful insights that could be offered by sites such as Trivago and Travelocity.

According to countless positive reviews, Shamwari is exceptional. The game reserve’s unsurpassable vistas, lush landscapes, fascinating animals and friendly staff continually wow travellers, and cements its place as one of the best safari destinations in South Africa.

3 Ways That Reviews Can Help You Choose The Best Safari In South Africa.

Reviews are helpful as they shed light on the unknown. Their value might differ from one reader to the next; the feel of linen may catch your eye while tips on bird watching may intrigue another. There may still be others who wish to incorporate a spa experience during their safari, or may only be looking for a destination that can accommodate their whole families. In reading a few accounts of past visitors, you will learn

Valuable Information

Any top safari lodge in South Africa is likely to have numerous reviews. By reading these reviews, you can establish whether a destination is worth a visit. In this way, you can get a general idea of what experience you’ll have at the game reserve.

How To Improve Your Stay:

Reviews from previous guests may contain a suggestion or tip that could help you or make your breakaway even better. For instance, a reviewer may suggest that you take a sun hat or mention a side expedition worth seeing on your way to your destination. Still, others could drop helpful gems about the Wifi speed, or the customer service.

What To Avoid:

En route to the best safari destination in South Africa, guests may have to take at least one gravel road before they reach their journey’s end. Previous visitors could provide helpful tips like avoiding an unfavourable road, not forgetting the insect repellent, or packing an extra pair of socks.

Shamwari: The Most Magical Place On Earth.

Since its restoration over two decades ago, Shamwari has grown into the best safari near Port Elizabeth, as well as one of the best safari lodges in South Africa. As a result, there are many guest reviews to be read. In these, you can expect commentary on animals, scenery, staff, food, accommodation, activities, weather, and what time of year is ideal for a visit.

An All-Inclusive Offering

Shamwari is Shona for ‘friend’, and once you arrive, it’s easy to see why. Warm, welcoming smiles greet every guest once they arrive at the premiere game reserve. As the oldest wildlife reserve in the Cape and the original malaria-free destination in the area, the allure is evident. Five ecosystems converge in the Shamwari valley which makes it a fertile home to a range of fauna and flora, including the Big Five. As a complement to the natural world, seven unique lodges and an explorer camp are scattered across the 25 000ha of the verdant bush.

The Eastern Cape is a lesser-known tourist region of South Africa. It is perhaps for this reason, then, that it is its best-kept secret. Rolling hills divide lush valleys, vibrant with life and fertile ground. As Shamwari is nestled within this picturesque setting, it offers a magical breakaway to those looking to escape the city.

Rhinos, lions, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and many other species of mammals, birds, and insects roam the green landscape. The many prints in the sand that lead to wild animals and the beautiful viewing platforms provide superb game viewing opportunities.

The Best Safari In South Africa – Traveller’s Reviews

Positive reviews are endless as new accounts appear almost daily. Read on for a peek into what to expect during a stay at Shamwari.

A Feeling Almost Like Coming Home

According to TripAdvisor.com, the personable customer service quite literally made customers feel as if they were “coming home”. The Sindile lodge was also complimented for the amazing views that it offered:

“On arrival at the lodge the greeting was so friendly we felt like we were family returning home, this atmosphere remained for the whole visit.” – Ratty6860

“The service was incredible, massive shout outs to the waiting staff; Andy and Dahnee who were incredibly attentive and friendly. Our ranger Keenan was excellent, really knowledgable, and made the drives fun” – Kirsty D

“The staff at Sindile were amazing – Bianca, Bonolo, Shanel, Dahnee, Lovulo, and all the others, thank you for treating us so well.” – Marianne E

“Excellent stay with probably the best game driver ever: Mino. From start till end he fully the game drives were fantastic. I’ve never seen anyone so skilled in predicting animal behavior. “ – WFBELGIUM

Assigned Game Driver:

Once you step onto Shamwari’s ground, your assigned game ranger will come up to greet you. The same ranger will take you on your daily game drives, and if you need, he or she can adjust your schedule or even join you for a meal.

“Our ranger, Jacques, was excellent and found lions, cheetahs, rhinos and elephants without the help of other rangers out at the same time. In 25,000 hectares of space, there are no guarantees, but all the rangers talk to each other on radios to pass on their finds […]. – Free City Guides

“[The four-game drives we had] during our stay with our ranger was awesome, [he had] enthusiasm, knowledge and a huge sense of fun and found us all the Big Five and more. A once in a lifetime experience.” – Terri

“Our ranger was knowledgeable, professional and clearly passionate about her work. What was particularly special to us was the care and thought she took in acting as a guide to our whole family – including our 4- and 6-year old children. She was fun, patient, was able to draw the kids into an appreciation of the bush. She was a spectacular ambassador for Riverdene’s family-friendly approach.” – Landon

“Our guide that day had been at the reserve for 17 years, not an uncommon length of time here – Shamwari certainly seems to treat its staff well, and they deserve it. From my experience, all of the guides here remain among the best I’ve encountered anywhere in Africa.” – Christopher Clark

Award-Winning Accommodation

“Everything [in Eagles Crag]was so tastefully done, [it] would comfortably grace the cover of Architectural Digest.” – Anonymous

“Stunning accommodation and if you’re lucky sometimes the elephants come right up to your plunge pool.” – Emma

“The lodge itself is stunning, our room was huge, with the most comfortable bed and a beautiful view of the reserve.”– Ranji

“We spent just over three days at the Lobengula Lodge for our honeymoon. The lodge itself was wonderful. Luxurious yet comfortable with a distinctly South African charm.” – Hein

“Housekeeping drops by to tidy the place up during the day when you’re on a game drive or chilling by the pool. There’s also a turndown service that dims the lights and makes your room cosy for some post-dinner relaxing. Don’t be surprised to find an occasional treat alongside ample water bottles.” – Wonderful Wanderings

“Shamwari is the most famous private reserve in the Eastern Cape, and it is hard to fault the quality of its lodges and camps, or its wildlife viewing” – Phillip Briggs

Superb Staff Make The Best Safari In South Africa

“The staff, and guides in particular, go above and beyond to make your experience special. The team at Long Lee and Riverdene became part of our family of 22. The team went above and beyond the call of duty. Far more than just a 5-star lodge.” – Daniel

“Wow! Simply amazing, fantastic, stunning, first-class and unforgettable! There are not enough positive words to describe Shamwari. The staff are friendly, professional, thoughtful and kind.” – Nick

“Service was impeccable, from the greeting at the front desk, the gracious bar and restaurant staff, to the young men who would politely accompany us to our villa at night.” – Anonymous

“Everyone who works at Shamwari is warm, friendly, and helpful, and every staff member makes guests feel like family.” – Carolyn

“The whole team are warm and friendly, enthusiastic and helpful. This was the end of a fabulous 4-week holiday in South Africa, and was without a doubt the highlight of our best ever holiday.” – Geoff

“Our experiences at Shamwari was second to none. The team is, without fail, extremely successful in their service and operational skills. Everything was perfect: as this destination formed part of our honeymoon, the team went through special lengths to make it romantic.” – Christo and Corlea

My weekend at the Shamwari Private Game Reserve was like stepping into a dream. Met with incredible and devoted staff, my friend and I were treated like queens. – Heather Halpern

Delectable Nibbles:

“Dinner consists of a more traditional three-course à-la-carte meal while the courtyard is reserved for the famous braai or barbecue of South Africa – traditional music included.” – Wonderful Wanderings

“The accommodation at Eagles Crag is beautiful and the food and drink excellent.” – Nick

“The food was absolutely fantastic.”– Joe and Alex

“The food was amazing; every meal had local dishes to try, always cooked to our liking. They also serve morning and afternoon teas in between meals.” – Wendy

Caring Conservation.

“Most people head to Shamwari for the safari experience, as we did, but for those of you who are interested, I’d also like to mention the Shamwari Volunteer Experience. […] Duties range from tracking and monitoring wildlife to physical tasks. You’ll learn about wildlife management and will get plenty of opportunities to interact with the local communities.” – Wonderful Wanderings

Want To Experience The Best Safari In South Africa?

Within its vast premises, the Shamwari Private Game Reserve offers exclusive experiences for families, couples, and the adventurous. Guests from the world overcome to the lush valley to experience pristine wilderness, private suites and the various wildlife encounters on offer. Read up on more guest reviews on TripAdvisor, Google reviews, or explore the Shamwari accommodation pages here.

Secure your visit to Shamwari and make memories that will last a lifetime!