Overlooking the grassy plains of Africa in the stunning Eastern Cape landscape, you’ll find Sarili Private Lodge. This sumptuous, five bedroomed lodge is the perfect escape for families wanting a tailored safari experience whilst enjoying the ultimate luxurious relaxation of bush lodge combined with a thrilling African private safari.
In June 2020, Sarili will become an exclusive use private villa, best suited for families looking for a safari experience, corporate getaways or a group of friends travelling together.
The Benefits of Choosing a Private Bush Lodge
There’s nothing quite like going on a private safari, but the company you’re with makes all the difference. Sharing a memorable safari experience with your friends, family or colleagues in a breath-taking destination is one of the ultimate bucket list adventures of a lifetime. Here’s why you should consider a private lodge:
#1 You’ll Get a Tailor-made Experience to Suit your Needs
When you choose to stay at a private safari lodge, your safari experience will be tailored to meet the needs of your group. Prior to booking, every aspect of your stay will be planned to “the T”, from meals to game drives and guided walks. That’s the beauty of an exclusive use bush lodge!
#2 Personal Staff and House Manager
Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by your team of staff members with welcoming smiles. These will be the staff members that will be looking after your group during your stay and making every request happen. Should it be for a delectable cup of our Been There Ethiopian coffee in the morning or a G&T in the evening, they will make your stay effortless. From a personal housekeeper to all your laundry requirements covered, you won’t have to worry about a thing.
#3 Your very Own Private Chef
During your stay at Sarili Private Lodge you’ll have a personal chef who’ll be coming up with luxuriously-tasty meals to keep you fueled throughout your stay. Going on safari is no easy feat, so what could be better than having a personal chef at your beck and call available to whip up incredible five-star cuisine as and when you need it.
#4 Private Ranger and Safari Vehicle
One of the best perks is having your own private ranger and game viewing vehicle during your stay. You can go on safari as and when you please. That means no 5am wake up calls, you could choose to go out at 7am instead and sleep in! It’s entirely up to you. Your private ranger will get to know you and your family or friends on a personal level and will tweak the safari experience to once again, meet your needs. Should you want to go on a day safari or two safari’s a day, it’s your choice.
Private Bush Walks
Your ranger will arrange for you to go on a professionally guided bush walk on request, a firm favourite for Shamwari guests! Your ranger will share their intimate knowledge of the reserve and their own expert insights to make each natural encounter a special event. Here, you can gain a true perspective of the fauna and flora indigenous to the region. Your guide can also point out animal tracks, dung, birds and can educate you on the area and its rich history.
A Visit to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
One of Shamwari’s conservation initiatives is the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, which helps to rehabilitate and care for sick, injured, abandoned or orphaned animals under the care of our professional veterinary team. Once these animals have been nursed back to health, they are released back into their natural habitat. As part of your private safari experience with us, you will have the opportunity to visit the centre and the animals in our care. Upon arrival at the Shamwari Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, you will be met by a member of this caring team who will show you the facilities and explain what it is that they do. It’s not an interactive visit, but an informative and educational experience, in order to give animals the best chance at a successful release. During the recovery phase, “patients” are kept in custom built camps.
A Visit to one of our Born Free Big Cat Rescue & Education Centres
Another enlightening experience at Shamwari is a visit to one of the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuaries of which there are two on the reserve. Their goal is to create awareness of the horrific way in which wildlife is exploited in captivity around the world. The centres aim to draw attention to the plight of wild big cats, confined in impoverished, captive environments throughout the world. The rescue and education centres home rescued lions and leopards from across the world and aim to be an unforgettable experience for all visitors.
#5 Exclusive Use of a Lodge
If you choose to stay at a private safari lodge, you will have exclusive use of the lodge and don’t have to worry if your kids want to run around and make a noise or if you have one too many drinks, you’ve got the whole lodge to yourself! You could choose to nap on one of the sofa’s or in your king size bed at any time without interruption. You, your family or group could choose to laze by the pool for the entire day too!
Lodge facilities include:
- Satellite Television with a selection of channels
- Deck overlooking the Bushman’s River
- Satellite Television with a selection of channels
- Deck overlooking the Bushman’s River
- Lounge with Fireplace
- In and Outdoor Dining
- Pool with Shallow Area for Children
- WIFI
In Room Spa Treatments Upon Request
During your stay at Sarili Private Safari Lodge, you can choose to request in room spa treatments during your down time at the lodge. There’s plenty to do but it’s always a good idea to make the most of your time and unwind with a rejuvenating spa treatment while enjoying the sights and sounds of the African bush.
A Private Safari with Luxury Accommodation
Perched on the banks of the Bushman’s River, Sarili Private Lodge provides the perfect exclusive bush experience, with magnificent African wilderness at your doorstep.
Sarili Private Safari Lodge has 5 luxury rooms and can accommodate a maximum of 10 guests. Each room includes:
- Wi-Fi
- Air conditioning
- Minibar
- Tea and coffee making facilities
- International dial telephone
- Television with selected satellite channels
- Fitted international adapters
- Electronic safe
- Hairdryer
- En-suite bathroom with bath and shower
- Underfloor Heating in bathroom
- Private patio or balcony
Family Safaris at Shamwari
If you’re looking for a private safari for the family at Shamwari and you’ve got little children that you’re needing to entertain while on holiday, don’t fret, we have you covered. Childminders are available upon request to look after your little ones in a safe environment, while gentle giants roam in the distance. At Riverdene Family Lodge, a mere ten minute drive from Sarili Private Lodge there is a Kids on Safari Adventure Centre – an absolute kids paradise!
With a supervised indoor and outdoor play area, your little ones will be entertained for hours! Outdoor activities include rock climbing walls, zip lines, a network of tree houses connected by walkways, an adventure slide, pizza making fun and so much more. Indoor activities include arts and crafts, biscuit making fun, puzzles, games, and so much more.
Last but not least, if your little one is older than four years old, they can join on game drives where they’ll see African animals, including the Big 5 in their natural habitat. That’s why we offer private safari holidays for the whole family, where children and adults alike can be educated about our conservation efforts all within a luxurious setting. The children get a wonderful backpack, Kids on Safari cap and water bottle. In the backpack they’ll find a jam-packed activities booklet with a host of fun-filled tasks for them to complete during their safaris with their ranger.
What do I Need to Pack for a Private Safari Holiday?
As Shamwari is a malaria-free area, there is no need for you to pack any preventative tablets or syrup, other than your prescription medication.
We highly recommend that you bring:
- Cameras, lenses and binoculars
- Light clothing for summer safaris
- Bathing suits for the pool areas
- Walking shoes
- Sunscreen and hats
- Warmer clothing for winter stays
How Do I Get to Shamwari Private Game Reserve?
Shamwari Private Game Reserve is in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, a mere hour’s drive from Port Elizabeth. You can choose to self-drive, get a chauffeur driven transfer, at an additional fee or fly to our private landing strip. Directions to Sarili Private Lodge:
- Follow the N2 out of Port Elizabeth heading towards Grahamstown.
- Continue on the N2 until you reach a sign board for Shamwari Private Game Reserve and turn left towards Paterson on the R342.
- Travel 4km up the gravel road and enter at the Shamwari Private Game Reserve Born Free gate for Sarili Private Lodge.
- Should you get lost and need a pointer in the right direction, contact us on +27 (0) 42 203 1111
Book Your Private Safari at Sarili Bush Lodge Today
So, what are you waiting for? Make sure to book your private safari today at Shamwari. Make the most of your holiday or work retreat with all the spoils Shamwari has to offer!
