We had the most awesome Magic Moment with a herd of elephants sighting! Our guide, Simon stopped the vehicle some distance from them. They made their way towards us in the beautiful evening light! It was magical! Then one of the youngest teenagers came up to us, had a good look at us , and then hurried off to her mother!

I rate it as the best elephant sightings we have ever had! Ever!

Thank you Shamwari!

What a Maaagic Moment it was to see a mother white rhino with her beautiful calf! We could see the care she had! Thank you Shamwari for conserving moments like this for us!

Kindly,
Andrew

My fascination with Shamwari began in the mid 1990’s when I watched the TV programme on the Conservation work they were doing. My deepest longing was to visit the Reserve for myself and that came to be when we were on holiday in the Eastern Cape and radio Algoa advertised that there was a special on. We booked a night’s stay on our way back home and my heart was captured. Fast forward to 2020 which was a significant year as my 70 th birthday was in the October.

We were always going to remember the year because of the hard lock- down as a result of the Covid-19 virus, but how could we celebrate in an unforgettable way when there were still so many restrictions? Then I heard that Shamwari was opening up Long Lee Manor for the first time since lock-down, so I booked for my immediate family – 11 in all.

I knew I had done the right thing by the reaction of my teenage Granddaughters who squealed with delight as we walked through reception to the view of a sparkling rim pool expanding onto a plain teaming with animals. A truly ʺout of Africa” scene. For the first evening Game drive I chose to go on the vehicle with my 5 Grandchildren. Frans was our Ranger and he was incredibly knowledgeable and patient with all our questions. A huge Leopard tortoise resting in the road in front of us was gently repositioned by my grandson under strict instructions from Frans.

Sunrise in itself is a magical moment, but when you get to experience it lighting up the beautiful Long Lee Manor and landscape of Shamwari it becomes even more magical

Greetings Shamwari Game Reserve,

It was a magic moment of excitement to be on our first game drive! Waiting to see what is around the next corner! Listening to the birds and smelling the flowers in Spring!

We would LOVE to go back!

Thinking back on Shamwari, it provokes feelings of nostalgia. South Africa is a wonderful country with diverse wildlife and beauty in all its landscapes.

Visiting Shamwari makes one realize how blessed we are to be so close to nature and experience the beauty of wildlife.

Upon a morning game drive, wrapped in blankets shying away from the cold we saw the most amazing sighting of cheetahs in the mist. Cheetahs playing and chasing each other, giving us enough time to take memorable pictures. The most wonderful sighting making the cold and misty morning all worth it.

A quote I love living by especially when visiting Shamwari is : “Expect nothing, appreciate everything”. Every moment in the bush is truly a magical moment.

We had the pleasure of going on safari in Shamwari August 20 to 23, 2016.  It was the highlight of our trip to South Africa, which also included several days in Capetown. Our intrepid guide/driver at Shamwari was Jacques:  tall, dark, handsome, charming, and most importantly knowledgeable.

On our first full day, August 21, we had two safari drives, one in the morning and a second one in the afternoon.  The afternoon drive had two goals:  to see lions and elephants.  We were able to see the northern lion pride, which included five lionesses and two cubs.  When we first spotted them, they were all resting in the shade.  Eventually, they all got up and left, probably to go hunting, according to Jacques.

There were two elephant sightings.  The first one involved elephant foreplay, with both male and female urinating to test the waters—not quite ready yet.

As if this were not exciting enough, the second elephant sighting is forever seared into my brain.  We were sitting in the Toyota Land Cruiser when an elephant began circling around our vehicle.  It was so close that I could have reached out to touch it!  As it was, I was so petrified that I could not move for fear of disturbing it and so did not have time to whip out my cell phone to take a quick picture.  But details that I remember so vividly include:  long elephant eyelashes framing intelligent eyes and rough, wrinkly grey skin, as portrayed in one of my favorite childhood Golden Books, The Saggy Baggy Elephant.  It was the experience of a lifetime to be so near a magnificent wild creature!  Thank you, Jacques, thank you, Shamwari!

We visited Shamwari Long Lee Manor from the 01/12/2020 – 03/12/2020.

It was during the re-opening phase after Covid-19.

The strict Covid protocols were welcomed during those uncertain times.

It was a surreal experience as we were the only guests during our stay….just the two of us. Having said that we had an experience of a life time. We were treated like roality by all.

The photos of this luxurious experience, the game drives, the setting and level of sophistication of the lodge and accommodation speaks for themselves.