Shamwari Game Reserve - accommodation in Bantry Bay, Cape Town, South Africa

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Shamwari Game Reserve is a 25 000 hectares malaria free, private game reserve located in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It has received numerous international awards, including the World's Leading Conservation Company and Game Reserve for five consecutive years. It is situated in verdant bush along the Bushmans River, halfway between Port Elizabeth (45 minutes drive outside the city) and Grahamstown, a pleasant drive from Cape Town, forming a natural extension to the famous Garden Route. Shamwari is about conserving a vanishing way of life and is the realisation of one man's dream, and the success of many people's passion.

Shamwari consists of six lodges:

Experience refined elegance & gracious living from a bygone era.

Long Lee Manor, originally built in 1910, offers a distinctive Colonial experience. This splendidly restored Edwardian Manor House offers guests refined comfort, congenial service and enticing cuisine in the African bush. Long Lee Manor accommodates 38 guests in elegant en-suite rooms, all with air-conditioning and heating, as well as family suites for the children. Sumptuously prepared meals are enjoyed in the main dining room or around the open blazing fire at the Barn. Between game drives guests can laze around one of the two pools, relax in the beautifully appointed garden lounge, or experience a rejuvenating treatment in our spa.

Long Lee Manor is a reminder of an era of gracious living - positioned as the flagship of Shamwari - it overlooks the sweeping plains leading down to the Bushmans River. A river lapa is an outdoor option for meals.

”The ultimate family lodge”

Ultimate Luxury personified where eagles soar over you.

Eagles Crag Lodge is an avante-guard masterpiece of thatch, stone and glass for the most discerning of traveler who is looking for privacy and tranquility.

Eagles Crag is nestled in a valley and provides the ultimate luxury for the most discerning of travelers. Each of the nine superior rooms have been built to maximize the privacy of the guest in the most tranquil of settings. The en-suite rooms boast a private deck with pool, as well as, indoor and outdoor showers.

Decorated in light and contemporary colours, with wall-to-wall glass doors on two sides, these rooms provide stunning views of the surrounding cliffs. Our luxury spa offers a wide variety of personalized treatments. The upper floor dining room and lounge, library, lounge and cocktail bar, all further complement the guests "African bushveld experience".

“Exclusivity, privacy and serenity”

Tented luxury and riverine privacy.

"By-ye-ti", the welcoming salutation you will receive on your arrival at this splendid stone walled and thatch roofed lodge. Absorb the pulse of the African bush from the viewing deck, framed by riverine trees and overlooking river pools where antelope venture a twilight drink and crowned eagles glide on the darkening sky. While sitting next to the boma fire, allow its crackling, a nightjar and the distant howl of a jackal to serenade you into relaxation. Bayethe Lodge offers the ultimate in luxury, tented accommodation. Each of the nine tents are nestled along the bed of the river, camouflaged under trees allowing ample privacy and unsurpassed comforts. Each tent is air-conditioned and heated and has an en-suite bathroom, shower, private plunge pool and viewing deck. Early morning and evening game viewing drives in open land rovers as well as guided nature walks and bird watching are all part of this magnificent experience.

"Bayethe Nkosi"- "I salute you great one"

Elegance in the wilderness with a colonial African experience

Riverdene Lodge sleeps a total of 18 guests. Rooms are fully air-conditioned, all feature television, telephone and small lounge area. Each en-suite sandstone bathroom has a 'his' and 'hers' vanity basin, separate shower and bath. Private balconies lead onto the landscaped gardens.

The two elegantly furnished casual lounges and glorious sunroom, as well as a magnificent rim flow swimming pool entice guests to relax and restore their energies.

The lounge opens onto a spacious outdoor barbecue area. As with all the lodges at Shamwari, guests receive personal attention from their assigned rangers for the duration of their stay.

We are currently completing a new Magnificent boma overlooking the Bushmans River.

Beauty of the Bushmans River valley with sweeping views.

Bushmans River Lodge is a beautifully restored victorian homestead.

The home-from-home atmosphere is a welcoming reminder of true South African hospitality. Beautifully decorated in an artistic ethnic theme, this lodge is another representation of the true uniqueness of Shamwari.

Relax under the thatched boma with a cocktail and absorb the sights and sounds of the Bushmans River valley, dine sumptuously inside or take casual meals outside overlooking the densely wooded valley. Bask in front of a glowing fire in the lounge during winter, in summer cool down in the delightful plunge pool and at night, retire to one of the four deluxe en-suite air-conditioned rooms. Bushmans River Lodge is pure unadulterated luxury, surrounded by the African wilderness.

Activities from the lodge include morning and evening game drives or walking safaris, accompanied by your personal ranger. Shamwari Game Reserve prides itself on the knowledge and professionalism of their rangers.

The ideal family lodge for a private experience.

Traditional African elegance in ethnic thatched surrounds Valley Bushveld tranquility.

Lobengula Lodge, is a truly traditional African experience. Tucked deep in the valley bushveld, this thatched ethnically decorated lodge offers guests a tranquil, luxurious and exclusive getaway. The five luxury rooms are en-suite, with air-conditioning and heating, whilst the Chief suite boasts a large private lounge with fireplace and pool. Lobengula Lodge serves lavish meals either on the main deck or in the outside boma. A selection of fine South African wines from its cellar and well-trained staff ensure a high quality of service and satisfaction.

After a game drive guests can relax, swim or enjoy a drink at the pool bar. The magnificent wooden deck overlooking the dense African bush is beautifully appointed for meals or mystical African storytelling in front of the fireplace. Guests are also invited to pamper themselves in the spa or workout in the gym.

  Note to accommodation seekers

As our name implies, all booking enquiries sent from Cape Town Direct go directly to home owners.

You will be sent an email with the home owners contact details in 24 hours - thus, in the event that they have not gotten back to you in that time, you can contact them directly.

We pride ourselves in being a commission free service and hope that you have enjoyed your visit and will return soon.

Need to hire a car during your stay?