Situated in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province, Shamwari Private Game Reserve offers a feeling of being cocooned in nature and nurture. Established in 1992, this malaria-free 62,000-acre reserve was an ambitious project that started with only a piece of farmland. Today, Shamwari is one of the most pristine private wilderness reserves in South Africa, with the Big 5 roaming uninhibitedly on the grasslands.
It is a Wednesday morning. There is an air of excitement amongst fellow passengers who will be boarding the inaugural flight of Shamwari Air Shuttle. This seamless service to Shamwari Private Game Reserve ensures that guests staying at any of the six lodges or seasonal Explorer Camp no longer have to waste their precious time waiting for commercial flights, followed by long road transfers. The shiny 16-seater Beechcraft 1900D is parked on the tarmac at Signature Aviation’s private hangar. Taking to the skies, the flight is smooth, with delicious on-board catering. In just 1 hour and 45 minutes, the aircraft touches down on the brand new tarred Shamwari runway. Stepping out into the sunshine, the hospitable staff are at hand with a refresher towel and homemade lemonade. The welcome lounge is comfortably furnished with plush couches, a variety of snacks, drinks, and bathroom facilities.
Guide Josh is waiting to load me and my luggage into the Shamwari Toyota Land Cruiser. We make our way to the Edwardian-style Long Lee Manor, which is the original Manor House. It was expanded from the singular Manor dwelling to have a total of eighteen suites incorporated along paved walkways and manicured lawns. Disembarking the safari vehicle, I am met at reception by a host who shows me to the restaurant where I will be enjoying lunch.
Lunch is a tapas-style selection of fresh garden greens, seasonal daily toppings, a baked baguette, and different salad dressings. That’s not all! Next up is a platter with classic fishcakes and tartar style sauce; BBQ pulled pork on bao buns and asian slaw; garden salad, heirloom tomatoes, ricotta, and dried black olives; char-grilled beef skewer, fire-roasted bone marrow, chakalaka puree, and fresh herbs; Franschhoek smoked trout sushi, trout tartar, and crispy trout skin. For something sweet, there is a choice between tiramisu with chocolate gelato, salted caramel vanilla ice cream, or gin & grapefruit sorbet. Implementing herb and vegetable gardens at the lodges further enhances the cuisine at each property. Cultivating natural resources maintains an ecological balance, adding to Shamwari’s sustainability and green initiatives.
I am staying in a Plains Room, which is beautifully decorated in shades of white, creams, and browns. The sliding doors open to my private veranda, with magnificent vistas over the landscape. A herd of zebras frequents the watering hole in the afternoons and can be seen from the suites or the pool bar. Afternoon tea and pre-game drive drinks are served at the pool bar, where a cappuccino and freshly baked cupcakes are the ideal precursor to your morning or afternoon safari.
Departing on our afternoon safari, Josh is keen to showcase the special species that inhabit Shamwari Private Game Reserve. Crossing over the Bushman’s River, two Egyptian geese are having a rather loud interaction. A yellow mongoose emerges from behind a shrub, just to briskly disappear again. Setting sight on a white rhino and her calf is incredibly heartwarming, and witnessing the bond between mom and calf stirs all kinds of emotions. These species are classified as near threatened, and with Shamwari’s conservation efforts, they are thriving.
Dinner tonight is at the stunning Sindile, which is a luxury tented camp consisting of nine freestanding suites. For starters, I opt for the tomato and cheese tart, followed by venison fillet for the main course. Dessert is the delectable deconstructed affogato, which is vanilla ice cream, espresso, and chocolate-dipped biscotti. Driving back to Long Lee Manor, Josh shines the spotlight, looking for nocturnal animals.
A keystone of Shamwari is the Wildlife Rehabilitation Experience, and making the trip from Cape Town with us is Mia, the meerkat. Her new home is at Shamwari, where she will form a family of her own. At the Born Free Big Cats Sanctuary, founded by actress, author, and wildlife campaigner Virginia McKenna, a number of big cats have been rescued from harrowing circumstances. The animals will receive a lifetime of care, far removed from being kept as pets or held in confined circumstances, which is cruel, illegal, and should be stopped.
The only vulture conservation organization of its kind on the African continent, Vulpro is instrumental in addressing the severe decline of vulture species. Standing next to the large enclosure, there is commotion between some of the birds. A few are showing off their flying abilities, in spite of the fact that they are disabled. In partnership with Shamwari, Vulpro is hoping to successfully replenish and supplement the vulture population, as they too have a place in the wildlife ecosystem.
En route to breakfast at Bayethe, we encounter a bull elephant in the path to the lodge. He is busy peacefully feeding and has clearly had a mud bath. Josh backs up the vehicle to give himself the freedom to either move forward or veer off to the side to continue his morning snack. Breakfast is set up on the deck at Bayethe, a property with twelve luxury tented suites. The views are sublime, with rich vegetation and a sense of seclusion.
Bayethe is situated on the northern side of the reserve, and we take our time to get back to Long Lee Manor, stopping by Eagles Crag to take in its magnificence. I spend my afternoon at leisure, and before I realize it, the time has come for our afternoon safari. Listening to chatter on the radio, it is clear that something significant has been spotted as there is a line-up. With only two vehicles per sighting, less if it’s a sensitive one, we patiently wait our turn. It’s the Nomadic male lion! His mane looks as though he has just been to the salon, and he is sitting with his paws crossed in a very elegant manner.
Sarili Private Villa is where I will be having dinner, and the fires have been lit for atmosphere, warmth, and a BBQ. With modern interiors, the exclusive-use villa is the ultimate place for families or friends traveling together. Superior in style, the outside boma is where the private chef has cooked up the perfect fare for dining under African skies. I feast on salads, flame-grilled meat, and delectable desserts.
After a great night’s sleep, the last morning’s safari beckons. It is cloudy, which is usually when big cats take advantage of the cooler temperatures. Josh drives up the mountain in search of the Southern Pride of lions, which we saw the previous evening. We are hoping to find them again – there are two females and four cubs. As luck would have it, they have been found. They have positioned themselves in the shade of a tree, and the cubs momentarily look up before continuing their slumber.
Leaving Long Lee Manor to head back to Cape Town, I’m looking forward to the effortless luxury of Shamwari’s private charter. This is undoubtedly a game-changer for ease of access, with curbside drop-off and pick-up. “It’s a really exciting chapter in Shamwari’s history,” CEO Joe Cloete tells me. “This amazing service has been two years in the making, so guests can go from the runway straight to their respective lodge.”
The Keys to Success
A first for South Africa, the MICHELIN Guide creates a distinction for the Hotel Selection through the MICHELIN Key. Recognizing the most exceptional hotels throughout the world, Long Lee Manor was rewarded the accolade of One Michelin Key. Furthermore, Shamwari Private Game Reserve was named Global Winner for Best Luxury Private Game Reserve in Southern Africa and Luxury All-Inclusive Lodge at the Luxury Hotel Awards 2025. They also made off with the prize of Regional Winner for Best Luxury Tented Safari Camp.
With their world-recognized hospitality, specialist guiding, and incredible lodges, Shamwari Private Game Reserve is a jewel in the safari crown. “The Eastern Cape has always deserved more attention as a destination,” Joe concludes. “We hope to show guests just how much this region has to offer in terms of accessibility, lodges, conservation, and of course, the magic of the Big Five.”
