Shamwari Riverdene

The 9 Luxury Rooms at Riverdene Lodge consist of an open-plan master bedroom – with a king-size bed fitted with luxurious cotton sheets- and a spacious lounge, with a sofa bed for children. Follow the winding lantern-lit path to your home-away-from-home and relax in a comfortable and peaceful setting. The rooms have a neutral colour scheme and stylish art displayed on the walls. Air-conditioning maintains a comfortable climate and guests can enjoy sitting out on their private patio, admiring the elegant gardens during the day, and the dazzling stars at night. Each of the rooms features a modern en-suite bathroom with twin basins, a walk-in shower and a relaxing bathtub. The room also includes a minibar, tea and coffee station and a microwave.

Guests staying at Shamwari Riverdene can look forward to three delicious meals each day. Start your morning off with a mouthwatering breakfast in the lounge’s dining area, where guests can choose all of their favourite foods from the continental buffet. Dinner can be served either indoors, in the comfort of a formal dining room, or outside on the deck beside a roaring fire. The lodge’s professional chefs will prepare a feast of traditional and flavoursome delights, inspired by local dishes and specialities.

Enjoy daily game drives and explore Shamwari Private Game Reserve from the comfort of a specialised safari vehicle. Guests can look out for incredible animals including giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, cheetahs, rhinos, elephants, buffalo, leopards and lions. Game drives in the morning allow visitors to see predators returning from hunts while the other animals graze in the cooler climate before the heat of the day. The late afternoon focuses on the wildlife travelling down to the river and water holes to quench their thirst before nocturnal species begin to emerge.

The drives last for about three to four hours and journey through the reserve. A coffee stop is included in the morning drive and there is a sundowner stop in the late afternoon.

Children under the age of 4 are not permitted to go on game drives, however, a childminder can be arranged and children can enjoy spending time in the kids club while parents are on drives.

Journey across the verdant plains on foot and experience the thrill of tracking some of Shamwari’s incredible game such as rhinos, elephants and buffalos while enjoying a leisurely exploration of the beautiful landscape. Guests will be accompanied by a well-trained trail guide who will teach you how to recognise tracks, hiding spots and rare birds, and follow clues that lead to exciting game viewing.

This activity is unsuitable for children under the age of 16 and adults over the age of 65 (unless provided with a doctor’s certificate of fitness).

On arriving at Shamwari Riverdene Lodge, children aged 4-11 will be gifted a special Kids on Safari backpack, filled with fun activities to take on exciting game drives. Younger children will be given a soft toy resembling a safari animal. Riverdene features lots of entertaining areas for children, with an exciting adventure centre with climbing walls and ziplines to keep children of all ages amused. The kids club includes toys, games and crafts for young explorers, and children can learn about wildlife and conservation at the educational Born Free Rescue Centres and Shamwari Rehabilitation Centre.

Search for the elusive species of bird who frequent Shamwari Private Game Reserve, and spend an afternoon learning about South Africa’s prolific birdlife, while scanning the treetops with a pair of binoculars. Shamwari’s varied biomes cater for a wide range of bird species including Black Shouldered Kites, Booted Eagles, Pale Chanting Goshawks and Secretary birds.

Where bodies of water can be found, guests may also spot African Darters, African Shelducks, Hamerkops, Malachite Kingfishers and Three-banded Lapwings. Make sure you bring warm clothing, a pair of binoculars and a camera to document your amazing finds.

Shamwari supports the Born Free Foundation, collaborating with the UK-based wildlife charity and hosting Big Cat Rescue and Education Centres within the private game reserve. Established in 1984 by the actress and conservationist Virginia McKenna and her husband Bill Travers, the Born Free Foundation aims to help animals that have been kept in captivity, offering them a new life in an open sanctuary where they can return to their natural home and experience a better and healthier lifestyle. The charity also works to protect threatened species such as lions, elephants, tigers, gorillas, wolves, bears, marine turtles and many more.

The rescue and education centres at Shamwari are home to rescued lions and leopards, and offer guests an insight into the crucial work they do and why these amazing big cats should be able to roam free in their natural environment rather than being kept in inappropriate settings.

Guests can visit the Shamwari Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, which captures the reserve’s passion for conserving the nature and wildlife that roams here. The centre aims to rescue, rehabilitate and release animals back into their natural habitat once they have recovered. Sick, injured, abandoned and orphaned animals are treated and cared for by a professional veterinary team and guests are able to visit them and see the work the centre does during a visit to Shamwari Private Game Reserve.

This 2-day activity allows guests to embark on a photographic adventure with Iky and Ryan from Iky’s Photographic. With over 30 years of experience each, they will be able to aid you in capturing incredible images of Shamwari Game Reserve’s stunning wildlife, landscape and flora. The Pro Photo Safari offers guests a selection of 6 luxury lodges to choose from, dotted around the reserve. You will also have access to a game viewing vehicle designed to fit photography equipment, guidance for equipment selection, image composure, capture and editing, use of editing equipment and a wide range of photography products.

This activity is available from May until October.

Enjoy a soothing and relaxing safari spa experience at the Shamwari Spa. Set in the stunning wilderness of the Eastern Cape, the spa offers guests a range of treatments including massages, facials, manicures and pedicures. Guests can choose from the private twin treatment room at Bayethe, the treatment room and sauna at Logenbula and the treatment rooms, hydro bath, sauna and steam room at Eagles Crag.

During the travel restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic, Shamwari Private Game Reserve raised money to deliver food parcels to members of the local towns of Alicedale and Paterson. Using virtual technology to offer digital tours of the reserve, and show off Shamwari’s amazing wildlife and natural beauty, Shamwari were able to raise enough money to support the rural communities in the area that were struggling in the absence of tourism and the revenue it provides.

The Shamwari Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre aims to rescue and rehabilitate vulnerable animals before releasing them back into their natural habitat once they have recovered. Sick, injured, abandoned and orphaned animals are treated and cared for by a professional veterinary team and are given the best possible opportunity to survive.

One of the team’s main focuses has been raising young rhinos orphaned as a result of poaching. Despite their horrific ordeals, these young animals have endured, and the team has successfully raised and released several into safe environments where they won’t be persecuted. Shamwari’s anti-poaching unit also works alongside the veterinary team, protecting the released animals once they venture out into the reserve.

Shamwari supports the Born Free Foundation, collaborating with the UK-based wildlife charity and hosting Big Cat Rescue and Education Centres within the private game reserve. Established in 1984 by the actress and conservationist Virginia McKenna and her husband Bill Travers, the Born Free Foundation aims to help animals that have been kept in captivity, offering them a new life in an open sanctuary where they can return to their natural home and experience a better and healthier lifestyle. The charity also works to protect threatened species such as lions, elephants, tigers, gorillas, wolves, bears, marine turtles and many more.

The Education Centres work to raise awareness of the terrible conditions that captive and confined cats are kept in around the world, and also work with local communities to find peaceful solutions to human and wildlife conflict.