Shamwari Bayethe Lodge

The spacious Superior Tents are placed atop elevated wooden decking to allow for magnificent views, with canvas walls under a thatch roof to ensure protection from the weather and comfortable temperatures. Each tented bedroom features a choice of 2 twins or a king-size bed, fitted with soft linen and extra cushions.

The open-plan rooms also include a comfy seating area, where guests can enjoy some quality time snuggled up by the fireplace while scanning the amazing landscape for passing herds of giant elephants, and an en-suite bathroom complete with a large, relaxing tub and either an indoor or outdoor shower. Enjoy refreshments from your minibar or the tea and coffee making station, and sit out on your private deck, taking in the sights, sounds, and atmosphere of South African safari.

Guests at Shamwari Bayethe Lodge can look forward to three delicious meals each day, all included and carefully crafted for you. The menu features a variety of local and international dishes which can be enjoyed either in the comfort of the main lodge or outdoors with glorious views over the watering hole. Guests can choose from a selection of homely and delightful dishes inspired by local cuisine and traditional flavours.

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 both tawny and white 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 wildlife travelling to the water hole where large numbers of animals congregate to drink, bathe and play.

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.

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).

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 Lobengula 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.