Shamwari Long Lee Manor

The 4 Garden Rooms at Shamwari Long Lee Manor are spacious and open-plan, consisting of luxurious king-size, fitted with cotton sheets and covered in plentiful pillows and cushions. The rooms also feature a comfortable lounge area where guests can relax and spend quality time together, gazing across the sweeping plains and taking in the incredible views over the wilderness beyond the beautiful gardens. The sliding doors not only offer incredible vistas, but also provide easy access to the room’s private deck where guests can sit out in the late afternoon sun and watch distant herds of elephants wander across the plains. The en-suite bathroom features a spacious bath with an overhead shower.

The Long Lee Plains Rooms look out over the sweeping landscape, offering guests panoramic views of the endless plains, as well as the flora and fauna that inhabits them. The spacious bedrooms feature plenty of room to move about, and one of them is even accessible for guests who require a wheelchair. The king-size bed is fitted with soft and comfy cotton sheets, and the room has neutral colours and accents to provide a homely yet stylish space for relaxing between exciting safari activities. The extended bathrooms are fitted with both a bath and shower, with an additional outdoor shower for guests who want a more authentic wilderness experience.

The two Manor House suites are situated within the historic main building, where guests can appreciate the beautiful architecture and interior design of the Edwardian-style house. The open-plan rooms enjoy a king-size bed, a lounge area with a coffee table and relaxing armchairs and sofas, and a small seating area with a table where guests can enjoy refreshments from the minibar, or a steaming mug of tea or coffee. The large bathrooms are bright, with marble-style tiles, a twin basin, a walk-in shower and a separate bathtub with a view.

However, the best views from this suite can be enjoyed from the private balcony with recliner chairs overlooking the manicured gardens, water holes and sweeping plains. Sit back and relax in this tranquil space while watching the sun dip behind the distant hills, transforming the sky into a watercolour artwork.

The Family Suite at Long Lee Manor is ideal for families or small groups travelling together, with two en-suite bedrooms, a lounge and dining area and a private plunge pool. The independent villa offers unspoilt and uninterrupted views of the surrounding plains, meaning guests can enjoy wildlife viewing and admiring the stunning flora from the comfort of their suite. The villa gives travellers an exclusive and secluded safari experience, with a private dining room and private pool deck with comfy sun loungers. Here, you can relax undisturbed, and immerse yourself in the natural beauty that extends as far as the eye can see.

Guests at Shamwari Long Lee Manor can look forward to three delicious meals each day, all included and carefully crafted for you. Wake up to a delicious breakfast buffet, with a selection of breads, pastries, cereals, muesli cold meats, fruit and hot drinks. Lunches and dinners consist of a variety of local and international dishes which can be enjoyed either in the manor’s elegant dining room or outdoors around the boma. The boma offers fireside or table seating, with additional seating inside the elegant woven pods that act as a guard between the firepit and the wilderness beyond. Guests can choose from a selection of homely and delightful dishes inspired by local cuisine and traditional flavours.

Long Lee Family Suite also features a private dining area for the exclusive use of guests staying there.

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 to quench their thirst before nocturnal species such as aardvark, bat-eared foxes and porcupines 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.

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.

By the reserve’s river and waterholes, 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.

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. Long Lee Manor features a newly renovated Relaxation Retreat, with 3 stylish treatment rooms where guests can be pampered, leaving revitalised and refreshed after their soothing stay.

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.

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.