There are few more spine-tingling, get-your-blood-pumping sounds than that of a male lion roaring.
On previous trips to Africa I’d only ever heard it from a distance, unmistakeable as the noise echoed across the plains.
At the Shamwari Private Game Reserve, the experience went to a whole new level.
We were on a game drive with our excellent guide Ray when we came across a lion asleep by the side of the road.
An older male – Ray guessed his age around 11 – he was snoozing in the morning sunshine. We just sat in the game vehicle, watching him sleep, hoping we might see him stir at some point.
Suddenly, he woke and with barely enough time to lift our phones, let out several roars, a warning to others that this was his turf.
We were so close we could see the breath coming from his mouth and the rise and fall of his chest as he roared and roared.
It was powerful, guttural and utterly brilliant.
During our two-day visit we would see a wide variety of animals, including zebra, giraffe, buffalo and rhino. We also witnessed a particularly exciting elephant crossing…but it was the lion who stole the show.
As Mel Brooks often says: “It’s good to be the king.”
The Shamwari Difference
There is a tendency at some African game parks for guides to race around, trying to make sure their guests tick off the Big Five without really stopping and appreciating their surroundings.
Shamwari does things slightly differently.
It’s unlikely you’re going to see another vehicle on your game drive and that game drive will also be much more immersive.
You’ll probably see most (if not all) of the Big Five but it will be a more natural, organic experience – just like our encounter with the lion, who we nicknamed Brian (as in Brian the Lion, geddit…?).
Ray was the most unhurried, informative and enthusiastic host, always congratulating one of our group when we made a sighting. Our time with him was delightful and easily one of the best game drives I’ve experienced.
“The word Shamwari means ‘my friend’ and that’s exactly how we want people to feel when they arrive,” said Joe Cloete, CEO of Shamwari.
Why Shamwari?
Founded in 1992, Shamwari is one of South Africa’s largest malaria-free Big Five private reserves, spanning more than 25,000 hectares in the Eastern Cape.
It offers an exceptional combination of luxury, conservation and authentic African wildlife experiences across diverse ecosystems.
The Shamwari Foundation was founded in 2024 and formalises the reserve’s long-standing commitment to conservation and community through its three pillars: Wildlife, Community and Environment.
Every guest visit directly contributes to Shamwari’s 33-year rewilding project, making it a living example of sustainable tourism in action.
The reserve has also received a stack of awards. It was named global winner for Best Luxury Private Game Reserve in Southern Africa and Luxury All-Inclusive Lodge at the World Luxury Travel Awards 2025.
While seeing animals in their natural habitat is the main drawcard, Shamwari also offers guests the chance to support its various conservation efforts.
I was both impressed and moved by the Born Free Centre that rescues big cats from exploitation, with lions, leopards and even a black panther named Mowgli housed at the facility.
Sadly on the day we visited we only heard the lions and saw a fleeting glimpse of a leopard, but that’s wildlife for you…
Guests can also visit the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, which helps to rehabilitate and care for sick, injured, abandoned or orphaned animals under the care of Shamwari’s professional veterinary team.
Once these animals have been nursed back to health, they are released back into their natural habitat.
There’s also the VulPro Vulture Breeding Programme with VulPro, which is spearheading population restocking and supplementation to address the severe decline of African vulture species. The noise and the smell from this enclosure is quite remarkable…
Beyond wildlife, Shamwari invests in community water projects, job creation and animal welfare education, ensuring conservation benefits both nature and people.
Where To Stay
As you would expect from an award-winning reserve, the on-site accommodation is extremely impressive.
A comprehensive refurbishment of its six five-star lodges has now been completed, covering Eagles Crag, Bayethe, Long Lee Manor, Riverdene Family Lodge, Sarili Private Villa and Sindile Tented Lodge (for something a little different, there’s also the authentic Explorer Camp).
We stayed at Riverdene which, as its name suggests, is a perfect setting for those travelling with children but would equally suit couples or those simply looking for a luxurious getaway amid the bushveld.
My room (see above) was spacious, beautifully decorated and extremely comfortable, with a big, voluptuous bed that cradled me to sleep after a hard day’s game driving.
The lodge has a pool, gym, great bar and dining areas and even a large and tempting kids adventure centre attached to the property, perfect for parents who want some child-free time.
The diamond in Shamwari’s accommodation crown is Long Lee Manor, which impresses from the moment you arrive and wouldn’t look out of place in an English country park.
Unfortunately we didn’t get to stay here but we did get a tour and saw some of the Edwardian-style suites that looked ultra lux – little wonder they were preparing to welcome members of the Qatari royal family for a stay.
How To Get There
Shamwari is approximately 75 kilometres north of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and takes about an hour-and-a-half to drive from the city.
Shamwari has also launched a new air shuttle linking Cape Town and Johannesburg directly to the reserve’s private airstrip. The flight takes an hour and 45 minutes from Cape Town and two hours and 12 min from OR Tambo in Johannesburg.
Operated on a 16-seat Beechcraft 1900D, the shuttle cuts up to four hours off traditional travel times.
“The Eastern Cape has always deserved more attention as a destination. With these awards, the Foundation and now the air shuttle, we hope to show just how much this region has to offer and how accessible it can be,” added Mr Cloete.
