Shamwari Private Game Reserve has long been one of South Africas most storied safari destinations, known for its vast malaria free wilderness, Big Five game viewing and a collection of luxury lodges spread across 25 000 hectares in the Eastern Cape.
Now, getting to the reserve has become even easier with the launch of Shamwari Air Shuttle, a new private air service designed to whisk guests directly between the bush and South Africas two major international gateways.
Shamwari Air Shuttle operates direct, on demand flights between Shamwari’s private airstrip and both Cape Town International and OR Tambo International in Johannesburg, saving between four and five hours compared with existing commercial options on the same routes.
That extra time translates into more game drives, more sundowners and more hours soaking up the reserve instead of sitting in transit.
Operated by National Airways Corporation, a leading South African aviation specialist with around 80 years of experience, the shuttle uses a Beechcraft 1900D configured specifically for lodge transfers and safari operations.
The aircraft seats up to 16 guests in a stand up cabin with single row aisle seating, each passenger is allowed 28 kilograms of luggage including hand baggage, preferably in soft sided bags.
Additional luggage can be pre arranged at an extra cost, with storage facilities for excess bags available in both Johannesburg and Cape Town for guests connecting onwards.
In Johannesburg, VIP handlers from Menzies Aviation meet guests airside after they have cleared customs and escort them either to a lounge or directly to the waiting charter aircraft, depending on connection times.
For those overnighting in the city, a mutually agreed meeting point is arranged prior to travel so that the onward leg runs smoothly.
In Cape Town, Signature Flight Support acts as the fixed base operator and VIP handler. Guests arriving off international flights are greeted after customs and taken to the Signature Flight Support Lounge before boarding their private flight to Shamwari, while travellers already in the Mother City join the shuttle at Signature Flight Support at Cape Town International.
Lounge access is a central part of the experience, with Shamwari guests using the Signature Flight Support VIP Lounge in Cape Town and, when connection times allow, the Bidvest Private Lounge at OR Tambo in Johannesburg.
Flights between Cape Town and Shamwari take around one hour fifty minutes, while the Johannesburg to Shamwari route is approximately two hours fifteen minutes, putting the reserve within easy reach of early afternoon game drives for morning arrivals.
Long Lee Manor
Light snacks and non alcoholic refreshments are served during the flight, though guests should note that there is no onboard restroom, something to keep in mind when planning connections and pre departure lounge visits.
Guests are met at Shamwari’s arrival and departure lounge located beside the runway, where they can freshen up in the onsite restrooms or relax on an undercover veranda if they prefer to wait outdoors and breathe in the bush air straight away.
The final stretch into the reserve’s lodges is handled by Shamwari’s own customised Toyota Landcruisers, fitted out for guest comfort and for the often photogenic drive through the bush.
Each vehicle can accommodate up to nine guests, with child seating available on request and a closed luggage trailer for bags.
Transfer times vary depending on the lodge: Bayethe and Eagles Crag in the northern sector are around forty five minutes from the airstrip, while the southern lodges Sindile, Long Lee Manor, Riverdene and Sarili are no more than twenty five minutes away.
Flight frequency and pricing are available on request through Shamwari’s reservations team, underscoring the tailored nature of the new shuttle. For travellers combining a Cape Town city stay or Johannesburg stopover with one of South Africa’s most acclaimed malaria free Big Five reserves, the launch of Shamwari Air Shuttle offers a direct, time efficient and thoroughly indulgent way to move between the runway and the bush.
