Pictures taken by us at Shamwari		SHAMWARI MALARIA FREE GAME RESERVE Features six different lodges Overview below Eagles Crag Lobengula Lodge Bayethe Lodge Riverdene Lodge Bushmans River Lodge Long Lee Manor Link to the lodge of your choice for details on individual lodges

Summary.  I do not think the Malaria Free Area of South Africa can offer the same wild experience that you find in the private game reserves around Kruger National Park. However for people who do not want to take Malaria pills this offers a wonderful opportunity to see game in their wild state.  To me this is the best park to visit for game viewing and will be the closest thing you can get to actually going to Kruger.  We had some good game sightings here and the animal pictures posted on these pages were taken at Shamwari. The elephant above was blocking our road into Bayethe

Location. Port Elizabeth Airport is only 50-70 minutes drive from Shamwari. PRIVATE LANDING STRIP is available at Long Lee Manor.  The map to the right shows where the seven different lodges are located. From Long Lee Manor to Lobengula is about an hours drive.

The Different Lodges
Each lodge is quite different from the other lodges. All feature all inclusive policy (local alcoholic beverages are complimentary) and of course all meals and game drives are included. Below is a synopsis of the different lodges. All lodges are air conditioned.

Eagles Crag - 9 rooms The most elegant and expensive of the Shamwari properties. Decorated in a contemporary casual style it would remind a person of an upscale hotel in Southern California.  This is truly a luxury 5 star property with every conceivable need considered. Each of the nine rooms is an individual bungalow. These rooms are incredible, very large and opening onto an expansive deck with a private plunge pool.  The beds are on an angle in the room and the bathtubs have a view.  Beautifully designed and decorated. The main lounge is stunning with comfortable contemporary furniture throughout.  The boma they feature is also unique and the entire lodge is definitely one that even the most particular of individuals would approve. I would be happy to stay at Eagle Cragg at any time. No children allowed unless the entire lodge is reserved.
Lobengula Lodge - 5 rooms This lodge features more of the traditional African decoration and has the heavy wood substantial furniture with plush cushions you can sink into and relax. There are only five rooms all in terra cotta type buildings. They are large with bathrooms that are very spacious.   The grounds are a lush tropical green with colorful flowers.  The areas of the lodge are joined by wooden walkways. Nothing is very far. A large swimming pool with a bar is the focal point of the courtyard.  It is hard to believe a lodge this big would only have five rooms.  There is an expansive deck that looks out over the bush and this is a lovely place for an evening cocktail before dinner. No children allowed unless the entire lodge is reserved.
Bayethe Lodge - 9 tents This is truly stepping back into time and if can feel you were in the wilds of Africa this is the lodge.  It is pure fun here. The rooms are nine air conditioned tents with private plunge pools so please don't think this is not luxury - it is very luxurious.  The feel is traditional African, with the main building being very large and made of rock and thatch with a fantastic huge deck out front looking over the river.  There is a huge main area for a lounge and bar and a distinctively bygone era, luxury safari feel. The lodge is nestled right above a river and the setting is pure romance.  They will accept children here which makes it nice for a family to experience an African tent experience. I did not stay here but was wishing this had been the lodge where I had been accommodated.
Riverdene Lodge - 9 rooms The first thing you notice at Riverdene is the huge pool.  This is the size you see with major hotels.  Plenty of deck chairs line the pool and this would be a wonderful place to spend a relaxing afternoon before the evening game drive.  This is a nice property. Feels more intimate in some ways and has spacious hallways and open air areas to bring the outside indoors. The rooms have dark wood furnishings with the heavy overstuffed cushions.  The bedrooms are really spacious and the bathrooms even have a feeling of wasted space.   There are two different casual lounges and a wonderful sunroom so there is always a quiet spot if you wish to read.  There is a nice sized covered patio overlooking the pool area with an oversized barbeque pit for wonderful dinners. Riverdene does allow children.
Bushman's River Lodge - 4 rooms This property is normally taken by groups as there are only four rooms in the lodge.  For a family group or couples traveling together this is a wonderful arrangement.  The lodge is a huge house, complete with delightful main rooms, a nice sized swimming pool and the bedrooms and bathrooms are large.  Of course with only four rooms the experience is very personal and intimate with the staff being able to cater your your every whim. The decor is an similar to Riverdene, with an African ethnic theme with the dark wood furniture and overstuffed pillows.  There are many quiet spots within the house. Heading down a path you arrive at a platform area that overlooks the bush from a high vantage point. It is really a wonderful property.
Long Lee Manor - 19 rooms This is the largest of the Shamwari properties with the greatest diversity of accommodations.  The atmosphere here is that of an Edwardian Manor House.  The buildings are pink and have a very English feel.  This property is very popular with British and German tourists. The pool area is smaller in comparison to the size of the pools at the other properties. Our room was spacious with a large bathroom area that ran the full length of the room. There is a nice bar area with a fireplace at each end with the furniture in great conversation arrangements.  There is no boma at Long Lee Manor but they do serve up a casual dinner in the "barn". This was exceptionally well done and the food was wonderful. Long Lee Manor attracts a lot of children.

Game Drives
Morning and afternoon game drives with knowledgeable rangers in open vehicles.  The rangers do move between the different lodges so you will have an experienced ranger at all the Shamwari Camps.  At Shamwari your ranger is not only your driver and guide but also assists you in all aspects of your stay.  He will tay.  He will tay.  He will eat dinner and lunch with you on occasion and be available to answer any questions you may have on any matter concerning South Africa. The game drives are really quite good.  Most properties in the Malaria Free Area are farmlands, stocked with game, fenced and turned into game reserves. This property is more like the natural bush, it is a very large area and has some interesting topography and really has a lot of game.  Hard to see at Shamwari of the big five is Cape Buffalo and Leopard although they do have Leopard at Shamwari these are always the most elusive of animals. Elephant, lion, rhino, giraffe, hippo and numerous other game animals will most likely be seen during your stay.