Shamwari Game Reserve
| Shamwari Game Reserve | |
|---|---|
 A herd of impala grazing on Shamwari plains | |
 Location within Eastern Cape | |
| Location | Near Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| Coordinates | 33°28′42″S 26°02′07″E / 33.47836°S 26.03519°E |
| Area | 250 km2 (97 mi2) |
| Established | 1992 |
| Governing body | Shamwari Private Game Reserve |
  Shamwari Game Reserve (South Africa)  Shamwari Game Reserve (Eastern Cape) | |
Shamwari Game Reserve is a private game reserve located approximately 75 km outside Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa. It covers about 250 square kilometres (97 mi2) and is part of the Indalo Protected Environment.[1]
The reserve is recognised for restoring degraded farmland into a wildlife conservation area and for pioneering private "Big Five" safaris in the Eastern Cape.[2]
History
Shamwari was founded in 1992 by conservationist Adrian Gardiner. The project began with the purchase of former farmland and gradually expanded through acquisitions of neighbouring properties.[3]
Key milestones include:
- 1990s – Reintroduction of elephants, rhino, buffalo, and antelope.[4]
- 2000s – Predator introductions (lion, cheetah, hyena, leopard).[5]
- 2017 – New ownership invested US$25 million in refurbishing lodges and conservation facilities.[6]
Wildlife
Shamwari supports species from multiple biomes, including:
- The Big five game (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros)
- Cheetah, hyena, serval, and other predators
- Cape mountain zebra, hippopotamus, South African giraffe, wildebeest, and numerous antelope species[7]
Lodges and Tourism
The reserve operates six luxury lodges and one explorer camp:[8]
- Eagles Crag – luxury suites in a secluded valley
- Long Lee Manor – restored Edwardian-style manor
- Sindile Lodge – elevated tented camp
- Bayethe Tented Lodge – canvas suites with plunge pools
- Riverdene Family Lodge – family-oriented accommodation
- Explorer Camp – rustic bush experience
Activities include guided game drives, walking safaris, birding, and conservation tours.
Shamwari Air Shuttle
In 2025 Shamwari launched an Air Shuttle service, offering direct flights from Cape Town International Airport and OR Tambo International Airport to the reserve, reducing travel time by several hours.[9][10]
Conservation and Partner Organisations
VulPro @ Shamwari
In 2024 Shamwari partnered with the NGO VulPro to establish a vulture breeding and rehabilitation centre. The project relocated 163 vultures (Cape and African white-backed) in what was described as the largest vulture relocation in Africa.[11][12] The aim is to bolster endangered vulture populations through captive breeding and future wild releases.[13]
Wildlife Rehabilitation
Shamwari operates a wildlife hospital treating injured or orphaned animals, with the goal of release back into the wild.[14]
Born Free Foundation
The Born Free Foundation funds two big cat sanctuaries at Shamwari. Lions and leopards rescued from circuses or zoos live out their lives at these centres.[15]
Awards and honours
- 2005 – Awarded the Global Nature Fund Award for Best Conservation Practice [citation needed].
In popular culture
- The 2018 Netflix series Shamwari Untamed was filmed at the reserve.[16]
- The BBC series Safari School and the Animal Planet documentary Shamwari: A Wild Life were also filmed on site.
References
- ^ "Indalo Private Game Reserve Association". Retrieved 2 October 2025.
- ^ "About Us – Shamwari Game Reserve". Retrieved 2 October 2025.
- ^ "Shamwari Game Reserve is back in the game". 2 June 2025. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
- ^ "About Us – Shamwari Game Reserve". Retrieved 2 October 2025.
- ^ "About Us – Shamwari Game Reserve". Retrieved 2 October 2025.
- ^ "New owners invest to up Shamwari's game". 4 June 2025. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
- ^ "Shamwari Animals – Wildlife in Shamwari Private Game Reserve". Retrieved 2 October 2025.
- ^ "Shamwari Safari Lodges". Retrieved 2 October 2025.
- ^ "Shamwari Air Shuttle". Retrieved 2 October 2025.
- ^ "APTA: Shamwari launches new air shuttle service". 10 June 2025. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
- ^ "Largest vulture relocation marks conservation milestone". 18 November 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
- ^ "Meticulous Eastern Cape effort to keep vultures from extinction". 25 January 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
- ^ "VulPro @ Shamwari Experience". Retrieved 2 October 2025.
- ^ "Shamwari Private Game Reserve: Conservation". Retrieved 2 October 2025.
- ^ "Born Free at Shamwari". Retrieved 2 October 2025.
- ^ "Shamwari Untamed". Netflix. Retrieved 2 October 2025.