SHAMWARI RIVERDENE
Eastern Cape, South Africa

Introduction

Welcome to Shamwari Game Reserve, 20 000 hectares (49000 acres) the malaria free, private game reserve situated in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, has received numerous international awards, including the World's Leading Conservation Company and Game Reserve for five consecutive years. It is situated in verdant bush along the Bushmans River, halfway between Port Elizabeth (45 minutes drive outside the city) and Grahamstown, a pleasant drive from Cape Town, forming a natural extension to the famous Garden Route. Shamwari is about conserving a vanishing way of life and is the realisation of one man's dream, and the success of many people's passion. Steeped in Settler history, and dating back to the time when a multitude of game roamed wild and free, the 20 000 hectare reserve boasts five eco-systems, thus enabling the support of many forms of plant, animal and bird life. This is the ultimate African adventure and conservation effort coupled with responsible tourism.

Camp Description

Elegance in the wilderness with a colonial African experience, Riverdene Lodge sleeps a total of 18 guests. Rooms are fully air-conditioned, all feature television, telephone and small lounge area. Each en-suite sandstone bathroom has a 'his' and 'hers' vanity basin, separate shower and bath. Private balconies lead onto the landscaped gardens. The two elegantly furnished casual lounges and glorious sunroom, as well as a magnificent rim flow swimming pool entice guests to relax and restore their energies. The lounge opens onto a spacious outdoor barbecue area. As with all the lodges at Shamwari, guests receive personal attention from their assigned rangers for the duration of their stay.

Game Viewing

When you visit SHAMWARI Game Reserve, we want you to have the 'safari of a lifetime'...rangers dine with you - sharing daily experiences and providing further information.

Something you'll look back on in years to come, long after the video has been lost and the photos have faded. We want you to experience, learn and enjoy the very best that African wildlife viewing can offer. To achieve this goal, the staff at SHAMWARI Game Reserve have brought together the best that the area has to offer. There is great game viewing, of course, but we also provide modern Land Rovers converted into open viewing. Each vehicle has a trained ranger who will increase your enjoyment with his knowledge of both the flora and fauna. The rangers are in 2-way communication with each other at all times, so on any day they know where the game is, and how to find the elusive animals such as the rare Black Rhino.

Game viewing is carried out morning and evening on game drives, when you are driven in your open vehicle (which seats up to 6) over the rolling hills and valleys. If you have a particular species you would like to see, please mention it to your ranger; he will be happy to merge your plans into the group. In the early morning (if you are keen) you will leave before dawn, spending up to 3-4 hours spotting before returning to your lodge for a hearty breakfast. Blankets are supplied for those cold morning starts!

The heat of the day is usually spent in the shade, playing tennis, swimming, reading and, of course, enjoying a delicious lunch. Between 4:00 - 5:00pm, you assemble again for the evening drive. As the animals emerge from their midday cover, you may see elephants browsing, rhino drinking at a waterhole, or perhaps the shy bushbuck motionless in the dense bushveld. At dusk, the Land Rover stops at some panoramic spot for a sundowner (from the icebox ) and snacks.

Then, as the light fades, your ranger will plug in a powerful hand-held light. With its help, you can sweep the veld, seeing first the eyes and then the forms of a variety of nocturnal animals. By 8:00pm you are back at your lodge where a drink in the bar with your ranger, amid cheerful recollections of the day's discoveries is followed either by another great meal expertly prepared by our chefs, or a barbecue next to a roaring fire. Finally, a hot shower and a well-earned sleep. Before repeating it again the next day!

Generally, you may not leave your vehicle when it is in the reserve. Guided walks can be arranged in the company of your armed ranger, in search of rare animals. These hikes can often be the highlight of your African trip, for it is really only then that you gain a perspective of this great continent.

Note: Game drives are done in open Land Rovers, so you can feel close to Nature.