Shamwari – Villa Lobengula

Overview

Location: South Africa–>Eastern Cape–>Shamwari Game Reserve
Accommodation Type: Lodge

Good For: Solo, Couple/Romantic, Family |

Shamwari, a Shona word meaning ‘my friend’ is one of the largest private conservation initiatives in Southern Africa. The reserve covers 25 000 hectares of verdant bush along the Bushmans River in the Eastern Cape. The malaria-free reserve is home to five of the seven biomes found in South Africa, and its location close to the Garden Route make a safari at Shamwari a perfect choice for those seeking to combine a tour of the Garden Route with a luxury Big Five safari.

Villa Lobengula provides a truly traditional African experience. The ethnically decorated thatched lodge is tucked into the valley bushveld, offering guests a tranquil and luxurious destination.

Villa Lobengula is bookable on a sole use basis only. Guests will thus have the sumptuous villa to themselves, with a private guide, staff, and chef catering to their personal needs. The well-trained staff provides a high quality of service ensuring satisfaction to the most discerning guest.

Accommodation

The lodge is suitable for parties of up to twelve guests in the six luxury en-suite rooms. All rooms have an indoor and outdoor shower, and a private verandah overlooking the African bushveld. There are five Junior Suites, and a Chief Suite with its own private plunge pool, lounge and fireplace. Two of the Junior Suites have their own private plunge pool too.

Wildlife

The five biomes in the reserve enable the support of a huge diversity of plants, animals and bird life. Guests can expect to see lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, black and white rhino, hippo, kudu, springbok, bushbuck, grey duiker, black wildebeest, gemsbok and zebra. Lucky guests might spot cheetah, brown hyena, wild dog and the elusive leopard. Shamwari Game Reserve opened the Ian Player Rhino Awareness Centre in 2012 as a place where guests can learn about rhinos and the growing epidemic of rhino poaching in South Africa. The wildlife department is active in maintaining the delicate ecological balance and taking care of the health and safety of the animals.

Shamwari Game Reserve boasts over 250 bird species. Raptor species include Black Harriers, Pale Chanting Goshawks, Black-shouldered Kites, Booted Eagles and Secretary Birds. The Bushman’s river meanders through the reserve providing a great refuge for kingfishers, darters, the African Shelduck, finfoots and the iconic African Fish Eagle.

More Info

Children
• Children of all ages are welcome at Villa Lobengula.
• Children under the age of 4 are not permitted to join the normal game drives, but a “kiddies drive” can be arranged.
• Children under the age of 16 years are not permitted on any walking safaris.
• Child minding service is available upon request and can be arranged at an additional cost.

Directions

• BY ROAD:

Driving Directions

• Follow the N2 out of Port Elizabeth until you reach the N2 / N10 cross over.

• Follow the N10 to Paterson/Cradock bypassing Paterson.

• Travel for 11 km from Paterson until you reach the Alicedale turn-off.

• Turn right at the Lobengula Lodge sign board and travel for a further 12 km on a gravel road.

• Turn right at the Shamwari Gate and follow the sign boards to Lobengula Lodge.

From Port Elizabeth

• Follow the N2 on the Grahamstown road for 65kms, turn left at the Shamwari sign on to gravel (R342) for 7 kms, turn right at the Shamwari sign.

From Johannesburg

• (R32) turn left at Paterson (R342), follow the road for 11kms, turn left at the Shamwari sign.

From Grahamstown

• Follow the N2 towards Port Elizabeth for 58kms, turn right at the Shamwari sign (R342) for 7kms, and right at the Shamwari sign.