The prestigious Shamwari Private Game Reserve covers 20 000 hectares of verdant bush along the Bushmans River in the Eastern Cape. The malaria-free reserve is home to five of the seven habitats found in South Africa, and its location close to the Garden Route, making a safari at Shamwari a perfect choice for those seeking to combine a tour of the Garden Route with a luxury Big Five safari.
Children under the age of 12 years are not permitted at the lodge.
Children over the age of 12 years pay the applicable adult rate.
Persons under the age of 16 years are not permitted on any walking safaris.
Bayethe, which translates to "I salute you," is a luxury tented retreat that blends seamlessly with the surrounding bushveld. It offers opulent accommodation, outstanding cuisine, and personalized service.
Bayethe features twelve luxurious tents positioned on the banks of the river and hidden among the trees. These en-suite tents have wooden floors and canvas sides, with sliding doors that open onto a viewing deck and private plunge pool. Other features include minibars, air conditioning, tea and coffee-making facilities, in-room safes, electric blankets, hairdryers, international adaptors, and telephones.
Three of the tents have indoor baths and showers, while the remaining nine offer guests the opportunity to shower outdoors. Selected rooms feature additional luxuries such as a fireplace and hammocks on the private deck.
The thatched main lodge includes a large viewing deck that overlooks the river, a sparkling swimming pool, a lounge area, a dining room, an outdoor boma, a business desk with internet access, a gift boutique, and the Bush Spa, which overlooks the waterhole.
Enjoy early morning and evening game drives led by professional guides, and guided game walks that afford up-close encounters with the smaller wondrous creatures of the African bush. Visits can also be arranged to Shamwari's Born Free Foundation Animal Rescue Centre, Ian Player Rhino Awareness Centre, and the Shamwari Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.
Shamwari is home to a variety of plants, birds, and animals. Guests frequently spot the Big Five during their stay, along with cheetah, caracal, wild dog, and a variety of antelope. Evening game drives often reveal more rarely seen nocturnal creatures, such as the hopping springhare, aardwolf, and brown hyena.
Shamwari Game Reserve is the perfect destination for bird lovers, boasting 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 species such as kingfishers, darters, the African Shelduck, finfoots, and the iconic African Fish Eagle.
Shamwari Bayethe Lodge is ideal for solo explorers, couples, and families looking for a unique safari experience.
All additional beverages, gratuities, guest conservation levy, and all other items of a personal nature are excluded.
The purpose of the guest conservation levy is to support conservation efforts, particularly anti-rhino-poaching and other anti-poaching initiatives.
Time is luxury. We streamline your choices for the perfect safari.
✅ Free travel insurance before 31 Jul 2025
✅ An expert will reach out to you within 24 hours
✅ SAFARI.COM voted Africa's Leading Safari Company in the World Travel Awards 2024 + 2025
✅ Same price as booking direct, with expert care included
✅ With you before, during and after your safari
✅ We handle it all. Flights, transfers, lodging & activities
July 6, 2025
Great Comunication!
I was surprised to get very timely feedback from emails and whatsapp chat messages sent from the US to Cape Town. All questions were answered clearly and booking was a simple process.
July 3, 2025
Candis Cloete has a great service orientation!…
Candis Cloete has a great service orientation. You have the best Krueger-Victoria Falls combo trips out there and the best people running point for you as well. It was a no-brainer.
July 2, 2025
Candace was excellent
Candace was excellent, listening to my requests and fulfilling them. Her communication was excellent and she responded when she would.