South Africa's Shamwari Private Game Reserve: Regeneration of a classic

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South Africa's Shamwari Private Game Reserve: Regeneration of a classic

By Julietta Jameson
The flagship Eagles Crag lodge.

The flagship Eagles Crag lodge.

A $US25 million ($34 million) upgrade of South Africa's Shamwari Private Game Reserve comes with lofty ambitions: "We want Shamwari to be one of the world's premier wildlife experiences, so we can sustain and grow an exceptionally successful 25-year conservation program," says Shamwari head Joe Cloete. "A stay at Shamwari contributes to conserving a vanishing way of life."

It already has form on excellence. In that 25 years, the custodians of the Eastern Cape Province property have become renown for award-winning rehabilitation and conservation programs that have restored ecological diversity and reintroduced the big five and other indigenous animals.

And now, the luxury end of the experience has had its own revitalisation. Phase one has focused on the flagship Eagles Crag and Riverdene Family lodges. Eagles Crag sits in a forest-covered valley floor at the base of the cliff from which it takes its name.

Shamwari Private Game Reserve is renowned for award-winning rehabilitation and conservation programs.

Shamwari Private Game Reserve is renowned for award-winning rehabilitation and conservation programs.

New to the lodge is a viewing deck with fire pit and two elevated private dining pods that take guests above the forest canopy. There is a new entertainment lounge and gym and the spa has been upgraded, as have the nine suites, to include private decks, outdoor showers and heated plunge pools.

Meanwhile, Riverdene Family Lodge has been almost entirely rebuilt. The nine interconnecting rooms have been reworked for multi-generational travel and there is a fully supervised outdoor children's adventure playground with climbing towers, elevated walkways and ziplines as well as an area for toddlers.

The next phase of the project, including renovating the historic Long Lee Manor and adding 18 luxury suites plus a luxury tented camp, is expected to be completed late 2019.

Shamwari's successful wildlife rehabilitation centre is being expanded to include a dedicated visitors facility.

Rates vary according to the lodge and time of the season. From around $780 a person a night twin share.

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