Riverdene at Shamwari Private Game Reserve

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01244 897 111

01244 897 111

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Property Details

Type: Luxury Lodge

Summary: A luxury lodge perfect for families on safari

Feature: The 'Kids on Safari' centre offers exciting acitivies

Rooms: Nine Rooms

Location: Eastern Cape, South Africa

Nearest airport: Port Elizabeth International Airport

Transfer: Approximately 90 minutes from Port Elizabeth International Airport by private car transfer. Air transport can also be arranged.

Luxury Holidays At Riverdene at Shamwari Private Game Reserve

Overlooking the widespread bushveld of the Eastern Cape, Riverdene Family Lodge is the ultimate luxury family safari retreat, within the malaria-free Shamwari Private Game Reserve. With 25,000 hectares of astounding landscapes and wildlife, Shamwari offers an exceptional safari experience on the Garden Route. Newly renovated, watch as gentle giants roam in the distance, in this comfortable space with activities for the whole family. Set on lovely landscaped gardens, the classic lodge is styled elegantly with contemporary wooden furnishings and touches of luxury. The large swimming pool has a shallow area for children to play in, surrounded by covered sun loungers - perfect to relax in between exciting game drives.

Stylish dining areas both indoors in a light restaurant setting, or outdoors under a rustic veranda, offer three delicious meals a day, including a children’s menu. The nine luxurious rooms each have private patios leading out to the beautiful gardens, making the most of the breathtaking natural surroundings. Perfect for families, Riverdene includes a fabulous kids' club with a huge array of activities, ensuring the best safari experience for everyone of all ages.

Property Location

Why Riverdene at Shamwari Private Game Reserve is so special...

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Luxury Family Holidays

Designed with a family centred approach, Riverdene offers the ultimate family safari experience. The large swimming pool includes a shallow area for children to play in, along with a play area and dedicated kids' club. . Upon arrival at Riverdene, the children’s coordinator discusses activity options to ensure everyone has the best time, with activities in the fantastic Kids on Safari programme including ziplining, rock climbing, pizza making, treetop adventures and, of course, game drives for slightly older children. Whilst children under the age of four years cannot join game drives, childminding is available at an additional cost. Children’s menus and flexible dining times ensure everyone is well catered for, in order to make the most of the once-in-a-lifetime safari.

Safari

Taking place when the animals are their most active - at sunrise and sunset - game drives at Shamwari offer an awe-inspiring opportunity to see the ‘Big Five’ amid stunning natural landscapes. In luxury open game vehicles, allowing for panoramic views, expert rangers of Shamwari share their knowledge in an exclusive game drive of the private reserve. Tailored to personal interests, each game drive is a unique experience of some of the most incredible sights in the world. For adults, guided game walks also provide an excellent opportunity to get close to the different eco-systems of the reserve, track animals and experience natural encounters.

Wildlife Encounters

Passionate about the conservation of wildlife, Shamwari Private Game Reserve has dedicated awareness centres, providing education and learning experiences of the important conservation work. Ideal for the whole family, visit the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, which cares for sick, orphaned and abandoned animals before releasing them into their natural habitat. The dedicated veterinary team offer an engaging educational visit, with the potential to meet any of the animals currently in the centre's care. The Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary raises awareness of how wildlife is exploited in captivity, rescuing and providing sanctuaries for big cats within the reserve.

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Pricing

Stay 3 nights from £2,104 p.p. (low season) and from £2,977 p.p. (high season) in a Riverdene Room, on all inclusive basis including transfers.
Flights available at an additional cost.

Prices shown are for guidance only and other pricing is available. Prices are subject to change due to availability, special offers and currency fluctuation. Please call for details.

Accommodation and Dining Experiences

Find the best room for you, and discover the exceptional restaurants that await...

Overview

Stylish and contemporary, each of the luxury rooms are designed for families, with a plush king-size bed and a further sofa bed. Light wooden furnishings and clean lines establish minimalist elegance, whilst full sandstone bathrooms create the ultimate luxury. A private patio leads out to the lovely gardens, offering views towards the expansive game reserve. Amenities include Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a minibar and Nespresso coffee machine, plus cots are available on request for the youngest guests.

Amenities

24-Hour Security
Babysitting
Boutique
Children's Activities
Game Drives
Game Walks
LCD Television
Safari
Sustainability Scheme
Swimming Pool
Wi-Fi
Wildlife Encounters

Eastern Cape Travel Information

Best Time To Travel

JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Best

Capital

Language

Time Difference

Currency

South African Rand

Voltage

230V

Climate

Due to the geographical position and size of the Eastern Cape, the climate varies considerably, though, as a rule of thumb, the further inland you travel, the hotter and drier it gets, while the further east you travel, the wetter and more humid it becomes. At Shamwari, sub-tropical and Mediterranean climates combine, making it a good place to visit year-round. The dry season here falls between September and March, followed by cooler seasons until August.

Winter (April to August): Daytime temperatures range from 7⁰ C, with midday recordings hovering around 22⁰ C thanks to ample sunshine. Nights are cold.
Summer (September to March): Daytime temperatures range from 16⁰ C to 36⁰ C, with a pleasant breeze.

Getting There

Flight Information
British Airways from London Heathrow to Port Elizabeth (via Johannesburg).

Flight Time
From London Heathrow to Johannesburg: 10 hours, 50 minutes.
Onward connecting flight from Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth: 1 hour, 40 minutes.

Wildlife

Elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo – the ‘Big 5’ all reside in the Eastern Cape, in a malaria-free environment, making it ideal for families. The birdlife here is wonderful, too; encounter species that may be entirely new to you, such as the White-Fronted Bee-Eater. Notable conservation areas include the Addo Elephant Park and Shamwari on Bushman’s River, our featured private game reserve, about an hour from Port Elizabeth. Along the coast, meanwhile, the ocean is rich in marine-life and there is a good chance that you will glimpse dolphins and the occasional whale from the beach – Algoa Bay is an easy outing and a favoured spot with Orcas, Humpbacks and Southern Rights.

Watersports

The Eastern Cape’s coastline skirts the Indian Ocean for 800km; highlights include Algoa Bay and the Port Elizabeth region, where some 40km of sensational beaches act as a magnet for lovers of water sports. The sea is warm and there is a pleasant breeze, making swimming, sailing, windsurfing and surfing all popular pastimes. Top picks for surfers include The Pipe, Millers Point, The Fence and Bluewater Bay – a truly wild and wonderful location for enthusiasts or spectators. Algoa Bay is also a mecca for sailing and diving, boasting shipwrecks, vibrant coral and abundant fish.

Nature

Mother Nature has crafted some of her finest handiwork in the Eastern Cape, and its huge variety of scenic topography is a characteristic of the area. The Tsitsikamma Forest is a must-visit, often described as the ‘Garden of the Garden Route’, an amazing ecosystem full of ancient trees towering over moss, ferns and fragile fungi. Other highlights include the rugged landscapes of the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area, the parched Great Karoo, the incredible Drakensberg peaks and the everchanging settings along the Wild Coast - an untamed and beautiful coastline punctuated with desolate beaches, secluded bays, rugged cliffs and velvet-green peninsulas.

Golf

The Eastern Cape is a good choice for golfers, offering a selection of excellent courses close to Shamwari. Particularly special courses include Bushman Sands, an 18-hole Gary Player classic, as well as the Port Elizabeth Golf Course, the country’s second oldest club, affectionately called ‘The Hill’. On the outskirts of town, the Humewood Golf Course boasts fast greens, rolling fairways and fantastic ocean views.

Africa experts

Our Luxury Travel Specialists are an enthusiastic, passionate and committed group of people who are exceptionally well travelled.

Our dedicated Africa experts are ready to help you design your luxury holiday to Riverdene at Shamwari Private Game Reserve. Furthermore, we have many Luxury Travel Specialists who've personally visited Riverdene at Shamwari Private Game Reserve and can offer you their holiday and travel services as well as first-hand knowledge and experience.

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