Riverdene at Shamwari Private Game Reserve

Shamwari Private Game Reserve covers 25,000 hectares of private land near Paterson in the Eastern Cape, where five of South Africa's nine biomes converge. The reserve holds the Big Five and is malaria-free, which removes one practical complication from the planning. Six lodges and a seasonal explorer camp sit within the landscape, each built differently for different kinds of stay.

Game drives go out at sunrise and sunset in open vehicles, with rangers reading tracks and radio contact across the concession. Guided walking safaris run separately; walkers cover ground on foot with armed, qualified guides, up to four hours a day. Children aged three and over join game drives; walking trails are open to guests aged sixteen and over.

The Explorer Camp — three canvas tents on a basalt and granite plateau — runs from September to May, focused entirely on walking. The five lodge-style camps range from Sindile's nine elevated tented suites above the Bushman's River to Eagles Crag's nine thatch, stone and glass suites set against rocky cliffs, to Bayethe's twelve tented suites overlooking a waterhole, to Sarili, a six-bedroom private villa on the Bushman's River for groups of up to twelve adults.

Conservation work is part of the visit. The reserve runs a wildlife rehabilitation centre for injured and orphaned animals, hosts VulPro's vulture conservation programme, and operates two Born Free Foundation big cat sanctuaries that take in lions and leopards from captive facilities around the world. Guests can visit each of these during their stay.

The nearest town is Paterson; Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) is the main access airport for the reserve.