Sarili at Shamwari Private Game Reserve

Shamwari is a private game reserve of 25,000 hectares near Paterson in the Eastern Cape, malaria-free and carrying the Big Five. Five of South Africa's nine biomes converge on this land, which was restored from agricultural use and is now one of the larger private conservation areas in the country. Six lodges and one seasonal explorer camp sit within the reserve; no two are the same in style or setting.

Game drives go out at sunrise and sunset in open vehicles, with rangers and specialist bird guides working the same concession. Guided bush walks are also available — armed, qualified guides lead these on foot, reading spoor, tracks and vegetation as they go. Children three and older are welcome on game drives; the walking trails require participants to be sixteen or older.

The lodges range from tented camps to stone-and-glass buildings. Sindile is a nine-suite luxury tented camp elevated above the surrounding bush, with views over the Bushman's River. Eagles Crag has nine thatch, stone and glass junior suites set against rocky cliffs, with an upper deck fitted with aerial viewing pods. Bayethe holds twelve tented suites overlooking a waterhole. Sarili is a six-bedroom private villa on the Bushman's River bank, sleeping up to twelve adults. The seasonal Explorer Camp, open September to May, runs walking trails from three canvas tents on a basalt and granite plateau.

On-site conservation work includes a wildlife rehabilitation centre for sick and injured animals, a vulture conservation programme run in partnership with VulPro, and two Born Free Foundation big cat sanctuaries that house lions and leopards rescued from captive facilities worldwide.