Shamwari Private Game Reserve, South Africa
Shamwari Bayethe
Riverine tented safari lodge
Shamwari Private Game Reserve, South Africa
Price
$$$$
Rated for
Design Luxe ResortOutside the door
The house
ShamwariRiverine tented safari lodge
Twelve tents make up this intimate camp, where guests watch wildlife gather at the waterhole between daily game drives.
What it’s good at
Notable
Staff light private suite fireplaces and attend each terrace overlooking the waterhole.
Listed
Twice-daily open-vehicle game drives across the reserve lead into outdoor boma braais.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
lodge whose twelve tents aim to provide top-flight luxury alongside total immersion in the landscape of the Eastern Cape.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
In Shamwari Private Game Reserve, nestled in riverine bush overlooking a quiet wildlife waterhole.
The rooms
Private timber decks hold plunge pools over the bush, and bathrooms extend to outdoor showers beneath the trees.
The spa and pool
Bring a swimsuit.
A swimming pool sits on the main timber deck, and twin massage beds in a canvas tent face the bush.
At the table
Dinners are served beside a stone fireplace under thatch, with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out into the bush.
How it began
The lodge takes its name from Bayethe, a traditional greeting meaning 'I salute you'.
Shamwari Private Game Reserve
More like this
Shamwari Eagles Crag
“Cliffside safari lodge”
Shamwari Sindile
“Elevated bushveld lair”
Shamwari Riverdene
“Family safari lodge”
Shamwari Long Lee Manor
“Edwardian safari manor”
The app
Like this one? There are so many more.
Swipe any city’s hotels and heart the ones you love. The app gets your taste.
Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.