Eastern Cape
Shamwari Riverdene

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With a stellar location on the malaria-free Shamwari Private Game Reserve, this stylishly restored original frontier home boasts nine spacious rooms.

With its air of understated elegance, this luxurious lodge caters specifically for families and offers a wide range of activities and adventures that are sure to satisfy all ages.

Delicious meals are served in the boma, overlooking Bushman’s River, or in beautifully laid out indoor dining areas. Guests can explore the spectacular Big Five reserve on game-drives and guided walks as well as other activities. Don’t miss the chance to visit some of the nearby centres such as the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary and the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.- that is if you can drag the family away from the amazing new play area!

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Rhinos Game Drive Shamwari Riverdene Lodge, South Africa

WEB-SA-EASTERN CAPE-HOTEL- Slider - Shamwari - game drive - lazy rhinos

Facilities & Activities

The Lodge offers a warm and welcoming setting, with all the modern amenities you would expect from 5-star accommodation. Although set in the Big Five Shamwari Private Game Reserve, the lodge is fenced, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful gardens, the outdoor pool and a lovely veranda dining area.

The sparkling swimming pool has an extensive shallow area designed especially for younger guests and features comfortable sun-loungers and magnificent views of the jade coloured bush and rolling hills.

A Kid’s Club and Outdoor Adventure Centre keep children entertained while adults can browse the gift boutique or relax in the bar and cosy lounge.

Of course, the real appeal is the location and to make the most of the wildlife-viewing opportunities there are twice daily game-drives in open-sided vehicles (children 4 years +) with expert rangers, guided nature and game walks, (minimum age 16), visits to the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary and the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.

There is Wi-Fi in all public areas and rooms.

For stays with a minimum of 3 nights, guests can also enjoy a serene boat experience on the Bushman’s River, a unique way to connect with nature and enjoy the river fauna and flora. Also finalised in June 2024 was Riverdene’s new fitness centre and double treatment room , providing guests with a serene wilderness experience.

New for 2025 is Vulpro – a pioneering conservation initiative where rescued vultures are rehabilitated, bred, and released to restore dwindling populations, with record hatches marking a major milestone for African vulture survival.

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Abi

Founder & Director

Emily

Worldwide Travel Consultant

Amy

Africa Travel Manager

Dining

Guests stay on a full-board basis at the Lodge, giving you ample opportunity to enjoy the delicious meals on offer. The open-sided boma, with its wooden deck overlooking the Bushmans River, is the perfect place for al fresco dining and sundowners at the end of a rewarding day of game viewing. There is also pleasant indoor-dining.

As well as your three main meals each day, coffee & afternoon tea before your evening game-drive and drinks / sundowners whilst on game-drive are also included.

Rooms

The lodge is small and intimate, with just 4 luxury units made up of either two bedrooms or three bedrooms with sleeper couches to accommodate additional children sharing. All the rooms enjoy air-conditioning and an en-suite bathroom with separate shower.

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Family

Children of all ages are welcome at Riverdene which is renowned as a truly family-friendly lodge.

The Kids on Safari programme is led by a children’s coordinator who schedules activities based on the ages and interests of the children. Children under 4 years are not able to go on game drives, but child-minding is available for an additional fee and there is also a Kid’s Club and very impressive Outdoor Adventure Centre. There are children’s books, board games, puzzles, art and craft supplies and more. A children’s menu is available and mealtimes can be flexible.

There are 3x Two Bedroom Luxury Units which can accommodate a maximum of 4 adults and 2 children under 12 years and 1x Three Bedroom Unit which can accommodate up to 6 adults and 3 children under 12 years on a sleep couch.

All families booking at Riverdene will be guaranteed private vehicles for their game drives, ensuring a personalised and exclusive safari experience.

Sustainability

Shamwari is involved with a host of sustainability projects including the acquisition of land, the arrival of the first animals, the reintroduction of the mega-herbivores and the return of the first large predators in the Eastern Cape since their eradication over a century ago. Highlights also include Anti Poaching, Vegetation and Animal Monitoring, Animal translocation and husbandry facilities as well as supporting and feeding the local communities.

More recently Shamwari and Vulpro have collaborated to build a new vulture breeding center based at the Rehabilitation Center which homes 150 Cape and White Backed Vultures who are unable to fly due to wings damaged by flying into power lines, but are able to breed.

The reserve now also grows many of their own vegetables and is also bottling our own water as they move towards zero plastic on the reserve. Long Lee Manor, Riverdene, Sarili and Sindile Lodges all now have solar power. Eagles Crag and Bayethe Lodges will be converted to solar shortly.

Location

Riverdene Family Lodge is located in the malaria-free Shamwari Private Game Reserve, about 60 minutes-drive from Port Elizabeth and approximately a 3.5 hours from the Garden Route.

There are daily scheduled flights from both Cape Town and Johannesburg International Airports to Port Elizabeth and then from Port Elizabeth Airport. The flight from Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Launching in December 2025 – Shamwari Air Shuttle, departing from both Cape Town and Johannesburg Airports direct to the Shamwari Game Reserve, which will help avoid lengthy flight connections!

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