Shamwari Bayethe

What an experience, memories to last a lifetime. From being looked after by Maya & her staff (for whom nothing was to much trouble) to the truly knowledgeable rangers for the 3 days we were there Andre, Jhonty & JC. We were allocated Andre as our ranger, his expertise & enthusiasm for his subject knows no bounds. WE THANK YOU ALL Ian & Angie Round

Amazing experience at Bayethe, took friends for their first safari and the 3 days were perfect . Our guide Benedict was first class . Extremely knowledgeable, great at game spotting and the right balance of fun and professionalism. The food was a very high standard and the final night BBQ , hugely enjoyable . All the staff were enthusiastic and could not be more helpful. Would highly recommend this lodge .

Shamwari game reserve Bayethe There is a saying in life that you get what you pay for, and this is particularly true of this shamwari game reserve. This wasn’t my first safari but by far and away this was the best from the time we entered the reserve to the time we left. It isn’t the cheapest but from my experience it has to be one of the best. The welcome lounge wasn’t the easiest place to find although I am not sure if this was down to us-or the general poor signage. However from the moment we arrived literally everything was perfect. The simple stuff first - the room we had was outstanding large with its own jacuzzi, glass all along the front looking out onto the hills of the game reserve. Beds, air con, all perfect. The staff couldn’t be more helpful and the food was excellent. However you don’t come to safari lodge to talk about food and accommodation it’s all about the animals. Of course to find the animals you need a ranger and there is none better than Meno. Meno is a senior ranger with a passion for animals and a huge knowledge of them as well as their habitats. Not only did he find all the big 5 he ensured that we managed to get up close to the animals often almost within touching distance. He was exceptional and made the drives interesting and informative from the start, nothing was too much trouble. If you want the best experience go to Shamwari and if you can ask for Memo as your guide! I guarantee you won’t be disappointed

We stayed here for a couple of days at the end of a three week trip to South Africa. The accommodation has been upgraded since we were last there and is now exemplary and the epitome of luxury and class. The whole set up from the rangers, to management of the game drives and spotting, to the meals and flow of your stay is truly faultless and the perfect stay. While there i had updated them following an accident i had had while on holiday and they made every effort to make things still perfect for me despite not being that mobile.

Holiday of a life time ! amazing fun , i still smile when i think of this trip , from the private plane to meeting our ranger Sihle , who showed and taught us so much about all the aminals, perfect

We stayed four nights at Bayethe Lodge in Shamwari, and it was truly an amazing experience. From the moment we arrived until the second we left, we enjoyed every part of our stay. The lodge is cozy and beautifully surrounded by nature, the rooms are spacious and comfortable, and having our own private terrace right in the natural surroundings made it extra special. The staff were incredibly friendly, attentive, and welcoming throughout our stay. The highlights were of course the game drives in the morning and in the afternoon where time seems to stand still for a moment and you just enjoy the nature and wildlife. A huge thanks goes out to our ranger Andre, who made the 7 drives we had something very special. With his knowledge and passion for the different animals he managed to turn every drive into a unique experience. He always took the time to answer questions and shared fascinating insights. Thanks Andre! Many thanks to the entire Bayethe team for this wonderful experience. We would highly recommend this lodge and would love to return one day. Maik & Tammy

1st Safari in SA and it didn't disappoint. Staying for 3 nights we were able to see the big 5 and do so much more. All the staff were amazing but a big shout out for our Ranger Andre. His attention to detail and knowledge on just about everything in the bush from all the animals, birds, insects, shrubs and plants was outstanding. His delivery, drawing on his own personal experiences and humour is what made it exceptional. Sharing our Jeep with 4 well experienced SA Safari goers who were at our lodge due to weather conditions in Kruger were also very complimentary with regard to everything Andre did to make our experience exceptional. No the norm by all accounts.

Honestly where to begin …. We have just left this amazing 🥲 place … and reluctantly left we were all nearly in tears. What a magical place with magical people that can’t do enough for you. The lodges themselves .. the suites are beautiful and it feels like you don’t have enough time in them bit why would you stay in them when you can be seeing animals !!! The food is immense the chefs work So hard and it’s similar to one of our favourite restaurant in York ! The front of house staff go above and beyond to make sure you have everything you need including filling up my dad’s wine glass a lot !!! Which he was very happy about!! Our ranger jesse was absolutely amazing !!!! His passion shines through and my 13 year old daughter who wants to be a vet has knowledge to last a life time !! He spent ages patiently waiting so we could have the best experience whilst protecting the animals space and privacy and respecting their habitat! What he doesn’t know about this place and everything in the bush honestly isn’t worth knowing ! We hated to leave Make sure you ask for Jesse if you come ! I promise you you are getting the best !! So Shamwari we can’t wait to come back and thank j you for making our Christmas and our trip so so special 💕

We really enjoyed our stay at Shamwari Baythe. The team were incredibly attentive and friendly during our entire stay, with special shout-out to Sihile who is an incredibly knowledgeable and friendly guide. The room was magnificent and the lodge itself is beautiful. As any safari fan knows, the food is always such an important part and Shamwari didn't disappoint - especially loved the spin on the braai night that was tapas style. They were always so attentive to me being pescatarian too. We also were lucky enough to see another lodge in Shamwari, Sindile, which was epic. Like being transported to Kenya with those views! Thank you for a wonderful stay!

Exceptional!! What an amazing visit. This lodge is around 1 hour drive from Port Elizabeth, easy driving. You arrive at the gate reception for check in then transferred to the lodge. Your car stays at the gate all secure. You take a 20 min drive to the lodge - spotting wildlife on route. The lodge is amazing - fantastic dinning area. The rooms are simply outstanding. All the lodge rooms are set so totally privacy - huge lounge area with double bed, massive bathroom and indoor and outdoor shower (we stayed in lodge no 5) - the food is very high standard - would be highly rated against top restaurants. The best think is the staff - this truly is a team that enjoys what they do - everyone was always smiling and made our stay very special. We had the all inclusive package which included free laundry service!! Our safari guide was Patrick, he made our game drives very special - such a lovely man and great spotter. We had great game drives - Patrick kept saying “leopard day” but not this time..however, we ticked the box for so many animals and snakes!! I can’t speak highly enough about this lodge. Safari and luxury all in one.

Our three days at Bayethe Shamwari Lodge were simply amazing! From the very first moment, we felt warmly welcomed – you can immediately tell that hospitality is a top priority here. The lodge itself is a dream: comfortable, stylish, and perfectly integrated into nature. Absolutely outstanding! A very special thank you goes to our ranger Patrick. With his incredible knowledge, great sense of humor, and warm personality, he made every game drive a highlight. After a bad experience with an aggressive rhino on a safari in Namibia, I was truly worried whether I would ever be able to enjoy another safari again. Patrick fully respected that and gently reintroduced me to the wildlife. Thanks to him, I was able to observe rhinos from a safe distance and without panic – a moment I will never forget! His calm and charming manner, along with his deep respect for nature and animals, are truly admirable. Thank you Patrick – it was absolutely fantastic to go on safari with you! The entire team also deserves huge praise. Nina, the manager, takes exceptional care of every guest and ensures that you always feel welcome and well looked after. Conclusion: An incredibly beautiful experience surrounded by breathtaking nature, guided by a wonderful team – we would love to come back and can highly recommend Bayethe Shamwari Lodge from the bottom of our hearts!

Had the most amazing time at Bayethe Lodge. The accommodation was superb, food amazing (and plentiful!) and staff are all just wonderfully friendly and helpful. Our ranger, Sihle (pronounced seeclay) was outstanding. His knowledge was second to none and he treated us to some of the most amazing sights and experiences. This was a trip we will never, ever forget.

Stayed at another lodge in Shamwari 20 year's ago and thought that could not be topped. How wrong was I.This place blew me away. The staff,the food, the accommodation, the game drives were above and beyond. It's not cheap for the average person but you won't care after you have visited. Thankyou for one of the best experiences of my life ❤️

This place is out of this world!! We stayed for 3 nights in mid September and although it was chilly the lodges were so cosy. The main lodge was beautiful with 2 log burners inside for colder evenings, lovely outdoor eating area with views overlooking the water. The food was awesome, so much of it and top quality. The staff were fantastic, so welcoming, friendly and so professional, they were so attentive. Our accommodation for the 3 nights was lodge No.3 which was wonderful. It is a tent but a luxury tent with everything you could possible need, including electric blanket on the bed for the chilly nights!. The fridge was well stocked and replenished every day. The outdoor shower was a wonderful touch as was the private plunge pool and decking. The peace and tranquillity was so lovely!. The game drives were so exciting! Our Ranger (Seeclare) was so friendly and knowledgeable. He took us all over the park looking for the animals and we were so very lucky to find Elephants (including a baby), 2 Cheetahs, Rhinos, Hippos, Lions and lion cubs, antelope, zebra, monkeys, buffalo, wart hogs, hyenas and giraffes. It was the most magical experience I have every had. The wildness, scenery and the sighting of the animals is mind-blowing. The sundowners in the park are also very special with drinks and nibbles in a chosen spot (safe spot) with all the animals somewhere around was wonderful. Although the game drives are an early start and in September where quite chilly it is so very worth getting out of bed to explore and enjoy the amazing reserve. I cannot recommend Shamwari enough, its truly magical!

The excellent quality of Shamwari Beyethe has been finely tuned. Our Guide Jesse was superb on safaris. Under auspices of Nina & Maya, whole experience shines in quality, elegance, and fine dining. Lisa is the perfect head of Rehab Center.

The game drives was excelkent!!

Our stay at Shamwari can only be described as perfection. From the moment we arrived till the day we left the staff could not do enough for us. The lodge staff were just incredibly friendly and helpful and the food was always amazing and plentiful. We were both celebrating our birthdays and the whole team sang to us and gave us birthdays cakes. It was a lovely surprise. The hotel should be proud of their team. Our game driver Jesse was just brilliant. He went above and beyond to make our drives the best and try and show us all the animals. Our drives were always longer then expected as he was trying to give us the best experience. He is a credit to Shamwari. Our driver back to the welcome lounge when we left was also great. He was constantly looking out for animals to show us on the drive out and got us a great shot of a family of elephants just as we were leaving which just topped off our stay. I’m sorry I didn’t catch his name but he also took us out on the river on our last game drive. All in all a magical stay and one I hope to repeat again.

The most incredible trip for our Honeymoon and we just wanted to say thank you to the whole team. I feel all the staff genuinely enjoy what they do and can’t do enough for you. I have a severe allergy which the team went above and beyond to cater for (the food was incredible!!) Patrick was our game driver and he was the best. very entertaining and knowledgeable! All the little touches, like the hot water bottles, hot towels and hot chocolate after game drives were so nice. We feel very lucky to have had this experience and hope to return one day but i couldn’t recommend this place enough. Thank you so much from both of us.

Everything was fantastic, we stayed in Bayethe and the rooms were huge, well stocked and beautiful. The service from the Rangers, the housekeepers, The Lodge staff were all amazing too. All the meals in The Lodge were high quality and delicious. Lots of food, drink and amazing safari experience!

The staff of Bayethe definitely made our stay a 5 star experience. From our game driver, Ruan ( who was amazing!) to Nina, who was super welcoming and friendly and all the staff, they made our stay special. The rooms where modern, clean and very comfortable, the only small negative was that the plunge pool was icy. The food was amazing, the choice and variety was lovely. The freshly baked goods were to die for, the extra small details make for a great guest experience. We just wished we could have sat outside in the fresh air more, but raiding monkeys and extreme heat made inside a better option this time. Game drives were beautiful, lots of big game to view and our vehicle was very comfortable. Good times!

We could NOT have loved our experience more here. NICEST PEOPLE EVER!!! The interaction we had with each & every staff member, especially our guide, Ruan was just exceptional. The property is beautiful and our rooms were spacious and perfectly appointed. The outdoor shower was especially lovely! Each meal was wonderful and the drinks divine! It was our entire family’s FAVORITE vacation we’ve ever taken together.

Fantastic nature and wildlife… perfect accomodation and service

Just home from the most amazing 3 days at Shamwari Bayethe. Our experience was just breath taking and everyone was so welcoming. Nina and her team are so accommodating and we felt so at home in the gorgeous lodge. Our room had the biggest and comfiest bed, the bath overlooking the incredible scenery was gorgeous and the daily treats were all fabulous. Food was plentiful, prepared with such care and absolutely delicious. Top credit to the chef and we're sorry we couldn't eat more, but the portions were massive! The highlight of our time was the game drives we did with Benedict (Benny) who was the BEST ranger. He was such great company and his ability to find all the animals was brilliant. Benny shared his knowledge in a really considerate way, never over loading us with too much info and he educated us in such a fun way. For the first day / night of our stay we were the only guests so had really individual attention but this didn't change when other guests arrived over our next 2 days. We saw absolutely everything we hoped to at such close proximity to the truck and each of our 6 game drives were totally different. Loved how Benny had the truck set up with hot water bottles on chilly mornings and the ponchos / blankets were really welcome. Much to my daughter's embarrassment I cried saying goodbye to Benny as the three days we spent with him on game drives were just magical. I cannot recommend Shamwari Bayethe more highly. It was a trip of a lifetime!

Amazing lodge to explore the Shamwari Game Reserve. While it was quite a ride to reach the lodge, every bump on the gravel road was totally worth it. Staff: all staff members were very welcoming, attentive, friendly and helpful. They went above and beyond to make our stay so perfect and pleasant. We had some tyre problems when we left and they even accompanied us back to the main road. Game drives: outstanding game drives (AM and PM) with our guide Benedict. He was very knowledgeable and could answer all our questions. Nice sunset stops with drinks. We saw a lot of animals and the experience was very intimate (max of 7 guests per vehicle) Food: delicious breakfast and dinner Room: stunning room with nice balcony, plunge pool and outdoor shower. Room gets very hot during the day though so make sure the AC is running when you leave for the morning game drive Schedule: we were there when the winter schedule was running. This means that the AM gam drive typically starts after breakfast. Then you come back for lunch and leave again at 3pm for the afternoon game drive. This makes breakfast a little stressful and doesn’t give you a lot of time to really enjoy the luxurious all inclusive experience the lodge has to offer. However, the staff tries to accommodate any special wishes (one day we were the only two guests in the car so we could change the schedule)

Shamwari Private Game Reserve was so incredible.  Bayethe Tented Lodge was luxurious, food very gourmet while reflecting local cuisine, service and attentiveness by entire staff so welcoming and professional. The five game drives were each truly memorable, with so many up-close sightings of herds of the wildlife. Only 1 of our 5 game drives involved another couple in our vehicle, with the remaining 4 game drives being private. Our guide, Patrick, was extremely knowledgeable in sharing with us the insights of the wildlife, history, culture, preservation efforts, and the scientific and environment issues associated with the area. Amazing how he drove off-road through the bush to find the animals, which he could track by knowing the signs left by the animals’ movements. Patrick was also very charming and personable, eating breakfast with us each of our 3 mornings, which allowed the opportunity to know more about his life in South Africa. Patrick was truly dedicated to doing anything possible to delight us. Upon returning back to the lodge after each game drive, we were welcomed by 2 ladies offering us warm towels and hot teas. Patrick always had thick blankets and hot water bottles (for our warmth when the weather turned cool) in our seats at the start of each game drivel. Bayethe’s environmental setting in the bush was spectacular. And the clear night sky provided awesome experiences each evening we’ll never forget. We also visited Shamwari’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, which was educational and inspiring. And we appreciated taking advantage of complimentary daily laundry service. Overall, everything was so impressive, educational, exciting, inspiring. Simply perfect in every way. Truly a trip experience of a lifetime.

I hope my words do Shawari justice because this place is amazing. The staff were all incredible and I have to say, was some of the best hospitality I've experienced: nothing seemed to be too much trouble for them. All the staff we came across seemed to really enjoy their work. You were always greeted with a smile. The Lodge (#5), when we walked in was another wow-moment. It was very well appointed with a deck with great views for some R&R between game drives. The food was top notch from breakfast to dinner and lunch in between. On to the Game Drives. This was my first safari so I didn't know what to expect. On every drive I was a continually astounded by how close you get to the animals. This was possible in no small part to our excellent Ranger, Sicle. His knowledge of the animals and skill in tracking them down made for an unbelievable experience (and some great photos). We were very lucky to see a Lion kill and again this was down to Sicle spotting some tell-tale signs that something was happening early on (pre-hunt). I have some great videos (from a smartphone) or the elephants, giraffes and lions which is again down to how close you get thanks to the ranger.

The best experience ever. We were greeted on arrival by Prudance & Buli and shown to our accommodation, quite honestly one of the most fabulous suites we have ever stayed in. We loved the peace & tranquility of relaxing on the deck after the early morning drives. The food is delicious, great breakfast & dinner. All the staff go above & beyond with all the personal touches & kindness shown to all of us, we were 2 couples. Now to the main event……..the game drives, wow, wow, wow. My friends had been on safari before, for me it was my 1st time. Our evening drive took place upon arrival & we were blessed to see so much wildlife, we even saw the lioness & her cubs, cheetahs, white & black rhino, elephants plus so much more. Every single drive was brilliant, could not have wished for better! Ruan was our guide, he was absolutely brilliant, his knowledge & the information he gave up was incredible. We loved his ‘pop up’ bar on the evening drives & coffee stop in the mornings. We had lots of laughs en route. Ruan is also a talented photographer, he is a great asset to Bayete & Shamwari & we feel honoured to have been guided by him. Thank to everyone at Bayete you are amazing. Amanda, Jason, Sal & Guy xxx

Shamwari Bayethe exceeded our high expectation. Patrick, our guide, created an unforgettable experience for us. The menu was diverse and of a very high standard, served by a professional and personable hospitality team. We will return!

Our lodge - number 6 - was a bit of a trek from the main lodge, but worth it - a huge suite and very luxurious. The food was fantastic (although service a little slow at lunch & dinner). The game drives were spectacular. Josh (also known as Jeff), our ranger, was a rockstar - enthusiastic, energetic, knowledgeable, friendly, helpful, and really helped make the experience. I think he’s living the dream, and it showed. Everything was amazing. My only suggestion to Shamwari would be to provide self-drive guests with a simple map of the reserve on arrival at the main gate. Bayethe is at the far end of the reserve and the directions we were given by the chap on the gate were not particularly clear. Otherwise, perfection.

There aren’t enough words to describe our trip to Shamwari. From the moment we arrived we felt like VIP’s. From the personal drinks bottles in the room, the hot water bottles on the early morning game drives and everything in between. It’s clearly a place of luxury but at no point does it feel pretentious. Our ranger Josh was fantastic and made sure we saw everything possible. He would get a call on the radio telling him where a lion was or something we hadn’t seen and he would get his ‘Josh’ on and we had to hold tight while he raced to get there. Knowledgeable, warm, friendly and funny. We enjoyed getting back each morning and sharing our morning with the others and loved that Josh joined us too. On our last night we requested that Josh join us for dinner, it was great to hear his stories about his life in SA.

My wife and I stayed here for two nights . Everything is wonderful . The room was amazing ! Very large and had beautiful views of the surrounding area . The service is impeccable . The fine dining was unbelievable. Some of the best fare I have ever had anywhere in the world . Highly recommend!

Stunning. Our third trip to Shamwari but first time at Bayethe. This is the height of safari luxury - the lodges are fabulous, food exceptional, the game drives exciting and informative. Big shout out for the amazing staff - all brilliant but special mentions for our driver Benedict, and restaurant staff Lindo (best barman in the Eastern Cape), Sedonia and Mauveen who couldn't do enough for our group.

An excellent lodge in a valley overlooking a waterway, in the northern part of Shamwari. The lodge was upgraded during covid and I see no photos of the new modern stylish look so I have added some. The rooms are huge with a massive bathroom, very comfortable seating, a plunge pool and patio - all with views from wherever you are and lots of space. Excellent food and friendly service. The road is a dirt road in, not too challenging and you do not need a 4x4 as someone suggested. The game viewing was mostly concentrated in the south (whilst we were there) but it was nice to traverse the reserve a few times. Our guide took as to some beautiful outlook points where we could see game from high up and admire the landscape. The reserve is very picturesque and varied with wide grassy plains, steep hills, the Bushman’s River and cliffs to explore. The vegetation was in flower in November, really beautiful. Game viewing was very good from a diversity point of view and nice size herds of grazers. We enjoyed the 2 male cheetah and even spotted a caracal. Highly recommended.

I'm not sure where to start, because we were completely blown away by our wonderful experience at Shamwari. It's in an amazing setting, the staff were all wonderful, the luxurious lodge went way beyond our expectations, and the food was superb. But of course, the real highlights were our game drives with the incredibly knowledgeable Benedict and his trainee Trueman. I never imagined we'd get so close to so many animals - we saw lions, cheetahs, elephants, hippos, rhinos, water buffalo, giraffes, zebra, impala, and so much more. The only thing that wasn't perfect was the weather but even the rain and cold couldn't spoil this experience - it was just magical. We've stayed at lots of amazing places but this has to be one of the very best - if you ever get the chance to visit, just grab it and go.

Well I am not going to repeat everything in the other glorious reviews of Shamwari Beyethe because they are all spot on. This place is stunning: great setting. A warm atmospheric main lodge with staff that are a pleasure to meet snd just be around. The food is excellent. Anything you want you appear to only have to ask. But to top it off the Rangers have great knowledge and enthusiasm for their art. We had Morne. A warm knowledgeable man who made our experience. I would also like to thank Todd and Adelelina and Randy and Diana other guests who welcomed us onto the jeep and made this aspect of our holiday truly memorable. I can’t tell you how cold it gets on the evening drives. Hats, gloves snd scarves as well as windproof layers are a very good idea.

Our stay at Bayethe exceeded all of our expectations . From the time you arrive to when you leave everything is taken care of . The level of customer service and attention to detail is first class . The lodges are stunning , we were both completely blown away when we first walked in . They are spacious , beautifully furnished with great outdoor space . The food is fantastic, a full breakfast with great choices that change each day . Lunch is tapas style with really interesting dishes . We had 2 a’la carte evening meals and one barbecue ( I should say braii ) . I don’t know where to start when talking about our ranger , Morne . We have had the best 3 days ever . Every drive was an adventure . We were so lucky to see so much . Morne is so knowledgeable, we learnt a lot about the animals ways and habits . The respect shown to these beautiful creatures mean that they carry on their daily life allowing you to share some incredible experiences . We were lucky enough to see 2 cheetah out looking for lunch . Everyone at Bayethe work so hard to ensure you have the best experiences . I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone . Thank you Shamwari , I hope to return soon .

5 star luxury and service. The pictures speak for themselves but what really made our stay special was the attitude of the staff and rangers who helped end our SA holiday on a high note. Would recommend to anyone looking for a top drawer lodge experience without pretension.

Beautiful lodge, recently renovated rooms. Service and food was amazing. Game drives twice daily. It was a truly memorable experience albeit a very expensive one, but you get what you pay for.

Everything was perfect, nothing to complain! A wonderful place, very kind and helpful staff, good food, beautiful room, fantastic Ranger with big knowledge ( just the famous Leopard and the Gitas we did not see, but we don‘t give up and come back😉! ) Trix and Ruth from Switzerland

Excellent game drives with attentive and knowledgeable game ranger (Josh)

Der Aufenthalt in der Lodge war grandios. Von A-Z super Service. Einziger Minuspunkt, die angegebene Adresse ist jene vom ersten Haupttor. Von da sind es noch gut 40 Minuten bis zur Lodge. Dies wäre hilfreich gewesen, hätten wir dies gewusst.

We had three incredible nights at Bayethe. Luxurious accommodation and gorgeous central lodge beautifully decorated. The food and service was impeccable with a special mention to Anele for his great cocktails. Our ranger Sihle was extremely knowledgeable and great fun. We saw some breathtaking sights with unforgettable experiences.

I really loved staying at shamwari safari at the bayethe lodge. The food was amazing and the in room amenities were amazing! We loved the plunge pool and the views of the balcony. Would highly recommend!

Loved staying in Shamwari at Beyethe! The room was high level of luxury my girlfriend and I enjoyed. The atmosphere was tranquil and friendly between the game drives. The food was very good with a nice selection on the al a carte. Our ranger Tiem, was very informative and encouraged us to ask as many questions about the wildlife as possible. The game drives we had were breathtaking and we know we will be back!

Simply amazing - JB our ranger was a star as were all the staff. A trip we will never forget. Thank you.

A beautiful place with good food, drinks and wine. The game drive with JB was beyond our expectations! The accommodations lovely.

We had the most amazing time. Everything was wonderful! The room was beautiful. The staff were so friendly. The food was great....not to mention the fabulous guides and the beautiful animals on safari!

Unique accommodation with wonderful staff who were always smiling. Our ranger was top notch so lots of animal sightings too.