The Shamwari Private Game Reserve is 25,000 hectares of malaria-free, private game reserve situated in the Eastern Cape and has received numerous international awards, including the World's Leading Conservation Company and Game Reserve.
Shamwari is about conserving a vanishing way of life. Steeped in Settler history and dating back to the time when a multitude of game roamed wild and free, the reserve boasts 5 eco-systems, thus enabling the support of many forms of plant, animal and bird life, including the Big 5 as well as cheetah, hyena, giraffe, hippo, zebra and numerous antelope species.
Game viewing is carried out morning and evening on game drives, when you are driven in your open vehicle over the rolling hills and valleys in search of the wildlife. The experienced rangers are all in 2-way communication with each other at all times, so on any day they know where the game is and how to find the elusive animals such as the rare black rhino.
In addition to spectacular game drives, Shamwari Private Game Reserve also offers professionally guided walking tours, where you can gain a true perspective of the flora and fauna indigenous to the region. Your guide will point out animal tracks, dung, hiding spots and rare birds, as well as telling you all about the area and its history.
Pronounced 'By-ye-ti', Bayethe Tented Lodge offers guests the opportunity to immerse yourself in utter tranquility with spectacular views of the African bush, surrounded by rich vegetation that provides a feeling of seclusion.
Each of the 12 air-conditioned Superior Tents are camouflaged under trees allowing ample privacy and have an en-suite bathroom with an outdoor shower, as well as a viewing deck with a private plunge pool. The tents also have a romantic indoor fireplace.
Featured Special Offer saf-05011
Book a safari at Shamwari Game Reserve before 31 October 2020 for a stay anytime in 2021 and pay current 2020 rates.
Special offers for longer stays or when booked as part of a longer itinerary may apply - details on request.
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Rates Include
All meals; drinks (excluding French champagne and premium products); afternoon tea; twice-daily shared game drives; guided walks; tea/coffee; water; game drive beverages; a Born Free and Animal Rehab visit; and the Conservation Levy are included.
Children Policy
Children aged 12 years and older are welcome. Adult rates apply.
Bush Walks / Walking Safaris
Children under the age of 16 years are not permitted on guided walks in the reserve. Guests over 65 wishing to join a guided walk are required to have a letter or certificate from their doctor prior to arrival confirming they are in good health and are physically fit to do the walk. A guided walk can last a couple of hours and involve walking over uneven terrain that may contain dangerous wildlife in potentially high temperatures. Guests may need to move quickly and for a sustained period through rough bush terrain if instructed to do so by their guide.
Regardless of age or the provision of a doctors certificate, the final decision on whether a guest can join a guided walk remains with the guide and lodge manager.
All of the holidays we prepare are tailor-made, but this might give you an idea of how Bayethe Tented Lodge can be included in you own dream holiday.
Cape Town and Shamwari Safari
Featured Accommodation
Victoria & Alfred Hotel
Cape Town
Bayethe Tented Lodge
Shamwari Game Reserve
Destination: South Africa.
This is a classic Cape experience, starting at a 5* hotel situated in the heart of the vibrant and buzzy Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town and ending at a secluded and luxurious tented safari lodge in the award-winning Shamwari Game Reserve in the malaria-free Eastern Cape.
This is a 7 night itinerary including Cape Town and Shamwari Game Reserve.
*Prices are per person and are based on today's exchange rates. Exchange rates are subject to change and are updated daily.
Prices exclude international flights - ask us if you would like to include these.
Guest Rating: 4.8 / 5.0 based on 42 ratings
This is a fantastic experience, which I have no hesitation in recommending.
P HOWLETT
Amazing in every respect .... accommodation/food/game drives/rangers knowledge and ability to find the animals/variety and closeness to the wild animals was breathtaking/staff/ what more can I say - absolutely fantastic!
Everything was absolutely fantastic including your arranging - thank you very much and we will certainly tell everyone about Travel Butlers and Shamwari Bayethe Lodge!
A huge personal thank you from us.
J TILBROOK
We had a fantastic stay at Bayethe Lodge and the game drives (led by Headman) exceeded all our expectations - it was a magical experience that really made our honeymoon. Loved it!
N DANIELS
The game drives at Shamwari were amazing. The highlight was bushwalking to within 10 metres of a cheetah mum with her two cubs. It moved me to tears.
S FINN
Shamwari was most definitly the highlight of the holiday and we saw many of the Big Five. The whole experience was amazing - the game drives, the food, the wine - all fantastic.
A HARDY
What can I say ...... it was a fantastic holiday! Bishops Court was a beautiful property and all the staff (especially Lani and Daniel) were so helpful, nothing was too much trouble and also it was obvious they enjoyed their jobs and sharing Cape Town with visitors.
Shamwari was everything and more.... we had chief ranger, who was aptly named Headman (not sure it was spelt that way). On the last morning drive there was just David and I with him, so he treated us to hot water bottles on the cold drive and we watched a family of elephants for some time and Headman told us such a lot about their behaviour and family hierarchy. Food and wine was excellent and plentiful!!!! Saw 8 of the 9 lions in Shamwari including the Big Daddy who gave us such a roar as we left the place they were lying. Scary and exhilarating at the same time. Watched giraffes, nyalas and warthogs from our Bayethe Lodge deck. A lovely starry night on our last evening, so bright. Sorry to leave when time came, I could go on for ever about the animals and am sure my friends/family are reaching boredom level with my tales; but really the experience is indescribable.
I would like to thank Travel Butlers and yourself particularly for helping us with the holiday and also allowing us to make some of our own choices for the middle part of the holiday and then fitting your suggestions around them.
Words are not enough to describe how we enjoyed the holiday and with a fair wind and god willing, we hope to be back soon.
I hope your company enjoys good fortune during what looks like being difficult times in the travel industry in the coming months, it was a pleasure to deal with you.
L STRANGE
Shamwari, Bayethe – awesome. The safari was a class of its own ... other people in our group had been on safaris before and told us this was by far the best. Would recommend it to anyone.
A MOTT
The holiday was absolutely fantastic. Shamwari was better than we expected and well worth the money. My boyfriend who has never done a safari before was really impressed and surprised that we saw all (except the leopard) of the big 5 plus loads more. The ranger was also fantastic and knew his stuff inside out.
The Radisson was also very nice and accommodating.
C WARDMAN
The trip was absolutely fantastic and we both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. All the accommodation we stayed in was fantastic - the highlights were definitely the Tsala Tree Top Lodge and the Shamwari tent. The location of the Table Bay Hotel was excellent and Franschhoek was brilliant. I think we will both return next year and spend more time in the Winelands and go back to the Shamwari.
Travel Butlers did a brilliant job and everything, from accommodation and transfers to the car hire booking went very smoothly indeed. You took a lot of the pain out of organising the trip and we wont hesitate to recommend you or use you again (hopefully next year!).
The Wedding Registry was fabulous and we are very grateful that you set this up in time for our wedding. All the guests noted how good the site was and enjoyed looking at our itinerary.
D MACNEIL
Off to Shamwari, the excitement was almost overwhelming! We were greeted on arrival with drinks and a quick tour as the car was parked for us and cases were spirited away to our ‘tent’.
Tent, as we’re sure you know, is not an accurate description of the accommodation at Bayethe! It was wonderful and included a private outside shower, roll top bath, viewing platform, plunge pool and all the luxuries you would expect from a 5 star hotel.
We were so well looked after and made to feel more like friends then guests by the staff. Sally the Bayethe Lodge Manger, and Headmanm the excellent, knowledgeable and patient ranger were very generous with their time and the attention to detail was amazing. For us the game drives, animals, views, scenery and hospitality made this an EPIC adventure!
We loved:- EVERYTHING!
Simon and Jane Hole
Just had to write and thank you for booking a really fantastic trip.
We enjoyed every part of it, in particular we thought La Fontaine at Franschhoek was excellent and the service we got there from the manageress was so good.
Shamwari was the icing on the cake and could not fault that.
If, and I hope we will, go again I shall be in touch with you again. Many thanks.
M TAYLOR
We had a superb time at the Shamwari Game Reserve (Bayethe Lodge), all went very well. The whole experience was fantastic. Game drives, food, staff, room all met the standards that we expected. No complaints.
Thank you for your attention to our requirements we will certainly recommend you to our friends.
D BULLOCK
Steve and I would like to thank you for the suggestions and arrangements you made for our Holiday in South Africa.
Everyone made us so welcome, it was a great experience - especially the safari at Shamwari as we managed see all of the 'Big 5'
We really appreciated the efforts of Martin, Paul, Sally and their staff at Fynbos Ridge as they really went out of their way to make our stay as comfortable as possible in the poor weather conditions.
We will certainly be in touch when we go to South Africa again.
C McILRAITH
We are back from South Africa and must thank you for a great choice of itinerary. The Table Mountain Lodge was very friendly, helpful and convenient, with a great breakfast ... Residence Klein Oliphants was lovely ... Dune Guest Lodge has a wonderful position on the dune, great breakfast and very helpful staff ... Shamwari was just wonderful - we saw the big 5 and wild dogs ... Bradach Manor at Knysna had lovely views and good food ... Roggelands is a great place to unwind before flying back.
R LOCKHART
It was a wonderful trip. All of your arrangements were flawless! Shamwari was unforgettable. Thank you so much for your suggestions, your arrangements, and your patience with us. We appreciate everything you did, and would be happy to have you use our names as references should you want to.
M AND D BERNHEISEL
Reload Map
Bayethe Tented Lodge Location.
Directions For Drivers
Note that Port Elizabeth was recently renamed Gqeberha - both names can appear on roadsigns and maps and can be used interchangeably.
From Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)/Mossel Bay/George/Knysna: Follow the N2 out of Port Elizabeth (now renamed Gqeberha) heading towards Grahamstown bypassing the town of Colchester. 11 km past Colchester use the left lane to take the N2 ramp to Grahamstown. Continue on the N2 for 17 km bypassing the R342 turn-off. Continue along the N2 a further 11 km until you reach a sign board Eagles Crag and Bayethe on the Sidbury road. Turn left onto the gravel road and follow this road for 9 km until you reach a T-junction. At the T-junction follow the sign boards right to Bayethe for 4 km.
From Grahamstown: Travel along the N2 towards Port Elizabeth (now renamed Gqeberha), and follow the directions as above.
Please note that you drive through the reserve to get to the lodge - do not get out of your car until you reach the lodge. You may see some wildlife on your way - if you do, slow down and maintain a good distance. Do not drive off-road in any circumstances.
General Information For Guests
The Superior Tents have a private plunge pool and deck, an en-suite bathroom (9 tents have an indoor bath and outdoor shower and 3 tents have an indoor bath and indoor shower), air conditioning, hair dryer, electronic safe, fitted international adaptors, international dial telephone, electric blankets, private minibar, tea/coffee making facilities, and an indoor fireplace.
The main lodge has a central lounge area, bush relaxation retreat, gift boutique, in and outdoor dining facilities and an outdoor deck.
The relaxation retreat has 2 private treatment rooms and offers a number of different spa treatments (additional cost).
Complimentary Wi-Fi is provided.
A laundry service is available (additional cost).
Visa, MasterCard and American Express credit cards are accepted.
Should you wish to leave a gratuity, envelopes are available at reception. Alternatively you can add it to your final bill and settle by credit card when you check out.
In collaboration with the Born Free Foundation, the Big Cat Rescue and Education Centres are situated within the game reserve. They aim to draw attention to the plight of wild cats, confined in impoverished, captive environments throughout the world. It is the mission of The Born Free Foundation, founded by actress and conservationist Virginia McKenna and her late husband Bill Travers, to ‘Keep Wildlife in the Wild’. Both Shamwari and Born Free aim to promote conservation and protect these species and their habitat, whilst maintaining a compassionate approach to the welfare of animals. The rescue and education centres home rescued lions and leopards from across the world and aim to be an enlightening experience for all visitors.
You also have the opportunity to visit the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre when you visit Shamwari Private Game Reserve. The Centre helps to rescue, rehabilitate and care for sick, injured, abandoned or orphaned animals under the care of professional veterinary team. Once these animals have been nursed back to health, they are released back into their natural habitat. Part of this experience is Vulpro - a unique captive breeding centre and the only one of its kind in Africa. Injured vulture species that can’t fly will breed in captivity and the healthy young are released back into the wild.
A compulsory Conservation Levy has been included in your rate - this contribution will aid conservation efforts as well as the anti-poaching unit.
Bush Walks / Walking Safaris
Children under the age of 16 years are not permitted on guided walks in the reserve. Guests over 65 wishing to join a guided walk are required to have a letter or certificate from their doctor prior to arrival confirming they are in good health and are physically fit to do the walk. A guided walk can last a couple of hours and involve walking over uneven terrain that may contain dangerous wildlife in potentially high temperatures. Guests may need to move quickly and for a sustained period through rough bush terrain if instructed to do so by their guide.
Regardless of age or the provision of a doctors certificate, the final decision on whether a guest can join a guided walk remains with the guide and lodge manager.
Popular Alternatives to Bayethe Tented Lodge
These are the top properties booked by people who considered staying at Bayethe Tented Lodge, but for one reason or another booked a different property. It may have been that Bayethe Tented Lodge was not available on the nights they wanted to stay, or they decided that somewhere else was better suited to their budget or itinerary.
If you're not sure which place might be best for your own trip then either give us a call or get in touch via the website, and we'd be delighted to run through the options with you.
This is a fantastic experience, which I have no hesitation in recommending.
