Shamwari Riverdene Family Lodge has a welcoming ease and warmth. It is a place where families are always at home and guests become friends. It offers elegant comfort for families. With many activities to entertain children of all ages. Leaving you and your loved ones with memories to treasure forever.
Surrounded by a wealth of natural beauty, Riverdene Family Lodge overlooks the widespread bush veld of the Eastern Cape. The lodge is the ideal place for families to bond for hours as gentle giants roam in the distance. While children can engage in the Kids on Safari program. This includes access to the Adventure Centre and Kids Club. Plus visits to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and Born Free Big Cat Rescue and Education Center. This means parents can really enjoy quality time on safari or alone too. As kids are kept busy. The choice is yours.
The lodge is centered around one large open plan lounge. Leading off from that is a bar with a fireplace, and a dining room with in and outdoor seating. There is also a swimming pool with a shallow area for children.
Riverdene Family Lodge offers elegant air conditioned accommodations with 9 x inter leading rooms. Each has a small lounge area with a sleeper couch, and en-suite bathroom. And a private veranda leading onto the landscaped gardens. Cots are also available. Rooms 1 – 3 all inter lead to keep a larger family together. In addition, room 3 is wheelchair friendly. The rooms all have a television, telephone, Nespresso Coffee Machine, microwave, mini-bar, hairdryer, and an electronic safe.
Please note: From the 1st April 2025, accommodation at Riverdene will change. To 3 x 2 bedroom units and 1 x 3 bedroom unit. The 2 bedroom units will accommodate 4 x adults / 2 x children (up to a family of 6). While the 3 bedroom units will sleep 6 adults / 3 children (up to a family of 9). Children are up to 11 years old. Thereafter they are considered adults. The children will be accommodated on sleeper couches if all adults occupy the bedrooms. This will further enhance the family feel of this property. In addition, each unit will be allocated their own game drive vehicle.
Luxury accommodation with inter leading roomsAccommodation interior
Shamwari Riverdene Family Lodge Safari Activities for Kids
Kids Activities ↓
Upon arrival at Riverdene Family Lodge, parents can register their kids for the Kids on Safari Adventure Center. Kids will have access to both indoor and outdoor activities throughout their stay.
Shamwari Private Game Reserve believes in conserving a vanishing way of life. That’s why they offer family safari holidays. Where children and adults alike can be educated about their conservation practices all within a luxurious setting. You can also rest assured knowing that Shamwari is a malaria-free area. Making it perfectly safe for you and your family.
Kids on safari
Visits to the Born Free Foundation Big Cat Rescue Center are focused on promoting the conservation of species and the habitat. While maintaining a humane and compassionate approach to the welfare of animals.
Kids under the age of 4 years old are not permitted on game drives. But there are a host of activities for them to enjoy. There is a dedicated children’s coordinator at Riverdene.
Children staying at Shamwari Private Game Reserve have the chance to run wild at The Kid’s Adventure Center at Riverdene. In addition, there are swimming pools and many more activities to keep the active bodies happy.
Kids adventure center
Some of the activities for the kids:
Zipline A must visit for children seeking sky high fun. With various heights and distances, this activity can help to develop your child’s coordination skills while having a blast.
Zipline
Rock climbing walls See how strong your little warrior is when they tackle the rock climbing walls. This adrenaline rushing exercise will keep their hands busy and their bodies moving.
Climbing Wall for kids
A network of tree houses connected by suspended walkways. Let your child feel on top of the world when they explore the game reserve from the treetops.
Kids adventure center
Adventure slide At Riverdene Family Lodge, everything is an adventure. Keep your child active as they slip, slide and splash on the adventure slide.
Shamwari Activities
Adults can enjoy daily game drives and guided walks. The game drives are early morning and late afternoon to catch the wildlife when they are more active. Shamwari Private Game Reserve has several bodies of water located throughout the reserve. Which means it’s the ideal opportunity to catch sight of the teaming bird life. The rangers are knowledgeable about the various bird species residing in the reserve. And will happily share their insights with guests. At the moment there are more than 275 different bird species at Shamwari for guests to spot.
Birding safariCheetah with kill
Visits to the Conservation and Rehabilitation Centers
Shamwari takes great pride in their wildlife conservation and rehabilitation efforts. The reserve is home to a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. As well as two Born Free Big Cat Sanctuaries. To gain valuable insights into the work that goes into caring for abandoned, young, injured or orphaned animals and the plight of captive and confined wild cats respectively, be sure to stop by for a visit.
The latest addition to Shamwari’s conservation efforts is the vulture conservation project. Vultures are vital for a healthy ecosystem. However, they are severely threatened. Shamwari is now home to sick or injured vultures which have been rehabilitated and are able to breed. The Cape Vulture offspring will be released at Shamwari in keeping with its ethos of restoring the indigenous fauna and flora on the reserve. To what it once was.
These visits are included in your stay and no entry fees are required.
Getting to Shamwari Private Game Reserve
The nearest airport is Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha). Shamwari makes an ideal starting or ending point for self-drive Garden Route tours. We can arrange private road transfers or charter flights when you book your accommodation.
Shamwari Riverdene Family Lodge Accommodation Rates
Luxury Room
Per Adult Sharing
Single
Child
1st April – 30th September 2024
R11 995
R15 595
R6 000
1st October 2024 until 31st March 2025
R16 500
R21 450
R8 250
Children 0-3 years can share a room with parents with no supplement charge. The child rate is for kids from 4-11 years old.
From 1st April 2025, Shamwari Riverdene will be available as units (as opposed to individual rooms).
Shamwari Riverdene Family Lodge Accommodation Rates
Two Bedroom Family Room (x 3)
Per Unit
1st April – 30th September 2025
R55 180
1st October 2025 until 31st March 2026
R72 600
Three Bedroom Family Room (x 1)
Per Unit
1st April – 30th September 2025
R103 460
1st October 2025 until 31st March 2026
R136 120
Rates include: Accommodation, meals, selected local beverages, game drives, guided walks, tourism levy, and 15% VAT.
From 1st April 2025, each unit will have their own safari vehicle.
Rates exclude: French Champagne and premium branded beverages, transfers, laundry, gift boutique purchases, spa treatment and retail, and conservation levy.
Shamwari Riverdene Accommodation Special Offers
Long Stay Discount
Get 10% discount on accommodation for 4 nights at Shamwari. Or 15% discount on 6 or more nights. Combine the lodges for a great all-round experience at Shamwari.
Valid from 1st May – 30th September every year.
Which Shamwari lodge to choose:
Sindile – Ultimate tented luxury (no kids) Long Lee Manor – Gracious Edwardian Living Bayethe – Contemporary tented living (no kids) Sarili Private Lodge – exclusive-use safari lodge (Private Villa) Riverdene Family Lodge – Family Relaxation Eagles Crag – Secluded luxury (no kids)
Shamwari Bayethe Lodge is a luxury tented camp in the Shamwari Private Game Reserve; a malaria-free, private game reserve in the Eastern Cape – the best rates and offers
Shamwari Sarili Private Lodge is a malaria-free luxury lodge from where you and your family and friends can watch Africa’s iconic Big Five – Exclusive Use safari
Oceana Beach & Wildlife Reserve is a luxury boutique hotel on the coast of the Eastern Cape – South Africa luxury bush and beach holiday, honeymoon or wedding
