Shamwari Riverdene Family Lodge (Eastern Cape)

Shamwari Riverdene Family Lodge Overview

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 Center and Kids Club. Plus, visits to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and Born Free Big Cat Rescue and Education Center. This means parents can really enjoy quality time on safari or alone while 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.

Shamwari Riverdene Family Lodge Keypoints
Location	Shamwari Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Best for	A malaria-free fenced family lodge (safe) with a Kids on Safari Adventure Center
Activities	Children’s activities are fantastic. While adults can enjoy game drives and guided bush walks with professional guides. Conservation focus with wildlife rehabilitation and sanctuaries. Photographic safari
Experiences	Interactive safari game drives including birding, game walks and star gazing. The ultimate family-friendly safari.
Wildlife	All the big 5 plus more; an excellent birding safari destination with over 275 species.
The best time to stay at Shamwari Riverdene	All year round depending on your interests.

Skip to Shamwari Riverdene Family Lodge Rates or Specials and Packages

Shamwari Riverdene Accommodation

Riverdene Family Lodge offers elegant air conditioned accommodation 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. The rooms all have a television, telephone, Nespresso Coffee Machine, microwave, mini bar, hairdryer, and an electronic safe.

There are 3 x 2 bedroom units and 1 x 3 bedroom unit. The 2 bedroom units accommodate 4 x adults / 2 x children (up to a family of 6). While the 3 bedroom unit sleeps 6 adults / 3 children (up to a family of 9). Children 12 years and older are classified as adults. The children will be accommodated on sleeper couches if all adults occupy the bedrooms. In addition, each unit is allocated their own game drive vehicle.

Eastern Cape malaria free safari accommodation — Accommodation interior

Shamwari Riverdene Family Lodge Safari Activities for Kids

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.

Children staying at Shamwari Private Game Reserve have the chance to run wild at The Kid’s Adventure Center at Riverdene. There is zip lining, slides, rock climbing walls, and a network of tree houses connected by suspended walkways. In addition, there are swimming pools and many more activities to keep the active bodies happy. At Riverdene Family Lodge, everything is an adventure.

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.

South Africa family safari — Let your child feel on top of the world when they explore the game reserve from the treetops

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.

Eastern Cape family safari kids activity center — 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.

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.

Malaria-free birding safari — Birding safari

Shamwari Riverdene Family Lodge safari — Cheetah with kill

Visits to the Conservation and Rehabilitation Centers

Shamwari takes great pride in their wildlife conservation and rehabilitation efforts. While maintaining a humane and compassionate approach to the welfare of animals.

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.

African vulture species are experiencing a catastrophic decline. With certain populations having decreased by more than 90% over the past three decades. Vultures are highly efficient scavengers that play a vital role in the African ecosystem. Their capacity to complete the lifecycle of a carcass prevents the spread of disease and safeguards both human and animal health. As one of the few organizations in Africa focused exclusively on protecting and rehabilitating vultures, VulPro operates throughout Southern Africa. Together with the Shamwari Foundation, VulPro Shamwari operates at the Eastern Cape rehabilitation centre.

Passionate about rhino conservation, Shamwari Private Game Reserve has an expertly trained anti-poaching unit. However, poaching regimes have become increasingly sophisticated. Ongoing upgrades to monitoring and tracking equipment are needed to stay a step ahead of poachers. Funding to continue these high impact projects is of vital importance in proactively saving rhino lives and to protect their rightful place in the wild.

These visits are included in your stay and no entry fees are required.

When to visit Shamwari Lodges?

The best time of the year to visit depends entirely on your preferences. In the off season (April – September) the temperatures range between 7-22°C. While summer temperatures can range between 16-36°C (October – March). The wildlife is always there so this means anytime of year is great.

October to April is summer. This brings lush landscapes, newborns, and migratory birds. Fantastic for photographers and birders.

However, we recommend June to September if you only want to see the Big 5. Plus the wealth of other wildlife on the reserve. This is when dry conditions force animals to the fewer waterholes. There is also less vegetation at this time of year so wildlife is easier to find.

Getting to Shamwari Private Game Reserve

You can now fly directly into Shamwari. Eliminating the need for time consuming airport transfers. The air shuttle service operates from both of South Africa’s main airports. 1 hour 45 minutes from Cape Town and 2 hours 12 minutes from OR Tambo International. Enjoy the exclusivity of private lounges at both airports, ensuring a stress-free, seamless pre flight experience.

Alternatively, 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. This is at an additional fee.

Shamwari Riverdene Family Lodge Accommodation Rates
Two Bedroom Family Room (x 3)	Per Unit (2 bedrooms)
1st October 2025 until 31st March 2026	R72 600
1st April – 30th September 2026	R66 220
1st October 2026 until 31st March 2027	R77 680
Three Bedroom Family Room (x 1)	Per Unit (3 bedrooms)
1st October 2025 until 31st March 2026	R136 120
1st April – 30th September 2026	R124 150
1st October 2026 until 31st March 2027	R145 650

Rates include:
Accommodation, meals, selected local beverages, game drives, guided walks, tourism levy, and 15% VAT. Plus each unit has 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)

Eastern Cape Accommodation ↓

Shamwari Riverdene Family Lodge (Eastern Cape)

Shamwari Riverdene
Paterson Eastern Cape South Africa

Shamwari Riverdene Family Lodge (Eastern Cape)

Shamwari Riverdene Family Lodge Overview

Shamwari Riverdene Family Lodge Keypoints

Shamwari Riverdene Accommodation