Eagles Crag Lodge

Shamwari was the first private game reserve to be established in the Eastern Cape and is now the largest, with an area of 250 sq km (96 sq miles). As well as providing world-class game viewing in a malaria-free reserve, there is a great focus on conservation here, with the Born Free Foundation being one of the reserve’s major projects in this regard. Guests can visit the Born Free Foundation during their safari and bush walks are also offered at Shamwari alongside game drives but availability for these activities is limited so they should be pre-booked with your specialist.

Eagles Crag Lodge is a modern haven of minimalist luxury with an amazing and remote location. The lodge has been built in a canyon through one of the mountain ranges that carve up the Shamwari Reserve. The canyon is used by animals to cross from one watershed to another, and well-used game paths skirt the lodge, potentially bringing you very close to the animals. The main lodge building and the suites are furnished to a very comfortable standard, using modern fabrics and materials. The suites themselves are circular with thatched roofs, in the style of a traditional rondavel but with a contemporary style. The four-poster beds are the centerpiece of the room, with black marble and chrome sinks forming one wall. Two sides of the suite are floor-to-ceiling glass, offering views straight out over your deck and plunge pool into the forest that closely surrounds the lodge.

OUR RATING: First Class