Shamwari Private Game Reserve, Game reserve in Eastern Cape, South Africa

Shamwari Private Game Reserve is a game reserve in Gqeberha, South Africa, that covers five different vegetation zones. The land hosts lions, elephants, buffalo, black and white rhinoceros, and many other species moving across roughly 250 square kilometers (97 square miles).

Shamwari was established in 1992 on land that had been farmed for many years, with the aim of returning the ecosystem to a more natural condition. The reserve lies 75 km from Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape and forms part of the Indalo Protected Environment. In 2005 it received the Global Nature Fund Award for Best Conservation Practice.

Rangers combine wildlife viewing with stories about the relationship between people and nature in this region. Visitors hear explanations about how tracks are read and which role certain plants play in the lives of animals.

Safari outings start in the early morning hours and late afternoon, when animals are most active. Six different accommodation options range from family lodges to separate villas scattered across the grounds.

A rehabilitation center on the grounds cares for injured animals and runs two protected areas for rescued big cats. The facility works with partners from several countries to give the animals a future.