Eagles Crag Lodge

“Five visits and still magical”

This was my fifth visit to Shamwari, but my first time traveling solo. I came for both work and relaxation, and my six-day stay passed far too quickly. My suite at Eagles Crag was perfect—private, peaceful, and beautifully connected to nature. Visiting at the end of spring meant young animals were… more

This was my fifth visit to Shamwari, but my first time traveling solo. I came for both work and relaxation, and my six-day stay passed far too quickly. My suite at Eagles Crag was perfect—private, peaceful, and beautifully connected to nature. Visiting at the end of spring meant young animals were everywhere, both out on the drives and even right outside my door. One morning, I stepped outside to find an ewe and her young calf grazing quietly nearby. I have gone on five game drives with Mino, the game ranger, and each one has been truly unforgettable. His deep knowledge of wildlife, combined with a genuine passion for conservation, made every sighting feel magical. One highlight was when he instinctively chose a direction at a fork in the road and led us straight to a lioness and her cubs resting in the bush after feeding—right beside our vehicle. Staying at Eagles Crag—whether with family, friends, or alone—is always a wonderful experience. The staff are exceptional. Portia, the Lodge Manager, embodies the heart and excellence of a five-star private game reserve. Her calm professionalism and effortless charm created an atmosphere of comfort and luxury from the moment I arrived. Nwabisa was equally impressive, offering grace and attentive service without ever being intrusive. The food is exceptional. I also appreciate the well-equipped gym—one of the many amenities that keep me returning. It’s second only to the one at Long Lee Manor, and my only suggestion would be to add a rowing machine. Overall, Eagles Crag is a perfect place for a truly memorable stay. Excellent value, exceptional cleanliness, and an incredibly peaceful atmosphere. I look forward to returning.

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“Perfection.”

An amazing stay at Eagles Crag in Shamwari. The lodge is beautifully decorated, so cosy yet still very modern and the rooms are something else, all very private and not overlooking any other rooms. The food was incredible - breakfast, lunch, dinner and game drive snacks were some of the best we’ve… more

An amazing stay at Eagles Crag in Shamwari. The lodge is beautifully decorated, so cosy yet still very modern and the rooms are something else, all very private and not overlooking any other rooms. The food was incredible - breakfast, lunch, dinner and game drive snacks were some of the best we’ve ever eaten - the quality is exceptional. Shoutout to Amanda who is the beauty therapist in the Spa - I had the most amazing one hour facial. We were exceptionally lucky to have Frans as our Game Ranger on our 4 day stay - its clear he is passionate about all animals and has a vast amount of knowledge about them all and that he really loves his drives - we were super lucky to be able to see all the Big 5 within our first two drives thanks to him - he can spot animals miles away and is so talented at tracking animal prints and smells - really eye opening. He is also great fun and a super guy to have in a group - thank you Frans for everything. What makes Eagles Crag the best is the staff - all the staff are amazing including Portia, Siya and their team but we were blessed to have Unaithi as our butler - she truly is a ray of sunshine who will go above and beyond for all her guests, her service is excellent and she will always remember your preferences!! She also fooled us and along with Frans helped organise a gorgeous lunch out in the reserve. We were so lucky to be able to do this. Big shout out to all the other staff too, including Beryl, Kingston and Vanessa and the housekeeping team for everything they do. We cannot wait to return, hopefully sometime soon.

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“Sindile Lodge Shamwari”

Quite the most wonderful stay for 2 nights at the brand new Sindile Lodge. Everything taken care of, luxury and service at its finest. Our guide Minolan was quite extraordinary, such a passion for the animals and knowledge of the whole Reserve, we couldn’t have seen or done more in our short stay.

“An unforgettable experience of a lifetime.”

The accommodation is second to none nestled away in complete luxurious privacy. We stayed for 3 nights and only wished we could have stayed much longer. Every detail to make our Safari experience unforgettable was catered for and the staff were the most friendly and kind people we have every met. T… more

The accommodation is second to none nestled away in complete luxurious privacy. We stayed for 3 nights and only wished we could have stayed much longer. Every detail to make our Safari experience unforgettable was catered for and the staff were the most friendly and kind people we have every met. The only things to tear you away from the luxury lodges was the Michelin quality food and the breathtakingly beautiful game reserve that offered us the memories of a lifetime. Our guide Dom was absolutely incredible with such depth of knowledge about the animals on the reserve. To see Lions, Rhinos, Hippos, Elephants, Buffalos a Cheetah and Giraffes so freely in a few short days was amazing. The views in the mountains were spectacular and when the staff surprise you with a full 3 course lunch with delicious wine in the reserve it just blew us away. The stay came at the end of a 3 week celebratory trip along the garden route and was the pinnacle not only of the trip but of a lifetimes wish to see these magnificent animals. If we are ever fortunate enough to return to SA this will be the first place we book. Thank you Shamwari, you shone brightly. Mick and Caroline Cronin

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