| v> | | | | once in a lifetime opportunity to star in their own |
| | | | documentary at Shamwari Game Reserve. |
| The African wildlife safari experience is a popular | | | | Shamwari allows you to explore this untamed |
| demand from all travellers visiting Africa and | | | | African landscape with interactive game drives in |
| rightly so. It’s an incredibly moving | | | | a private 4x4 land rover with your own personal |
| experience! This article describes my own | | | | ranger and professional cameraperson. So whilst |
| experience. | | | | you’re enjoying your ultimate safari |
| With itchy feet and adventurous hearts, my folks | | | | adventure in the wild terrain, the crew will capture |
| and I set off on our weekend getaway to the | | | | your encounters and special memories on film |
| award winning Shamwari Game Reserve. | | | | making you a star in your own wildlife |
| Passionate about our African wildlife, we were | | | | documentary. The film footage will then be |
| excited about visiting a Big 5 game reserve again, | | | | edited into a 30— 40 minute broadcast |
| being surrounded by wild sights, sounds and smells. | | | | quality DVD with high quality music and graphics. |
| Of course the added bonus of the luxurious 5 | | | | It’s the ultimate Safari souvenir that will |
| star accommodations we were about to | | | | last a lifetime. You get to experience this unique |
| experience within Shamwari had us smiling from | | | | offering at the additional cost ranging from £950 |
| ear to ear! | | | | for a one-to-two night stay at Shamwari, and a |
| After a pleasant 4-hour journey by road from | | | | separate cost of £200 per additional night stay. |
| George we arrived at the large, solid entrance | | | | Shamwari Game Reserve has won numerous |
| gate to Shamwari Game Reserve. The friendly | | | | awards including the World’s Leading |
| gate guard welcomed us in and directed us to our | | | | Conservation Company and Game Reserve for |
| lodge where we would stay for the next 2 nights. | | | | many consecutive years. One of the big |
| We pulled up at the front door of Long Lee | | | | conservation projects was opening the two Born |
| Manor, friendly faces, hot damp hand towels and | | | | Free Animal Rescue and Environmental Education |
| refreshing welcome drinks greeted us. Efficiently | | | | Centres. Here you will find African big cats getting |
| and with a smile we were assisted to our rooms, | | | | a second chance at life. All of the animals were |
| our car and luggage taken care of and the daily | | | | rescued from horrific conditions all over the world |
| programme discussed with us. | | | | and are now living in large bush enclosures in their |
| Long Lee Manor, the largest of 7 lodges at | | | | African sanctuary. The latest exciting news is that |
| Shamwari, with 18 suites, offers guests a | | | | three leopards from Limassol Zoo, Cyprus, have |
| distinctive colonial experience, it’s restored | | | | been relocated to their new home at the Jean |
| Edwardian Manor House dating back to 1910. | | | | Byrd Centre, one of the Born Free |
| Gracious and stylish, it offers refined comfort, | | | | Foundation’s sanctuaries in Shamwari |
| congenial service and enticing cuisine. It is situated | | | | Game Reserve. The female leopard named Leda |
| on a hill overlooking wide-open plains where wildlife | | | | and her two daughters, Roxanne and Rhea, which |
| grazes unhurriedly under the African sun. | | | | were previously kept in cramped conditions at the |
| So you may ask what happens at a game lodge? | | | | Limassol Zoo are now residing in a 1,25 hectare |
| Well, they’re mostly booked on an | | | | natural bush enclosure at the centre. |
| all-inclusive basis and will run a daily programme, | | | | Born Free’s founder Virginia McKenna |
| which will include 2 open 4x4 vehicle game drives | | | | commented on this relocation, We are |
| per day each of approximately 3 hours long and | | | | privileged to be deeply involved with the Born |
| accompanied by a professional experienced game | | | | Free Foundation at Shamwari and with this |
| ranger. The game drives take place at dusk and | | | | specific successful leopard release. Such events |
| dawn, which are the best times to view game. | | | | reinforce our underlying philosophy of responsible |
| It’s when they are most active. The game | | | | and ecologically sensitive tourism. We aim to |
| ranger is trained to interpret the African bush to | | | | make the public more aware, to make them |
| you, discussing everything from trees and plants, | | | | understand the fine balance between humanity, |
| to bird life, the Big 5 game species to the smallest | | | | animals and the environment. |
| of creatures, star gazing and rock and soil types. | | | | Shamwari truly offers a well-rounded |
| You see how much time in one day you spend | | | | experience, each of its luxurious lodges presenting |
| with your game ranger, minimum 6 hours. It is | | | | a different character, world class spa facilities are |
| therefore imperative that game lodges choose | | | | available at some of the lodges, and there are |
| their rangers carefully, rangers that are qualified | | | | even lodges specifically catering for families with |
| and experienced as well as knowing how to | | | | young children. |
| communicate their passion — the African | | | | Our 2 nights in lavish luxury passed too quickly |
| bush. Shamwari certainly understands the | | | | and we were back on the road to our next |
| importance and their rangers are excellent. This of | | | | destination — Samara Private Game |
| course offers the guests much more depth to | | | | Reserve (next edition). We thoroughly enjoyed |
| their game lodge experience. | | | | our stay and would easily recommend Shamwari |
| Ever dreamed of following in David | | | | Game Reserve for your African wildlife |
| Attenborough’s footsteps? Well, now you | | | | experience. |
| can. SAFARICAM offers wildlife enthusiasts the | | | | |