Free return transfer from Port Elizabeth when booking 3+ nights.

Situated on Shamwari Game Reserve, Villa Lobengula Lodge offers six suites, accommodating 12 people sharing. Villa Lobengula is bookable on a sole use basis only, therefore guests will have the whole villa to themselves while their own private guide, chef and staff compliment looks after their personal needs.

Above mentioned rates are inclusive of all meals, game drives, guided walks, tea, coffee, water and game drive beverages.

All rates are quoted and invoiced in South African Rand (ZAR) on “per person per night” basis.

Children Policy

• This policy applies to all persons from 0 up to and including 11 years old.
• Persons under the age of 4 years are not permitted on any game drives.
• Persons under the age of 16 years are not permitted on any walking safaris.
• Children are accommodated at Gondwana Family Lodge only.
• 0 – 3 Year old
  – are accommodated at no additional cost
  – may share with adults, depending on the availability of cots and/or rooms with a sleeper couch
  – are not permitted on game drives
• 4 – 11 Year old
  – are accommodated at 50% (half) of the adult sharing rate
  – may share with adults, depending on the availability of rooms with a sleeper couch
  – are permitted on game drives
• Sleeper couches can accommodate a maximum of one child.
• Cots can accommodate a maximum of one child.
• Rooms accommodating children sharing with parents contain one sleeper couch per room.
• Child minding service is available upon request and can be arranged at an additional cost.

What’s exciting about the Villa Lobengula Lodge?

• Tucked away in the bushveld, Villa Lobengula offers an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity.
• The breathtaking views will have you mesmerised from morning till night.
• Guests are treated to scrumptious meals that include the lodge’s own home-grown fresh and organic produce.
• The lodge’s fantastic ‘green’ initiatives and community-development programs.
• The wide range of activities for guests, including picnics, camping under the stars, sundowners, wildlife presentations, visits to an African arts and culture village (Khaya Lendaba), guided game walks and exhilarating game drives.
• The beauty of the lodge with its thatched roofs and classical African theme.
• The lodge’s fine selection of facilities, such as a large swimming pool, fitness room and meditation deck.
• The incredibly beautiful Relaxation Retreat that offers reflexology, yoga, authentic Thai massages and traditional spa treatments.
• The gorgeous Chief Suite that comes with its own private plunge pool, lounge and fireplace.

• Swimming pool.
• Tsala meditation deck.
• Yoga studio.
• Fitness room.
• Sanctuary allowing for holistic therapies, steam room and sauna.
• Intimate library collection.
• Wine cellar.
• Small gift boutique.
• Wi-Fi.
• Main lounge boasting a central media center.
• Perimeter electric fence.

Villa Lobengula offers six suites accommodating 12 people sharing. The lodge is available for sole use only (i.e the entire villa must be booked).

• King bedded Chief Suite with private plunge pool, lounge and fireplace.
• 2 Twin/King bedded Suites, each with private plunge pool.
• 3 Twin/King bedded Suites.

• Air conditioning.
• Tea and coffee making facilities.
• Hairdryer.
• Electronic safe.
• En-suite bathroom.
• Private patio.
• Fitted international adapters.
• International dial telephone.
• In and outdoor shower facilities.
• Private mini bar.

Wildlife Activities

Most of Shamwari’s guests agree that the game drives are the best activity of their stay. While the morning drives with the sun beginning to rise and a cup of hot coffee are exceptional, the evening drives are purely exhilarating. After stopping for sundowners in a scenic location, and after the sun has fallen from view, you explore the dark wilderness by spotlight, hoping to catch a predator in action! The lions and leopards are also not the only fascinating creatures that are more active once night has fallen; there are many nocturnal animals in the reserve.

Game drives at Shamwari are completely safe and expertly handled by experienced and trained game rangers and trackers. The open safari vehicles used for the excursions are perfect for uninterrupted views of the wildlife, and more than comfortable enough for guests on 3 – 4 hour safari drives. 6 – 10 people will share a vehicle. Your friendly and knowledgeable game ranger will try to locate the animals that you most want to see. Shamwari is a Big Five reserve, and is also home to cheetah, hippo, giraffe, antelope, hyena, zebra and many more species.

You can also view Shamwari’s spectacular fauna and flora on game walks. Qualified game rangers will lead you safely through the vast wilderness and provide interesting information about all that makes up this fantastic reserve.

Shamwari’s special ‘Kids on Safari’ program ensures that younger guests have loads of fun while they learn about South African wildlife and conservation. Each child receives an age-appropriate gift pack to get them started. Children will visit the Born Free Foundation Big Cat Rescue Centre and the Shamwari Animal Rehabilitation Centre, may get involved in various sporting, social, arts and cultural activities, and have access to drawing materials, puzzles, documentary DVD’s, books and board games. Children older than four years of age may go on game drives.

This huge reserve is a bird-lover’s paradise, with hundreds of different bird species. Bird watching is therefore a very popular activity at Shamwari. Raptors of several varieties, such as Black-Shouldered Kites, Fish Eagles and Secretary Birds are a thrilling sight, while birds that are in favour of watery surrounds include the African Darters, Malachite Kingfishers and the interesting-looking Hamerkops.

The 2 – 5 day Pro Photo Safaris are a fabulous experience. The safaris include photographic tuition, all equipment, special viewing vehicles rigged for photographic equipment and the use of editing equipment and software. The fantastic photos you take home will keep the memories of your exciting safari holiday alive and vivid!

The one-of-a-kind Shamwari Cooking Wild Safaris cannot be found anywhere else in the world! Whilst becoming a master African chef and a barbeque champion, cooking on an open fire under the African sky, you will stay at the luxurious Villa Lobengula Lodge, enjoying splendid bush views and spacious suites, and all the game drives too. If you love to cook, then this is the most fun you will ever have on a safari adventure!

Activities related to conservation

At Shamwari, guests have the unique experience of visiting rescued wild cats at the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuaries. There are two big cat sanctuaries at the reserve.

The Shamwari Rehabilitation Centre, which is the best facility of its kind in South Africa, enables guests to see the animals currently within its care and learn more about how the centre benefits many different types of animals.

Complementing the Born Free Foundation, the Ian Player Rhino Awareness Centre was created in 2012. The centre has nine unique rhino displays that encourage people to take a stand against poaching. Guests of Shamwari are welcome to visit the centre as an added educational experience during their stay.

Lodge Activities

On warm afternoons take a dip in your private plunge pool, or enjoy the larger swimming pools of the lodge. Perhaps spend a few lazy hours relaxing on the pool deck, or reading a book in the library. Shamwari lodges all offer lots of wonderful space for guests to interact and become friends, as well as space for privacy and relaxation.

The Relaxation Retreat of the reserve offer top-class facilities and treatments, and are thoroughly enjoyed by all guests who indulge in the pleasure of a pampering session.

Other activities include:

• Tea breaks.
• Barbeque-style dinners.
• Gym facilities.
• Tennis courts.
• Traditional dancing.
• Culture village.
• Wilderness area.
• Curio shop.

“Lobengula Lodge in Shamwari is excellent. Wonderful staff an and . The game drives was very good. Saw al lot of animals. The spa treatments are wonderful and well priced. The food was outstanding. Would really recommend this lodge.” –Renestassen

“The service, food and rooms are amazing. The lodge is within the reserve however it is fenced so apart from monkeys the animals cannot enter the lodge itself. The rooms are large, with great decor, lovely bathroom, private patio, and a very well stocked mini bar!”  –hollys

“Stayed at Lobengula Lodge. Accomodation superb, with huge comfortable bed/sitting room and private deck with plunge pool. Excellent facilities (pool, gym,sauna/spa) and delightful common areas (essentially two lounges/ dining areas and outside bar and boma). Food and wine truly excellent and staff always helpful. Rangers friendly and knowledgeable.” –APRLondon_UK