Shamwari Private Game Reserve, a 25,000-hectare wilderness sanctuary in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, begins a new chapter as a Rare Finds Resort under Kerzner International management from April 2026.
Owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai, Kerzner now oversees the Game Reserve’s hospitality and Shamwari Air, its private aviation service connecting Cape Town and Johannesburg in under two hours.
Home to over 5,000 animals and 275 bird species, Shamwari offers a malaria-free landscape across six luxury lodges and an Explorer Camp, each providing unique immersion into the Eastern Cape’s ecology.
Rare Finds emphasises authentic local experiences, turning stays into narrative-led, personalised journeys.
The reserve is a hub for wildlife conservation and education, featuring a Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, Born Free Big Cat Sanctuaries, Rhino Haven Project, and Vulture Breeding Programme.
Guided game drives welcome children aged three and above, enabling multi-generational nature adventures.
Lodges cater to couples, families, and groups, blending comfort with adventure. Culinary offerings range from bush breakfasts to lakeside sundowners, and wellness experiences include spas and treatment rooms.
Facilities also support meetings, intimate events, and the Kids’ Adventure Centre, which provides indoor and outdoor activities.
Shamwari delivers an immersive, family-friendly safari experience, combining luxury, conservation, and the thrill of Africa’s Big 5.
“Shamwari Private Game Reserve marks a defining addition to Rare Finds, embodying a new era of safari where conservation, cultural connection and immersive discovery exist in perfect harmony,” says Mattheos Georgiou, Senior Vice President of Rare Finds and SIRO at Kerzner International. “We are deeply honoured to build on Shamwari’s extraordinary legacy as a pioneer in wildlife conservation and community stewardship, preserving its authenticity while thoughtfully enhancing the guest experience. Through Rare Finds, we bring exceptional destinations into the Kerzner ecosystem, connecting them to a global audience while remaining true to their individual spirit. Shamwari’s official inclusion reflects our commitment to curating places of true significance, where purpose and place come together to create transformative journeys, delivered with the soul, precision and service excellence that define Kerzner on the world stage.”
Joe Cloete, who has been with Shamwari for 34 years, leads the team as the Chief Executive Officer and will drive the purpose and renewed strategy of the Game Reserve forward.
Cloete says: “We are very excited about our collaboration with Rare Finds as we continue to enhance the guest journey and interactive experience at Shamwari under the Kerzner International umbrella. It is our people who define the soul of Shamwari, and we are committed to preserving and celebrating that together.” -TTN
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