Unusual animal sightings, encounters with lions on a walking safari, volunteering at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and special family moments are some of the fond memories guests have of Shamwari from the past 30 years.
In response to Shamwari’s #Magicmoments promotion to mark three decades of conservation at the Eastern Cape game reserve these and many, many more memories and photographs flooded in via e-mail and social media.
Joe Cloete, Shamwari CEO, says the volume of entries was impressive, with people from South Africa and around the world sharing their memories.
‘Besides memories of rare and close animal sightings, family occasions and special moments, what really struck a chord for me was that many of the entries mentioned the people at Shamwari and how hospitable, professional and knowledgeable they are. We know it’s an essential part of the experience and was gratifying to get that unprompted feedback.’
Story of a wilderness fairy tale romance takes the prize
Judging the entries was difficult and time-consuming, both because of the volume and quality. Ultimately, after scoring all the entries, Wikus Kruger’s was deemed to best fit the criteria.
He first visited Shamwari 17 years ago as a young, undergraduate student after his girlfriend invited him on a July family road trip to the Eastern Cape. He’d been madly in love with her since high school, but they’d only been dating for about 18 months. Keen to spend more time with her he eagerly agreed.
The plan was to stay at campsites and backpackers for most of the trip but included going to a special place that would cost a bit more. Would Wikus be able to pay his way?
‘Sure. Of course,’ he replied with the confidence of young man in love, even before asking what the place was, only to subsequently find out it was called Shamwari and was… ‘like a luxury private game lodge, with the Big Five.’
Wikus had never heard of Shamwari and he did not have fond memories of game lodges and reserves.
‘Growing up we’d spend hours – HOURS! – driving on dirt roads in cramped sedans in Kruger or Etosha, usually only managing to spot a heard of Impala or glimpse a shadow of a hastily retreating rhino (or was it a vlakvark?). This was not my idea of fun.’
Nonetheless, determined not to miss losing a moment with the lovely Marilize, he worked three part-time jobs over the next six months to make enough money, although still suspects Marilize’s dad part-sponsored him.
Come July he counted his savings and steeled himself for the expected ‘long, frustrating and ultimately disappointing family game drives’ and ‘having to feign enthusiasm for yet another zebra’.
Shamwari was a revelation for Wikus. No rondavels or containers of stale sandwiches and hard-boiled eggs, but a beautiful old manor house, three meals a day and exceptional hospitality.
‘But the best part – and I can’t believe I’m saying this – was the game drives…we saw three of the big five in our first 30 minutes! I’d never been so close to wildlife before. I remember being no more than 10 metres away from an elephant calf cuddling with its mother. Stopping almost next to a lioness that had been injured during what seemed to have been a failed hunting expedition. There was a rhino family crossing the road and a herd of wildebeest nearby.
‘Then it was time for more snacks as we watched the sun set. Sherry. Coffee with Amarula. Biltong. This was how it should be done.’
The next day during an early morning game drive they spotted a leopard hiding its kill, despite Wikus having to wear Marilize’s multi-coloured Nepalese hoodie to ward off the cold. He loved every moment of the three days, even being chased by an angry elephant bull.
And it was all worth it. Not just for the wildlife experience. Wikus and Marilize have now been married for nearly 15 years and have three children who they hope to introduce to the magic of Shamwari.
Thanks to the #Magicmoments promotion they may now be able to do just that, replicating the original visit with a three-night stay at the sumptuous Long Lee Manor.
Pictures: Wikus Kruger
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