Bayethe Safari Lodge

Bayethe is one of the lodges inside Shamwari, the private Big Five reserve about 75 km outside Gqeberha that started in 1992. The name is a traditional greeting, roughly “I salute you”. It is a tented lodge rather than a stone or thatch one, with canvas and glass suites set into thick bush. People choose Shamwari because it is malaria-free and close to Gqeberha, which makes it a sensible safari for first-timers who don’t want the long haul up to Kruger.

What to expect

There are 12 tented suites, each for a maximum of two adults. Every one has its own deck and plunge pool, an indoor and outdoor shower, a bath, air-conditioning and a coffee machine. The main lodge deck looks over a waterhole, so there’s often something to watch between drives. You also get a bar and lounge with a fireplace, a boma for dinners outside, a small gym and a relaxation retreat.

Days follow the usual rhythm of a sunrise and a sunset game drive, with bush walks and birding offered too.

Practical details

• The lodge sits inside a perimeter electric fence.
• You check in at Shamwari’s Northern Welcome Lounge, reached off the N10 and the Alicedale road, and are driven about 30 minutes to the lodge.
• WiFi is available.
• Binoculars are provided for guests.
• Suites are set up for two adults, so check with Shamwari about family options before booking.

Good to know

Shamwari is more than a game drive reserve. The Born Free Foundation runs two big cat sanctuaries on the property for lions and leopards rescued from poor captive conditions around the world, and guests can visit them. There’s also a wildlife rehabilitation centre and a Vulpro vulture experience on the activity list. Those visits are a good use of the slow middle of the day, when the animals are lying up and the bush goes quiet.

Last updated 7 October 2026. Sources: Shamwari Private Game Reserve, Wikipedia, Shamwari, location and directions, Shamwari, Born Free big cats experience.