Shamwari Private Game Reserve has unveiled Sindile, its new flagship tented camp designed by K/M2K.
Named for the matriarch of Shamwari’s leopards, the camp comprises just nine luxury tents, which are set in deep bush on a ridge that provides vantages over the Bushman’s River and surrounding plains.
Sindile is isiXhosa for ‘survivor’, testament to the celebrated leopardess that survived numerous lion maulings to raise the five litters of cubs that make up Shamwari’s leopard population today.
The camp’s seclusion mimics a solitary leopard’s sanctuary; each freestanding tent is elevated above the bush, allowing uninhibited views, unsullied by any man-made structures during the day or light pollution at night. Set on platforms, the harmonious design minimises the facility’s environmental footprint.
Inside, the accommodation caters for two people and has a fireplace, heated plunge pool and generous lounge area. The dining room and bar are situated to make the most of the surrounding scenery, with focal points including a large harvest table and fire pit.
“We thought very carefully about the situation of this new tented camp. It combines the peace and solitude of the bush with some of the best views on the reserve,” says Shamwari CEO, Joe Cloete. “Its design is the culmination of everything we’ve learnt at our other tented camps and luxury lodges, combining the romance of being under canvas with a premium hospitality experience.”
Sindile is part of a two-year US$25 million investment programme at Shamwari, which included an overhaul of the entire hospitality offering and the expansion of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, meaning guests are now able to visit a purpose-built facility on the reserve where animals are cared for and treated before being released back into the wild. This is in addition to the two big-cat sanctuaries, where, in partnership with the Born Free Foundation, rescued African big cats are given a permanent home.
