Things to do in South Africa

Visit the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuaries at Shamwari Private Game Reserve

The rescued lions and leopards at our sanctuaries have grown up in appalling conditions of captivity…

By Catherine Gillson

Born Free Manager at Shamwari Private Game Reserve

Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary and Education Centre was established in partnership with Virginia McKenna’s Born Free Foundation. Guests of Shamwari Private Game Reserve can visit the centre to learn the importance of keeping wildlife in the wild.

As manager of the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary and Education Centre at Shamwari, I love the fact that I can be a voice for those that cannot speak. Behind each of the big cats in our care, there is often a traumatic story. The rescued lions and leopards at our sanctuaries have grown up in appalling conditions of captivity. Whilst they should have been born in the wild, where they belong, unfortunately re-wilding them is not possible. With a dedicated team to monitor them as they adapt to their new surroundings, our sanctuaries give them a better home than they have ever known.

One of the highlights of my ten-year career with Born Free, was when I was privileged to be part of a re-homing and translocation of two male lions, Ciam and Nelson. They were both rescued from different situations of captivity in Europe and temporarily held in a half-way house in Belgium whilst all paperwork was completed. I joined them in Belgium and accompanied them to South Africa to facilitate their safe arrival with us at Born Free, Shamwari, their new forever home.

We have two centres that our Shamwari guests can visit. Located in the southern part of Shamwari Private Game Reserve, the Julie Ward Centre was established in 1999 and provides sanctuary for the rescued cats. Education is also a vital role of what we do and at the Jean Byrd Education Centre, in the northern part of the reserve, we encourage guests, local schools and colleges to learn about South Africa’s wildlife and the importance of conservation for future generations.

Available in these itineraries…

Itinerary

Route 62 Cape Gourmet Self-drive
by Becky Souissi

Length15 Days

Price range£5,375 - £5,895pp
Itinerary

South Africa Family Adventure Self-Drive
by Helen Austin

Length13 Days

Price range£4,095 - £4,595pp

Alfred & Catherine Gillson

With a degree in Travel, Tourism and Marketing, Catherine Gillson joined Shamwari in the hospitality division as a lodge manager. With her passion for wildlife and conservation, she moved to the team at the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary and Education Centre where she has been manager for ten years. Living onsite at Shamwari, and fuelled by her hobby of trail running, Catherine loves being outdoors amongst nature. A mum of two, when she has free time, she enjoys photography and watching cricket.

Plan your holiday withAlfred&

Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Laura, who's travelled extensively in South Africa. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember - ex banker who can show you the hottest foodie spots in Cape Town, the award-winning young sommelier who can introduce you to Stellenbosch's finest wines and the walking safari ranger who can guide you to the best game.

Laura Preston

Travel Expert for Alfred&

Having travelled extensively through Africa, Laura has a wealth of experience. She is passionate about Tanzania’s diversity from the quiet wilds of Ruaha that feel completely private to the silvery sands of Zanzibar and Stone Town’s spice-laced streets. In South Africa, she sought out the best views over Table Mountain, cocktail in hand, as well as the lesser-visited Kruger conservancies for more exclusive safaris. But her favourite place in the world has to be the Serengeti for its wide-open plains and incredible game that epitomise that feeling of Africa.
Wayne Howarth

Head Safari Guide at Kariega Game Reserve

Wayne loves being outdoors and has spent most of his life between the family farm and working on Private Game Reserves in the Eastern Cape. He has been guiding at Kariega for 12 years. His qualifications include Field Guide Association of South Africa (FGASA) Level 2, Advance Rifle Handling, Skippers Licence Category R and first aid. One of his career highlights was becoming a finalist in the 2021 Safari Guide of the Year competition.
Rupesh Kassen

Founder and guide of Eat Like A Local

Rupesh Kassen abandoned his decade-long career in banking to move to East Africa, where he trained and worked as a chef. He later became immersed in South Africa’s food scene and worked as a food critic before setting up Eat Like A Local in Cape Town. Rupesh now offers guided food tours to showcase the city and its diverse culture and history through food.
Fundi Ziqubu

Sommelier

Fundi was born in Durban and fell in love with wine when it was introduced to her by a few Capetonian friends. On discovering her passion she got the chance to study wine with the department of tourism in collaboration with the Sommeliers Academy. Being appointed sommelier at Lanzerac was a career highlight and in 2019 Fundi was named most up-and-coming wine steward by the Distell Inter-Hotel challenge.
Ntobeko Ntshingila

Duty Manager at Three Tree Hill Lodge

Ntobeko has been part of the Three Trees family for 13 years and describes it as a lovely journey with lots of room for growth and experience. She has her own family, including a daughter of 18, and a son, aged three. She lives in a nearby village with her parents, four siblings and three nephews. When not spending time with her family she manages her broiler chicken business, which brings her extra income.
Cheryl Blackburn

Owner and guide, Three Tree Hill Lodge

Being born in the Kruger National Park instilled in Cheryl a love of nature and wildlife. Having lived and worked as a guide in the Kruger reserve, and also in Botswana, she eventually got the opportunity to run her own lodge, with her growing family, in the lush KwaZulu Natal Drakensberg region. She still finds time to guide guests on foot, tracking white rhino in the neighbouring Spioenkop Game Reserve.