Things to do in South Africa

Views and Edwardian elegance at Shamwari’s Long Lee Manor

I can watch the sunrise behind the pool and dam whilst absorbing the tranquillity of our beautiful gardens…

By Lize-Mari Dykema

Lodge Manager at Shamwari Long Lee Manor

One of my favourite things about working at Long Lee Manor is that no matter where you are at the lodge you have the most amazing views over the reserve. Starting a morning shift, I can watch the sunrise behind the pool and dam whilst absorbing the tranquillity of our beautiful gardens.

I am fortunate to work with the most amazing team of 52 staff and together we create the best service we can for every guest that stays with us. I love showing guests the lodge and to see the expressions on their faces when they see their spacious rooms and the views over the reserve from their patio. The décor is elegant and reflects the Edwardian style of our central manor house.

On a typical day, guests will get an early wakeup call at about 5.30am before meeting for tea and coffee in the pool bar. Their allocated ranger will meet them there before they head out on their morning game drive. Returning to the lodge by 9.30am, they can enjoy a hot breakfast and a beautiful selection from our harvest table.

After breakfast, guests can enjoy some time at leisure or go on a tour to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and Born Free Big Cat Sanctuaries. This is also one of the best times to go on a guided bush walk with their ranger. For those guests that want to take it easy, treatments are available in our relaxation retreat. If they are feeling energetic, they can work out in our fitness centre.

After lunch, there is time to relax poolside. Our pool has wonderful views of the dam which is often frequented by animals throughout the day. High tea is served before guests head out on their afternoon game drive. They normally get back by 7pm where dinner is either from our à la carte menu or under the stars in our boma.

Our aim at Long Lee Manor is to always create memories for our guests that they will cherish and remember for a lifetime.

Available in these itineraries…

Itinerary

Route 62 Cape Gourmet Self-drive
by Becky Souissi

Length15 Days

Price range£5,375 - £5,895pp

Alfred & Lize-Mari Dykema

Lize-Mari grew up on a farm in the Eastern Cape. She went on to study Hospitality Management at the hotel school in Bloemfontein, where her experience has led to her becoming lodge manager at Shamwari’s Long Lee Manor. When she isn’t looking after guests, she enjoys being outdoors and adding new bird species to her checklist.

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.