About Shimungwe

Beloved by all who were fortunate to visit in those early days, the decision was made to open up the magic of Shimungwe to the wider public in August 2022. Reborn as an intimate, boutique luxury, all-inclusive safari lodge, Shimungwe aims to retain its warm, family feel with an enchanting lounge, wooden walkways and open-air bar and dining area encompassing the crystal-clear pool. Run by a passionate and close-knit team, our dream is to create an unforgettable home-away-from-home in Thornybush Game Reserve, the heart of the African wilderness.

The name Shimungwe itself carries a story. It is the word used by the local Shangaan people for the Bateleur — one of Africa's most iconic and revered eagles, recently reclassified by ornithologists as the Short-tailed Eagle. Known as the acrobat of the skies, the Bateleur is unmistakable in every sense: its striking contrast of jet black, chestnut and vivid scarlet, its remarkably short tail, and above all, its extraordinary flight pattern. It is a master of gliding, but even while soaring, the Bateleur rocks and tilts across the sky in a constant, fluid balancing act — a motion so distinctive it gained its French name, meaning "tightrope walker." To watch one banking low over the savanna on a still morning in the Thornybush Game Reserve is to understand, immediately, why this bird was chosen to carry the name of this place. Shimungwe wears that name with pride — a lodge that belongs with the wild and untamed landscape that surrounds it.

As a boutique safari lodge with 4 suites, Shimungwe is also the perfect location for private family celebrations as well as small groups seeking specialist adventures on their luxury safari in the Greater Kruger.