Three years ago I visited, for the first time, one of South Africa’s most renowned and successful Game Reserves, Shamwari (www.shamwari.com). I wanted to learn more about the challenges Adrian Gardiner had faced in transforming 50,000 acres of depleted and overgrazed bush veldt into a world class eco-tourism destination with a series of travel awards for Conservation and Green Tourism.

I was truly inspired by the commitment of Adrian’s team who have since 1990 have focused on seeing the return of the native flora and fauna to this part of the Eastern Cape. Through unrelenting energy, hard work and dedication the team at Shamwari has managed to ‘turn back the clock’ and prove its adversaries wrong, by bringing back the ‘Big 5’ to this little known corner of South Africa!

I have now visited Shamwari on three occasions in order to learn more of their development; in turn Adrian Gardiner, with selected members of his team, has made frequent visits to Alladale. One of the many facets that excite me most about Shamwari is the total integration of the local community in respect of job and business creation as well as their educational programs for a variety of local and foreign students.

I am therefore very pleased to announce, in respect of marketing and sales, we have decided to officially become partners with Shamwari’s holding company The Mantis Collection (www.mantiscollection.com).

Mantis operate three Game Reserves, a number of Boutique Hotels and Lodges in South Africa, as well as a growing number of exclusive small 5* hotels in Europe including The Draycott in central London.

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