In April I had the opportunity to visit the Shibuyagame Reserve in the Eastern Cape. It was a journey that would have followed to help you truly find out where, its people, and its rhythm. What I found at Sibuya was more than just a luxurious lodge experience. It was a stripped ground encounter with the wild, which naturally reconnected in ways I never expected.
My journey began with a 12-hour flight courtesy of Nordic Atlantic Airlines. The flight itself was smooth and comfortable, and the adventure really began after landing in South Africa. Unfortunately, I missed the connecting flight to Port Elizabeth (PE) and had to wait a few hours before catching my next flight.
Due to delays I missed my usual late afternoon boat transfer to Forest Camp. This was a journey that served as the first entry into the reserve, and instead made a 30-minute road trip. By the time I arrived it was past 8:30pm and had a long day of cheerful, helpful and warm welcome from the staff.
There are two camps in Shibuya: River Camp and Forest Camp. Both are operated by solar power. The forest camp is located deep within the canopy of Indigenous trees. From the first moment, I realized that life here is running with a different current – slower and quieter. There are no charging points in the rooms, so everyone will gather in the main lounge to meet up for charging any device and WiFi needs. It was a bit of a tweak at first, but within a day or two, it was just another part of the experience and it became a rare opportunity to unplug and truly exist.
My assigned tour guide, Reece, was with me during the trip and was not only incredibly knowledgeable, but also deeply connected to the land. He didn't just point out the animals. He interpreted the bushes, reading tracks, sounds, and even smells. It gave me a deep appreciation for how much life would not be noticed unless you really saw it.
Everyday routine had a rhythm. An early morning game drive followed by a hearty breakfast, downtime, kayak, lunch, and then another game drive in the late afternoon. One of the highlights of the first day was the kayaking along the quiet estuary. The sound of the paddle slicing water and sometimes the bird's call. I was not a bird watching enthusiast, but something changed during this trip. There were over 400 bird species in the reserve, and we were always surrounded by movement and songs. By the end of the trip I was enthusiastically pointing them out and felt they were more connected to the subtle rhythms of the landscape.
Game Drive introduced us to elephants, giraffes, buffaloes and rhinoceros. On the first day we saw the “sakky boy,” a particularly memorable elephant known for the reserve. It was the giraffe that captivated me. We tried to track that lion on our first morning, but eventually found them on our final game drive before we left.
Sibuya is not a complete Big Five, and there are no leopards, but I didn't feel like nothing was missing. The patience required to track animals while drinking coffee in the middle of the drastic landscape, the scenic scenery gives the entire experience a laidback, mindful feel. And between drives, forest walks and boat cruises (drifting down the mouth of the estuary to serve lunch), it's not just ticking things out of the Safari checklist. I even managed to touch the Rhino Poop and try my hand at fishing.
For me, evening was the most magical part. They gathered around the fire and shared their stories under a vast starry sky. In the midst of the wilderness, you can feel at ease in ancient times about the light of fire and meaningful conversations. It reminded us that we really have little to feel at home.
By the end of the trip, Shibuya had given me plenty of space.
If you have the opportunity to visit, you may come to an open mind, feel lighter, more grounded, and know a few birds by their name.
Thank you to the team at Shibuya. Shibuya kindly sponsored my flight, which made me feel at home.
https://sibuya.co.za/ | https://flynorse.com/en-us
