At Shamwari Game Reserve, every arrival is special, but yesterday’s guest was truly unique. On Wednesday, 19 November, rescued meerkat Mia boarded a flight from Cape Town, marking the start of her journey toward a new life. As the very first passenger on the inaugural Shamwari Air charter flight to the Eastern Cape, this spirited little traveller is now settling into the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre (WRC) where a second chance awaits.

A difficult start

Mia’s story began in 2016 when she was saved by Cape Nature and brought to Exotic Animal World following a confiscation of four meerkats. She arrived in a fragile state, pregnant and missing the tip of her tail. Despite these hardships, she gave birth and successfully raised four pups who went on to live long, happy lives.

Sadly, as time passed, Mia outlived her companions and found herself alone. Meerkats are intensely social creatures that rely on their clan for emotional well-being, making isolation particularly difficult for them.

‘Meerkats are highly social animals, and loneliness can be tough on them. When we heard about Mia, we knew we could give her the companionship she needs. Our small meerkat colony is ready to welcome her.’

~ Lisa Strauss, Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre Manager at Shamwari

A flight to freedom

Now safely at her new home, Mia will begin the delicate process of social integration and rewilding. This journey transitions her from captivity back to a life of freedom. Because these animals thrive in mobs, rehabilitation starts by forming a stable group. Once the new friends display natural behaviours and teamwork, they will be prepared for a soft release into the wild.

Since touching down, she has adapted beautifully. She is already socialising with two other meerkats, and they are getting along perfectly. Being accepted with open arms is a massive win for the conservation team, who describe her as the sweetest, soft-spirited animal.

‘It’s all about giving them back their instincts. When they’re ready, they’ll return to the wild as a functioning unit, just as nature intended.’

~ Lisa Strauss

The Shamwari mission

This heartwarming relocation highlights a broader conservation mission, formalised through the Shamwari Foundation. It is built on three pillars: Wildlife, Community, and Environment. Guests at the reserve directly support vital projects like the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary, and the VulPro Vulture Breeding Programme.

Beyond wildlife, the reserve invests in community water projects, job creation, and animal welfare education, ensuring conservation benefits both nature and people.

For those wishing to get involved, the Shamwari Conservation Experience volunteer programme offers hands-on participation, ranging from predator monitoring to community outreach.

‘Every animal has a story, and Mia’s is one of resilience. Her journey reminds us why we do what we do – to give wildlife a second chance and inspire people to care.’

~ Joe Cloete, CEO of Shamwari

A new beginning

As she settles in, Mia will enjoy sunshine, open space, and the company of her own kind. For the team, it is another successful chapter in a 33-year mission to restore and protect the Eastern Cape wilderness.

If you are visiting soon, keep an eye out for a little meerkat with a big story and perhaps raise a toast to her first flight. After all, not every safari begins at 30,000 feet.

For reservation inquiries: Email: reservations@shamwari.com Telephone: +27 (0)42 203 1111 Website: www.shamwari.com

Image Credits: Daron Chatz Photography

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