Rescued meerkat Mia flies toward freedom on inaugural flight to Shamwari
At Shamwari, every arrival is special – but one guest was just a tiny bit more so…
On 19 November, Shamwari Private Game Reserve welcomed a very unusual traveller: Mia, a spirited little meerkat who boarded her first-ever flight from Cape Town to the Eastern Cape.
Her destination? Shamwari’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre (WRC), where a new life – and a second chance – awaits.
Mia’s story began in 2016 when she was rescued by CapeNature and brought to Exotic Animal World as part of a confiscation of four meerkats. She arrived pregnant and missing the tip of her tail. Soon after, she gave birth and went on to raise four pups who lived long, happy lives.
But as time passed, Mia outlived her companions and found herself alone – until Shamwari stepped in. “Meerkats are highly social animals, and loneliness can be tough on them,” says Lisa Strauss, WRC manager at Shamwari. “When we heard about Mia, we knew we could give her the companionship she needs. Our small meerkat colony is ready to welcome her.”
A flight to freedom
Now safely at Shamwari, Mia will begin the process of social integration and rewilding – a journey from captivity to freedom. Meerkats thrive in mobs, so rehabilitation starts by forming a stable group. Once Mia and her new friends show natural behaviours and teamwork, they’ll be prepared for a soft release into the wild.
Since her arrival, Mia is doing very well. She is already with two other meerkats, and they are all getting along perfectly. She’s been accepted with open arms, which is such a blessing for the team. Mia is the sweetest, soft-spirited meerkat ever.
“It’s all about giving them back their instincts,” says Strauss. “When they’re ready, they’ll return to the wild as a functioning unit, just as nature intended.”
Shamwari means “My Friend”
Mia’s arrival highlights Shamwari’s broader conservation mission, formalised through the Shamwari Foundation, built on three pillars: Wildlife, Community and Environment.
Guests at Shamwari directly support projects like the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary and VulPro Vulture Breeding Programme. Beyond wildlife, Shamwari invests in community water projects, job creation and animal welfare education – ensuring conservation benefits both nature and people.
For those who want to dive deeper, the Shamwari Conservation Experience volunteer programme offers hands-on involvement, from predator monitoring to community outreach.
“Every animal has a story, and Mia’s is one of resilience,” says Joe Cloete, CEO of Shamwari. “Her journey reminds us why we do what we do: to give wildlife a second chance and inspire people to care.”
A happy ending and a new beginning
As Mia settles in, she’ll enjoy sunshine, space and the company of her own kind. For Shamwari, it’s another chapter in a 33-year mission to restore and protect the Eastern Cape wilderness.
So, if you’re visiting Shamwari soon, keep an eye out for a little meerkat with a big story and maybe raise a toast to her first flight. After all, not every safari begins at 30 000 feet.
For reservation enquiries, email reservations@shamwari.com or telephone +27 (0)42 203 1111.
Image credit: Daron Chatz
