Highlights
- Morning, afternoon and evening game drives
- Guided bush walks from the lodge
- The chance of cheetah tracking
- Visits to sites of historical and paleontological interest
- Professional, local rangers guide all our activities
- Spa treatments are available
- Swimming pool and a tennis court at the lodge
Information
- Lodge type; Luxury Safari Lodge
- Location; Samara Karoo Reserve
- Lodge size; 9 suites
- Recommended stay; 2-5 nights
Experience The Luxury Of Karoo Lodge In The Untamed Wilderness Of The Samara Karoo Reserve
Experience the beauty of South Africa's Great Karoo with a safari at the stunning Samara Karoo Lodge. Nestled in the plains of Camdeboo, this luxury safari lodge offers a unique and unforgettable experience.
With 9 suites, a luxury lodge offering and the 70 000 acre Samara Karoo Reserve to explore, you will find yourself immersed in nature and wildlife like never before.
Morning, afternoon or evening game drives with professional guides, bush walks are available for those wanting to go deeper into the wilds. Cheetah tracking, a star bed experience and being family and child friendly, make for a spectacular safari experience in the wilds of South Africa's Karoo region.
The private Samara Karoo Reserve and lodge is located 40 minutes from Graaff-Reinet and 2.5 hours from Port Elizabeth by car – a short drive considering what is waiting for one on arrival.
Reserve Information
Samara Karoo Reserve boasts a wilderness that is home to four of the seven biomes in South Africa. A diverse ecosystem that supports an astonishing array of wildlife, with over 60 mammal species found within its boundaries.
Among the more common residents are the graceful Kudu and Duiker, but keen-eyed visitors may also catch a glimpse of the elusive Aardvark or the once-endangered White Rhino. The towering Giraffe can often be seen browsing on the leaves of thorny Acacia trees, while sleek Cheetahs stalk their prey, hidden in the tall grasses and waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
The Plains of Camdeboo is a highlight of any visit to Samara Karoo Lodge, offering visitors the opportunity to discover the secrets of this untouched corner of the planet. Once upon a time, these vast plains saw the annual migration of millions of Springbok, and today they still provide a stunning backdrop for wildlife viewing and exploration.
Samara Private Game Reserve is also rich in history, with fossils that predate even the era of the dinosaurs, as well as ancient Bushman paintings that offer a fascinating glimpse into the San People who once roamed this land.
Rooms and Suites
Samara Karoo Lodge boasts an exceptional range of luxurious suites to cater to different preferences and group sizes.
The main lodge building features four beautifully-appointed suites, each exuding a tasteful fusion of traditional Karoo style and modern African influences.
For those seeking a little bit of seclusion, there are three Karoo Suites situated separate from the main lodge area, these suites are spacious and equipped with all the necessary amenities to ensure a comfortable and luxurious stay.
Families and larger groups are well catered for with two Sibella suites located near the waterhole. These suites are perfect for families as they share a wooden deck, allowing guests to enjoy the picturesque views together.
All suites have private en-suite bathrooms, allowing guests to enjoy the ultimate privacy during their stay. Additionally, the suites feature all the necessary amenities such as air conditioning, tea and coffee-making facilities, and a minibar.
Cuisine and Wine
One of the most remarkable features of the Samara Karoo Lodge is undoubtedly its cuisine and wine offerings. Guests are invited to indulge in a culinary experience like no other in the area, where every meal is expertly prepared by a fabulous team in the kitchen with only the finest locally sourced ingredients and served with premium South African wines.
The lodge boasts a large indoor dining room with a cosy roaring fireplace, for those who prefer to savour their meals in the great outdoors, candlelit dinners are also set up on the verandah, on the manicured lawns, or in the traditional boma area under African stars.
The lodge's signature dishes are a true celebration of the Karoo's culinary heritage, combining the rich bush scents of wild rosemary and fynbos with traditional Karoo Lamb and Springbok Loin. Guests are guaranteed to experience a gastronomic delight that never fails to seduce their taste buds.
To complement their meals, guests can sample the lodge's quality wines, which are selected from the cellar to perfectly complement the flavours of the cuisine.
Facilities
The central guest area at Karoo Lodge offers up a lounge and library area with a fireplace where one can immerse themselves in a good book surrounded by a tranquil setting.
The close to the lounge area a small bar area and a spacious dining room with a fireplace are available for those for indoor crystal dinners.
Outdoors, manicured lawns and a beautiful swimming pool area provide guests with a relaxing and calm retreat surrounded by the sights and sounds of the Karoo.
Samara Karoo Lodge boasts high-speed internet connections that are readily available in all suites, enabling guests to stay connected with family, friends and the outside world at all times. A small TV area off the side of the bar area allows guests to keep up with their favourite sports team or news station.
Activities
Samara Karoo Lodge offers an unparalleled karoo safari experience with a variety of activities to choose from.
Game drives are a popular activity at Samara, offering a chance to spot a wide range of wildlife, including lion, Cape buffalo, elephant and giraffe as well as numerous species of Karoo plains game.
One of the more unique activities that are highly recommended is tracking cheetahs on foot, expert and experienced guides and trackers will lead in search of these magnificent predators.
Walking safaris offer a more intimate and interactive experience in which one gets to track wildlife on foot, all the while learning about the fauna and flora of the Karoo.
For those seeking a truly immersive and romantic experience, a star bed is on offer, allowing guests to sleep under the African night sky. Gazing up at the stars while the sounds of nocturnal creatures fill the air is an unforgettable experience.
For a romantic and secluded experience, Samara offers wilderness picnics, where guests can enjoy a gourmet meal in a beautiful and remote location, perfect for honeymooners, romantics and those proposals.
Guided mountain biking excursions are available for guests to explore the trails around the Samara Private Game Reserve.
For a bird's eye view of the stunning Karoo, helicopter flights are available.
Child Friendly
Families looking for a memorable and fun-filled safari in the Great Karoo (of the Eastern Cape) will find Samara Karoo Lodge to be the perfect destination. An array of activities that cater to both the young and the old as well as suitable family-friendly accommodation and meal options, ensure that all family members get to revel in the great outdoors.
With an untainted natural landscape, wildlife, and numerous leisure activities at their disposal, children will have a blast during their stay at Samara Karoo Lodge.
Parents can also be assured that their little ones will not only be well taken care of, but they will also have the learn about the surrounding environment and the iconic San people's ancient culture.
Samara Karoo Lodge offers an abundance of child-friendly activities, these include thrilling bushwalks, spoor identification, rock painting activities, dung spitting competitions, orienteering and navigating, craft-making, storytelling sessions and sleep-outs under the Karoo stars.
In Conclusion
Samara Karoo Lodge offers an unforgettable safari experience for all ages. From game drives, cheetah tracking, star beds and wilderness picnics to guided mountain biking excursions and helicopter flights – there’s something for everyone at Samara.
Families can also look forward to a plethora of child-friendly activities such as bushwalks, spoor identification and rock painting that will keep the little ones entertained while they learn about the surrounding environment.
With its stunning natural landscape and tranquil setting, Karoo Lodge is truly one of South Africa's premier safari destinations with plenty of unforgettable experiences waiting just around the corner!
Rates from R13 500.00 per person
- Samara Karoo Lodge Rates
- Per person per night sharing (pp)
- Rates are in South African Rands
- *Rates may vary according to season
- Luxury en-suite accommodation
- All meals
- Tea and coffee
- Two game activities (drive or walk) daily with experienced guides
- Children's programme (children under 8 years are not allowed on scheduled game drives)
- Selected local drinks during game activities
- WiFi
- VAT
- Telephone calls and fax
- Curio shop purchases
- Spa treatments
- All beverages not mentioned above
- Laundry
- Gratuities
- Transfers to and from the Samara property
- Conservation levy