Samara Karoo Reserve offers an unforgettable safari experience for discerning travellers.
Set on 67,000 acres of heart-stoppingly beautiful restored wilderness, the award-winning malaria-free reserve encompasses 5 vegetation biomes, including the unique Samara Mara, and a diversity of wildlife, including the Big Five.
Three intimate lodges lie nestled beneath an amphitheatre of mountains, offering guests the feeling of having this timeless landscape all to themselves. Encircled by a natural amphitheatre of mountains, Karoo Lodge, a lovingly restored farmhouse lies on the first property purchased by Samara’s founders in 1997. Combining modern-day comforts with a rustic and welcoming feel, Karoo Lodge is the perfect place to relax and allow the tranquillity of the Karoo to envelop you—on the wide verandah in summer or by the cosy fire in winter. With 10 suites of varying sizes, Karoo Lodge caters for individual travellers, couples, families, and small groups.
The Manor is an elegant 4-suite villa, a striking oasis in the semi-desert landscape. Each suite comprises a bedroom and bathroom with a shower and free-standing bath. A private patio with outdoor seating looks out over a mountain landscape. The Manor is small enough to feel intimate, yet large enough to give all guests a feeling of space and privacy. The villa opens up into two living areas and two smaller breakaway lounging alcoves. Unwind by the fireplace, where a crackling fire burns in the winter months and the large glass doors to the patio are cast wide open in summer.
An off-grid experience with spellbinding views, Plains Camp focuses on walking safaris and reconnecting with nature in elegant simplicity. No Wi-Fi, no electricity, no high-tech distractions, just a grounding, humbling experience in nature. Four deluxe tents welcome guests for a unique explorer-style experience with a focus on the ultimate luxuries, time and space. Located in a remote part of the reserve with spellbinding views and abundant wildlife, including the Big 5, this unpretentious, eco-conscious camp lets the landscape do the talking, allowing guests to disconnect from their busy lives in soothing solitude. Samara combines magnificent landscapes and wildlife viewing with understated luxury and a greater conservation purpose, delivering a safari for the soul.
In Room Facilities:
The Manor and Karoo Lodge:
* Air-conditioning
* En-suite bathroom
* Bathroom amenities
* Seating area
* Private patio/verandah with outdoor furniture
* Infinity pool at The Manor
* Wi-Fi internet access
Plains Camp:
* Bedroom area
* Seating area
* Small fireplace in winter
* Fan in summer
* Simple en-suite with loo, washbasin and open-air “bucket” shower
* Deck area with 2 camp chairs
Establishment Facilities:
The Manor and Karoo Lodge:
* Bar area
* Communal lounge areas
* Fireplace * Dining areas
* Patio with outdoor furniture
* Wi-Fi internet access
Plains Camp:
* Well-appointed mess tent with dining area and bar
Samara Karoo Reserve comprises 67,000-acres of breathtaking Big 5 wilderness near Graaff-Reinet in South Africa’s malaria-free Eastern Cape province. The nearest national airport is in Port Elizabeth, 270 km from the reserve (2.5 hour drive to the reserve gate). Port Elizabeth is serviced with daily flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg. Guests can self-drive to Samara, book a road transfer or charter a plane directly onto Samara’s 1.5km gravel airstrip. Nearby Graaff-Reinet boasts a 1.5 km tarred runway with landing lights. Samara is a 40 minute drive from Graaff-Reinet.
* Game drives
* Guided walks
* Wilderness picnics
* Cheetah tracking on foot
* Aardvark spotting (winter is best)
* Birding
* Hiking
Two Karoo Family Suites are standalone units located within the grounds of Karoo Lodge. Each consists of two en-suite bedrooms sharing a living room. Each room has a private wraparound verandah, outdoor shower and magnificent views.
Eight Karoo Suites are standalone suites located within the grounds of Karoo Lodge. Each suite has a bedroom and en-suite bathroom with private wraparound verandah, outdoor shower and magnificent views.
Exclusive use of Plains Camp. This off-grid safari experience focuses on walking safaris and reconnecting with nature in elegant simplicity. Four Tented Suites each comprise a bedroom, en-suite bathroom, outdoor shower, fireplace and seating area.
This off-grid safari experience focuses on walking safaris and reconnecting with nature in elegant simplicity. Each Tented Suite comprises a bedroom, en-suite bathroom, outdoor shower, fireplace and seating area.
Exclusive-use of The Manor. Four spacious suites each contain a bedroom, bathroom with separate bath and shower, air-conditioning and a private patio with outdoor seating. The suites have access to a living room, dining room, bar, lounging alcove & pool.
Spacious suite within The Manor, containing a bedroom, bathroom with separate bath and shower, air-conditioning and a private patio with outdoor seating. The suites have access to a shared living room, dining room, bar, lounging alcove & pool.
If cancelling 20 days before arrival, forfeit 100% of the booking total.
If cancelling 45 days before arrival, forfeit 50% of the booking total.
* Please note: Quoted rates exclude conservation contribution which funds vital conservation & community projects through Samara’s registered public benefit organisation.
* The rate is R450 per person per night. South Africans benefit from a 45% concession, bringing the rate to R250 per person per night.
* Please make sure you select this conservation contribution as a ‘Web extra’ when making your booking.
* Reservations are not confirmed until such time as a deposit has been paid
* A 50% deposit of the total accommodation amount, conservation contribution and any air or road transfers arranged by Samara is payable within fourteen days from date of confirmation
* The remaining 50% of the accommodation amount, conservation contribution and any air or road transfers arranged by Samara must be made 30 days prior to arrival
* Reservations made within 30 days of arrival date must be confirmed by full payment within 48 hours.
From Chief Dawid Stuurman (Port Elizabeth) International Airport: - Exit the airport, head north on Airport W Road, at the roundabout take the second exit onto Allister Miller Drive; - Go through a roundabout and proceed for 1.4 km; - Turn left onto Forest Hill N/B Road and proceed for 850 m; - Use any lane to turn right onto Walmer Boulevard/M9 and proceed for 600 m; - Use the middle lane to turn left onto Settlers Highway/M4, follow the signs for the R75/Grahamstown/Uitenhage and proceed for 68 m; - Keep right to continue on the M4 and proceed for 6.7 km; - Use the right 2 lanes to take Exit 751B to merge onto the N2 towards Grahamstown and proceed for 3.3 km; - Take Exit 754 for the M3/John Tallant Road towards the R102/M19/Swartkops/Uitenhage/Port Elizabeth and proceed for 400 m; - Take a slight left towards John Tallant Road/M3; - Continue onto John Tallant Road/M3 and proceed for 700 m; - Turn right onto Grahamstown Road/R102 and proceed for 850 m; - Turn left onto Trunk Road/R367 and continue to follow the R367 for 13.6 km; - Merge onto the R75 and proceed for 7.6 km; - Continue straight to stay on the R75 and proceed for 202 km; - Turn right onto the R63 and proceed for 6.7 km; - Turn left onto the gravel Petersburg Road and proceed for 3.1 km; - The entrance to Samara Karoo Reserve will be on the left-hand side; - Private air charters and road transfers can be arranged on request.
All children are welcome.
Children up to the age of 2 stay for free.
Children between the ages of 3 and 12 pay a sliding scale of 50%.
