Samara Karoo Reserve
Graaff-Reinet
Eastern Cape
Features
- Experience a rare, humbling opportunity to track wild cheetah with expert guides and trackers.
- Samara’s safari ethos is rooted in slow, immersive wildlife experiences, with low vehicle density allowing guests to enjoy unhurried sightings of the Big Five and the Karoo’s many unique species.
- Game drives and guided bush walks offer different perspectives, encouraging guests to slow down, look closer and experience the landscape on its own terms.
- The Karoo is more than the backdrop to a stay at Samara – it is part of the experience.
- From architecture and interiors inspired by the landscape to locally crafted décor and the people who bring it all to life, every detail is rooted in a deep sense of place.
- By working with local artisans, suppliers and communities, Samara guests leave with more than memories of the Karoo.
- Big FiveYes
- Off RoadYes
- Camp FencedYes
- Child PolicyChildren of all ages welcome at Karoo Lodge and The Manor. A minimum age restriction of 16 years applies to Plains Camp.
- PoolYes - At The Main Area Only
- SPAIn-room Treatments And Karoo Lodge Spa Facilities
- AirconYes
- Malaria AreaNo
- Back-up PowerPowered By Renewable Energy, Plains Camp Is Off-grid
Location
Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape
Getting There
3 hour drive from Port Elizabeth on good roads. Private air charters and road transfers can be arranged on request.
Accommodation
Karoo Lodge
Eight stand-alone luxury Karoo Suites, each suite sleeps 2 guests.
Two stand-alone luxury Karoo family units, each suite sleeps 4 guests. One additional child under 12 years can be accommodated on an extra bed in the shared living room.
The Manor
Exclusive-use villa with four suites, each suite sleeps 2 guests.
Plains Camp
Four tented suites, each suite sleeps 2 guests.
Specials for South African Residents
Best Available Deal
Please note:
- All rates are subject to availability.
- Rates are applicable to SA Residents or SADC Residents only where specified.
- Proof of SADC residency (SADC ID, work permit or endorsed passport) may be required at the time of booking or upon check-in at the lodge.
- Minimum nights stays and surcharges may apply on rates over peak holiday periods and weekends.
- Conservation contribution fees are included in the cost.
- NB: Guided bush walks, wildlife tracking & access to conservation activities, included in the rates, are subject to availability.
- Please contact your BushBreaks & More consultant for single accommodation options and rates.
CHILD POLICY – KAROO LODGE:
- Children of all ages are welcome at Karoo Lodge. Children under 8 years are not permitted on scheduled game drives with other guests.
- Shorter “bumble” drives are on offer to families with young children mid-morning once the scheduled game drive has returned to the lodge.
- Children’s activities and use of the Cubs’ Den are available to children of all ages.
- A private vehicle for families can be booked by prior arrangement, subject to availability and at extra cost (please enquire with Reservations at the time of booking)
- Karoo Family Suite – The quoted rate applies to 1-4 guests irrespective of age. Guests booked into a Karoo Family Suite for a minimum of 3 nights enjoy the complimentary use of a private vehicle.
- Karoo Suite – Two extra beds/cots may be accommodated in a limited number of Karoo Suites, for use by up to 2 children aged 0-12 years, sharing with 2 adults.
CHILD POLICY: THE MANOR
- Children of all ages are welcome at The Manor, which is booked on an exclusive-use basis.
- The quoted exclusive-use rate applies to the stated number of guests irrespective of age.
- Any children aged 0-12 years, over and above the 8-guest capacity, limited to two such children, can be accommodated on extra beds/cots in the suites. If aged 3-12 years, these children are charged according to the rates table. If aged 0-3 years, these children stay free of charge.
- All bookings at The Manor enjoy the complimentary use of a private vehicle.
CHILD POLICY: PLAINS CAMP
- Given the nature of Plains Camp as an unfenced explorer-style camp with a focus on bush walks and wildlife tracking in Big Five territory, a minimum age restriction of 16 years applies.
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR BUSHBREAKS CONSULTANT FOR A QUOTE.
- Children under 8 are not allowed on scheduled game drives with other guests unless staying at The Manor when booked exclusively, or unless a private vehicle has been pre-booked.
- A private vehicle for families can be booked by prior arrangement, subject to availability and at extra cost.
- A children’s program is on offer for children of all ages and a shorter “bumble” drives for small children can be arranged on request once the scheduled game drive is back at the lodge.
- Babysitting service is available on request.
About Samara Karoo Reserve
Samara Karoo Reserve is in the malaria free Eastern Cape and is home to 3 special lodges, The Manor at Samara, Plains Camp and Karoo Lodge.
Discover the Africa one has always dreamt and read about, with vast open plains, spectacular sunsets and starry skies with the Milky Way so close.
Spend your days on safari with experienced rangers and trackers and visit the unspoilt plains of Camdeboo where the majestic cheetah reigns once more and the endangered mountain zebra wander on the endless grassy plains. Free of the restrictions of the Big 5 reserves, your professional guide will introduce you to the highly endangered Cheetah, enabling you to participate in an exclusive interaction with these graceful predators.
Karoo Lodge
Karoo Lodge is a lovingly renovated farmstead encircled by an amphitheatre of mountains, offering an elevated home-away-from-home experience for up to 24 guests across 10 suites. Game drives and optional bush walks are at the heart of the stay, offering exceptional opportunities to explore Samara’s rewilded Karoo and encounter its diverse wildlife.
Within the homestead, inviting living, dining and learning spaces include an atmospheric dining room, library, farm-style kitchen, wine cellar, bar, gift shop and interactive Story Room, which brings Samara’s past, present and future to life.
Outside, indigenous gardens blend seamlessly with the surrounding veld, while a swimming pool and covered gazebo provide a tranquil spot to unwind. Reflecting Samara’s commitment to sustainable living, Karoo Lodge is powered by renewable energy and uses innovative wastewater recycling systems.
The Manor
A striking oasis in the semi-desert landscape, The Manor is an elegant, exclusive-use villa in a contemporary Karoo style, sleeping up to eight guests. Designed for private safaris, guests enjoy a dedicated vehicle, field guide, tracker, chef and host, with a tailor-made programme of activities for all ages and interests.
The Manor’s light, modern design draws inspiration from the surrounding landscape and local traditions, with expansive glass doors opening onto a 21m infinity pool and breathtaking mountain views beyond. The open-plan villa features generous living and dining spaces, a bar, breakfast room, gym and kitchen, with intimate alcoves for reading and relaxing. A private waterhole below the villa adds to the sense of being immersed in the wild.
Plains Camp
Plains Camp is an off-grid tented camp welcoming 8 guests for walking safaris and reconnecting with Nature in elegant simplicity. No electricity or high-tech distractions – just a grounding, humbling adventure. Located in a remote part of the reserve with spellbinding views and abundant wildlife, this unpretentious tented camp lets the landscape do the talking, allowing guests to disconnect from their busy lives in soothing solitude.
Daily morning bush walks focus on the little things so often unseen from the vehicle. In the afternoon, game drives provide an undeniable thrill as guests are able to get up close with an array of wildlife including the Big Five.
ROOM FEATURES
Karoo Lodge
Eight stand-alone luxury Karoo suites with private wraparound verandah, outdoor shower and magnificent views. Each suite sleeps 2 guests.
Two stand-alone luxury Karoo Family units each consisting of two en-suite bedrooms sharing a living room. Each room has a private wraparound verandah, outdoor shower and magnificent views. Each suite sleeps 4 guests. One additional child under 12 years can be accommodated on an extra bed in the shared living room.
The Manor
Exclusive-use villa with four suites, each suite has an en-suite bathroom, a large open-plan living room, a dining room, bar, kitchen, verandah, swimming pool and garden. Each suite sleeps 2 guests.
Plains Camp
Four tented suites with bedroom, en-suite bathroom, indoor flushing loo, outdoor bucket shower, fireplace and indoor/outdoor seating area overlooking the serene Karoo landscape. Each suite sleeps 2 guests.
Lodge Features
Boma
Bush Walks
Community Upliftment
Gym
Library
Lodge Pool
Spa
Wine Cellar
Additional Activities
- Guided bush walks
- Night drives
- Medicinal plant walks
- Cheetah tracking
- Wilderness picnics
- Children’s activities
- Spekboom planting
- Conservation & community storytelling
- Star bed (at additional cost)
- Spa (at additional cost)
- Fly camping (at additional cost)
- Cheetah Trail (at additional cost)
Getting There
Road directions from Port Elizabeth(Gqeberha) Airport
Exit the airport and turn right at the traffic circle onto the M11 Allister Miller Road.
Travel 2 km and at the traffic light turn left onto Forest Hill Drive.
Travel 700m and at the traffic light turn right onto the M7 Walmer Boulevard. Travel 500m and at the third set of traffic lights turn left onto the M4 Settler’s Way.
Travel 6.7km and use the right two lanes to take exit 751B to merge onto the N2 towards Grahamstown (Makhanda). Stay on this road for 3.4km.
Take exit 754 for M3/John Tallant Road/R102/M19/Swartkops/Uitenhage (Kariega).
Travel 400m and turn left onto John Tallant Road/M3 towards Deal Party/Swartkops/Uitenhage (Kariega).
Travel 750m and turn right onto Grahamstown Road/R102/Swartkops/Uitenhage.
Travel 850m and at the traffic light turn left onto Trunk Road/R367/Uitenhage.
Travel 13.6km and keep right to merge onto the R75.
NOTE: There are coffee shops with bathrooms along the R75 approx. 70km from Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha).
Travel 209.6km on the R75 and turn right onto the R63 towards Pearston/Somerset East. Look out here for the first Samara signboard.
NOTE: The last petrol stations before you reach the Samara turn-off are in Jansenville (82km to Karoo Lodge). The Caltex garage is open Monday to Sunday 7am to 9pm (opening hours subject to change). The Quest garage is open 24/7. Alternatively, there are several petrol stations in Graaff-Reinet which are open 24/7 (Graaff-Reinet is 52km from Karoo Lodge, to the north).
Travel 6.6km and turn left onto the Petersburg Road (unpaved dirt road). You will see the second Samara signboard at this turn-off.
Travel 3km until you reach an electronic gate. Input the security code provided by Reservations, and once through the gate please call Reception to inform them that you are on the reserve.
Mobile reception disappears a few kilometres down the road. If you do not have a code or your code does not work, please advise Reservations on +27 (0)49 940 1111 or Reception on +27 (0)49 940 0059.
Travel 12.5km (over the bridge) to a set of double electric gates.
If you are staying at The Manor, travel a further 2.2km from the double gates to the turn-on on the left.
If you are staying at Karoo Lodge, travel 5.4km from the double gates to the Karoo Lodge turn-off on the left, following the road and any marked detours that may be in place.
If you are staying at Plains Camp, please check in at Karoo Lodge.
NOTE: If you search for Samara Karoo Reserve on Google Maps, you will find the location pin situated at the first electric gate. The journey from Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) Airport to this first gate takes around 2.5 hours. Please allow a further 30 minutes to travel along the unpaved dirt road to the lodges.
From Johannesburg
- Take the N1 through Bloemfontein to Colesberg. Where the road splits, take the N9 to Middelburg and Graaff-Reinet.
- From Graaff-Reinet, take the Port Elizabeth road out of town for approximately 26 kms where you will come to the R 63 marked Pearston / Somerset-East (Blue Crane Route). Turn left and travel + 7 km and at the Samara Game Reserve sign turn left on to Petersburg Road.
- Follow the dirt road through the reserve for approximately 24km (around 30 minutes). Please call the lodge from the first electric gate to let them know you have arrived on the property, then continue through the double electric gates and follow the signs to Karoo Lodge (for Karoo Lodge & Plains Camp check in) or The Manor.