Samara Private Game Reserve - Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape, South Africa

With three Lodge Suites within the main lodge building and an additional three Karoo Suites, located in the grounds, Samara caters for families, groups and individuals.

"Let us take you back in time to an Africa of old, where herds of Eland and Springbok roam the Plains of Camdeboo and the magestic Cheetah reigns supreme. Escape the traffic jam of vehicles and experience the solitude and peace of Samara -
70 000 acres of land in South Africa's malaria free Great Karoo.
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 you, can almost touch it."

The luxurious Karoo Lodge has a wide veranda from which to enjoy the stunning surrounds, along with a comfortable living room, snug bar and dining room. Spa treatments are available in the privacy of your own suite. We also have an open boma, a swimming pool and a tennis court.

The décor is a tasteful fusion of traditional Karoo style and modern African influences. All suites have private en-suite bathrooms and are fully equipped.

Internet connections are available in all suites for guests wishing to use their own laptop. Alternatively, access is available in the lodge, along with satellite TV, Internet and fax facilities.

Trip Type

Family Vacation, Romantic Getaway

Leisure

Early morning and late afternoon game drives, with the evening drive ending in a spot lit search for the elusive Aardvark. Guided bush walks and visits to sites of historical and paleontological interest. Professional, local rangers guide all our activities. Private Game Viewers - The sole use of a Game Viewer and accompanying guide can be arranged upon request and will be accommodated whenever possible, at an additional charge.

Explore

One of the largest private reserves (28 000 hectares/70 000 acres) in South Africa, Samara has a wonderful sense of space at Samara, a reminder of the insignificance of humans in comparison to the vast beauty of the Karoo. The reserve encompasses the southern flank of the Sneeuberg mountain range and Karoo Lodge is nestled below the escarpment. Samara is situated 55km outside Graaff-Reinet, the fourth oldest town in South Africa, full of charm and history as well as shops, museums, restaurants and friendly people. Just 258km from Port Elizabeth, a city with good transportation links, Samara can be accessed by air, rail and road.

Getting There

By Air: Daily flights from Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. Air charters from Port Elizabeth to Samara (gravel airstrip) can be arranged on request. Arrival/Departure Our recommended arrival time is after 14:00. Suites must be vacated by 11:00am to allow ample opportunity for them to be made perfect for incoming guests. Late departures can be arranged with the lodge, subject to availability of a suite for daytime use. Winter Months The Karoo experiences a short winter of between May and September. During these months temperatures are between a minimum of 00C and a maximum of 200C around midday. We advise you bring a very warm jacket and warm clothing suitable for the game drives which all take place on open safari vehicles. It is advisable to bring some light clothing as the temperature can rise considerably during the day. Summer Months The summer in the Karoo can be extremely hot with temperatures reaching over 350C! We recommend people bring light-weight clothing for daywear but also include a fewer warmer items as the evenings can become quite chilly, dropping to lows of 100C.