Enjoy a family friendly safari in the heart of the Great Karoo
Samara Karoo Reserve’s vast, malaria-free wilderness in the Eastern Cape is not only home to the endangered cheetah but three safari lodges: The Manor, the recently refurbed Karoo Lodge and the tented Plains Camp.
‘We fell totally in love with this beautiful part of Africa, its vast open spaces and being able to serenely contemplate these incredible expanses while game viewing,’ said Helen Untiedt, co-founder of Perfect Hideaways. Samara Karoo Reserve’s traditional Karoo hospitality, five-star comfort and extraordinary scenery, all combine to create an epic malaria-free family safari in the Great Karoo.
The reserve – which encompasses 67 000 hectares of wilderness across a remarkable five biomes, making it the largest private game reserve in the Eastern Cape – is justifiably famous for its unrivalled cheetah tracking on foot. Award-winning Samara is just a 40-minute drive from the historic village of Graaff-Reinet. This reserve is a true escape: it encompasses wilderness in the Great Karoo – South Africa’s magical heartland and a must-visit destination in the Eastern Cape. Endangered cheetah, black and white rhino, giraffe, elephant and springbok populate the extensive plains framed by majestic purple mountains, while herds of Cape Mountain zebra, wildebeest and eland roam ‘Samara Mara’, as the reserve calls the thousands of acres of plateau grasslands that resemble East Africa’s Serengeti. A winter highlight is a sighting of aardvark – always a special experience.
‘This is a reserve where guests get their own private piece of Africa to play in,’ said travel writer Nigel Tisdal of the Sunday Times UK. And with just three safari lodges – The Manor, Karoo Lodge and Plains Camp – sleeping a maximum of 40 people altogether, you’ll feel like Samara is your private playground.
‘On our first visit,’ said Helen Untiedt, co-founder of Perfect Hideaways, ‘we chose the seclusion of the exclusive-use Manor house, The Manor. This historic homestead sleeps eight and is totally private, with its own 21-metre infinity swimming pool, butler, and chef, making it perfect for a family escape. The gorgeous, sumptuous and glamorous interiors, by John Jacob Zwiegelaar of John Jacob Interiors are a contemporary take on the traditional Karoo style with a colour palette inspired by Samara’s landscapes and the vast blue skies that take your breath away from sunrise to sunset. Think textured throws and feather cushions against utterly comfy oversized armchairs and sofas. The spacious bedroom suites have gorgeous soft white linens on the beds, inviting armchairs and spectacular Karoo views.
‘Authentic warmth and hospitality, delicious wilderness picnics in remarkable locations (the meal at the Eagle Rock viewpoint overlooking the breathtaking Plains of Cambedoo is a highlight), superb safari guiding and viewing is what made our Samara escape so memorable, but two experiences that we will never forget were tracking cheetah on foot (wow!) and the glorious sleep-out at Samara’s four-poster bed on the Milk River, under the most incredible canopy of Milky Way stars,’ said Helen.
‘On our return visit to this beautiful reserve, we experienced the refurbished Karoo Lodge, ideal for families if the exclusive-use manor house is booked, but also perfect for couples as eight Karoo suites are stand-alone, or separate ‘cottages’, a short distance away from the main farmhouse and dining area, where there are two family suites. But whether you’re staying at The Manor, the new-look Karoo Lodge or Plains Camp, there’s nothing like a genuine Karoo welcome…’
Quintessential Karoo-farmhouse living
Recently reimagined and ‘rejuvenated’ over a period of seven months, under the talented eyes of local architect Peter Whitlock, interior designer Amy Kidger of Hinterland Studio and creative director Paul Duncan, Samara Lodge has been transformed.
Its beautifully layered interiors pay homage to the history of the Camdeboo, with its gloriously unspoilt landscapes, striking rock formations and palette of distinctive colours – from the palest chalky grey bark of ancient shepherd trees to the bright yellow-green leaves of spring, and dusky pink aloes that miraculously survive endless dry-hot summer days, the vast Karoo landscapes are all reflected so effortlessly in the new look. Hand-embroidered Casemento ‘Fire Erica’ cushions in slubby linens grace comfy sofas, the softest throws invite hours of games by the crackling fire or blissful afternoon siestas with a good book.
But there are some things that never change here: the scent of roasted Karoo lamb with generous handfuls of rosemary and the best roast potatoes, or the tart sweetness of homemade quince jam filling the whole house with a home-cooked welcome. Laughter and banter in the kitchen. Watching the rhythmic kneading of dough by experienced hands. The excitement of returning after a rare aardvark sighting on a sunset drive.
A taste of off-grid, pioneering Karoo
In 2023, the tented Plains Camp opened: it’s an easy half-hour game drive from The Manor yet the setting is a world apart. Unfenced and authentic, with a nod to traditional Karoo heritage in the interiors, you’ll find yourself enjoying hot outdoor showers with a view of the vast Karoo plains before you before snuggling into a comfy wrought-metal bed in a canvas tent with the flickering light of a wood-burning stove and extra sheepskin to keep you toasty on crisp winter nights. There’s no WiFi, only romantic oil lanterns and candlelight… a proper, off-grid digital detox. With just four tents, Plains Camp is personal and secluded – fun for four couples or an adventure-loving family to book exclusively.
The Karoo, we promise, will always have a special place in your heart…
What we love…
- That Samara is so family friendly, and that you can see aardvark and get up close to cheetah.
- The fact that you can walk everywhere in the Samara Karoo Reserve. The game rangers actively encourage you to get off the vehicle and track animals on foot – highly recommended as an authentic safari experience, especially when cheetah tracking.
- The true Karoo friendliness. Absolutely everyone on the team is passionate about making your stay as magical as possible.
- The wilderness picnic at the look-out point over the iconic Plains of Cambedoo – it is such an evocative, beautiful spot overlooking the wild, wide-open spaces.
Things to know…
- If you’d like to do a luxury sleep-out in a four -poster bed, you can book this wildly romantic experience for one night of your stay.
- The Manor is an exclusive-use house, making it superbly family friendly. It sleeps 8 but additional family and friends can book into Samara’s Karoo Lodge nearby. The lodge sleeps 24 and can also be booked exclusively.
- Samara is an excellent stopover en route from Joburg to Plettenberg Bay or an Eastern Cape beach holiday.
- Samara is available as a location for film or stills shoots.
- There’s so much to do in Graaff-Reinet: anyone keen on history should also make time to do a tour with David McNaughton of Karoo Connections. You can also do day trips to the Valley of Desolation and Nieu Bethesda where you can visit the Kitching Fossil Exploration Centre, or the famous Owl House, once the home of eclectic sculptor and artist Helen Martins.
- The Rubidge Fossil Collection, said to be the world’s largest private collection of prehistoric fossils, is to be housed in a world-class research and exhibition centre in Graaff-Reinet – watch this space for the opening of Karoo Origins in August 2024. Read more about Professor Bruce Rubidge, whose grandfather Stanley, started the collection.