Samara Karoo Reserve (55 km From Graaff-Reinet) - Graaff-Reinet
- Graaff-Reinet
Last Updated: 1 month ago
Contact Reservations:Leonie Hauptfleisch GM: Marnus Ochse
- 049 940 1111
- 066 225 0925
- reservations@samara.co.za
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Grading
Location
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Samara is located in the Eastern Cape, near Graaff Reinet; about 2 1/2 hours drive from Port Elizabeth. Guests can self-drive directly to Samara or fly into Port Elizabeth from where the lodge can assist with transfers. Samara also boasts a private landing strip for direct charter to the lodge.
Accessing Samara By Road:
The recommended route from Port Elizabeth takes the R75 towards Graaff-Reinet for 258km. Turn right and take the R63 towards Pearston/ Somerset East for 7km. Turn left onto the Petersburg gravel road and drive 23km to reach Karoo Lodge.
Accessing Samara 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.
Samara Private Airstrip
- Co-ordinates: 24 45.48 E, 32 26.34S
- Length –1500 m
Graaff-Reinet, a 40-minute drive away, has a 1,500m tarred runway with landing lights which can accommodate a Gulf Stream jet. Transfers from Graaff-Reinet can then be made either by road (40 min) or by helicopter (15 min) directly to the lodge..
- Longitude: 24.861287
- Latitude: -32.353714
- Map
Accommodation Offered
- Lodge
- Game Reserves & Lodges
- Reserves & Conservation
- Wildlife & Nature
Languages
- English
- Afrikaans
Accreditations
Rates
Samara's Safari Rates and Packages 2022/23
1 Nov 2022 – 16 Dec 2022 Standard rate high season
Karoo Lodge - Karoo Retreat suite – R8 925.00 pppns
Homestead Luxury suite – R7 875.00 pppns
Homestead Classic suite – R6 825.00 pppns
Sibella Family suite – R24 000.00 per unit (sleeps 4)
Manor - Manor suite – R8 400.00 pppns
Exclusive use – R50 400.00 for 1-6 guests & R6 295.00 for 7th & 8th guests
17 Dec 2022 – 08 Jan 202 Standard rate peak season
Karoo Lodge - Karoo Retreat suite – R10 000.00 pppns
Homestead Luxury suite – R8 750.00 pppns
Homestead Classic suite – R7 250.00 pppns
Sibella Family suite – R26 400.00 per unit (sleeps 4)
Manor - Manor suite – N/A
Exclusive use – R78 000.00 for 1-8 guests
09 Jan 2023 – 30 Apr 2023 & 01 Aug 2023 – 31 Oct 2023 Standard rate new high season
Karoo Lodge - Karoo Retreat suite – R9 550.00 pppns
Homestead Luxury suite – R7 875.00 pppns
Homestead Classic suite – R6 825.00 pppns
Sibella Family suite – R25 000.00 per unit (sleeps 4)
Manor - Manor suite – R8 995.00 pppns
Exclusive use – R54 000.00 for 1-6 guests & R6 695.00 for 7th & 8th guests
01 May 2023 – 31 July 2023 Standard rate low season
Karoo Lodge - Karoo Retreat suite – R7 495.00 pppns
Homestead Luxury suite – R6 250.00 pppns
Homestead Classic suite – R5 750.00 pppns
Sibella Family suite – R23 400.00 per unit (sleeps 4)
Manor - Manor suite – R8 025.00 pppns
Exclusive use – R40 125.00 for 1-6 guests & R6 450.00 for 7th & 8th guests
Single Supplement:
Plus 50% per person per night sharing rate applicable to single occupancy. This does not apply to The Manor when booked exclusively.
Child Policy:
Children of all ages are welcome at Karoo Lodge. However, children under 8 years old 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. A private vehicle for families can be booked by prior arrangement, subject to availability and at extra cost (please enquire with Reservations).
Children before their 3rd birthday, sharing with adults, stay free of charge. Children between their 3rd and 14th birthday, sharing with adults, pay 50% of the adult rate. Guests aged 14 and over must take their own room at adult rates. In the Sibella Family suite, the quoted rate applies to 1-4 guests irrespective of age. Extra beds for children may be accommodated in Karoo Retreat suites (maximum two) and Homestead suites (maximum one), for use by children under 14 sharing with 2 adults. 3 or more adults are not permitted to share rooms.
Children under 14 years old are not permitted at The Manor unless The Manor has been booked on an exclusive-use basis. Guests aged 14 and over must take their own room at adult rates. 3 or more adults are not permitted to share rooms.
Rates include:
- Access to 67,000 acres of private wilderness
- Two game drives daily with experienced rangers and trackers
- Optional bush walks outside of scheduled game drives (subject to availability)
- Optional excursion with the Tracker Academy (subject to availability)
- Access to conservation activities ongoing on the reserve (subject to availability)
- Luxury en suite accommodation
- All meals, tea, coffee
- Children’s programme (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 subject to availability and at extra cost)
Rates exclude:
- Conservation contribution of R170 per person per night (South African guests aged 8 and above) or R330 per person per night (international guests aged 8 and above) will be added to the invoice. This contribution funds the reserve's vital projects of rhino security, anti-poaching, community engagement and ecological restoration through its registered public benefit organisation.
- Transfers to/from the Samara property
- All beverages
- Paid activities e.g. star bed & fly camping
- Curio shop purchases
- Laundry & telephone calls
- Gratuities
- Babysitting (R200/hour)
Rates Disclaimer:
Rates may vary and reduced rates may apply to additional persons. All rates are indicative only, may be seasonal and are subject to change without notice. Please visit our website or contact reservations for SA resident rates and specials.
Rates Disclaimer
- Rates may vary and reduced rates may apply to additional persons. All rates are indicative only, may be seasonal and are subject to change without notice.
About Samara Karoo Reserve (55 km From Graaff-Reinet)
Spanning 70,000 acres of wilderness in the Great Karoo, malaria-free Samara Private Game Reserve offers a Big Five safari with a difference – a unique conservation passion project in a spectacular setting.
Consisting of 11 former livestock farms assembled since 1997, Samara's story is one of restoration. Over two decades vegetation has been rehabilitated and wildlife reintroduced, including the first cheetah, elephant and lion to return in over a century. Samara’s vision now extends beyond its borders to the creation of a landscape-scale conservation project spanning 1.3 million acres. Key to the Samara experience is the concept of co-creation, where every guest plays a role in safeguarding the landscape in perpetuity.
The landscape itself is breathtakingly beautiful. Samara encompasses four vegetation biomes offering a diversity of topographies and wildlife. Endangered cheetah, black rhino, elephant and springbok roam the extensive plains framed by dramatic purple mountains, whilst herds of Cape mountain zebra, wildebeest and eland cavort on the unique 'Samara Mara' - thousands of acres of plateau grasslands resembling the East African Serengeti.
A total of 26 guests at any one time are invited to join this conservation journey, a guest to land ratio almost unparalleled in Africa.
Accommodation includes:
Karoo Lodge, a lovingly renovated farmhouse encircled by a natural amphitheatre of mountains. Combining colonial comforts and modern day luxuries 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 nine double rooms of varying sizes, Karoo Lodge caters for individual travellers, couples and families.
The luxurious Manor House, a striking yet understated villa, unique in its warm design reflecting local landscapes and traditions with a light, modern twist. Upon arrival your eye is drawn through the glass double doors flanked by beaded African artwork and traditional Karoo antiques to the breathtaking views beyond. The scenic mountain landscape unfolds over a 21m infinity pool descending to a waterhole. The Manor comprises 4 luxury suites, which can be booked independently or the entire villa can be taken over on an exclusive-use basis. This option is popular with families and groups looking for privacy, indulgence and complete relaxation.
Food at Samara is served from the Karoo Kitchen, delivering lovingly-prepared fare rustled up by our local chefs. Expect mouthwatering meals using the freshest produce and recipes handed down from generation to generation, evoking that famous Karoo hospitality. Friendly yet unobtrusive service is a Samara hallmark, and the team will welcome you as part of the extended Samara family.
Activities include game drives, guided walks, wilderness picnics, cheetah tracking on foot, aardvark spotting (winter is best for daytime sightings), birding, hiking and a luxury star bed (open October to April). Samara is malaria-free and welcomes children of all ages with a dedicated children’s programme.
A spectacular destination for discerning travellers seeking a holiday with purpose with genuine Karoo hospitality, Samara offers a safari for the soul.
Room / Unit Features
- Air Conditioning
- En Suite Bathroom
- Hair Dryer
- Heater
- WiFi - Free
On Site Features
- Bar (fully Licensed)
- Breakfast : Full English
- Dinner
- Business Facilities E.g. Photo Copying
- Child Friendly (all Ages)
- Childcare / Babysitting Service
- Credit Cards Accepted
- Garden
- Guest Lounge
- Housekeeping (daily)
- Ice In Summer
- Iron / Trouser Press Available
- Laundry Service Available
- Parking (off Street)
- Pets Not Allowed
- Picnic Baskets (by Arrangement)
- Reception (business Hours Only)
- Swimming Pool
Area Features
- Guest Transfers (airport)
- Guest Transfers (others)
Map and Directions to Samara Karoo Reserve (55 km From Graaff-Reinet)
Petersburg Road,
off the R63 to Pearston,
near Graaff-Reinet,
Eastern Cape,
6280