South Africa - Places To Stay

Great Karoo - Experience the charm of a traditional Colonial homestead set on 70 000 acres of protected land in the malaria-free Great Karoo. Accommodation is provided at Karoo Lodge or the more exclusive Manor House. Karoo Lodge consists of 3 luxury suites within the lodge and 3 private Karoo Suites separate from the lodge. The Manor House accommodates 8 people in 4 luxury rooms on a fully exclusive-use basis. Each Suite is traditionally decorated and elegantly styled to create an ideal balance between comfort and the beauty of the surrounding landscape. Spa treatments are available in the privacy of your own suite and both lodges have a swimming pool and Karoo Lodge has a tennis court.

Mouth-watering cuisine, prepared with ingredients from the Karoo kitchen garden, is served in the boma or under the stars. Meals are all served with a tempting selection of South African wines. Romantic picnics overlooking the plains of the Camdeboo, can be arranged.

The land has been restored to its former glory by reintroducing indigenous game species, and provides a safe haven to endangered species such as the Cape Mountain Zebra and Cheetah. Guests can witness the extraordinary behaviour of the dynamic wildlife during game drives and game walks.

Private game reserve near Graaff Reinett in the Camdeboo area of the Great Karoo.

Guests can access Samara by car (about three hours from Port Elizabeth), or via a 45-minute chartered flight from Port Elizabeth Airport to Samara's private airstrip

3 Lodge Suites and 3 Karoo Suites, The Mountain Retreat (sleeps 4)

Lodge Suite:
£229 per person sharing in Low Season (May - Aug)
£362 per person sharing in High Season (Jan - Apr & Sep - Dec)

Karoo Suite:
£286 per person sharing in Low Season (May - Aug)
£457 per person sharing in High Season (Jan - Apr & Sep - Dec)

The Mountain Retreat:
£186 per person sharing year round

En-suite accommodation, all meals, tea/coffee, local house wines and beverages, two open Land Rover Safaris per day, guided nature walks, AardvARK programme, return transfers from Samara Airstrip to the lodge, VAT and tourism levies.

Children of all ages are welcome at Samara. Baby sitting/ child minder services are available at the Manor House at an additional charge. A dedicated children's programme on offer daily. Only children of age 8 and over are allowed on scheduled game drives.

Day & night game drives, game walks, cheetah tracking on foot, excursions to view ancient Koi San paintings, star gazing.

In winter 2009, there have been an unprecedented number of sightings of the usually elusive and nocturnal Aardvark - some even in broad daylight. It is thought that a possible reason is that this winter has been particularly dry and these fascinating creatures are having to come out earlier in order to forage for enough food. Whatever the reason, these enchanting creatures have brought much pleasure to recent guests at Samara.

Since 1997 Samara's main objective has been to realise the lands potential both as an area of outstanding natural diversity and as a home to reintroduced endangered species. Encompassing 4 of the country's 7 biomes (grassland, Nama Karoo, valley thicket and savannah), Samara's abundant wilderness preserves a complex and diverse ecosystem, providing habitat for over 60 mammal species.

It has been estimated that the last cheetah seen in the area was 125 years ago, since they were heavily hunted in the Great Karoo and Eastern Cape areas. Privileged to be home to this highly endangered species, Samara hosts a remarkable individual. Born a wild cheetah, Sibella's life nearly ended at the hands of hunters. After being savagely treated in captivity, she was fortunate enough to be rescued and underwent life-saving surgery and rehabilitation at the De Wildt Cheetah & Wildlife Trust. In December 2003, Sibella started a new chapter in her life when she, along with two males, was released into Samara. Despite suffering the occasional twinge from her previous injuries, Sibella has proved she to be a capable hunter and has successfully reared 11 cubs in the 3 years she has been at Samara.

90% of Samara's staff are from Graaff-Reinet and its surrounds. The owners also invite children from previously disadvantaged backgrounds to explore Samara on a regular basis. In association with the mayor of Graaff-Reinet, Daantjies Jafta, they organize educational visits for local schools, during which the children get to experience the magic of the wilderness and learn about the country's growing eco-tourism industry.

Payments in cash (ZAR), as well as all major credit cards are accepted.

Samara is free of Malaria and other tropical diseases.