Samara Private Game Reserve - South Africa

The Great Karoo, Eastern Cape Discover the Africa you have always dreamed and read about. Samara Private Game Reserve covers 70,000 acres of prtoected malaria-free wilderness, encompassing mountains and high valleys that descend into the vast Plains of Camdeboo. You can be quite alone at Samara if you choose, out of sight of anything manmade. At night you will have the Milky Way for company, and by day, wild animals and a breathtaking landscape. Samara is home to over 60 mammal species and 175 birds, including the rare and endangered cheetah, (which you can track on foot), Cape mountain zebra and blue crane.

Not only will you be overawed by the conservation projects of preserving global biodiversity and endangered species, you will also marvel at herds of game found nowhere else in this region. Experience the luxury of tranquility and solitude. Karoo Lodge , with it’s distinct and elegant colonial ambience accommodates 20 people in 10 luxury air-conditioned suites. Wide, comfortable verandas with breathtaking views evoke an ‘Africa of old’. The Manor at Samara reflects the gracious, romantic charm of the Karoo landscape with spectacular mountain views, accoommodating up to 8 guests on an exclusive use basis which includes personal ranger, butler and chef.

The Mountain Retreat is wild and very remote. Also an exclusive use venue accommodating up to 10 guests, this is the perfect place to experience the true wilderness of the Great Karoo and escape back to times past. Samara welcomes children of all ages. Whether you dine in our bomas under the stars or picnic overlooking vast African plains, you will be tempted by the finest cuisine, hand selected from our kitchen garden. Pamper yourself in the Samara Spa where the products used are South African and utilise nature's best. Overlooking a tranquil waterhole where game and birds frolic, you will leave feeling rejuventated in body and soul. Activities include game drives in open vehicles, guided walks, bird watching, trips to fossil and bushman painting sites, swimming and tennis.

Our Commitment to Responsible Tourism

The Samara Wildlife Volunteer Programme is the ideal way to experience the magic of an African game reserve, while affording peace of mind by contributing to conservation efforts and community projects. Our volunteers are directly involved in eradicating invasive plants, rehabilitating degraded land and collecting data for studies to better understand some of Africa’s most vulnerable species. In addition to this, the programme helps support Vuyani Safe Haven in Graaff-Reinet, which is a home for abandoned and abused children.
We are currently involved in clearing alien invasive cacti species, and have a research project running to determine the effectiveness of herbicides for eradicating these cacti.

Our ongoing land restoration project involves soil erosion management techniques and planting spekboom (a plant that is very efficient at taking up atmospheric carbon from greenhouse gas emissions and helps restore degraded land).  We have a number of animal research projects. Most notable is the cheetah research, which gives volunteers the opportunity to have up close encounters with these incredible creatures.

Samara Wildlife Volunteer Programme raises money for Vuyani Safe Haven to pay for school fees, uniforms and maintenance and upkeep of the home. Volunteers also spend days at the home, helping build, paint, plant vegetable gardens or just playing with the children and bringing some joy into their lives.

PO Box 649
Graaff-Reinet
6280
South Africa

Phone: +27(0)23 626 6113 
Fax: +27(0)23 626 5790 
Email: sarah@samara.co.za 
Website: http://www.samara.co.za