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Game at the Samara Game Reserve, Karoo
Being home to a wide variety of habitats means that the Samara Private Game Reserve is host to a range of game species. Focused on reintroducing protected species, the property has a healthy population of Cheetah, Cape Mountain Zebra, White Rhino, Giraffe, Black Wildebeest, Eland, Kudu, Gemsbok, Springbok, Red Hartebeest and a range of other smaller mammals, including Vervet Monkeys and Meerkats.
Facilities at Samara
The luxurious Karoo Lodge at the Samara Game Reserve features a wide veranda from which guests may enjoy the magnificent Karoo landscape, along with a comfortable living room, snug bar and dining room. Spa treatments are available in the privacy of the lodge's suite. The lodge also has an open boma, a swimming pool and a tennis court.
With three Lodge Suites within the main lodge building and an additional three Karoo Suites, located in the grounds, the Samara Game Reserve is ideal for families, groups and individuals. 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.
Accessing Samara / Directions
By Road:
The recommended route from Port Elizabeth- 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.
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:
- Latitude- E240 45min 48 sec
- Longitude- S320 26 min 34 sec
- Length -1500 m
- Elevation - 2497 ft
Awards
- Voted Harpers Bazaar The 15 Greatest Safari experiences in Africa March 2008
- Voted Tatler Top 101 Hotels in the World December 2007
- Voted Conde Nast Travelers Hot Spots 60 New Hotels in the World May 2006
- Voted Travel and Leisure Top 50 Romantic Destinations in the World February 2006
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KAROO PRIVATE GAME RESERVE /
WESTERN CAPE GAME LODGE |
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The Samara Private Game Reserve in the malaria free Great Karoo is one of the largest private reserves (28 000 hectares/70 000 acres) in South Africa. This vast game reserve encompasses the southern flank of the Sneeuberg mountain range and the Karoo Lodge is nestled below this magnificent escarpment. The Samara Game Lodge is situated 55km outside of Graaff-Reinet, which is the fourth oldest town in South Africa. Its unique charm and history as well as shops, museums, restaurants and friendly people characterize Graaff-Reinet. Being located only 258km away from Port Elizabeth, the Samara Game Reserve can be accessed by air, rail and road.
Karoo Lodge at the Samara Private Game Reserve
Surrounded by beautiful mountains, the Karoo Lodge at the Samara Private Game Reserve enjoys perfect serenity within the game reserve's natural wilderness. Guests will be able to relax in colonial comforts admits natural surroundings while being provided with exceptional service.
Reflecting the essence of the Karoo, the interiors of the Karoo Lodge at the Samara Game Reserve seek to fuse the elegance of luxury colonial style cottages with the untamed beauty of the African bush.
Manor at the Samara Game Reserve
The Manor at the Samara Game Reserve in South Africa's Karoo is for the exclusive use of up to 8 guests in luxury, air-conditioned en suite rooms providing magnificent vistas over the unique Karoo landscape.
Guests arriving at this historic homestead are struck by the breathtaking views which unfold over a 21m infinity swimming pool which descends into a natural water hole at which game can be present in the early morning and late afternoon.
The Manor at the Samara Game Reserve is unique in its warm design which reflects the local landscape and traditions whilst retaining a lovely light contemporary twist.
Dining experiences include a boma, veranda, dining room and breakfast room as well as various bush dinning experiences. Guests are welcome to relax in the four spacious luxury suites, with the softest linen. All the suites at the Manor House have en-suite bathrooms with free-standing baths. Services provided at Samara's Manor House include a personal ranger, chef and butler.
Game drives / Safari at the Samara Game Reserve, Karoo
With four of South Africa's seven biomes, Samara's abundant wilderness preserves a complex and diverse ecosystem, providing habitat for over 60 mammal species. Among more common species, such as the Kudu and Duiker, the secretive Aardvark and the once-endangered White Rhino roam. Giraffes can be seen peeking over the thorny Acacia canopy, while Cheetah crouch, hidden in the grass, waiting for an opportunity to stretch their legs and test the speed of the Hartebeest.
Guests have the opportunity to discover the secrets of the Samara Game Reserve by exploring the untouched Plains of Camdeboo which once staged the massive migrations of millions of Springbok. The fossils found at the game reserve as well as the well-preserved Bushman paintings offer a fascinating insight into some of the historical intricacies of our Earth's past.
Early morning and late afternoon game drives, with the evening drive ending in a spot lit search for the elusive Aardvark are the game activities offered to guests staying at Samara. Guided bush walks and visits to sites of historical and paleontological interest are also available. Professional, local rangers guide all the activities.
Cheetah at the Samara Game Reserve
The Samara Game Reserve is home to the highly endangered Cheetah. 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 and Wildlife Trust.
In December 2003, Sibella started a new chapter in her life when she, along with two males, was released into the Samara Game Reserve.
The Samara Game Reserve works closely with De Wildt Cheetah and the Wildlife Trust to ensure that this high endangered species is given the best chance of survival. To this effect Samara changes it cheetah populations with other reserves thus ensuring that the gene pool is as wide as possible.
Dining
Whether guests choose to dine in the boma, under the stars or picnic overlooking the romantic plains of Camdeboo, they will savour the flavours of the mouth-watering cuisine hand selected and produced from the Karoo Kitchen. The rich bush scents of Wild Rosemary and Fynbos are combined with traditional Karoo Lamb and Springbok Loin to create a gastronomic delight . Meals are complemented with quality wines selected from the lodge's wine cellar.
Children at the Samara Game Reserve, South Africa: The Aardvark Childrens Programme
Samara's exciting childrens' programme centres on the new Aardvark reed enclosure, where children of all ages have the opportunity to be amongst giant and miniature wrought-iron cut-outs of animals found on the game reserve - giraffe legs more than two metres high and a life-size family of motionless meerkats amongst them. There's a wagon on which to clamb, a sandpit to excavate and weird and wonderful trees and bushes.
The children programme offered at Samara caters to children of all ages, allowing parents to take game drives without.
- Selected children activities include:
- Spoor identification
- Tracking
- Poo throwing
- Tree houses
- Camp lore - making a basic tent, fire, meal
- Orienteering - knowing the way home
- Basic bush cooking, baking
- Cheetah tales
- Dressing up rangers/Xhosas/Hottentot
- Bushman paintings - sketch your own.
- Make animals on loose rocks to take home
- Star-naming
- Seeds and pods
- 2-way Radio use and language/alphabet
- Making animals from seeds and thorns
- Cheetah tracking
- Snare removal
- Shooting clays
- Spekboom planting
- Local artisan to teach carving wood
- Children of all ages are welcome at the Samara Game Reserve
- A dedicated children's programme is daily on offer
- Children of age 8 and over may join the scheduled game drives
- A maximum of 2 children to be accommodated in Karoo Suites and a maximum of 1 child in Lodge Suites, sharing with two adults
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