South African Lodges

Kariega Game Reserve

Kariega Game Reserve Reviews & Information

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Below detailed information about the Kariega Game Reserve is available.
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Restaurants

Dining at the Kariega Game Reserve

Each lodge at the magnificent Kariega Game Reserve, South Africa, features its own restaurant which serves all-inclusive meals to the guests. Meals include tea, snacks, full breakfasts/brunch and al fresco evening meals.

Spa

Spa Facilities

The Wellness Centre at Kariega Reserve, South Africa, provides pampering treatments in beautiful, tranquil surroundings.

Spa treatments on offer include various relaxing or energising massages, facials and unisex treatments. The Wellness Centre is situated at the Kariega Main Lodge and serves all the lodges.  Two spa treatment rooms and a gym can be found at the resort while River Lodge guests may enjoy spa treatments provided for them in the comfort of their suites.

Activities, Sports & Leisure

Game Drives or Walking Safaris

Game Drives at Kariega give guests the opportunity to experience close-up viewing of the Big 5 as well as a multitude of other wild game and bird species. Everything at the Kariega Lodges revolves around the twice-daily safari drives and river cruises. The game reserve is bordered by the dramatic Kariega and Bushman's River Valleys and the safari drives explore many different habitats including riverine forests, rich grassland plains and typical African bushveld.

A variety of well-marked hiking trails is on offer at Kariega Game Reserve. These trails meander through the predator-free, eastern section of the reserve.

River activities

An abundance of bird and animal life at the Kariega River makes for exciting game viewing while enjoying a leisurely cruise down the river on the Kareiga Queen. This cruise is available for guests staying at the Main Lodge and Ukhozi Lodge while guests at the River Lodge can participate in an optional daily boat cruise down the Bushman’s River, through the quaint village of Kenton-on-Sea.

Canoes are available for guests to enjoy a leisurely paddle down either the Kariega or the Bushman’s rivers. Guests at the Main Lodge and Ukhozi Lodge are invited to bring their personal fishing equipment for fishing in the Kariega River. The River Lodge has rods for a keen fisherman who can fish either from the bank of the river or off a canoe.

Nearby activities
  • Golf at Royal Port Alfred or Fish River Sun
  • Beaches at Kenton-on-Sea
  • Local historical towns of Grahamstown, Salem, Bathurst and Port Alfred
  • Port Elizabeth is also nearby
Spa treatments

The Wellness Centre at Kariega Private Game Reserve provides pampering treatments for both men and women. Nestled in beautiful, tranquil surroundings, treatments on offer include various relaxing or energizing massages and facials. The Wellness Centre is at Kariega Main Lodge and serves all the lodges while guests at River Lodge can enjoy treatments in their rooms.

Facilities

Day Itinerary

A minimum 3-night stay is ideal for Kariega Reserve to get the most out of your safari experience. Guests should try to check in at 2 pm to be in time for lunch and the afternoon drive while check out time is between 10, and 11 am.

An exciting day at the Main Lodge & Ukhozi Lodge:

  • 06h00: Tea, coffee and a snack. Depart for an early morning drive/river cruise
  • 10h00: Return to the Lodge for a hearty breakfast/brunch
  • 11h00: Free time to enjoy a walk, spa treatment, canoe or swim
  • 14h30: Enjoy afternoon eats
  • 16h00: Depart for an evening drive.
  • 19h30: Return to the lodge for an al fresco dinner.

Day itinerary at the River Lodge:

  • 06h00: Tea, coffee and a snack. Depart for an early morning drive
  • 10h00: Return to the Lodge for a hearty breakfast/brunch
  • 11h00: Visit Bushman’s River, go to the coast, go fishing, have a swim or enjoy a spa treatment
  • 14h30: Enjoy afternoon eats
  • 16h00: Depart for an evening drive
  • 19h30: Return to the lodge for dinner in the boma or the restaurant.

Services

Check in and Check Out Times
  • Check in: 14:00
  • Check out: 10:00
General Services
  • Airport transfers
  • Housekeeping service
  • Safari drives
  • Wake-up call
  • Walking safaris
Social Responsibility

  • Kariega Reserve welcomes conservation volunteers. This exciting conservation project allows volunteers to get their hands dirty and learn more about conservation management on a Big Five reserve. All the work was done, and data collected by the volunteers are utilised by Kariega for the reserve. Volunteers also work with Kariega's community outreach programme; assisting at a rural farm school by teaching children basic subjects like English.

    Kariega Reserve is the largest employer in the Kenton-on-Sea area, and the Kariega Foundation was set up to work with local neighbours in uplifting and empowering their community. The immediate beneficiaries of the Kariega Foundation are the three local schools in the Kenton-on-Sea area.

    The Kariega Foundation is not only concerned with social upliftment but is also about wildlife conservation. The Leopard Project tracks the occurrence and habits of the rare Cape Leopard in the Kariega area while the Thandi & Themba rhino fund become public in March 2012 after a terrible poaching incident that occurred at the Kariega Reserve. The fund has a goal to provide the best possible care and chance of survival for the Kariega rhinos.

     

Available Rooms

Ukhozi Lodge

# Rooms:
10
The Ukhozi Lodge at the Kariega Game Reserve captures the romance of Africa.  Ten luxury suites, crafted from a log, are nestled in the bush.  Each suite features a private plunge pool and deck which boasts panoramic views of the valley. The Lodge also offers African-style lounges, a restaurant, boma as well as a swimming pool.

 

Ukhozi Lodge room features:

  •  Air-conditioning
  •  Private viewing deck with plunge pool
  •  River cruises, walking safaris and game drives on offer
  •  Canoeing
  •  Luxury bedrooms with king-size bed (twin or double)
  •  En-suite bathroom with shower and bath
  •  Tea and coffee facilities
  •  Internet connectivity
  •  Safe
  •  Telephone.

Main Lodge

# Rooms:
21

The Kariega Main Lodge is the ideal place for families, friends or couples to enjoy a relaxed vacation in the African bush. The 21 log chalets at the Main Lodge feature a large private viewing deck and a spacious lounge and living area while selected chalets feature private pools.

 

At the Main Lodge of the Kariega Game Reserve, South Africa, meals are served in the restaurant or the boma, while a bar and an outdoor swimming pool are also on offer.

 

Kariega Main Lodge room features:

  •  Air-conditioning
  •  Fireplace
  •  Satellite TV
  •  Private viewing deck, some with plunge pools
  •  River cruises, walking safaris and game drives on offer
  •  Canoeing
  •  Luxury bedrooms with king-size beds (twin or double)
  •  En-suite bathroom with shower and bath
  •  Tea and coffee facilities
  •  Internet connectivity
  •  Safe
  •  Telephone.

River Lodge

# Rooms:
10

The Kariega River Lodge provides ten spacious thatched suites are along the banks of the Bushman’s River. This one-of-a-kind hotel offers the ultimate in peace and tranquility. Inside the River Lodge relaxing lounges, a quiet library, a sparkling pool and a magnificent deck, which overhangs the river, can be found.

 

Kariega River Lodge room features:

  • Private Patio
  • Air-conditioning
  • Overhead fan
  • River cruises, walking safaris and game drives on offer
  • Canoeing and fishing
  • Luxury suite with king-size bed (twin or double)
  • En-suite bathroom with shower, bath and double vanity basin
  • Tea and coffee facilities
  • Internet connectivity
  • Safe
  • Telephone.
 

GPS Co-Ordinates

Latitude: -33.586057

Longitude: 26.620338

Directions

Directions to the main reception of Kariega Main Lodge, Ukhozi Lodge & The Homestead:
Travel the N2 from Cape Town along the Garden Route towards Grahamstown, and choose one of two alternative routes:

Route 1:
The coastal route on the R72, via Alexandria to Kenton-on-Sea, where you turn inland and proceed 14 km on the R343.

Route 2:
Continue to the N2 towards Grahamstown for about 110km and turn right before reaching Grahamstown onto the tarred road (R343) to Kenton-on-Sea for a distance of 32km.

Directions to the River Lodge reception:
Travel from Port Elizabeth along the N2 towards Grahamstown for approximately 50 km and then take the Port Alfred turnoff, where you will then travel along the R72 towards Kenton-on-Sea and Port Alfred. The turnoff to River Lodge is signposted and is exactly 15 km beyond Alexandria.

Parking

On site parking facilities are provided for guests.

Star Rating

4 Star

ADDRESS
Kariega Game Reserve
Grahamstown District
Eastern Cape
South Africa

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+27 (0) 10 446 8045
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