Samara Private Game Reserve Manor House

Reviews

• "Extremely nice people"

  09 January 2025

  "The people at Samara are sincerely very very nice and very competent . The ways in the reserve could at times be better which sometimes makes the watching less pleasant."

• "Samara New Year Eve trip"

  09 January 2025

  "The overall stay was excellent, in terms of recommendations I would suggest on arrival guest are shown around the lodge and the various facilities."

• "Magnificence in the heat and dust"

  31 December 2024

  "What a magic spot . The views are incredible and there is a good selection of animals - lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffe , tortoises, variety of buck and birds, etc. The selection of food is..."

• "An amazing stay!"

  23 December 2024

  "What an AMAZING 4 days at Samara. Highly, highly recommend. We had the whole Plains Camp to ourselves. It was unbelievable (including the Cheetah drinking from the plunge pool!). The staff at Plains..."

• "The most magical of places"

  13 November 2024

  "Samara is different from anywhere on earth, a story of passion, vision and hope and truly a pioneer in wildlife conservation, land preservation and community outreach. Not only the story, but the..."

• "A gem in the Karoo"

  12 October 2024

  "We have travelled extensively in South Africa and Samara is truly unique. From the inspiring story of its founding and the initiatives to reintroduce wildlife species into this part of the Karoo, to..."

• "Karoo Experience"

  22 September 2024

  "Samara delivered an incredible game viewing and accommodation experience in the heart of Great Karoo. The hospitality, food and staff were brilliant. Our Ranger and tracker were incredibly..."

• "Most epic adventure ever!"

  15 September 2024

  "Huge privilege to see game so close up. Mzi was a fantastic guide and very knowledgeable about the ecosystem that he has been entrusted with. Tracker AJ was just as good in tracking the game so that..."

• "A Truly Magical Place"

  12 September 2024

  "Our extended family of ten adults just got back from four nights at Samara and I can truly say it was the greatest vacations we've ever experienced in our lives. Like many people on Tripadvisor I..."

• "An even improved return visit"

  30 August 2024

  "Once again I was treated like family coming home. Hospitality of the highest standard. Food delicious, and all game drives informative and super professional. It is time to return with all my..."

• "Sublime Samara is worthy of a trip"

  04 July 2024

  "Simply a delightful experience at Samara. The staff, guides and trackers are all fantastic, and the newly remodeled Karoo Lodge is sublime. We love the conservation work they’re doing, and it shows..."

• "A beautiful reserve - ethically run"

  01 April 2024

  "We stayed for all four days in the tented camp which has four double tents and a dining/ seating tent. The tents are comfortable with proper loos and bucket showers. They have wonderful views..."

• "A special place on earth"

  29 March 2024

  "We shared to rooms in the Manor. As the Manor has four rooms only there were only two other couples staying with us which made our stay a really private encounter. The Manor is huge and leaves enough..."

• "Wonderful unique experience"

  03 January 2023

  "We visited as a couple in October, and had a magical time. Our guide Mzi and ranger Jason were outstanding and we had many special experiences up close with the animals, the most memorable being..."

• "Stunning Place and amazing staff"

  29 December 2022

  "We visited in October so apologies for the delay writing this review. We stayed for 4 days and we’re just blown away with the scenery landscape and animals. We saw everything we wanted to and more..."

• "The Eastern Cape bush at its best"

  21 November 2022

  "What a joy to have found Samara not far away... very comfortable lodgings, excellent food, wonderful staff and a superb game guide. We learnt so much in 4 days. Only one thing slightly amiss - the..."

• "Incredible moment "

  18 October 2022

  "We are a family with 2 Kids. We spent 3 amazing days. The welcome is really warm. The Sibella lodge is confortable. The food is very good. What we prefer is to spend time in the brush. Our tracker..."

• "Paradise"

  18 September 2022

  "Samara is a true wilderness experience with spiritual healing thrown in. The wildlife is so diverse, there are species we still discovered on this trip that we hadn’t seen on previous visits. Never..."

• "Best kept gem in South Africa! 5 stars!!"

  16 September 2022

  "I have been to Samara Karoo Reserve three times in the past year and it is the gift that keeps on giving! A wonderfully quaint, quiet and cozy gem in the stunning Karoo. The staff are incredibly..."

• "Amazing lodge in a great spot"

  07 August 2022

  "An Amazing lodge in a wonderful reserve, with many different and beautiful landscapes and of course lots of animals to see. The staff is very kind, we were lucky to be there at a very calm period..."

• "Samara Manor House is the upscale Karoo ticket! 5 Stars"

  23 July 2022

  "We stayed two nights at the Manor House and were the only couple except for one English gent who left after breakfast after our first night. Four large luxury ensuite guest rooms in the house, very..."

• "Magnificent game reserve, with eide variety of game, and top service."

  10 April 2022

  "The reserve is in the Great Karoo, near Graaf Reinet. Thr Lodge is stylishly furnished with elegance snd style. Our room was large, featured a huge 4-poster bed and private patio, with stunning..."

• "An authentic reflection of responsible & sustainable African wildlife."

  05 April 2022

  "This was my fifth visit to Samara spanning a seventeen year period. My first visit in 2005 was a result of a friends strong recommendation to take a look at a property with an awesome vision. That..."

• "A game reserve not to be missed!"

  24 January 2022

  "This was our first time at Samara. It is a massive reserve with an array of wildlife. The black wildebeest on the top of the mountain with their bushy white tails was a first. The lions, eland and..."

• "Unique game viewing experience"

  19 January 2022

  "The main highlight was seeing 3 three-month-old lion cubs playing with their older brothers from very close at a beautiful time of the day in an incredible spot on the river. Unbelievable sighting..."

• "Amazing Wildlife Experience"

  19 January 2022

  "This was an absolutely amazing experience. We stayed in the Manor House. The rooms are decorated very stylish (so was the rest of the house), spacious and have beautiful views. The game viewing was..."

• "Incredible unique game viewing"

  18 January 2022

  "Samara provides such a unique game viewing and I would gladly go back! Highlights included on foot walking to see cheetah and rhino, watching lion cubs in a river bed, viewing mountain zebra on a..."

• "Samara is OK"

  12 January 2022

  "We stayed in the Farm house and it tired and needs some care in order to receive a 5 star rating. The drawers in the dresser were not working properly. The room was dark . Towels were not up to par..."

• "A fabulous lodge that really cares about its wildlife"

  13 December 2021

  "Samara is an amazing lodge. The reserve is absolutely stunning with rhinos, lions, cheetahs and the black wildebeest which are only found in the Karoo area. It is a nature lovers dream whether its..."

• "A fabulous family-friendly yet luxurious holiday!"

  18 July 2021

  "Fabulous! We visited as a family of 4 for a short 4-day holiday. The staff were exceptionally friendly and attentive without leaving you feeling “crowded”. The accommodations and lodge were..."

• "Walking with cheetah"

  06 June 2021

  "What an amazing experience walking with cheetah, would loved to have done more than one walk, but we are doing 10 properties in the Eastern Cape in 30 days. so time is limited .Facilities were first..."

• "Wonderful three night experience"

  20 May 2021

  "We loved our stay at Samara at the beginning of May! Thank you to the whole team for making sure we had the best experiences like walking with the cheetahs twice, walking near rhinos and the..."

• "A dream lodge in Karoo"

  22 April 2021

  "The place is magic, the lodge incredibly charming, the service perfect, food wonderful. Probably the best lodge we have ever been to. At the same time one gets the good feeling of supporting a great..."

• "Outstanding with Every Detail"

  18 April 2021

  "Because of Covid and not being able to leave the borders of SA, it was a good opportunity to uncover some hidden gems. Samara is that jewel. As a family we have been to the bush countless times and..."

• "Great experience with the cheetahs"

  13 April 2021

  "This is a very interesting property, they are rehabilitating the area for wildlife, so it's more of a conservation effort than a traditional bush/animal experience. Having said that, their cheetah..."

• "To Walk with Cheetahs"

  03 March 2021

  "What a magical experience. To walk with cheetahs! A simply unheard of encounter. A personalized stay, where people greet you by name, in the most beautiful environment. The lodge is designed for long..."

• "Perfect getaway"

  13 February 2021

  "Stayed for three nights, and found a place with the most friendly staff you could ever find. Food is to die for and far too much. Would highly recommend anyone to visit, you will certainly enjoy the..."

• "Extraordinary experience"

  13 January 2021

  "We stayed 3 nights at Samara Private Game Reserve, and it was the most amazing experience I‘ve ever had! I‘m a true animal lover and to watch all these wild animals in their habitat was exceptional..."

• "Absolutely Incredible"

  31 December 2020

  "We had the most incredible stay at Samara. Everything about this place is magical - we cannot wait to come back! We stayed in the most charming lodge, very comfortable beds (the best night's sleep..."

• "The worst private game reserve we have been to"

  26 December 2020

  "The hotel requested our dietary requirements several times prior to check in but still ignored it on our arrival. I even called them the morning of our arrival and they confirmed it. We had 2 rooms..."

• "Exclusive Game Reserve Experience in the Karoo"

  15 November 2020

  "Exclusively unique and Uniquely Exclusive. Amazing time in this awesome gem hidden in the Karoo. After few kilometres on dirt road, we found the Karoo lodge place surrounded by the mountains. Very..."

• "Fabulous Four Days"

  12 October 2020

  "We had the most brilliant time at Samara. The game, the accommodation, the food, and the moubntain and Karoo scenery were all outstanding. Our ranger, Mzi, and tracker, Elroy, were fubnds of..."

• "Will be back to propose..."

  09 October 2020

  "Was lucky enough to be invited along to a friend of mine’s birthday party hosted at Samara and it was without a shadow of a doubt the best week of my life. Super professional guides, jaw-dropping..."

• "Bucket List Experience!"

  09 October 2020

  "We visited Samara in October 2020 for a birthday celebration. We had the opportunity to track 8 cheetahs on foot and we had the luck of seeing the rare aardvark on our night game drive - and..."

• "Incredible experience!"

  13 August 2020

  "What an incredible time. Exceeded all our expectations and would definitely recommend Samara to anyone. We told our guide Dumisane that we wanted to see an aardvark and he went above and beyond to..."

• "So Special"

  04 July 2020

  "We visited Samara over new year, and it was an unforgettable, magical experience. The accommodation and food was superb; the rooms were comfortable, and the food delicious, we had South African..."

• "Travel ban"

  23 May 2020

  "Due to the Corona-crisis and the South African travel ban we had to cancel our reservation with Samara Private Game Reserve. The cancellation-formalities and the refund of our deposit was handled..."

• "An incredible place, a special place"

  03 May 2020

  "Samara Private Game Reserve is unique to South Africa. If you are able to go, then our advice is to go! It is a 5/5 experience. Everyone that works there is so friendly and kind. The breakfast in..."

• "A FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE"

  03 March 2020

  "What an absolutely amazing place! Probably one of the top 10 Private Game Reserves in South Africa and my wife and I have stayed at many over the last 18 years. This one is different in that the..."

• "Terrific driver for our game drives"

  26 February 2020

  "With eating and game drives being stressed at this nice facility is is easy to just relax and get spoiled. Our driver was excellent and we always saw what we wanted do view!!!! The one big negative..."

• "Honeymoon"

  25 February 2020

  "Unforgettable time, the star bed set up and setting was wonderful, seeing the night sky with no light pollution. The staff were brilliant, welcoming, friendly and very efficient. We saw all the game..."

• "Karoo love"

  19 February 2020

  "We visited Samara over the Valentines weekend. This place is absolutely stunning, never before have we visited a place that looks even better than the website pictures. Their attention to detail is..."

• "Beautiful reserve, lovely cottage, great staff and amazing nature!"

  03 February 2020

  "Beautiful Reserve and Accommodation! Once you reach Samara’s main entrance gate, you have to drive an unpaved road. Depending on which lodge you stay, this will be 15-18,4 km. Upon arrival at the..."

• "Mixed weather but a great experience"

  02 February 2020

  "The staff and accommodation were excellent and the search (not always successful) for the various animals an experience not to be missed. The food was very good but be prepared to have to loosen your..."

• "Simply the Best"

  01 February 2020

  "Our 5th visit to Samara and it never fails to take my breathe away and this visit was no exception It’s not often we revisit somewhere so often but Samara gets into your soul in so many ways. So..."

• "Wonderful escape into nature"

  14 January 2020

  "A most wonderful and fascinating experience with friendly and knowledgeable hosts. The intimate viewing of the cheetahs was an absolute highlight. Even tho the drought broke the day we came, we still..."

• "Yes, yes, yes!"

  25 December 2019

  "I can’t recommend Samara more highly. We traveled in a large group that booked the Manor House and overflowed into the Karoo Lodge. Everything from the moment we arrived was wonderful. Our group..."

• "Forever Family Memories"

  23 December 2019

  "My husband , three school aged daughters and I have just spent three unforgettable days at Samara. The scenery is rugged and breathtakingly beautiful. The lodge and our accommodation was fantastic..."

• "A great wildlife experience"

  22 December 2019

  "We had a great 4 days at the Samara Game Lodge. The scenery was stunning and the highlight really was walking close to a family of cheetahs on one game drive. There were many other animals to be..."

• "holiday of a lifetime"

  09 November 2019

  "An incredible landscape, safari is an unforgettable experience and the lodge was luxurious. But the best thing about Samara are the people that work there - they made a huge effort to ensure we had..."

• "Out of Africa "

  27 October 2019

  "Beautiful remote location. Amazing inspiring vision for the future. Got close up to the cheetah family. Had magical experience for afternoons tea on the mountain. Food was wonderful as was the..."

• "I cannot imagine a better safari experience"

  20 October 2019

  "I am so grateful we found this incredible place. Our party of 6 booked the Manor House at Samara. The staff was easy to work with online and via email. Once we arrived on the property, we were..."

• "An awesome highlight of our trip"

  12 October 2019

  "As mentioned before the drive into the reserve feels long but its worth the wait. Elsa, Veronica, Benedict , jason, Kay and all the team make you feel very welcome. The star bed was amazing!! The..."

• "A DREAM COME TRUE"

  08 August 2019

  "I have been following Samara since the mid eighties when I read an article about a UK couple who had purchased farms outside Graaff Reinet to establish a private game reserve but they were first..."

• "Pampered stay at a wonderful game reserve"

  16 July 2019

  "My husband and I spent 4 nights at Samara with our two adult sons. From the minute we arrived right through to our departure we received excellent service from the staff who were friendly and seemed..."

• "Exceptional Karoo Lodge"

  14 July 2019

  "Samara Karoo Lodge is for anyone who appreciates luxury accommodation and fine dining in a majestic Karoo setting. This was our second stay at Samara and hope to be back soon. Our game ranger..."

• "It Just Keeps Getting Better????"

  10 July 2019

  "This was our fourth visit to Samara since 2009 and the magic which is Samara continues to grow on us unabated The Karoo, game, team and conservation taking place just takes your breathe away We found..."

• "truly Safari for the Soul"

  09 July 2019

  "My husband, myself and our twelve year old daughter (together with another family) recently had the privilege of spending four blissful nights at Samara. I can honestly say that four nights was..."

• "Great game, poor organization"

  03 July 2019

  "Samara was not the honeymoon we'd expected. My wife and I checked in on July 29th, 2019. We'd planned on staying 4 nights, but ended up leaving after the 3rd night. In all, great biomes, and we..."

• "Absolutely Incredible Experience!"

  08 June 2019

  "My wife and I just returned from South Africa with our two college-aged sons and we can't possibly recommend Samara enough. I won't minimize the effort that it took us to get there and back. We..."

• "Luxury in wilderness"

  18 May 2019

  "This is a safari in the wilds! The accommodation is luxurious and the staff look after you wonderfully. Warm towels, a run bath greet you after the afternoon safari, which we loved as we were often..."

• "Wonderful very personal experience"

  17 May 2019

  "We stayed at Samara for 4 nights in early May 2019. We had a wonderful experience. We stayed at the Sibella suites outside the Karoo Lodge. They looked over a small watering hole and it was..."

• "Outstanding Destination! "

  15 May 2019

  "Spent the most amazing four nights in the Karoo at Samara! We stayed in one of the private Karoo suites at The Lodge as part of our honeymoon. The staff was friendly and welcoming. The food was..."

• "Wonderful experience"

  03 May 2019

  "We spent 2 days in Samara in April and we fully enjoyed every single moment or our experience. The reserve is huge and game drives were very exciting. We saw lots of antelopes, springboks, giraffes..."

• "The Perfect Honeymoon"

  27 April 2019

  "My wife and I had our honeymoon at Samara and we could not have been happier with our experience. Initially we tried to enter the park via Uber, which was not the best idea. Luckily the resort sent..."

• "True safari for the soul"

  21 April 2019

  "Words can hardly described what a special place Samara is. The beauty of the landscape is totally breathtaking - from the wide open skies to the gorgeous mountains and enormous plains. It is bursting..."

• "Extraordinary"

  17 April 2019

  "We recently spent two nights at the Manor House. Samara is a magical and soul-expanding place. The house and grounds (that pool!) are elegant and stunningly beautiful, but the deeper beauty lies in..."

• "Karoo Paradise"

  14 April 2019

  "Had the most wonderful few days at Samara. It is still one of my favorite African escapes. The cheetah siting was definitely the biggest highlight of the trip. Thank you to the Samara team for making..."

• "Unbelievable stay at Samara "

  03 April 2019

  "We had an amazing stay at Samara. Our Karoo lodge suite was beautiful and very spacious with a gorgeous view of a watering hole and the mountainous landscape. Our game drives were wonderful and we..."

• "Stunning Samara"

  22 March 2019

  "We have visited Samara 3 times now and have had different but wonderful experiences each time. From the scenery to the staff, it doesn't disappoint! Animal sightings are great and guides work really..."

• "Unforgettable Experience"

  14 March 2019

  "Coming back from an afternoon stroll with leopards to a pre-run warm bubble bath is the ultimate luxury. We were so well looked after in every way, our guide, tracker, housekeeper and cook were so..."

• "Wonderful Samara"

  14 March 2019

  "We arrived at Samara with the expectation of visiting another beautiful Reserve in the Eastern Cape, and having paid for 5 star accommodation, I have to say I was initially disappointed with the..."

• "Amazing place"

  03 March 2019

  "70,000 acre private game reserve in the middle of the Great Karoo. Breathtaking views. Pretty much everything you see while you are on the property....is on the property - just totally gigantic and..."

• "THE ULTIMATE ENGAGEMENT WEEKEND ! "

  28 February 2019

  "I have no words to describe my gratitude. Having visited Samara in the past on a family holiday some years ago I decided to book a three night stay at Samara as I felt it the perfect place to..."

• "Lovely place with unique sightings and dramatic views."

  20 February 2019

  "I absolutely love this place and its story of conservation and positive commitment. Everything about it makes you feel good. Great food, lovely rooms, friendly people, special sightings and..."

• "Leaving only wanting to go back!"

  18 February 2019

  "We had an incredible 3 night stay at Samara. The first two nights we stayed in the Karoo Suite, the room was perfectly decorated to fit into the natural setting and the views were breathtaking. There..."

• "Breathtakingly beautiful!"

  04 February 2019

  "I’m a South African living in Australia and went home for Christmas. My husband and I decided to go on Safari and found Samara online. We knew that it would be great, but wow, it way surpassed our..."

• "Best trip ever!"

  30 January 2019

  "Our three days at Karoo Lodge came at the end of a surprise holiday for my 50th birthday (hubby managed to keep the destination secret until the pilot announced it!). We stayed in the Sibella Suites..."

• "Thank you Samara!"

  24 January 2019

  "This was our last port of call of our first holiday in South Africa - the experience was absolutely fantastic. We had never been to a game reserve before but the first game drive alone exceeded our..."

• "What a magical place"

  13 January 2019

  "Samara is a beautiful place where the team have not just created a fantastic experience for guests but also a conservation project restoring the great Karoo. We stayed for one night & the service we..."

• "Really wonderful place"

  11 January 2019

  "Stayed for four nights, saw lots of animals really close up, knowledgable staff, lovely food and drinks, picnic one day, loved the warthogs and their babies on the lawn! Took teenage children they..."

• "The best weekend!"

  30 December 2018

  "We had the most incredible time at Samara and would recommend to everyone! The reserve is beautiful, we were so relaxed throughout our whole stay. Our ranger Beth and tracker Rowan were both..."

• "5 Star Big 5 Adventure"

  22 December 2018

  "What an amazing adventure!! Got to experience the Big 5 at Samara.. the attention to detail at the 5 star lodges is absolutely top notch! Service is on point.. all staff are so helpful, pleasant..."

• "A unique and wonderful experience"

  21 December 2018

  "I stayed in Samara for five days, which flew by. We were greeted by Samara's friendly staff every morning, who made every effort to make our stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. During the..."

• "Spectacular stay in Samara!!"

  21 December 2018

  "An experience of a lifetime at this amazing reserve. The scenery, people, and the wildlife were all absolutely exceptional. The reserve landscape is absolutely beautiful so even if it's quiet on the..."

• "Samara disappointment "

  21 December 2018

  "We declared with much delight to friends that we were finally coming to Samara only to be told by them that they had been and were totally disappointed. That did not deter me as I had so long dreamed..."

• "Wow. Just Wow!"

  06 December 2018

  "Nothing can compare to this! I'm going to name names now. Veronica the manager was outstanding and Candice our most frequent waitress was the best! Jan, our guide for the game drives was utterly..."

• "What a wonderful place!"

  04 December 2018

  "We were greeted by Veronica on arrival, and stayed for 3 nights. Veronica was fantastic and was constantly making sure we were okay and that everything was perfect - always with a big smile! All of..."

• "Just Loved Samara"

  04 December 2018

  "Four of us booked over a year ago and were delighted to hear (just before our arrival) that there were Cheetah cubs at Samara. I had hope that we might see them, but was prepared for disappointment..."

• "Perfect and very Authentic"

  01 November 2018

  "We visited more than one lodge and did several game drives but loved this one the most by far. You don't see as many animals as in other reserves but you can tell they must live a very happy life..."

• "Beautiful Game Reserve"

  28 October 2018

  "We had an upgrade to a room in the building and it was great. We arrived early but no problem, check in was great and people were nice and friendly. We did not like our ranger but he had a bad day..."

• "Disappointing part of an Eastern Cape Odyssey"

  27 October 2018

  "Having just come up from Kwandwe, where we had a memorable experience, Samara just did not live up to the expectations. The safari vehicle was overfull - with guests deciding to remain behind for the..."

• "Authentic Africa...Authentic Karoo"

  18 October 2018

  "What a lovely experience.Samara is truly a hidden gem At Samara you have an option of either staying in the Karoo-lodge or in the Manor-house. We stayed in the Karoo- lodge...lovely setting..."

• "Impeccable service, beautiful scenery and excellent value for money"

  10 October 2018

  "Samara are trying hard to recreate a piece of heaven in the Graaff Reinet area. They have re-introduced many game species to the area. Must be commended for the effort. food was good and service..."

• "Close Up Encounters and Breathtaking Sunrises"

  13 September 2018

  "As a group of six, we opted for booking our stay in the Manor house that is a few miles away from the main hotel. Luck had it that the entire house was to our disposal as no other guest booked the..."

• "Karoo magic"

  27 August 2018

  "What an amazing place in a beautiful Karoo setting! The Manor House provided luxury accommodation with the finest cuisine. The friendly and professional staff took grate care of us-thanks Candice..."

• "A magical experience in every way. Wow, just wow!"

  27 August 2018

  "It's difficult to find the words to describe the magic of Samara. We loved every second of our stay. The magic for me came in two parts; Firstly, the unforgettable luxury and attention to detail..."

• "Magical Experience with a wonderful landscape"

  15 August 2018

  "It was a fantastic experience in samara and The most special thing is the people of samara. starting from Jenny in the reservations, Marnus the lodge manager, Florence in the reception, Gibson the..."

• "Truly unforgettable experience with Julius and MIchelle at the Manor House"

  12 August 2018

  "Is there anything quite as thrilling as coming home from a walk in the bush with Rhinos to a rich and delicious venison stew, followed by a fragrant and steaming bath, all prepared and ready..."

• "Samara is the perfect place for an unforgettable luxurius safari experience!"

  12 August 2018

  "Beautiful place! Excellent staff and service! Super yummy food! Our safari driver was very informative, willing to drive us out day and night for adventurous guided walks and amazing sunrises and..."

• "Great Luxurious Safari Experience at the Manor House-Samara Private Game Reserve (South Africa) "

  10 August 2018

  "Beautiful place! Excellent staff and service! Super yummy food! Our safari driver was very informative, willing to drive us out day and night for adventurous guided walks and amazing sunrises and..."

• "Magical Samara"

  28 June 2018

  "We had a splendid family stay at Samara. Friendly, attentive staff catered to all our needs. The game ranger was knowledgeable and friendly. We loved the homely feel of the Karoo Lodge, and the meals..."

• "Very attentive staff, without being "in your face"."

  25 June 2018

  "The rooms are very beautifully appointed, they have thought of everything, and more! The food is great, without being OTT. The lodge has a very homely feel to it, without being pretentious. The staff..."

• "Fabulous South African Vacation Adventure "

  06 June 2018

  "Our vacation at Samara exceeded our expectations in every way! It was truly the highlight of our trip to South Africa. The staff made us feel very welcome and anticipated our every need! The private..."

• "much more than a Game Lodge"

  04 June 2018

  "Samara is so much more than a Luxury Private Game Reserve in a unique South African Eastern Cape setting. It is a passionate conservation undertaking, the leader in its area and ‘heart-stopping..."

• "Spectacular Samara! "

  14 May 2018

  "We stayed at Samara for 3 nights on our baby moon and it is safe to say that this was the most memorable experience we have ever had in South Africa, and we are South Africans, we’ve seen many things..."

• "Taking you back in another time"

  13 May 2018

  "What a special place to have stayed. We were at Samara for three nights which was a treat. The landscape and terrain is unique and magical and game are on a scale that in very rare to see in a game..."

• "Stupendous Samara"

  13 May 2018

  "We recently returned from the Karoo Lodge at Samara. The Karoo provided a unique setting - so different to any other game park. Wide plains, green with recent rains, distant mountains and the most..."

• "Celebration weekend"

  03 May 2018

  "We chose Samara Private Game Reserve as the destination to celebrate our 40th Wedding Anniversary. What a winner this turned out to be! From the very first email from Reservations Manager, Jenny..."

• "Spectacular landscape and game viewing in a uniquely peaceful spot - a very special place"

  02 May 2018

  "We spent 3 nights at Samara and loved every second. It is so peaceful and a very special place to go and relax while also experiencing a 5 star game lodge. We saw incredible game sightings (cheetah..."

• "Complete Bliss!"

  02 May 2018

  "We recently spent three blissful nights at the incredible Samara – an absolute feast for the senses. Samara is a beacon of conservation and it was a privilege to have seen such an array of game on..."

• "The most special place on the planet"

  01 May 2018

  "You can't really put into words how special Samara is. The owners' immaculate taste flows through the stunningly beautiful lodge and suites, the manager Marnus has an energy almost as positive and..."

• "A Wedding and venue to remember"

  26 April 2018

  "We were recently at Samara for a best friends wedding. Having stayed two nights at the Manor House and having to work with the staff in getting everything ready, as I was a part of the bridal party..."

• "Superb location"

  16 April 2018

  "We booked the Samara private game reserve for a special birthday and to see the Cheetahs in the wild. Well Samara more than made our visit special, what a delightful location, just everything that..."

• "Amazing place"

  16 April 2018

  "incredible experience, really remote, super service, loads of animals to see, high-spec service, great accommodation. the game drives were very good, Benedict (our ranger) was very good. We saw..."

• "Beautiful lodge on the amazing Karoo "

  15 April 2018

  "We love samara.. this is our fourth visit and we had yet another wonderful time . This is a vast reserve with a vision, amazing scenery and a real feeling of being away from it all . Our spacious..."

• "Wonderful"

  15 April 2018

  "Great place. Really enjoyed our stay. Accommodation was luxury. Food was excellent. Vast area with animals and different landscapes. Cheetahs were the highlight. Hopefully lions won't be introduced..."

• "It was all amazing since the moment of our arrival in Samara until our incredible experience of walking safari.I loved!"

  12 April 2018

  "Everything was amazing and perfect for an unforgettable experience! Loved every detail of the decor and style of the Karoo lodge, which is cozy and also luxurious! The warm welcome makes us feel at..."

• "Great location, great stuff."

  11 April 2018

  "A great ranger showed us around and the other stuff was great as well. Super helpful and polite. They gave us a warm welcome. We arrived by airplane and the pick up service was just in time. The..."

• "Most incredible weekend!"

  09 April 2018

  "Despite this being our wedding weekend at Samara, the overall experience of staying there - surrounded by the beauty of the mountains, the friendliness of the staff, the amazing service and luxurious..."

• "What a surprise!!"

  20 March 2018

  "We treated ourselves after a number of days camping in South Africa with this treat! And what a treat it was, we are very spoiled now . A landscape totally different from the Kruger environment..."

• "A fabulous game experience"

  18 March 2018

  "With limited time, we asked Samara to organise lunch & a game drive to give our adult daughter some experience of wild life in South Africa. We were met with welcoming cool drinks then a lovely lunch..."

• "Fabulous choice for an exclusive, unspoilt wildlife experience"

  18 March 2018

  "An oasis of luxury within a vast and beautiful private game reserve. Difficult to fault anything at all. Wonderful lodge house with fireplaces, inviting armchairs and an elegant bar. Friendly and..."

• "Simply Stunning "

  13 February 2018

  "Have just returned today from a four night stay at beautiful Samara Where to start with this review? The setting and scenery is breathtakingly beautiful - it was an absolute privilege to witness the..."

• "An experience of a lifetime"

  12 February 2018

  "Piercing blue skies and breathtakingly beautiful Karoo sunsets form the backdrop of this epic private game farm. The ginormous farm is filled with some of the most mesmerising wild beasts I’ve ever..."

• "A fabulous experience."

  12 February 2018

  "This was our third visit to Samara and we had a fabulous time. The cheetah experiences were particularly memorable but what made our stay so great were the people who made us feel like part of the..."

• "Willingness to go the extra mile"

  07 February 2018

  "From the very start on, every member of the staff was eager to make this stay the best experience of our lives. Not only is the location special, far away from life´s troubles, but right in the..."

• "A magical place in the Karoo"

  04 February 2018

  "Thanks to everyone at Samara Lodge for a most enjoyable and memorable stay. This was our first experience of a safari lodge and we had a great time. We liked the fact that there weren't many guests..."

• "Karoo Safari and Cycling"

  02 February 2018

  "Where to start... This was my 3rd visit in as many years. this time, I stayed for 5 nights, (one of the nights we spent out on the star bed, highly recommended!!). I split my time here between..."

• "Spoil! Incredible! Stunning! "

  11 January 2018

  "Loved every moment of our stay at Samara! From the moment we arrived it felt like family welcoming us home!! The staff were so friendly and accommodating! They are truly incredible! Our safari..."

• "A memorable few days spent in a stunning environment!"

  04 January 2018

  "My wife, our 27 year old son and I spent three nights here in late November 2017. We arrived from Port Elizabeth late on a Sunday afternoon and were immediately taken out on an introductory Safari..."

• "An exceptional Private Game Reserve with outstanding staff. A truely African experience. Highly recommended"

  14 November 2017

  "The accommodation we stayed in was their Karoo Lodge which cannot be classsified as a hotel as that would be doing it an injusstice. The accommodation was Excellent and mos befitting of the African..."

• "Unique and Memorable"

  12 November 2017

  "I have traveled much and been to many game reserves throughout Africa and I can say that Samara gave me the most memorable experience that I have had in a long while. Everything was five star from..."

• "Stunning scenery - vaste plains and dolerite-capped mountains surround you. Be at one with this amazing environment."

  06 November 2017

  "Warm welcome, excellent service, food delicious and graciously served. Game drives with an add on walking safari to get up close and personal with cheetah and rhino. Scenery stunning and excellent..."

• "Remote Serenity"

  05 November 2017

  "Come to Samara if you’re looking for a peaceful stay in the Karoo region. Warm and friendly hospitality, delicious meals and a beautiful, remote setting will await. We stayed in a Karoo Suite and..."

• "Romantic, beautiful and perfect "

  15 October 2017

  "Myself and my Girlfriend had the opportunity to spend 3 nights at Samara. From getting there to leaving every detail was perfect from getting your luggage carried to your room, bath already ran when..."

• "Great Karoo Escape"

  07 October 2017

  "This place is a must for anyone looking for a relaxed, educational getaway at a place that values conservation of fauna and flora. Guest comfort and satisfaction are obviously high on the priorities..."

• "A unique and luxurious experience for the discerning and safari traveler."

  02 October 2017

  "Absolute luxury, top class service, breathtaking scenery, and unusual sightings. Not the usual big 5 - but a once in a lifetime opportunity to see animals such as Aardvark and porcupine, and herds..."

• "Anniversary bliss"

  19 September 2017

  "We had an awesome time at Samara! The staff is unbelievably friendly and helpful and the rooms beautiful and comfortable. We were so lucky to have a fullmoon night in the Starbed....a truely amazing..."

• "Outstanding accommodations and service in the Manor house plus Aardvarks!!"

  15 September 2017

  "We recently booked the Manor house at Samara because we had a group of 7 people. The photos looked great but we never expected how wonderful it would really be. Not only is the accommodation first..."

• "Wonderful escape to the real Africa"

  13 August 2017

  "We enjoyed all aspects of our visit, even the freezing cold start to morning game drives! All staff are well trained, helpful and friendly and ready to go the extra mile. Through the perseverance of..."

• "Safari from plane"

  12 August 2017

  "It was one of our stops during our flying through Africa with bush planes. They have they own air strip for such planes. Samara is beautiful place to enjoy peace with African animals. Service was..."

• "Great family lodge! Highly recommended!"

  25 July 2017

  "This was our second visit to Samara, with small kids! The lodge is very child friendly and has a big lawn at the back for the kids to play and run. There is a lovely big pool which was enclosed and..."

• "Awesome visit"

  07 July 2017

  "From start to finish Samara is TOPS!! The staff are this Game Farm's greatest asset. They are all lovely. So helpful and friendly and they love their workplace and jobs!! The rooms are stunning..."

• "Magical!"

  03 July 2017

  "From the moment we arrived, greeted with hot chocolate on the stoep, to the day we (reluctantly) left we felt like much-loved family members. We were pampered in every single way possible: special..."

• "The most wonderful place to stay, experience the true Karoo and see aardvark and cheetahs."

  27 June 2017

  "We expected to stay in the Sibela suites, but due to weather damage, we were upgraded to the Manor House! What a wonderful surprise. The Manor House is 5 start and the staff are very professional..."

• "Samara is magical"

  24 June 2017

  "Samara in the Karoo is far from habitual safari tourism. A magical place. A huge private reserve. I have been all over Africa , and it is really a stunning special place set in an overwhelming..."

• "We will be back for the 3rd Visit"

  22 June 2017

  "What a wonderful experience. The Accommodation, Location, the Staff, Meals, it is all just great. If you want to see lots of animals, go some where else, but if you want to see animal's, experience..."

• "Excellent facilities, food and animal viewing"

  05 June 2017

  "Four of us arrived after a 3-hour transfer from Port Elizabeth Airport. Warmly welcomed at reception with a cool drink and towel. Check-in was quick and our luggage was taken to our 2 private guest..."

• "Defining wonder: Taking in the Great Karoo"

  18 May 2017

  "I’ve had dreams of vast, brown plains sprawling with dense thickets; mountains and their shadows sheltering teaming communities of wild animals. Somewhere, out there in South Africa, the Great Karoo..."

• "A South African idyll with very noble conservation goals"

  15 May 2017

  "We stayed at Samara for 5 nights (in the Sibella suites) and were thoroughly looked after from start to finish. The views are fantastic; you get a true safari experience and can get really close to..."

• "5 star resort in heart-stoppingly beautiful landscape"

  26 April 2017

  "Totally breathtaking. Be warned - you will fall in love with this place: the landscapes are unbeatable, the sunsets fantastic, and the stars...! Just the best. The highlight of our stay was the game..."

• "An unforgettable 5 star experience"

  19 April 2017

  "It is impossible to describe the tranquility felt at this South African gem. The staff really go out of their way to make you feel special and pampered, I honestly cannot recall one member of the..."

• "Not what we expected"

  05 April 2017

  "We were looking forward to a 5 Star experience and was deeply disappointed. Our room was NOT clean. There were dead flies in the room, a dying pot plant, a broken screen, bathroom floor was dirty..."

• "An amazing safari experience"

  03 April 2017

  "Our stay at Karoo Lodge was just magnificent. Samara is a bit out of the way in spectacular Karoo country, so It is important to have a decent car to navigate the roads but once there guests can..."

• "Tranquility & Beauty"

  03 April 2017

  "The room location was Excellent, we felt totally secluded we could not see any other buildings of any kind. The rooms were extremely comfortable, and the design of the bathroom was excellent. We were..."

• "A GENUINE OUT OF AFRICA EXPERIENCE!"

  02 April 2017

  "SAMARA KAROO LODGE was our home for one night. Lunch, game drive, dinner, game drive (both times Jan Dunn, enjoyable)and superb servce by Nomsa, Sonia and staff included. Room was large two four..."

• "A luxury game reserve in a magnificent setting"

  01 April 2017

  "Samara is special in all respects. The setting, in the mountains and rolling hills of the Karoo Desert, is outstanding. The lodge is well kept and inviting. The meal venues (sometimes on the veranda..."

• "Superb safari experience"

  16 March 2017

  "We just had two days at Samara and are delighted with our experience. First, spending a half hour in early morning viewing mother cheetah cavorting with her 4 cubs - first the 3 of us plus guide from..."

• "Unforgettable Cheetah Experience"

  10 March 2017

  "I spent 2 nights at Samara Private Game Reserve just last week and it was unbelievable! The staff were great. Our ranger, Tendai absolutely went out of his way to find us everything we so badly..."

• "Simply wonderful and unique game reserve experience"

  24 February 2017

  "Samara is very special. We stayed in the beautiful old farmhouse (Karoo Lodge) that has 4 spacious bedrooms and a warp around veranda. Beautiful mountain views and scenery is hauntingly beautiful..."

• "Amazing experience"

  14 February 2017

  "We visited Samara in August 2015. The Spring was just breaking making for excellent weather and wildlife viewing. This is a beautiful place with breathtaking landscapes, healthy wildlife and..."

• "Wonderful and welcoming reserve"

  14 February 2017

  "A unique reserve with stunning landscapes and some fascinating game. We just spent three nights here and enjoyed every moment. Our room was in the main farmhouse, spacious and comfortable. The food..."

• "Wonderful Reserve, but Accommodation is much overrated!"

  02 February 2017

  "We stayed in the Sibella Suites and were not satisfied with the comfort offered. That was far off a fair value for the money. Our waiter at dinner and breakfast was very nice and friendly, but the..."

• "Small haven of beauty"

  29 January 2017

  "Conservation in action, Samara is one of a kind - unique for having such an collective of species, despite it's pocket-size. Credit to the team, it truly is conservation in action, with such a..."

• "Tranquility in the karoo"

  25 January 2017

  "Total relaxation in a spectacular game lodge with a difference - top class food, service and accomodation in an unspoiled environment. A breath of fresh air compared to the usual South African game..."

• "Fabulous experience"

  11 January 2017

  "We stopped over at Samara on our way to Plettenberg Bay. It was our second stay at Samara and will definitely become a traditional stay for us on our way to the coast. The staff are welcoming and..."

• "Perfect for children and romantic couples, less is more in this compelling landscape of aloes, cheetahs and hotizons."

  24 December 2016

  "If in search of history, remoteness, landscape, niche wildlife...in a luxurious setting with a pool, where kids are welcomed, and even entertained (ive never taken advantage before, so was at a bit..."

• "Not quite as good as the web site makes out"

  01 December 2016

  "We were so looking forward to our treat at Samara and unfortunately it didn't meet our expectations. We were given a room in the main house facing the car park. The lamp shade was falling off its..."

• "Karoo gem"

  23 November 2016

  "What a wonderful place to be! You can choose a room in the main building , the very pricy chalets or the smaller chalets at the waterhole. Unfortunately they were fully booked so we had to choose the..."

• "A truly memorable experience"

  05 November 2016

  "The setting is terrific and the staff make you feel welcome from the outset. The game drives with our ranger were fascinating and memorable for the animals, birds and flora and the history and..."

• "A slice of heaven"

  03 November 2016

  "We had a wonderful experience and will definitely return. The staff are warm and friendly and they go out of their way to make you feel comfortable. Our game ranger Jan was excellent; informative..."

• "Conservation in action"

  22 October 2016

  "This was our second trip to Samara. Our first trip was a year ago and we were so inspired by the work that Samara is doing that we brought our children back to experience it with us. We stayed in..."

• "An unforgettable experience for the third time in a row!"

  21 October 2016

  ""On earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces to it" (Jules Renard) Everything about this place is fantastic, from the absolutely breathtaking nature, to the service received and the..."

• "Very disappointing"

  14 October 2016

  "My family and I returned to visit Samara Private Game Reserve 1-4/9/2016 after having visited 8 years previously. We were expecting a very special experience to match what we had experienced before..."

• "Samara Manor House"

  04 October 2016

  "Best accommodation in the Eastern Cape for a group of family and friends. Our host, Candice, is a real gem and she made our stay a memorable one. Our guide Jan is dubbed the "energizer bunny" and for..."

• "Just awesome experience "

  10 September 2016

  "This is not a big 5 resort. It is in the Karoo which means that the landscape is quite different from anywhere else in SA. What makes Samara special is the experience- it's quite unlike anywhere else..."

• "Warm hospitality, delightful sightings and the best of creature comforts !"

  05 September 2016

  "The Karoo has a way of pulling you back….. particularly to Samara which is set in the heart of the Karoo, up against some deceivingly docile looking mountains, the Camdeboo range. This was my second..."

• "Great Ambiance, Good Food and an Aardvark"

  04 September 2016

  "The homestead is very cosy and tastefully decorated. The staff are really attentive and the food was superb. My objective was to photograph the elusive Aardvark and I was thrilled with the..."

• "We enjoyed every moment of our stay."

  03 September 2016

  "Of course we came to Samara because of the animals. But to walk (!) with a ranger and meet a cheetah, rhinos and an Aardvark you can only hope that this happens. But it did, all three of them. In the..."

• "Excellent service, great for kids, Wonderful food,"

  23 August 2016

  "Excellent client service. Staff went beyond the call of duty to accommodate all requests. Very knowledgeable game ranger, went to great effort to entertain the children. Active childminding, not just..."

• "Unique Game Viewing Experience"

  22 August 2016

  "My wife and I visited the Samara Private Game Reserve on the 18th August 2016 and we were accommodated at the 5 Star Karoo Lodge. Samara is situated on the Graaff Reinet..."

• "karoo at its best"

  19 July 2016

  "great property. very beautiful. manor very comfortable. outstanding staff, who could not do enough. the game viewing was outstanding. the walking was brilliant. delicious food. Jan, the ranger, was..."

• "A piece of heaven"

  19 July 2016

  "Wow!!! We have just had the most incredible bush experience and family holiday at Samara. We came right up close to white rhino while walking with our ranger and watched a very busy aardvark for half..."

• "stunning karoo!"

  02 July 2016

  "what a perfect choice for my mom's 80th birthday treat, tracking cheetah on foot, game viewing, spa treatment, cozy fireplace dinners, and 5 star accomodation to enjoy and relax for 2 days! it was..."

• "Great off-season luxury value!"

  20 June 2016

  "We wanted to enjoy some luxury in a safari experience without breaking the bank. This location offered plains-facing suitesw that were a very affordable off-season find. The staff were tremendously..."

• "Walking with Rhino and Cheetahs"

  31 May 2016

  "Another perfect stay (my third one). Staying at this time of year was in some ways even better than the summer months (October-January). With the highlights of lots of walks, great to see the rhino..."

• "Unique once in a lifetime experience"

  20 May 2016

  "We wanted our first Afrika experience to be amazing and so it was... We visted during winter because of the schoolholidays of our children (9,12 and 16). The staff was excellent,spoiling our children..."

• "A lovely stay at Samara"

  22 April 2016

  "We had an amazing weekend at Samara. It the lodge situated in the picaresque Karoo with amazing views of the surrounding mountains. We saw a diverse amount of wildlife -with seeing a cheetah on foot..."

• "Reconnect with nature"

  15 April 2016

  "I visited Samara in March, the staff are all exceptionally friendly and accommodating while the food is great and the accommodation very comfortable. I thoroughly enjoyed eating out on the verandah..."

• "Deserve every one of the Five Stars"

  17 March 2016

  "It could be the best kept secret of the Cape, but not too far out of Graaff Reinet we found something close to Paradise in the wilderness where the plains of the Cambdeboo meet mountain. We stayed..."

• "A Piece of Heaven on Earth"

  15 March 2016

  "“A piece of heaven on earth” 5 of 5 starsReviewed 3 weeks ago This is our fifth visit to Samara and what a joy to see the wildlife thriving in a environment where they belong. We spent four days in..."

• "Beatifull place"

  02 March 2016

  "Really enjoyed our stay here, the staff is authentic and very helpful. The off site lunch and dinner astonishing! We had great game rides and saw a lot of Wilde life. The lodge was convenient and..."

• "A piece of old Africa in semi desert land"

  21 February 2016

  "We stayed 3 nights at Karoo Lodge in February 2016. The reserve is worth a visit and the views of the mountains around it are fantastic. During the drives we saw zebras, guraffes, white rhinos..."

• "To be developed in near future"

  16 February 2016

  "Large game reserve that needs to be deloped . On the premises there are several farmhouses, we stayed in the Karoo Lodge, an old farmhouse in natural environment. Staff most friendly and make you..."

• "Perfection!"

  10 February 2016

  "Samara is a very special place. We had the most wonderful 2 night stay and wished we could have stayed longer. The staff were very welcoming and friendly, our room was beautiful and game drives were..."

• "Delightful game reserve"

  24 January 2016

  "The attention to detail at Samara was fantastic - the staff were superb, the accommodation excellent (with the good fortune of being upgraded on arrival), and our ranger knowledgeable and committed..."

• "Nearly perfect"

  08 January 2016

  "We visited Samara Game Reserve for 2 nights. Although our travel agent had made a mistake and had described the Karoo Suites, but had booked the "lower level" Karoo Lodges, the management upgraded us..."

• "A little peace of heaven "

  02 January 2016

  "Just a beautiful location, an excellent service from the staff, honoust food, very nice safaris ( try the mountain safari) and such a beautiful suites. It's a real authentic experience. We will for..."

• "Unforgettable experience!! "

  24 December 2015

  "When we first arrived at samara, the Manor House, the whole team of people were standing outside to greet us with drinks and everything. The rooms are beautiful- each one spacious, with two sinks, a..."

• "SAMARA IS IN MY BLOOD - 6TH VISIT"

  18 December 2015

  "Where do I begin when it comes to describing Samara? We first started our love affair some 9 years ago when we first visited in 2006; so this is our 6th visit and it will always be number 1 on our..."

• "Time ? Leave your sense of this one behind you....."

  15 December 2015

  "Why would you want to come & stay at this property ? It does not have all of the Big 5, is a three hour drive from the nearest commercial airport ( Port Elizabeth ) and at seventy thousand acres is a..."

• "Wonderful relaxing break in great surroundings"

  30 November 2015

  "We stayed at Samara, in the Karoo Lodge, for my birthday recently. We had been to Samara once before when we stayed in the Manor House with friends. The experience at the Lodge was just as wonderful..."

• "Peace and tranquility in a beautiful place"

  10 November 2015

  "We stayed at Samara for 2 nights at the end of October. It is a beautiful place in a stunning setting and we absolutely loved our time there. We were not looking for a serious safari experience and..."

• "The land of a big surprise."

  06 November 2015

  "It feels ancient, it is lush and it has drama. You are joined by a journey of giraffe on a game drive, a walk on the wild side amongst the cheetah. Buffalo gaze at you having dinner by starlight..."

• "An exquisite reserve with excellent service and fantastic food"

  05 November 2015

  "It was more than just a safari, for the staff their primary concern is for the animals, who are treated with the ultimate care, and as a result I had experiences that would have been unlikely in..."