Samara Karoo Reserve Review: Paradise in the Groot Karoo

The last 24 hours have been rather wet here in the Groot Karoo, but I’ve never seen the African bush so alive. Our group of somewhat damp intrepid travellers is bundled up in a Land Cruiser with a front-row seat to a show of a lifetime. With the rain heightening every smell and sound, the air is thick with the stench of fresh blood as the sound of bones crunching on razor-sharp teeth rings in the air. A pride of lions has just taken down a Springbok and we’re sitting close enough to hear every lick as their raspy tongues pull the flesh from the buck’s still-warm carcass.

While one female rips the Springbok carcass apart, another looks on, making sure their dinner party isn’t interrupted. With their freshly-hunted meal taking centre stage, they’re barely concerned with our presence, but even so, sitting this close to an apex predator with the aftermath of its might on full display is a rather sobering experience. We watch on for a while before giving way to another safari vehicle filled with guests to take in the show from a different angle.

It’s only our second day at Samara Karoo Reserve and witnessing that incredible sight quickly quelled any of the disappointment I’d felt about missing out on a walking safari due to bad weather. Samara Karoo Reserve is famous for its guided walking safaris and is one of few game reserves where walking forms an integral part of the game viewing experience. With a ‘tread lightly’ policy, Samara’s preferred form of off-roading is on your own two feet, providing the ideal place for an unforgettable walking safari.

The reserve is one of South Africa’s most diverse safari destinations; it comprises five vegetation biomes and is home to over 60 mammal species including the Big Five and cheetah, as well as 225 bird species. So, whether you’re exploring on foot or from the comfort of a safari vehicle, you’ll no doubt be treated to a spectacular wildlife experience.

With the rainy weather putting a literal dampener on our plans to experience the bush on foot, we were destined to be confined to our Land Cruiser for the entirety of our three-day Samara experience. Fortunately, there was no shortage of majesty to be found exploring with our incredible guide. If we thought having a seat at the dinner table with lions was a treat, try being within mauling distance of a mother cheetah and her gaggle of pre-teen cubs.

We find the cheetah basking in the long-awaited sunshine on an open plain, her cubs playfully wrestling atop long-abandoned termite mounds nearby. We pull up a safe distance away from the group of big cats, careful not to disturb their lazy afternoon plans. With the ground dry enough for us to safely attempt to venture out, our guide gives us the go-ahead to climb out of the vehicle and get a closer look on foot. Seeing these beautiful creatures mere meters away from us is a breathtakingly incredible experience.

But this isn’t a chance encounter. Being able to track wild cheetahs on foot (or on four wheels when the weather isn’t playing along) is one of the highlights of staying at Samara and is available to all guests at no extra charge. Several of Samara’s cheetahs have tracking collars for research and monitoring purposes, which enable them to be tracked more easily to a more specific general area.

But, even with the cheetahs’ general whereabouts known, the expert trackers at Samara still need to put their tracking skills to the test to pinpoint their exact location. Guests are included in the tracking process and shown how to track the old-fashioned way alongside the guides, offering an unrivalled wild cheetah viewing experience.

Where to stay at Samara Karoo Reserve

When we’re not out in search of life-changing wildlife encounters, we are living in the lap of luxury at the Samara Karoo Reserve Manor. Offering a contemporary take on Karoo living, The Manor sleeps up to 8 people in a private lodge setting that is nothing short of magnificent.

The elegant villa is one of three intimate luxury lodges on Samara Karoo Reserve, and with a maximum of 40 guests on the 67,000 acre reserve at any given time, you truly get the feeling that you have the entire vast reserve all to yourself.  The homestead is a striking oasis in the semi-desert landscape and is the ideal accommodation choice for couples and smaller groups looking to travel together. Starting from January, 2024, The Manor will be available to be booked on an exclusive-use basis only.

The spacious guest suites are a lesson in understated elegance. Each of the luxury rooms boasts a bedroom and full en-suite bathroom with a shower and a free-standing bath. A private patio, with outdoor seating, looks out over a mountain landscape, providing the perfect location for solitary contemplation with a G&T in hand.

Luxury defined

The guest living area inside The Manor feels intimate, yet grand, with spacious lounge alcoves to enjoy a book, grab a drink or relax in front of the fireplace. In summer, the large glass doors to the patio are cast wide open and you can take advantage of the serenity of the bush from the comfort of a well-appointed couch.

The lounge-adjacent dining room offers a comfortable space to enjoy your meals inside; whether it’s breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, or dinner. If you prefer to be outside, and the weather allows for it, you can also choose to enjoy your meals on the verandah, next to the pool, or on the lawn under the purple-flowered Jacaranda tree.

Speaking of meals, breakfast is a delightful treat with hot breakfast options made to order as well as a selection of cereals, fresh fruit, pastries and more to choose from. Lunch and dinner are also made to order to guest preference and you’ll be hard-pressed not to find something to tempt your taste buds on the menu each day. Think locally sourced venison dishes, hearty stews, garden-fresh salads, comforting soups, and even bread and cakes baked with love. For those with a sweet tooth, afternoon tea brings the opportunity to enjoy tea and scones along with other sweet delights.

Small enough to feel intimate, yet large enough to give all guests a feeling of space and privacy, The Manor at Samara Karoo Reserve offers a spectacular luxury bush escape for the discerning traveler. The beauty and elegance of The Manor are matched only by the surrounding bush and mountain landscapes of Samara Karoo Reserve, and you’ll no doubt find yourself contemplating extending your trip just to enjoy a few hours more of the reserve’s peace and serenity.

Stay at Samara Karoo Reserve

Any time spent at the magical Samara Karoo Reserve is like food for the soul. The exquisite scenery and unique experiences make it a particularly good destination for a special romantic escape. There’s nothing quite like waking up each morning and drifting to sleep each night to the gentle and rhythmic sounds of the bush. This serene, majestic place in the Groot Karoo gives your heart and your mind space to breathe and revel in quality time with your partner.

The incredible team at Samara make it so easy to unwind and concentrate on reconnecting with your partner. The service is exceptional, to say the least, and you’ll feel completely at ease knowing every last tiny detail is taken care of. It’s the small touches at Samara that make all the difference — whether it’s the hostess remembering your usual coffee order at breakfast or arriving back from a chilly evening game drive to find the bath in your suite has been drawn, with rose petals to boot.

At Samara, you’ll come for the promise of walking safaris and close encounters with cheetahs and extend your stay for the hospitality and warmth of the staff. It’s a truly special place where you easily feel right at home thanks to the real connections made with staff, who quickly feel like family.

Samara is located in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, 53km south-east of Graaff-Reinet, and 250km from Gqeberha. The reserve is also within driving distance from Cape Town. If you’re looking to make a road trip out of it, then you can split the 8-hour drive over two or three days with stops on the Garden Route along the way.

For more information and to book your stay visit the Samara Karoo Reserve website.