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What you can expect during your stay
- All linens sanitised in high-temperature wash
- Face masks required for guests in public areas
- Face masks required for staff in public areas
- Hand sanitiser available to guests & staff
- Stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
- Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
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Updated 21/01/15 Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
A note from Samara Private Game Reserve
Updated 21/01/15 Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
About
#1 of 2 hotels in Graaff-Reinet
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Travellers' Choice
A heart-stoppingly beautiful African setting awaits at the award-winning Big Five malaria-free Samara Private Game Reserve near Graaff-Reinet. Two elegant lodges lie nestled between an amphitheatre of mountains on 67,000 acres of Great Karoo landscape with breathtaking views. Samara encompasses 4 vegetation biomes, dramatic mountains and the unique ‘Samara Mara’ - vast plateau grasslands resembling the East African Serengeti. Renowned for tracking safaris with the endangered cheetah, white & black rhino, giraffe and aardvark, other activities include birding, hiking, mountain biking & a children’s programme. We specialise in outdoor dining, whether under the stars, a picnic in the river or lunch on the mountain-top. A luxury star bed is the perfect romantic getaway. Samara also has greater purpose – the creation of a sustainable ecosystem and a landscape-scale conservation project - your support helps achieve this grand vision. Recommended minimum stay 3 nights. A safari for the soul.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Free breakfast
Board games / puzzles
Airport transportation
Private check-in / check-out
Laundry service
Secured parking
Internet
Outdoor pool
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Ironing service
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Air conditioning
Safe
Refrigerator
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Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Romantic
Languages Spoken
Afrikaans
Location
Full view
Contact
Petersburg Road, Graaff-Reinet 6280 South Africa
Getting there
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386Reviews3Q+A92Room tips
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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 mountain views. Coffee and tea station, and shrrry. The en suite bathroom had both bath and shower. Toweling gowns and slippers were provided. The staff were attentive and friendly. Meals were top-class, and beautifully presented. The twice daily game drives were fantastic, with knowledgeable guide Dumisani and tracker Jason. The reserve is well stocked with game, and is managed in a responsible manner. A definite 'must' for a return visit.
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Date of stay: April 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Helpful
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 vision, passion in action and resultant dedication to community, responsible tourism and sustainability remains true within my last visit this weekend. What I did experience, feel and absorb on this visit is nothing short of inspirational ! The world has gone through slightly more than two years of devastating challenges across the globe through the arrival of Covid - 19. When the Samara executive management Team sat down at the beginning of this pandemic back in 2020 their collective mindset determined that this is an opportunity to enhance their overall property experience for guests, they kept on every one of their fifty three staff members ( they now have seventy two full time staff members ) and continued on their vision to return their expansive property to the condition it was prior to the arrival of commercial farming and the subsequent denuding of the land, wildlife and welfare of the community. My review here is as a now retired inbound tour operator who spent my twenty two years in the inbound ( to southern Africa ) business seeking out authentic, well managed and high quality properties that reflect a deep respect for the land, her people and Mother Nature. So, back to my weekend under African skies..... My minds eye expected to find this property maybe a little ' off ' after suffering over two years of Covid related lock downs, very few overseas inbound visitors and the subsequent lack of revenue to maintain their overall quality ethos. I was therefore reassured to arrive at Karoo Lodge to see, absorb and witness beautiful indigenous gardens, magnificent trees and a very typical Samara welcome ( warm smiles, welcoming energies and attentive staff ). What hit me immediately was the calmness, the order, the level of attention to maintenance and smaller details. When planning an African safari one of the key aspects is your ranger/guide. You will spend in the order of eight hours a day in their company as they drive/walk you about their property. Best make sure they know their ' office ' well ! This has to be one of Samara's loudest calls. On each of my visits the extraordinary has been presented to me. Qualified and experienced rangers and now a tracker as well accompanies the guest in custom designed vehicles on an authentic learning, viewing and inspiring moment on the Reserve. They share their extensive knowledge of the particular biomes, topography and animals you will see. These ' translators ' from Mother Nature to human understanding are the vital link. We got to observe Chilli. Tracking cheetah at Samara is managed in a highly respectful and well managed manner and is an exceptional experience for guests to observe these unique creatures in an environment of respect all round. This most beautiful and expressive reflection of a mature female cheetah is the daughter of the original cheetah matriarch Sibella. Sibella was badly injured by a group of hunting dogs on a farm and was brought through to Samara with the hope she may survive and at best thrive. She did and this story of cheetah is for me a thread running through Samara, caring for today so the 'morrow thrives. My Karoo Retreat suite was so well prepared. Everything worked ! These spacious, free standing units have every amenity a guest may need for their visit. Their food & beverage offering is certainly a minor miracle when you consider that the closest supplier is fifty kilometres away. They have their own vegetable garden along with herbs. Their wine list reflects excellent selection that we would expect for their overall quality rating. Table presentation and dinning service levels at all meals was exemplary, attentive but not overly and always came with the words ' you are welcome ' voiced with a traditional Groot ( Big ) Karoo smile. Rates for the current year ( 2022 ) for the southern African market are an absolute gift ! When you inculcate the overall offering at Samara these rates are about half of the true rate needed to sustain Samara's quality ethos. For those returning ( Samara has a high guest return ratio ) and first time guests from overseas the rate charged is reflective of good value for money and as their intrinsic value added is so high brings personal growth and learning to each guest not often found at other wildlife properties. Samara was bought by a family deeply routed within South Africa with one foot in the UK in 1997. A combined 58,000 acres of eleven farms in size devoid of any semblance of order, respect of the natural flow of order where Mother Nature is allowed to simply do what she has to do. Their vision was to restore the land to its original, prefarmed out condition, to re wild with the animals that once roamed the property in their vast, vast numbers and to share all of this with guests who would want an authentic African wild life experience. So here they are today, twenty five years from their purchase driving the same stated vision & ethos. In my seventeen years of witnessing their passage they have remained utterly true to their core respect & resolve to and within Mother Nature, their community and ' family ' as they see their staff as. If you as a potential visitor to Samara are seeking a space for solitude, maybe a place for family to come together and reflect, should you wish to understand a little of what makes Africa tick, what it feels like to observe a wild animal habituated ( comfortable to allow human presence within their environment ) in their natural surrounds and then to be thoroughly looked after and attended to then the Samara family would be an excellent choice.....…
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Date of stay: April 2022
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Room Tip: Samara has two distinct offerings. The Manor House can be selected for exclusive use. The...
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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 spring hair were just some of the other amazing sightings. However the cherry on the top was the cheetah and getting out of the game vehicle to track the cheetah up close. We stood 10 meters away for this magnificent cat! What an experience! I wish I had more time to stay on. The staff and food were amazing! The dinner under the stars with the Karoo night sky was spectacular. The rooms are decorated in the original Karoo style and the pool was very welcome with the heat! The unspoiled open plains are amazing and I would highly recommend a visit! Loved the spekboom take away!!
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Date of stay: January 2022
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1 Helpful vote
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+1
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! Other highlights were walking on foot to white Rhino and Cheetah (we were within 15 meters from the Cheetah). This was very unique in comparison to other game drives I've been on. The rangers and spotters are world-class, friendly and go the extra mile. We spent two glorious nights in the luxurious Manor House. Overall, it was an experience to remember. We went on a game drive to the top of a mountain and the views were endless. A great mix of wildlife, peaceful accommodation and breathtaking views. Highly recommend and can't wait to visit again!
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Date of stay: January 2022Trip type: Travelled on business
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Room Tip: great scenery, unique game drives, incredible wildlife viewing
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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 exceptional and we had two brilliant guides accompanying us. The bush coffee on the morning ride was a hit.!
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Date of stay: January 2022Trip type: Travelled on business
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Helpful
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 plateau on top of a mountain! The reserve has mountains, grass plains, thick bush making it an incredibly varied reserve. We stayed at the Manor House - great rooms and the best pool ever. Guides are seriously on the ball and highly engaging. Overall, I loved it
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Date of stay: January 2022
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1 Helpful vote
Helpful
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 for 5 stars. There was a bad smell coming from a vent at the back of the beds. I think this was due to a lot of rain but it was unpleasant. Staff were lovely and game guides were great. Food was just fine but nothing special. Not a 5 star property. Saying that there are individual accommodations that might be a better option but unavailable at our booking.
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Date of stay: January 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
Helpful
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 your first time on safari or you are a 'season safari' expert! The food is fantastic, the staff are extremely caring and respectful. The Homestead Suites are a little tired but the Karoo Suites are absolutely lovely. Thank you to the entire staff for making my stay extremely memorable.
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Date of stay: November 2021
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Room Tip: Choose one of the Karoo Retreat Rooms...By far the best rooms!
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+1
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 beautifully decorated in an old world Karoo farm chic, and one felt spoiled being able to sit on the large open stoep, having a chilled glass of wine and enjoying the sights and sounds of a traditional Karoo Farmstead, whilst being entertained by warthogs and baboons grazing on the lawn. The food served by the restaurant was scrumptious and delicious and invoked memories of large family gatherings and Sunday roasts. The game viewing and Karoo veld is unmatched in its beauty, and the dichotomy of abundance and barrenness never ceased to amaze. Samara has managed what few can achieve, making it child and family friendly without losing its charm to a theme-park feel. The guides and trackers are very well trained and very attuned to each visitor’s wishlist of game they would like to see, and are able to engage with the children in an educating and informative way, keeping their attention effortlessly. A true gem!…
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Date of stay: June 2021Trip type: Travelled with family
Helpful
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 class and staff attentive.
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Date of stay: May 2021
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PRICE RANGE
US$519 - US$731 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
samara private game reserve hotel samara private game reserve
LOCATION
South AfricaEastern CapeGraaff-Reinet
NUMBER OF ROOMS
13
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Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about Samara Private Game Reserve
What are some of the property amenities at Samara Private Game Reserve?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and a pool.
What food & drink options are available at Samara Private Game Reserve?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Samara Private Game Reserve?
Yes, free parking and secured parking are available to guests.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Samara Private Game Reserve?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does Samara Private Game Reserve have airport transportation?
Yes, Samara Private Game Reserve offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Does Samara Private Game Reserve have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the mountain view available here.
Is Samara Private Game Reserve accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access and reduced mobility rooms. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.