Samara Karoo Reserve

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South Africa
Graaff-Reinet
Samara Karoo Reserve

A leader in luxury conservation-driven tourism in the heart of South Africa’s breathtaking Great Karoo region.

Three authentic lodges welcome guests for considered, meaningful and exceptional safari encounters. Award-winning Samara Karoo Reserve is one of South Africa’s most diverse safari destinations, comprising five vegetation biomes across strikingly varied topography, home to over 60 mammal species including the Big Five and cheetah, as well as 225 bird species.

10/05/2026

Motherhood unfolds across daily moments — from fierce protection to loving tenderness. This Mother’s Day, we celebrate mothers of all kinds, including Mother Earth 🌍.

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Samara is on a journey to regenerate South Africa's semi-arid Great Karoo region through rewilding and responsible tourism. As a member of The Long Run, Samara strives to achieve a holistic balance of the “4Cs”: Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce. Staying at one of Samara's lodges acts as a direct contribution to this vision | www.samara.co.za |

22/04/2026

This Earth Day, let’s take a moment for the smaller things. The ones easily missed from a vehicle, but essential to how this landscape functions.

At Samara, stepping out and slowing down reveals a different side of the wild — one of delicate blooms, birdsong, and the intricate details that hold this ecosystem together.

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Samara is on a journey to regenerate South Africa's semi-arid Great Karoo region through rewilding and responsible tourism. As a member of The Long Run, Samara strives to achieve a holistic balance of the “4Cs”: Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce. Staying at one of Samara's lodges acts as a direct contribution to this vision | www.samara.co.za |

20/04/2026

Our most recent tracker-turned-field-guide, Jason Hesi has the Karoo in his blood. Growing up on a Karoo farm, Jason’s love for the birds, medicinal plants and intangible magic that shape this landscape runs deep.

He began his journey at Samara in 2019, attending the Tracker Academy. After a few years working as a tracker, he followed his heart back to Samara, the place that stayed with him from his very first visit.

Recently qualifying as a FGASA Field Guide, a significant milestone in his career, Jason’s dedication and passion have truly come full circle. As the first person in his family to become both a tracker and a field guide, Jason hopes his journey will inspire the next generation back home.

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Samara is on a journey to regenerate South Africa's semi-arid Great Karoo region through rewilding and responsible tourism. As a member of The Long Run, Samara strives to achieve a holistic balance of the “4Cs”: Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce. Staying at one of Samara's lodges acts as a direct contribution to this vision | www.samara.co.za |

15/04/2026

The Karoo has been showing off lately with a dose of wonderful wildlife to inspire your next safari.

Samara’s vast, wild landscapes are yours to explore – in a vehicle and on foot – when you stay in one of our three intimate luxury lodges.

📸: Roelof Wiesner Photography

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Samara is on a journey to regenerate South Africa's semi-arid Great Karoo region through rewilding and responsible tourism. As a member of The Long Run, Samara strives to achieve a holistic balance of the “4Cs”: Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce. Staying at one of Samara's lodges acts as a direct contribution to this vision | www.samara.co.za |

10/04/2026

By popular demand, we’re continuing our Medicinal Plants of the Karoo series 🌿

Found right here on Samara, each plant has been used in traditional medicine for generations and remains part of the medical toolkit of many local people to this day.

Swipe through to discover more of the Karoo’s natural pharmacy.

To order your copy of our book on medicinal plants, created in collaboration with Pokkie Benadie, Roxanne Joubert and Branden Hair, please contact [email protected].

The information provided is not medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or treatment. The information provided is intended for educational and cultural interest.

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Samara is on a journey to regenerate South Africa's semi-arid Great Karoo region through rewilding and responsible tourism. As a member of The Long Run, Samara strives to achieve a holistic balance of the “4Cs”: Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce. Staying at one of Samara's lodges acts as a direct contribution to this vision | www.samara.co.za |

03/04/2026

Our Samara Family wishes you and your loved ones a wonderful Easter weekend – whether at home or travelling somewhere special.

For families, spending time in Nature is a gateway to cherished memories. Watching little ones discover the world for the first time, and seeing that spark of wonder in their eyes, is a reminder of just how meaningful these moments can be.

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Samara is on a journey to regenerate South Africa's semi-arid Great Karoo region through rewilding and responsible tourism. As a member of The Long Run, Samara strives to achieve a holistic balance of the “4Cs”: Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce. Staying at one of Samara's lodges acts as a direct contribution to this vision | www.samara.co.za |

30/03/2026

Picture-perfect portraits, straight from the field.

This month’s Samara Snippets offers a glimpse into our latest sightings, captured during a photographic safari hosted with CNP Safaris. Led by Head Guide Roelof Wiesner, each frame reflects the true magic of a Karoo summer.

📸: Roelof Wiesner Photography

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Samara is on a journey to regenerate South Africa's semi-arid Great Karoo region through rewilding and responsible tourism. As a member of The Long Run, Samara strives to achieve a holistic balance of the “4Cs”: Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce. Staying at one of Samara's lodges acts as a direct contribution to this vision | www.samara.co.za |

27/03/2026

We’re excited to announce Ormonde Wines will be joining the second weekend of our Wine in the Wilderness event from 29 May – 01 June 2026.

Nestled in the rolling hills of Darling on the West Coast, Ormonde Wines is a celebration of place and precision. Shaped by ancient granite soils and the cooling influence of coastal fog, this family-owned South African estate produces wines that are both expressive and elegant.

The weekend begins with a wine-pairing dinner on Friday evening hosted by Theo and Berinda Basson, followed by Saturday spent at the Stoep Tasting event in Graaff-Reinet. On Sunday morning, the experience continues with one of Samara’s signature wilderness picnics.

Discover the full weekend experience here: https://www.samara.co.za/offer/wine-in-the-wilderness-2026/

Contact [email protected] to secure your space.

🎟 Limited availability
✈️ Fly-in offer available

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Samara is on a journey to regenerate South Africa's semi-arid Great Karoo region through rewilding and responsible tourism. As a member of The Long Run, Samara strives to achieve a holistic balance of the “4Cs”: Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce. Staying at one of Samara's lodges acts as a direct contribution to this vision | www.samara.co.za |

24/03/2026

We’re delighted to announce Creation Wines joining our Wine in the Wilderness event from 22–25 May 2026.

Set high on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, Creation Wines is a family-owned, award-winning South African wine estate internationally recognised for its cool-climate wines, meticulous craftsmanship and commitment to sustainability.

The weekend begins with a wine-pairing dinner on Friday evening hosted by Glenn Martin of Creation Wines, followed by a day at Saturday’s much-loved Stoep Tasting event in nearby Graaff-Reinet, where historic Karoo homes open their doors for a celebration of South African wine. On Sunday morning, the experience continues with one of Samara’s signature wilderness picnics.

Discover the full weekend experience here: https://www.samara.co.za/offer/wine-in-the-wilderness-2026/

Contact [email protected] to secure your space.

🎟 Limited availability
✈️ Fly-in offer available

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Samara is on a journey to regenerate South Africa's semi-arid Great Karoo region through rewilding and responsible tourism. As a member of The Long Run, Samara strives to achieve a holistic balance of the “4Cs”: Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce. Staying at one of Samara's lodges acts as a direct contribution to this vision | www.samara.co.za |

20/03/2026

Rewilding is not just a single action. It is decades of patience and vision.

On World Rewilding Day, we reflect on Samara’s journey of restoring this landscape in the heart of the Great Karoo – supported, funded and encouraged by purpose-driven tourism.

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Samara is on a journey to regenerate South Africa's semi-arid Great Karoo region through rewilding and responsible tourism. As a member of The Long Run, Samara strives to achieve a holistic balance of the “4Cs”: Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce. Staying at one of Samara's lodges acts as a direct contribution to this vision | www.samara.co.za |

16/03/2026

An unforgettable afternoon with Mbali and her six cubs. 🐆

After searching for her in the south of the reserve, we eventually found Mbali resting beside a Kuni-bush. As we approached on foot, she lay calmly watching us, the little ones nowhere in sight.

Then came a soft call from Mbali, and one by one, all six cubs tumbled out of the bush towards her. Soon they were all over their mother, purring loudly and playfully climbing over and grooming each other in the golden afternoon light.

Mbali then rose and began moving towards a distant herd of springbok, six curious cubs close on her heels and ready for their next adventure. The entire cheetah family walked calmly past us, completely at ease, a truly special sighting to witness.

📸: Roelof Wiesner Photography

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Samara is on a journey to regenerate South Africa's semi-arid Great Karoo region through rewilding and responsible tourism. As a member of The Long Run, Samara strives to achieve a holistic balance of the “4Cs”: Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce. Staying at one of Samara's lodges acts as a direct contribution to this vision | www.samara.co.za |

Address

Petersburg Road Off The R63 To Pearston
Graaff-Reinet
6280

Telephone

+27499401111

Website

http://www.samara.co.za/

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