Samara Private Game Reserve Reviews

Had amazing fun days at Samara, beautiful bedroom and very friendly people! Especially Gibson our ranger :)

We had a most beautiful experience, getting up close to a 'pride' of Cheetah. Also saw Elephant, Warthog, Giraffe, Zebra and a whole range of buck.

It's a best place to be, with it's nature like mountain ,beautiful animals and species

A magical place to relax. We have been to the Samara Private Game Reserve twice.

Fantastically beautiful accommodation, we stayed twice in the suites. Approx. 50 meters from a water hole we could magically watch a herd of giraffes from the terrace.

The good soul of the house is Veronica, who is happy to help you in all matters.

The safaris are great, especially Jan, who knows a lot about the flora and fauna.

The food is good, but could be a little better for a luxury hotel.

It is good, not essential, but helpful for planning the rest of the trip, that the suites now also have WiFi.

Samara is one on the most special places on earth. It is a rare treat to be able to drive and walk in the reserve. Our ranger was very knowledgeable ranger about the animals, plants, mountains and the general area. The staff at the Manor House is exceptional and made us feel very special. The highlight of our trip was the spotting of an aardvark, a cheetah with her cubs and being able to see a part of the Karoo that is not visible from the public roads.

Breath-taking experience. An absolute must for those passionate about wildlife and the outdoors.

The care and conservation displayed by Samara for wild animals like the precious White Rhino or cunning Cheetah is awe-inspiring.

Great reserve!

Beautiful scenery and landscapes. Top class staff and facilities. Our time at Samara Private Game Reserve was amazing. Thank you!

Fabulous setting; amazing luxury; wonderful drives and views. And the accommodation and food is excellent. Highly recommended.

Breathtaking scenery, pristine environment, incredible wildlife, beautiful and well appointed rooms, amazing staff! Can honestly say that I will never forget our trip to Samara. I hope to return one day soon!

My husband and I spent 2 wonderful nights at Samara. Not only was the accommodation and food top class, the staff were also friendly and accommodating. We can recommend Samara for a special karoo experience and would love to go back again one day.

My sister and I stayed at Samara Game Reserve in October 2020 to celebrate our birthdays. We had an incredibly memorable stay and would highly recommend Samara for a luxury Big Five experience in South Africa. Highlights of our stay were tracking 8 cheetahs on foot, the guides and staff that attended to our every need and the dining experience. Will visit again as soon as we can!

Fantastic staff. Overall very friendly and amicable. When I told the guide that I've been visiting Africa for 2 weeks and have yet to see a Cheetah, the next morning's game drive was specifically set to track and find their Cheetah's just so that I could see them before heading back home to Canada. When we found them, it was the best and most memorable moment of my wife and I's entire trip. Thank Samara for a memory I will cherish the rest of my life!

Absolutely wonderful establishment. Staff made me feel like royalty!

Absolutely amazing, the experience dinner around the boma under a starlit sky. To see the game and walk with a family of cheetah, we shall cherish for ever.

loved every minute at Samara. Old fashioned hospitality at it's best and will never forget standing within feet of one of the famed Samara cheetahs. One day we will return. Simply magical

Samara could not have delivered a more fantastic stay. It was truly awe-inspiring. Arriving at the circular drive to the lodge, you're welcomed by smiling faces and an enchanting deep verandah. I'm not sure there are many places in the world where you can track rhino and cheetah on foot. And to get to spend time with cheetah while they quietly laze in the sun, whilst you're on foot in the bush with them... Just unbelievable. Our tracker, and driver Dumi were so special. The element of conservation which we participated in was also fascinating. We looked forward to every meal, it was that delicious. I certainly recommend 3 nights minimum to stay. Samara will always be the most fond memory, as our favourite private game reserve!

I have had the privilege of experiencing various private reserves and national parks throughout South Africa, but Samara is in a league of its own.
The Samara Team is simply world class.

What a stay! Literally so unbelievable!

The reserve:

So beautiful and filled with so many amazing animals! Giraffes, rhinos, baboons, cheetahs, and the list goes on! They are the third biggest reserve in South Africa and their land seems to go on forever! Also, saw some of the most beautiful sunsets of my life here as well!

Staff:

So incredibly nice and on top of anything we could have ever needed!

Stay here!!

I have had the distinct joy and pleasure to have been part of the Samara family since 2006; when I say family it is exactly that; they make you feel at home. No request is too big/small or insignificant for them. We've been there in the height of summer and lazed next to the pool; been there in the middle of winter and sat on top of the Plateau and seen the snowy mountains surround us. We were HONORED to have been up close and personal with Sibella in those visits and on our last one, emotional and sad as it was due to her passing, we met Chili, one of her cubs; a thrill that never ceases to amaze me.
Our rangers have always been exceptional.
The lodge staff, from the maintenance to the housekeeping to the kitchen staff....awesome.
The food DIVINE.
And the other guests we have met along the way, I am pleased to say, have stayed in touch and every time we saw a Zebra or a Vervet, on subsequent visits, we were fondly reminded of Joel and Jean who we met along the way.
And let us not forget our memorable Silver Wedding Anniversary champagne and snacks sitting looking out over the Plains of the Camdeboo.
You may leave but a part of you will remain at Samara.

Definitely a nice place out from the normal touristic circuite. The staffs very professional

The staff at the Reserve made this experience so incredible, heir generosity and kindness is beyond 5 star. The accommodation at the Manor House is perfect, wonderful bathroom and large comfortable beds. All of the House staff were wonderful to speak with and will do anything to make your stay the best it can be. Julius, our game driver and our tracker, Benedict were so so very knowledgeable and made the safari drives and walks truly unforgettable. Thank you Samara for an unforgettable experience, we will be back!

Love the Karoo Lodge with it's wide verandas and good catering. A friendly game lodge, recently introduced Elephant and Lions in addition to it's previous Cheetah speciality. Indigenous buck such as Mountain Zebra, Springbuck, Wildebeest, Waterbuck, Buffalo subdivided between mountain top views and lower level Karoo.

Beautiful place, beautiful people. 5 stars service!!!

Stunning location, nestled in a valley and about 45 minutes drive from Graaff Reinet. They have alot of very rare wildlife like Aardvark. Not yet Big 5. But they said that they are introducing lions in a couple of Months.

If you have a group of rich friends, rent the mansion house. Stunning!

Samara is one of those places your heart always yearns to return to. Samara has become the benchmark to which we compare other game reserves we visit, it is just such a magical and fantastic place. We have been to Samara three times now, and we are always trying to build a visit to Samara into our next trip!
The level of service of the staff is just amazing, the plentiful food is always of the highest standard, every night is a peaceful night's rest. The rooms are clean, cozy and spacious with everything you need. If you feel something is missing, you can always just ask the stuff, no ask is too big for the Samara staff. And the game drives never disappoint! The game rangers have always been the best and most interesting people.
Samara is a must to visit, and great value for money.

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 lazy afternoons on the verandah, and the meals served were delicious. We looked forward to afternoon tea every day, in anticipation of what had been freshly baked. The suite we were in was luxuriously spacious. We've never been treated so specially at any establishment visited - it was the epitome of a truly memorable stay.

Fabulous setting; amazing luxury; wonderful drives and views. And the accommodation and food is excellent. Highly recommended.

SAMARA , THE PEARL BEYOND EXPERIENCE...The drive through the hauntingly beautiful Karoo ends on a high note as we approach the superb Samara private game reserve ....the warm welcolm, and soon we are in our well appointed room, ...time to freshen up before dinner

The Manor is simply opulence from a bygone era, friendly warm fire ..mellow single malt, and intimate moments to share our delight , before a memorable dinner , washed down with an excellent Red

The next morning at day break we head out on our game drive....to me, just sitting back in the open vehicle, warmly dressed ...savouring the smell and absolute sense of peace ...with no expectations...my idea of mindful zen Moments.....

We have been fortunate and privileged to have visited the very very best on offer over most of Africa, and Samara will always hold a very special place in our hearts, and we so hope that we could return

OUR VERY CONSIDERED ADVICE...put SAMARA on the top of your bucket list....and go see for yourself

We stayed in the Sibella Suite for two days and we were really looking forward to the luxury lodge,
unfortunately it was just a good suite.
The food was very good one evening and only good the next evening.

The game drives and the guide were just great and we were able to walk a few hundred meters over a ridge together with the cheetahs. That was a special experience.

New have visited Samara many times, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. On our last visit, we saw a lovely example of using an Aloe flower to make a lamp holder. With the enthusiastic assistance of your staff, left with a car load of these, which we use to this day. Regards. Mike and Wendy. Helderberg Village, Somerset West.

An amazing romantic experience with a personalized touch and wonderful attention to detail. Experience worth having.

The landscape will draw you into this amazing part of the world. It s so authentic and important in terms of restoring the biodiversity of the Karoo.

Absolutely amazing, the experience dinner around the boma under a starlit sky. To see the game and walk with a family of cheetah, we shall cherish for ever.

A lifetime experience and one of the best in the world!

Amazing place, delicious food, great staff and wonderful service. The perfect balance between relax and game drive. Thank you!

Superbly run reserve in the heart of the hauntingly beautiful Karoo. The staff, accommodation, food and most importantly the game are top notch - with Samara having the 'Big Five and 3% of the total world cheetah population. Stay at least 3 days but when you sadly leave you'll have wished you'd stayed for 7!

An amazing experience in this beautiful (and vast) game reserve. Everything is just perfect : the landscapes, the lodge (very comfortable), the drives, the staff !
Marnus, Samara's general manager, is truly passionate by the bush and the wildlife and knows how to share it. Thanks so much for these beautiful moments and talks during the drives ! Our kids also loved their stay. It's perfect for them with activities adapted to all ages.
Last but not least, the sky at night is just amazingly full of stars and it's a great experience to watch it in the dark.
Thanks again. We hope we'll come back.

The BEST! Go go go! Lovely staff and accommodations. Property is amazing. The best of the Karoo.

The Samara Private Game Reserve and its lodges is a most impressive high end experience for observing and photographing wild animals or to study birds in the Camdaboo mountains. The reserve is just outside Graaff Reinet, for my family it was a pleasure and a privilege to have spent time at this jewel in the Karoo.

For this reserve one is advised not to arrive at the perimeter gate unexpectedly, rather make an advance booking, therefore your meals and special requirements can be prepared. For our game viewing trip, the chef prepared a scrumptious meal in an old farmhouse had a colonial style setting. Trinkets and memorabilia were available for purchase at the reception centre. Thereafter we were whisked off game viewing in a well equipped 4x4 driven by a knowledgeable guide who was assisted by a skilled tracker. This was a most memorable experience which I highly recommend to any visitor to the reserve. Our photographic hunt concluded with a cheetah kill only meters away (a mother and four large cubs), what a privilege? Then we saw owls, night jars and a sundowner was prepared. We will definitely revisit this reserve on our next trip to South Africa.