Looking for a more intimate South African safari experience than one in the big national parks like Krueger? Try Samara, a luxury private game reserve with 70,000 protected acres in the heart of the malaria-free Karoo wilderness area on the plains of the Camdeboo in the eastern cape. Designed for 12 guests only (children are welcome), it has three suites in the main Karoo Valley Lodge and another three suites in small Karoo houses, typical of the colonial settlers. All are stylishly decorated. This November, a new manor house with views of the swimming pool and the water hole will open, housing eight more guests.
	The reserve’s conservation efforts allow visitors to see animals not seen in some of the more established parks, specifically cheetahs and Cape Mountain zebras, both of which are endangered and can roam freely at Samara because there are no lions to threaten them. During picnics, game drives and guided walks, guests can observe these animals and others — including white rhinos, giraffes, monkeys and wildebeests. Prices start at 1,000 rand a person, about $147, at 6.8 rand to the dollar, a night in the lodge and at 1,350 rand in the Karoo suites (www.samara.co.za)