Experiences
to cherish
A love letter to the Karoo
Award-winning Samara Karoo Reserve is a conservation journey on 67,000 acres of born-again wilderness in South Africa’s heart-stoppingly beautiful Great Karoo region. Founded in 1997, Samara has pioneered the rewilding of this semi-arid yet uniquely biodiverse landscape, catalysing an ambitious vision to expand the conservation estate to a 3-million-acre footprint in a Global Biodiversity Hotspot.
Today the 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. Three intimate lodges welcome guests for considered, meaningful and exceptional safari encounters.
- THE TIMES TRAVEL
- CONDÉ NAST TRAVELLER READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2023
In staying at Samara, every guest plays a role in safeguarding the landscape in perpetuity. Yet for those who visit, Samara’s magic extends beyond its conservation importance. To immerse oneself in this soulful landscape of infinite horizons is to experience a recalibration of the frantic modern mindset, a deep reconnection with Nature and a heart-lifting vision of hope for the future.
Family Safari
Nurturing eco-warriors
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Conservation Safari
Holiday with purpose
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To restore the magic of the Great Karoo through rewilding & responsible tourism, in order to catalyse the healing of this landscape for the benefit of people and planet.
– OUR VISION –
Our re-imagined Karoo Lodge
An elevated home away from home
The redesign of our flagship lodge retains the homestead's quintessential Karoo character while embracing a modern approach to safari living.
Read moreKaroo wildlife experience
Intimate sightings of iconic species
The extraordinary diversity and vastness of Samara's born-again wilderness delivers an exceptional wildlife experience without the crowds.
Read moreWe are proud members of The Long Run, a collection of the world’s most sustainable nature-based travel destinations. Collectively, The Long Run members help conserve over 21 million acres of biodiversity, improve the lives of 130,000 people and allocate significant investment to conservation, community and culture projects.
By joining the movement, we have committed to achieving sustainability across 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.