Timeless safari adventure

The cheetah trail

A 3-night slackpacking experience where time stands still and the ancient stories of the Karoo come alive.

Samara’s Cheetah Trail is a 3-night, 4-day slackpacking adventure for those who appreciate the delights of a walking safari with a difference. The experience weaves together the freedom and thrill of being on foot in a Big Five reserve with a fascinating introduction to the ancient history and signature flora and fauna of the Karoo. Fully guided by an expert team, guests are afforded the humbling opportunity to witness up-close and on foot the natural behaviour of one of Africa’s most iconic and endangered species – the cheetah. Most magical of all, a night under the stars re-awakens the ecological intelligence that lies dormant within all of us.

This is the epitome of safari – a chance to reconnect, restore and reinvigorate the mind, body and spirit.

The Cheetah Trail is based at Plains Camp, Samara’s off-grid tented camp with magnificent views of the surrounding born-again wilderness, and the first and last night of the journey will be spent there. Daily walks from the camp will cover up to 10-15km per day, depending on where the wildlife paths take you. On the second afternoon, you’ll embark on a trail to a remote location to overnight at a mobile camp in total seclusion.

3 nights | 4 days | Approximately 30km / 18 hours of walking overall

The adventure begins

Day 1 - Arrival

Arriving at Plains Camp in the early afternoon, you will have time to settle into your tent and enjoy high tea on the deck before setting off on the first walk of your journey. Located in the low-lying southern portion of the reserve, the area surrounding Plains Camp teems with life, both great and small. Your guide and tracker will conduct a safety briefing before setting off on a short acclimatisation walk to enable you to get a feel for the terrain and being on foot in the wild. Returning to camp for dinner, you'll start to ease into the grounding magic of the experience.

Awakening your ecological intelligence

Day 2 - morning walk

Rising early to beat the midday heat, you'll enjoy tea and coffee and rusks, a South African homebaked treat, before venturing out into the veld once more. Stretch your legs as you step out across the orange earth, yellow tufts of grass casting delicate shadows as the sun comes up. Learn the art of tracking and connect with ancestral knowledge of the local fauna and flora, before returning to camp for a hearty breakfast and a dip in the pool.

Every step of the Cheetah Trail was an invigoration of the senses, prompting a primal knowledge that lays dormant and tucked away in the most ancient part of our minds.

- GREISY GENAO, SAMARA GUEST

Exploring the landscape

Day 2 - cheetah tracking

After lunch, embark on the main trail of the journey, covering up to 15 km with a remote wilderness camp your ultimate destination. Who knows what you might find en route – groups of white rhino, lone giraffe bulls or maybe even Samara's celebrated cheetahs. Following in the paw prints of these magnificent animals, you'll become part of their story, witnessing first-hand the continuation of Samara's conservation legacy.

Absorbing the serenity of the wild

Day 2 - A night under the stars

On arrival at your camp for the night, you'll enjoy the wildest shower of your life – a traditional bucket shower hung from a Jacketplum tree. After a hearty meal and campfire stories, experience an unforgettable night sleeping al fresco under a mosquito net whilst your guide and tracker take turns keeping watch. For a really exhilarating experience, why not take your turn on night duty too! The silence of the night, punctuated only by the sounds of Nature, creates a profound sense of peace and connection with the Earth.

Tracking giraffe during a bush walk, Samara Private Game Reserve, Great Karoo, South Africa

Breathing in the fresh Karoo air

Day 3 - the trek continues

Waking to the smell of freshly-brewed coffee as the sun makes its appearance, it's time for a delicious breakfast cooked over the fire. Lace your hiking boots back on before embarking on a walking trail back to Plains Camp. There, you'll have time to refresh and reflect on your remarkable, grounding experience immersed in the sensory richness of the Karoo. An afternoon walk or game drive with sundowners will round off a special day.

Revitalised and grounded

Day 4 - Departure

On your final morning, the choice is yours. Perhaps you'll want to stretch your legs one last time, or you may prefer to sit on the deck of your tent and absorb the all-encompassing peace of the landscape. Whatever you choose, we hope you'll feel a heart-lifting sense of awe from having taken the time to be in Nature.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Samara’s Cheetah Trail is a 3-night, 4-day experience.
Available September to May inclusive.
4-8 guests. Minimum age 16 years. Guests must be medically-fit and able to walk for 5-6 hours per day across variable terrain.
No electricity, Wifi or mobile phone signal.
Price: Launch rate of R31,500 per person for the 3-night, 4-day experience. SADC rates available.
Inclusions: Accommodation at Plains Camp on your first and third nights. Mobile fly camp accommodation on your second night. All meals and selected drinks. Fully guided by an experienced team.
Exclusions: All exclusions applicable to Plains Camp. For the full list, visit our rates page.
Note: Accommodation and ablutions at the mobile camp are simple – stretcher bed with mattress, mosquito net and blankets, a bucket shower, a canvas washbasin and a “bush loo”. Should weather on the second night be inclement (extreme wind and rain), the second night will be spent at Plains Camp.