Nestled within the lush garden of Karoo Lodge, the Karoo Suites are charming standalone cottages designed in the traditional Karoo architectural style. Each suite features a cozy fireplace, air-conditioning, and a luxurious en-suite bathroom with a spacious separate bath, a refreshing shower, an open-air shower, and dual wash basins. Guests can also enjoy private covered patios furnished with outdoor seating, creating a perfect spot for morning coffee or an evening nightcap beneath the sparkling stars.

Each Karoo Suite is designed for double occupancy, accommodating 2 adults comfortably. Selected Karoo Suites can also accommodate one additional child under the age of 12 with an extra bed, providing added flexibility for families.

Situated amid the picturesque garden of Karoo Lodge, the Karoo Family Suites are charming standalone cottages that consist of two interconnected suites, each featuring a fireplace, air-conditioning, and a lavish en-suite bathroom with a generously-sized separate bath, an invigorating shower, an alfresco shower, and dual wash basins. These suites share a private covered veranda adorned with outdoor seating, creating an idyllic spot for savoring morning coffee or enjoying a nightcap beneath the starlit sky.

Each Karoo Family Suite offers a maximum capacity for 4 adults, and an additional child under the age of 12 can be comfortably accommodated on an extra bed within the shared living area, enhancing the suite’s flexibility for families.

Samara’s star bed offers an unforgettable romantic wilderness experience. Located in total seclusion in a riverside location, the mosquito net covered four-poster bed sits atop a raised platform with panoramic views of mountain and sky, designed for tranquil nights absorbing the serenity of the Great Karoo landscape.

The star bed experience starts just before sunset with a picnic dinner and sundowner. Guests will take in the spectacular view across the mountain landscape and watch as local wildlife descends to the river to drink. As the night sky develops, the star bed is in a prime position to admire the canopy of constellations that gathers overhead.

One of the highlights of a stay at Samara is the opportunity to track wild cheetah on foot. Thanks to a number of habituated individuals, starting with the famous Sibella, Samara has been able to offer unrivalled wild cheetah viewing on foot to many years of Samara guests. Cheetah tracking usually forms part of the morning or afternoon game drive and allows guests to witness the intimate lives of these endangered Big Cats – whether at rest, at play or on the hunt.

Consisting of 67,000 acres of born-again wilderness covering 5 vegetation biomes and a variety of topographies, Samara offers a diverse safari, both from a landscape and wildlife perspective. Home to the “Big Five” (lion, elephant, black rhino, buffalo and leopard), Samara offers twice-daily game drives to spot these charismatic creatures, as well as the multitude of other species that call the reserve home.

These include cheetah, giraffe and white rhino, as well as lesser-known desert-adapted species such as aardvark, bat-eared fox, meerkat, red hartebeest and springbok. The herds of black wildebeest, Cape mountain zebra and eland on the ‘Samara Mara’ – vast plateau grasslands rivalling the Serengeti for splendour – thrive amidst the spectacular scenery.

Birders are also catered for with over 225 species at Samara, including flocks of up to 200 endangered Blue Cranes in the winter months.

Samara is one of few private game reserves where walking forms an integral part of the safari experience. With fragile ecosystems and a “tread lightly” policy, the preferred form of off-roading is on one’s own two feet.

And what a way to explore the bush! Let Samara’s experienced guides walk you through the five vegetation biomes, pointing out the signs of the wild invisible from the vehicle. Marvel at busy termites as they go about their daily business, listen out for the call of the Honeyguide leading you to wild honey and feel your senses heighten in every way as you navigate the sort of landscape our prehistoric ancestors dwelled in long ago.

Every tree, every rock and every track has a story to tell. Breathe in the silence and space so foreign to our everyday urban lives and feel yourself reconnecting to nature. No one can fail to be moved by the sound of trickling water in a stream, the gentle whistling of the wind rustling the leaves, the sense of suspense and awe at walking to within metres of endangered cheetah and rhino.

If the conditions are right, you’ll get the opportunity to track these iconic animals on foot. What a privilege to enter their space and witness these animals living wild and free. An unforgettable and humbling experience awaits.