# Samara Karoo Reserve

Graaff-Reinet, South Africa · Selected: clears the published selection standard.

- Page: https://mindreachgetaways.com/za/eastern-cape/wellness-retreat/samara-karoo-reserve
- Book direct: https://www.samara.co.za/
- Map pin: https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=-32.416,24.65

## Our read

Samara is worth the journey because the stay is a rewilded Karoo the size of a small park, with forty guests or fewer, and cheetah tracked on foot. A busy Big Five circuit with many vehicles is another booking.

## Come here for

- Travellers who want cheetah on foot in the Karoo, not a crowded sighting
- People who will choose among a homestead, an exclusive villa, and an off-grid tented camp
- Guests who care that the land was farms, and is being put back

## Skip it if

- You want a busy reserve with many vehicles at each sighting.
- You need Plains Camp in June to August 2026. It is printed as closed then.

## The place

Samara Karoo Reserve sits in the Eastern Cape, about 30 kilometres from Graaff-Reinet, off the R63 to Pearston. Sarah and Mark Tompkins founded it in 1997 to restore farms into wilderness. The reserve now covers 67,000 acres at the meeting of five vegetation biomes. The official story names the return of cheetah in 2004, desert-adapted black rhino in 2013, elephant in 2017, and lion in 2019, with leopard arriving of their own accord in 2021. Three lodges share the land: Karoo Lodge, a restored homestead with eight suites; The Manor, an exclusive-use villa for eight with a private vehicle; and Plains Camp, four off-grid tented suites for walking. The whole reserve holds at most forty guests. The published signature is cheetah tracking on foot. Game drives, walking safaris, wilderness picnics, star beds, San rock art, and aardvark tracking at dawn are listed as the programme, paced to each group, with no fixed sighting schedule. Guests typically fly into Gqeberha, then a road transfer of about three hours; a charter to a local airstrip can be arranged. Plains Camp is printed as closed June to August 2026 and July to September 2027. Reservations are reservations@samara.co.za and +27 49 940 1111. A nightly figure is not the point of this guide. Ask them. Reserve with the hotel. MindReach does not take the booking.

## What it is like

- Cheetah on foot: The reserve presents itself as one of the places in Africa to track wild cheetah on foot.
- 67,000 acres: Five biomes. At most forty guests on the whole reserve.
- Three lodges: Karoo Lodge, eight suites in a restored homestead. The Manor, exclusive for eight. Plains Camp, four off-grid tents.
- The return: Cheetah, black rhino, elephant and lion were brought back. Leopard walked in.
- Time: No fixed sighting schedule. The day is paced to the group.

## Ways to stay

- Karoo Lodge · Ask Samara. A figure is not printed here. · https://www.samara.co.za/
- The Manor · Ask Samara. · https://www.samara.co.za/
- Plains Camp · Ask Samara. · https://www.samara.co.za/

## Getting there

Petersburg Road, off the R63 to Pearston, Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape. About 30 km from town. Fly to Gqeberha, then about three hours by road, or arrange a charter. Phone +27 49 940 1111. Email reservations@samara.co.za.

## Questions

**Is this a busy Kruger-style reserve?**
No. Three lodges, at most forty guests, on 67,000 acres. The pitch is time and space.

**Which lodge?**
Karoo Lodge is the homestead. The Manor is exclusive-use for eight. Plains Camp is four off-grid tents for walking.

**When is Plains Camp closed?**
The site prints June to August 2026, and July to September 2027.

**How do I get there?**
About 30 km from Graaff-Reinet. Typical air route is Gqeberha, then about three hours by road.

**Where do I book?**
reservations@samara.co.za or +27 49 940 1111. MindReach does not take the reservation.

## How far to trust this

Written from what the property publishes. Not yet checked by hand. Confirm on their site before you book.
MindReach Getaways does not take the booking. You book with the property.