A herd of African elephants on the savannah, Tanzania. Photo: Pexels (free licence).
Is Samara Karoo Reserve a good company to book a safari with?
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 2 November 2026
Samara Karoo Reserve is in the Uncompromised Travel table of safari camp owners. Everything below is from its own website and its review listings, each line with the page it was read from: no score, no rank.
What do guests say about Samara Karoo Reserve?
Samara Karoo Reserve has 4.7 out of 5 on Google (listing 'Samara Karoo Reserve') from 165 reviews, each read on its own platform and never added together.
- 4.7 out of 5 from 165 reviews. On the Google listing 'Samara Karoo Reserve' (hotel), Off the R63 to Pearston, Petersburg Rd, Graaff-Reinet. Camps with listings of their own are not added in.
- SafariBookings
- No SafariBookings listing in Samara Karoo Reserve's name was found.
- Trustpilot
- No Trustpilot listing in Samara Karoo Reserve's name was found.
Where are Samara Karoo Reserve's camps?
South Africa. Three lodges and camps (Karoo Lodge, The Manor, Plains Camp), all on one reserve.
- Countries
- South Africa.
- Camps
- Three lodges and camps (Karoo Lodge, The Manor, Plains Camp), all on one reserve. 'Just three intimate luxury safari lodges'.
- Where they are
- All three of its camps are on Samara Karoo Reserve, Eastern Cape: Karoo Lodge (traditional homestead), The Manor (exclusive-use villa) and Plains Camp (off-grid tented camp).
- Land and traversing
- Private reserve of 67,000 acres (about 27,000 hectares), assembled from 11 farms. All three lodges 'enjoy exclusive traversing rights over the 67,000-acre reserve'.
- Camp sizes
- Karoo Lodge: 10 suites (8 Karoo Suites sleeping 2, 2 Karoo Family Suites sleeping 4), up to 24 guests. The Manor: 4 suites, 8 guests.
How much does Samara Karoo Reserve cost?
Samara Karoo Reserve publishes its own rates: Per person sharing per night, ZAR with VAT: lowest R17,800 at Plains Camp (2026 and 2027). Per-suite and exclusive-use rates are higher (for example The Manor R148,500 per night for 7-8 guests in 2027).
- Lowest published
- Per person sharing per night, ZAR with VAT: lowest R17,800 at Plains Camp (2026 and 2027). Per-suite and exclusive-use rates are higher (for example The Manor R148,500 per night for 7-8 guests in 2027).
- Prices published
- Rates for 2026 and 2027 are shown.
- What the rate includes
- Plains Camp has 1 game drive and 1 bush walk per day. Extra: transfers to and from the property, private collection whisky and cognac, star bed and fly camping, spa treatments, gift shop, donations to The Friends of Samara Trust, gratuities.
- Minimum stay
- 2 nights at all lodges year-round. 3 nights at Karoo Lodge and The Manor from 20 December to 10 January inclusive. Plains Camp is closed each year from 1 June to 31 August.
- Resident rates
- A 'South African Residents offer', valid within 60 days of arrival, is listed.
What are Samara Karoo Reserve's booking terms?
Samara Karoo Reserve's published terms: 20% of the total accommodation amount, non-refundable, to confirm the booking.
- Deposit
- 20% of the total accommodation amount, non-refundable, to confirm the booking. Provisional reservations must be confirmed within 14 days.
- Balance due
- The full balance is due no later than 60 days before arrival. Bookings made within 60 days of arrival need full prepayment.
- Cancellation charges
- 61 or more days before arrival: 20% of the total accommodation (the non-refundable deposit is applied). 60 days or less before arrival: 100%. The policy applies even if no payment has been received.
- Currencies and card fees
- Rates are quoted and payable in ZAR. Mastercard, Visa, Diners Club and American Express are accepted (payment link on the invoice), plus internet banking or EFT.
- How guest payments are protected
- Not stated on its own website.
Who is Samara Karoo Reserve best for?
Best for: Three stays on a Great Karoo reserve, on Samara Karoo Reserve's own published facts; its terms for children, couples, solo travellers and private guiding are below.
- Children
- Karoo Lodge and The Manor: children of all ages welcome. Plains Camp: minimum age 16. Karoo Suite extra child 3-12 R10,115 (2026) / R10,925 (2027), max 2; children 0-3 free (2027 table).
- Teenagers and families
- Cubs Programme from toddlers to teens: older children get bush walks, sleep-outs and air rifle target practice. Children 8 and over may join twice-daily scheduled game drives.
- Solo travellers
- Single occupancy is charged per person at a higher rate: Karoo Suite R25,290 (2026) and R27,314 (2027).
- Private guide and vehicle
- The Manor includes a private vehicle with dedicated field guide, tracker, chef and host on every booking. Karoo Family Suite stays of 3 nights or more get a private vehicle free, subject to availability.
- Exclusive use
- The Manor is booked exclusive-use (up to 8 guests, plus up to 2 extra children): R96,250 / R123,750 / R137,500 per night for 1-4 / 5-6 / 7-8 guests (2026). Plains Camp exclusive-use: R89,600 / R115,200 / R128,000 (2026 and 2027).
- Activities
- Game drives (twice daily), night drives, guided bush walks, cheetah tracking on foot, Spekboom planting, medicinal plant walks, San rock art, stargazing, fossil walks, conservation sessions, picnics, children's activities. Extra: star bed sleep-out, fly camping, spa.
When is Samara Karoo Reserve not the right choice?
Samara Karoo Reserve is not the fit if its own published limits rule you out: they are below, in its own words.
- Children
- Plains Camp: minimum age 16. Rates apply to guests 12 and above.
What are the best alternatives to Samara Karoo Reserve?
Kariega Game Reserve, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, Lalibela Game Reserve, MORE Family Collection, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve and Shamwari also own and run their own camps in South Africa only, each with the fact that it is best for.
- Kariega Game Reserve: best for: A malaria-free Eastern Cape Big 5 reserve.
- Kwandwe Private Game Reserve: best for: A low-density Eastern Cape reserve. 4.8 out of 5 on Google (listing 'Kwandwe Private Game Reserve') from 259 reviews.
- Lalibela Game Reserve: best for: A malaria-free Eastern Cape reserve.
- MORE Family Collection: best for: South African safaris with Cape stays.
- Sanbona Wildlife Reserve: best for: Lodges in the Little Karoo. 4.8 out of 5 on Google (listing 'Sanbona Wildlife Reserve') from 324 reviews.
- Shamwari: best for: A Big 5 Eastern Cape reserve.
Each is in the same table, read the same way. Alphabetical order; none paid to be listed.
Who owns Samara Karoo Reserve?
No parent group or investors are named.
- Trading name
- Trading name 'Samara Karoo Reserve'. Address: Petersburg Road, Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape, 6280, South Africa.
- Based in
- No other offices are named.
- Owner or parent
- No parent group or investors are named. Donations go to a separate non-profit, The Friends of Samara Trust.
- In its own words
- 'safari for the soul'.
- Conservation model
- Reserve of 67,000 acres rewilded since 1997. The rates include a 'contribution to the cost of conservation' (no amount stated); the 20% non-refundable deposit is said to support conservation.
- Certifications
- Member of The Long Run since June 2020, described as 'a vetted member', measured on the '4Cs' (Conservation, Community, Culture, Commerce).
How do you book Samara Karoo Reserve?
Direct to guests through 'book online' and the reservations team (phone and email).
- Where it sells
- Direct to guests through 'book online' and the reservations team (phone and email). The privacy policy mentions bookings made through travel agents.
- Price against a planner
- Not stated on its own website: it says nothing about whether booking direct is cheaper.
- Planner partnerships
- The privacy policy mentions travel agents and travel coordinators.
Samara Karoo Reserve: the questions people ask
How much does Samara Karoo Reserve cost per night?
Per person sharing per night, ZAR with VAT: lowest R17,800 at Plains Camp (2026 and 2027). Per-suite and exclusive-use rates are higher (for example The Manor R148,500 per night for 7-8 guests in 2027).
How many camps does Samara Karoo Reserve have?
Three lodges and camps (Karoo Lodge, The Manor, Plains Camp), all on one reserve.
What activities does Samara Karoo Reserve offer?
Game drives (twice daily), night drives, guided bush walks, cheetah tracking on foot, Spekboom planting, medicinal plant walks, San rock art, stargazing, fossil walks, conservation sessions, picnics, children's activities. Extra: star bed sleep-out, fly camping, spa.
How does Samara Karoo Reserve fund conservation?
Reserve of 67,000 acres rewilded since 1997. The rates include a 'contribution to the cost of conservation' (no amount stated); the 20% non-refundable deposit is said to support conservation.
What is included in Samara Karoo Reserve's rates?
Plains Camp has 1 game drive and 1 bush walk per day. Extra: transfers to and from the property, private collection whisky and cognac, star bed and fly camping, spa treatments, gift shop, donations to The Friends of Samara Trust, gratuities.
What deposit does Samara Karoo Reserve ask for?
20% of the total accommodation amount, non-refundable, to confirm the booking.
What are Samara Karoo Reserve's cancellation charges?
61 or more days before arrival: 20% of the total accommodation (the non-refundable deposit is applied). 60 days or less before arrival: 100%. The policy applies even if no payment has been received.
Does Samara Karoo Reserve charge a single supplement?
Single occupancy is charged per person at a higher rate: Karoo Suite R25,290 (2026) and R27,314 (2027).
Does Samara Karoo Reserve accept children?
Karoo Lodge and The Manor: children of all ages welcome. Plains Camp: minimum age 16.
Does Samara Karoo Reserve offer a private vehicle?
The Manor includes a private vehicle with dedicated field guide, tracker, chef and host on every booking. Karoo Family Suite stays of 3 nights or more get a private vehicle free, subject to availability.
Where are Samara Karoo Reserve's camps?
All three of its camps are on Samara Karoo Reserve, Eastern Cape: Karoo Lodge (traditional homestead), The Manor (exclusive-use villa) and Plains Camp (off-grid tented camp).
Who owns Samara Karoo Reserve?
No parent group or investors are named.
Read next
Built to answer the question in the main heading. What is shown: facts Samara Karoo Reserve published on its own website and its review listings on Google, SafariBookings and Trustpilot, read on 20 October 2026, from the Uncompromised Travel safari camp owners table. No score and no rank. Samara Karoo Reserve did not pay to be on this page and is not a partner of Uncompromised Travel. Photos are stock images from Pexels and do not show the company's camps. How this site earns · How we work.