Karoo Lodge

Encircled by a natural amphitheatre of mountains, Karoo Lodge sits in complete serenity with its wild surroundings.
The lovingly renovated farmhouse lies on the first property purchased by Samara’s founders in 1997.

Combining modern day comforts with a rustic and welcoming feel, Karoo Lodge is the perfect place to relax and allow the tranquillity of the Karoo to envelop you – on the wide verandah in summer or by the cosy fire in winter.

With 10 suites of varying sizes – from 15 December 2023, Karoo Lodge caters for individual travellers, couples, families and small groups.
Antiques, family heirlooms and vintage books permeate the décor throughout. Karoo Lodge offers a warm and inviting living room with a fireplace as well as a cosy bar area. There is a small TV area off the bar.

Suites

Karoo Suites
Eight Karoo Suites are standalone luxury cottages located a short distance from the main Karoo Lodge Homestead. Ideal for couples, each Karoo suite contains a bedroom with four-poster bed, seating area, fireplace, air-conditioning. The en-suite bathroom contains a large separate bath and shower and two washbasins, as well as an outdoor shower.

A private covered patio with outdoor seating looks out over the spectacular mountain landscape, providing the ideal location for morning coffee or a nightcap under the stars.

Each Karoo Suite can accommodate up to 2 adults. A limited number of Karoo Suites can also accommodate 1 child under the age of 12 on an extra single bed.

Two Karoo Family Suites are standalone cottages located in the grounds of the main Karoo Lodge homestead. Ideal for families or two couples traveling together, each Karoo Family Suite comprises two spacious en-suite bedrooms linked by a communal living area with fireplace and air-conditioning. Each bathroom contains a large separate bath and shower. The rooms share a private covered patio with outdoor seating looking out over the serene Karoo landscape. 

Each Karoo Family Suite can accommodate up to 4 adults plus 1 child under the age of 12 on an extra single bed in the communal living area.

Dining

A large dining room with a fireplace is used for indoor crystal dinners. When the weather is clement, candlelit dinners are set up on the verandah, on the lawn under the stars, or in the boma, a traditional reed enclosure warmed by a roaring fire.

All food at Samara comes from their Karoo Kitchen, which delivers lovingly-prepared fare rustled up by their local chefs.
Their cuisine embraces South African classics with a Karoo twist, designed to create comforting aromas harking back to a simple farm lifestyle with locally-sourced ingredients. Favourites include their famous Karoo lamb burger with agave buds, roosterkoek (Afrikaans for ‘grilled bread’) and homemade pickles.

All food is grown or purchased locally. The Karoo is well-known for its excellent lamb and they support local farmers through the butcheries they purchase from. They also have a herb garden and vegetable garden on the reserve, as well as their own regeneratively-farmed lamb and beef.

Safari

With 67,000 acres of wilderness at your disposal, there are many ways to enjoy Samara, whatever the type of holiday you are planning. From romantic getaways to child-friendly safaris, adventure travel to milestone celebrations, Samara has something for everyone.

Those with an interest in conservation can also choose to combine their luxury getaway with conservation activities during their stay. Of course, if the pure Karoo air and serenity of our lodges compels you to simply relax and recharge by the pool, you’ll have no less of an enjoyable time.

Early morning and late-night game drives are available for visitors staying at Samara Karoo Reserve while on safari in South Africa. Private vehicles can be pre-booked, subject to availability & at an extra cost.  Learn about the semi-desert area’s terrain, soil, plants, rocks, and all the African fauna that inhabits it.