Centrally situated in the " village" of St Francis Bay. Walk 500 m to the beach, or across the road to the shops and restaurants. Golfers need to walk 200 m to the entrance of the golf course.
Marc and Anneke May invite you to be a part of the relaxed holiday environment at Sandriver Lodge. Enjoy delicious breakfasts prepared by owner/ chef Anneke, with organic ingredients and fresh tastes to satisfy! Sleep comfortably with clean, fresh linens of white and blue, and warm snuggly blankets. Enjoy the friendly atmosphere at Sandriver Lodge.
Sandriver Lodge was established in 1996, by Marc and named after the majestic "sandriver" dune system running from St Francis Bay to Oyster Bay. Sandriver Lodge accommodates many different needs, whether you are a travelling family, business person, or a couple needing a relaxing break!
All the suites, self catering or overnight, family size or smaller, are all en-suite, with comfortable beds, fresh linen and towels, own entrances, with tea and coffee facilities. The rooms are personally designed, each with their own character, and a simple nautical feel. Welcome, and relax ........
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Rooms
These rooms are spacious with ceilings up into the roof. North facing, allows warm sun into sliding door off balcony. Tea and coffee facilities are available as well as a small fridge. Queen size bed. Netflix and wifi
Self-catering facilities, shower, queen-size bed. WIFI and NEtflix UPSTAIRS apartment has 2 comfortable chairs looking out the big window at the passing by of St Francis Bay. Downstairs, you look straight into indigenous gardens with visiting birds.
Spacious family units can sleep up to a family of 4 people in a queen-size bed and 2 single beds, the units have a full kitchen, seating area. The bathrooms have showers. Downstairs has a courtyard with a weber. Upstairs has a view from a balcony
Double bed, with a shower, Netflix and WIFI. Enjoy a coffee at a wooden table outside in your courtyard, looking into the garden. Tea and coffee facilities, and a small fridge. This cosy room has all you need for a short stay.
Your Stay
3 Nights
Bed and Breakfast
Drostdy Hotel | Graaff-Reinet
In the heart of a town with a rich history and immense character, Drostdy Hotel – the finest Karoo gem – is found. This town, Graaff-Reinet, was established in 1786 and has matured into a charming destination that is well-known for its blend of Cape Dutch, Victorian and Karoo architecture. Uniquely, the town is surrounded, almost entirely, by the Camdeboo National Park which boasts spectacular wildlife and natural scenery.
Just as pleasing to the eye, Drostdy Hotel was initially built in the early 1800s and has its own fascinating story, having been refined over the years into one of South Africa’s top 10 hotels. Although it bears modern touches and a contemporary atmosphere, it remains true to its roots with furnishings and antiques that point to the past. Guests will find this understated grande dame a comfortable retreat in the expansive Great Karoo.
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Units
Facilities
Drostdy Hotel | ExteriorCredit: NewmarkDrostdy Hotel | Exterior
Drostdy Hotel | PoolCredit: NewmarkDrostdy Hotel | Pool
Drostdy Hotel | Valley of DesolationCredit: NewmarkDrostdy Hotel | Valley of Desolation
Drostdy Hotel | ExteriorCredit: NewmarkDrostdy Hotel | Stretch's Court
Drostdy Hotel | ExteriorCredit: NewmarkDrostdy Hotel | Exterior
Drostdy Hotel | Art GalleryCredit: NewmarkDrostdy Hotel | Art Gallery
The eight Bachelor Rooms are ideally suited to corporate travellers and accommodate a maximum of two guests.
•Average Room Size: 20 m² •Television with satellite channels •Mini bar •Complimentary coffee, teas and biscuits •Double bed •Luxurious 400 thread count Egyptian cotton bedding •Air conditioning •Writing desk and leather folder •En-suite bathroom with separate bath and shower •Underfloor heating in bathrooms •Heated towel rails •Bathrobes and slippers •Hairdryer •International plugs •Electronic safe
The 17 Standard Rooms are comfortably spacious and accommodate a maximum of two guests.
•Average Room Size: 31 m² •Television with satellite channels •Mini bar •Complimentary coffee, teas and biscuits •King size bed •Luxurious 400 thread count Egyptian cotton bedding •Air conditioning •Writing desk and leather folder •En-suite bathroom with separate bath and shower •Underfloor heating in bathrooms •Heated towel rails •Bathrobes and slippers •Hairdryer •International plugs •Electronic safe
The 15 Executive Rooms differ in size, but each is spacious and luxurious. Two Ferreira Executive Rooms, located in a private precinct, can be sold together with three Standard Rooms for an exclusive area with a pool – ideal for families or friends travelling together.
•Average Room Size: 27 m² to 63 m² •Television with satellite channels •Mini bar •Complimentary coffee, teas and biscuits •King size bed •Luxurious 400 thread count Egyptian cotton bedding •Air conditioning •Writing desk and leather folder •En-suite bathroom with separate bath and shower •Underfloor heating in bathrooms •Heated towel rails •Bathrobes and slippers •Hairdryer •International plugs •Electronic safe
The eight Suites are likewise spacious and offer the ultimate level of luxury at Drostdy Hotel. Each suite accommodates a maximum of two guests.
•Average Room Size: 46 m² •Television with satellite channels •Mini bar •Complimentary coffee, teas and biscuits •King size bed •Luxurious 400 thread count Egyptian cotton bedding •Air conditioning •Lounge area •Writing desk and leather folder •En-suite bathroom with separate bath and shower •Underfloor heating in bathrooms •Heated towel rails •Bathrobes and slippers •Hairdryer •International plugs •Electronic safe
The eight Bachelor Rooms are ideally suited to corporate travellers and accommodate a maximum of two guests.
•Average Room Size: 20 m² •Television with satellite channels •Mini bar •Complimentary coffee, teas and biscuits •Double bed •Luxurious 400 thread count Egyptian cotton bedding •Air conditioning •Writing desk and leather folder •En-suite bathroom with separate bath and shower •Underfloor heating in bathrooms •Heated towel rails •Bathrobes and slippers •Hairdryer •International plugs •Electronic safe
The 17 Standard Rooms are comfortably spacious and accommodate a maximum of two guests.
•Average Room Size: 31 m² •Television with satellite channels •Mini bar •Complimentary coffee, teas and biscuits •King size bed •Luxurious 400 thread count Egyptian cotton bedding •Air conditioning •Writing desk and leather folder •En-suite bathroom with separate bath and shower •Underfloor heating in bathrooms •Heated towel rails •Bathrobes and slippers •Hairdryer •International plugs •Electronic safe
The 15 Executive Rooms differ in size, but each is spacious and luxurious. Two Ferreira Executive Rooms, located in a private precinct, can be sold together with three Standard Rooms for an exclusive area with a pool – ideal for families or friends travelling together.
•Average Room Size: 27 m² to 63 m² •Television with satellite channels •Mini bar •Complimentary coffee, teas and biscuits •King size bed •Luxurious 400 thread count Egyptian cotton bedding •Air conditioning •Writing desk and leather folder •En-suite bathroom with separate bath and shower •Underfloor heating in bathrooms •Heated towel rails •Bathrobes and slippers •Hairdryer •International plugs •Electronic safe
The eight Suites are likewise spacious and offer the ultimate level of luxury at Drostdy Hotel. Each suite accommodates a maximum of two guests.
•Average Room Size: 46 m² •Television with satellite channels •Mini bar •Complimentary coffee, teas and biscuits •King size bed •Luxurious 400 thread count Egyptian cotton bedding •Air conditioning •Lounge area •Writing desk and leather folder •En-suite bathroom with separate bath and shower •Underfloor heating in bathrooms •Heated towel rails •Bathrobes and slippers •Hairdryer •International plugs •Electronic safe
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Business Centre, Communal Dining, Conference Centre, Disability Services, Eco Friendly, Gym, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Library, Malaria Free, Meal on Request, Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Spa, TV Room
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Bath, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Detached Private Bathroom, Disabled Rooms, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Fan, Fridge, Hair Dryer, Heated Towel Rails, Heater, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Lounge Area, Mini Bar, Private Pool / Jacuzzi, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Satellite / Cable Television, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Television, Underfloor Heating, Wheelchair Friendly
Some people are drawn to Nieu Bethesda after reading Athol Fugard’s The Road to Mecca. Others have heard of Helen Martin’s Owl House. It could also simply be the fact that the Karoo allows weary travellers the opportunity to slip back into the ease of a simpler, less hectic life where they can find their soul connection.
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Community spirit is strong here, and so alive and vibrant – it’s like been part of a large, tight-knit family, and Nieu Bethesda itself has become a small tourism mecca in its own right – with a big heart.
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Room with large doors opening onto a stoep, double bed, and reed ceilings. Decorated with Charmaine Haines art and has a separate room just for the bath with bubbles & oils. Electric blankets, heater, fan, toiletries, bathroom heater & heated towel rails.
Our Amore Room is our room of love, decorated all in white, with its double bed featuring a love headboard. The en-suite bathroom has a shower and heater, with heated towel rails. A fan, electric blanket and more are available.
Happy Room has two three-quarter beds and is decorated in bright colours. The large bathroom has a double shower (two people can shower - each with separate controls and shower head). Bath, under-floor heating, heated towel rails, fan, electric blanket.
Property Facilities
Activity Desk, Barbeque Facilities, Battery Charging Facilities, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Malaria Free, Meal on Request, Mobile Connectivity, Restaurant, Secure Parking
Encircled by a natural amphitheatre of mountains, Karoo Lodge sits in complete serenity within Samara Karoo Reserve's 67,000 acres of born-again wilderness. Combining modern comforts with a quintessentially "Karoo" welcoming feel, this family-friendly lodge is the perfect place to absorb the tranquillity of the reserve and explore its many treasures.
Samara itself is one of South Africa's most diverse safari destinations, comprising five vegetation biomes across strikingly varied topography, home to over 60 mammal species including the Big Five and cheetah, as well as 225 bird species. Guests at Samara are treated to intimate and exceptional safari encounters, enabling them to reconnect with Nature in the context of Samara's ambitious rewilding vision.
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Restaurants
Each one opens up onto the wraparound verandah
Each Karoo Suite is spacious with bedroom area and seating area with fireplace
Welcome to Karoo Lodge - an authentic Karoo-style farmhouse
Karoo Lodge arrivalCredit: Maike McNeill
Breakfast on the verandahCredit: Maike McNeill
Mountain views aboundCredit: Maike McNeill
Swimming pool areaCredit: Maike McNeill
An authentic character permeates the decorCredit: Maike McNeill
Karoo Family Suite King bed setupCredit: Maike McNeill
Karoo Family Suite twin bed setupCredit: Maike McNeill
Karoo Family Suite living roomCredit: Maike McNeill
Extra child bed in Karoo Family SuiteCredit: Maike McNeill
Karoo Family Suite bathroomCredit: Maike McNeill
Bird watching from the breakfast tableCredit: Maike McNeill
Cosy, comfortable bar for post-game drive drinksCredit: Maike McNeill
Relaxing on the wide verandah is a true Karoo pastimeCredit: Maike McNeill
Making "stickbread" over the fireCredit: Maike McNeill
The pathway from the suites to the main lodgeCredit: Maike McNeill
Vinoteque for wine tastingCredit: Maike McNeill
Decor detail within the homesteadCredit: Maike McNeill
Karoo Lodge at nightCredit: Maike McNeill
Time for baking in the farm kitchenCredit: Maike McNeill
A comfortable library with pool tableCredit: Maike McNeill
The gift shopCredit: Maike McNeill
Tea time!Credit: Maike McNeill
Living roomCredit: Maike McNeill
Living roomCredit: Maike McNeill
Learning about skulls and fossils in the Story RoomCredit: Maike McNeill
Karoo Suite exteriorCredit: Maike McNeill
Karoo Suite bedroom and seating areaCredit: Maike McNeill
Decor detail in Karoo SuiteCredit: Maike McNeill
Honeymoon Karoo SuiteCredit: Maike McNeill
Decor detail in Karoo SuiteCredit: Maike McNeill
Several Karoo Suites overlook a waterholeCredit: Maike McNeill
Karoo Suite bathroomCredit: Maike McNeill
Karoo Suite bedroomCredit: Maike McNeill
Karoo Suite outdoor seatingCredit: Maike McNeill
Karoo Suite outdoor showerCredit: Maike McNeill
Set within the Karoo Lodge grounds, eight Karoo Suites are standalone units in a traditional Karoo style. Each has a fireplace, air-conditioning and luxury en-suite bathroom with large separate bath, shower, outdoor shower and two wash basins. Private covered patios with outdoor seating provide the ideal location for morning coffee or a nightcap under the stars.
The maximum capacity in each Karoo Suite is 2 adults. One extra bed for a child under the age of 12 may be accommodated in certain Karoo Suites.
Set within the Karoo Lodge grounds, two Karoo Family Suites are standalone units, each consisting of two en-suite bedrooms sharing a living room. Each room has a private wraparound verandah, outdoor shower and magnificent views.
The maximum capacity in each Karoo Family Suite is 4 adults plus one child under the age of 12 on an extra bed in the shared living area.
Property Facilities
Bar, Eco Friendly, Gym, Internet Access (Complimentary), Kiddies Club, Laundry Service (Available), Library, Malaria Free, Pool, Private Vehicle Available, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Spa, TV Room
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Bath, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Detached Private Bathroom, Disabled Rooms, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Fan, Fireplace, Fridge, Heated Towel Rails, Heater, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Lounge Area, Mini Bar, Mosquito Nets, Outside Shower, Safe, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Verandah
Services
Babysitting Service, Credit Card, Room Service
Family-owned and family-run, Samara offers an adventure for all ages. The Samara Team is passionate about educating the next generation of eco-warriors and opening their eyes to the wonders of the wild.
Samara’s malaria-free Big Five wilderness offers an exciting new world just waiting to be discovered. Upon arrival, kids are enrolled in the Samara Cubs Programme, jam-packed with fun activities and inspiring educational experiences, for all ages from toddlers to teens. Parents can opt to relax and unwind or join in, creating opportunities for the whole family to reconnect – with Nature and with each other.
Experienced staff will engage kids in age-appropriate activities, including track identification, painting like the Khoi-San people, walking stick carving, storytelling, T-shirt painting, Spekboom planting, orienteering and navigating. Using the bush as an outdoor classroom, kids will learn about the multitude of other creatures they share the planet with – from bugs and beetles to the "Funny Five".
Children aged 8 and older are welcome on scheduled game drives at Karoo Lodge, and a private vehicle is provided for families staying in a Karoo Family Suite for a minimum of 3 nights, subject to availability. Other guests may book a private vehicle at additional cost, subject to availability. Shorter "bumble" game drives and/or bush walks can also be organised for little children once the scheduled game drive has returned to the lodge.
A dedicated children’s menu is available to cater for individual preferences, including firm favourites like spaghetti bolognese and fun options like DIY pizzas. The emphasis is on healthy, nutritious and comfort food lovingly prepared in our Karoo Kitchen. Mealtimes are flexible and high chairs are available.
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.
At Samara, the wealth of stunning landscapes positively begs to be the setting for a delicious meal, whether it be a well-earned breakfast buffet, light lunch in the shade of a shepherd tree or dinner under the stars. Aside from the beautiful locations, gourmet picnic food has a certain je-ne-sais-quoi that just epitomises holiday mode.
As well as dining on your lodge verandah or in the outdoors "boma" with a campfire at its centre, there are a myriad other dining options to enjoy at Samara. From a picnic lunch in the riverbed at the height of summer with cool water flowing past your toes, to the iconic mountain picnic experience on the Samara Mara, you’ll struggle to go back to dining in urban eateries.
Samara's fly camping experience is an immersive adventure encompassing a guided afternoon bush walk and a sleep-out in one of Africa's most exquisite landscapes.
In safari days of yore, explorers setting up camp in big game country had to make do with little more than a fly sheet to protect them from the elements and the wildlife. Fly camping takes its name from this tradition, and although today’s camps are typically more substantial, there’s an undeniable thrill to going back to basics. Samara’s fly camping excursion pays homage to these origins and takes full advantage of the reserve’s vastness and diversity, offering an experience that is simple yet spectacular.
Every Samara guest helps the reserve to achieve its conservation vision simply by staying in one of its lodges. For those who want to delve a little deeper, to understand how a game reserve truly operates behind the scenes, Samara offers hands-on conservation sessions and personalised tours of its rewilding projects.
The Conservation Journey is a 5-night experience offering a thoughtfully-crafted itinerary that enables participants to develop a meaningful understanding of Samara’s conservation efforts, without compromising on 5-star comforts.
Activities include daily hands-on conservation sessions, subject to reserve needs at the time. This can include wildlife monitoring, camera trapping, land rehabilitation, Spekboom planting, research assistance, ecosystem management and community projects.
Karoo Kitchen
Food at Samara is served from our Karoo Kitchen, delivering lovingly-prepared fare rustled up by our local chefs. Expect mouthwatering meals using the freshest produce and recipes handed down from generation to generation, evoking that famous Karoo hospitality. Whether dining in the boma under the stars or picnicking overlooking the Plains of Camdeboo, you will savour some of the best fare this special part of South Africa has to offer. Friendly yet unobtrusive service is a Samara hallmark, and the team will welcome you as part of the extended Samara family.
Your Stay
3 Nights
Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
Fast Facts
5 Star
Lodge
Spoken Languages: Afrikaans, English, Xhosa
No. Rooms: 10
Special Interests: Adventure, Big 5, Birding, Flora, Hiking, History & Culture, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife