South African Family Sojourn

Hop onto your private vehicle at a timing of your choosing and head out for the ultimate safari adventure. With your personal experienced guide and tracker enter the beauty of Madikwe home to the Big 5, Wild Dogs, 350 bird species and other wonders. Every game drive is equipped with a variety of snacks and drinks so on crisp mornings watch the sunrise whilst wrapping your fingers around a hot drink and be in awe of the nature that surrounds you. For evening game drives enjoy the sunset that engulfs the African skies revealing a sheath of colour and warmth with a gin and tonic in hand. As the only guests on the vehicle, game drives are tailored to your preferences.

Experience the thrill of catching your own fish and then setting it free again. The Marico River that runs through Morukuru is the largest natural source of water in the province, pumping one million litres per day: the river is clean and the fishing is good, though as any fishermen knows, patience will be required! Species you may encounter at the end of your line include Yellow Fish, Catfish, Bream, Eel, Paper Mouth, Three Spot Tilapia and Carp. If you (or your younger guests) have never tried their hand at fishing before, your ranger is on hand to provide guidance.

Peace, lulled to a deep, alpha state by the gurgling waters of the Marico River and the somnambulant calls of riverside birdlife. Guests can give in to total indulgence and relaxation with a Morukuru Massage in the Sala Area, built as a treatment spot, overlooking the water.

All worries and everyday concerns simply melt away as the tension leaves one, with soothing aromatherapy and carrier oils, in this bush idyll. Here, what sort of massage to treat oneself with, really, can be the biggest concern of the day.

The best moments in life are the ones when we feel most connected to self in harmony with nature and the world around us. Morukuru carefully selected Africology as the product line used throughout our relaxing Spa Treatments. Africology uses only organic ingredients with their products free from toxic chemicals, including dangerous preservatives. At a location of your choice within your personal villa, be it the sala overlooking the Marico River, the deck of your room or by the pool enjoying the sounds of nature whilst relaxing with a treatment of your choosing.

The Morukuru hide is set next to the waters edge and protected by an electric fence. Provided with a spot light a sleepover at the hide is perfect for the daring to spend a night in the wild. For a romantic evening with a partner or for family members and friends a magical experience of being left alone in the a vast plain where the wildlife roam free, in perfect comfort, yet surrounded by the African wilderness is not to be missed. For those less daring an evening stop at the hide during game drive is a sublime spot to look up at the sparkling night sky and star gaze.

Traversing the reserve in a comfortable safari vehicle allows one to cover thousands of kilometers in search of exhilarating game sightings, but for a true taste of Africa nothing beats being on foot in the midst of the wilderness. On a bush walk you smell, see and hear so much more, and getting up close and personal with insects and plants, with a ranger explaining their survival techniques, can be fascinating (such as the Acacia robusta’s ability to let off a stinky pheromone when it senses an animal grazing on its leaves!).

Bush walks in Madikwe are not for the fainthearted however – you are on foot in a wilderness area where predators roam free. You are of course protected by the presence of your fully armed ranger and the bush knowledge of your tracker, but to be on the safe side children under the age of 16 may not participate in bush walks and for those over the ages of 60 require a doctor’s certificate of good health. Alternatively a stroll through the near by 100 hectare fenced in area home to general game can be enjoyed by the entire family subject to availabily. Bush walks are also limited to a maximum of eight people.

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.

The Silo Hotel offers wonderful private art tours that allow guests the opportunity to learn about the incredible African art scene and to celebrate the incredible artists and their work. Widely recognised as one of the best art hotels in the world (by the likes of Forbes and The Telegraph), The Silo Hotel houses a remarkable collection. Vibrant colours shine through as the contemporary artwork and eclectic design of Liz Biden contrast Heatherwick Studio’s stark industrial architecture.

Situated below The Silo Hotel lies the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, the world's largest contemporary African art museum. This incredible space is a momentous mark on Africa’s cultural canvas, an exciting new era for African artists, and a remarkable achievement for our beautiful continent. This public, not-for-profit contemporary art museum collects, preserves, researches, and exhibits twenty-first century art from African and its Diaspora. Containing over 100 galleries, spread over nine floors, this exquisite space houses a diverse and unique range of contemporary African art. Various tours of the museum are available, including AfriSam Audio Tours, Art Tours, Architectural Tours, and Children’s Tours.

The Silo Spa, located on the fourth floor of The Silo Hotel, has five treatment rooms, two of which can be made into a couple’s room. The Silo Spa is a tranquil space in which guests can relax and indulge in the latest therapies and spa techniques. There’s also a gym, sauna and a dedicated manicure and pedicure area. Enjoy signature treatments using top international products including Ling and Black Pearl. The Silo Spa is the only spa in Africa to use exclusive Ling products.

Robben Island, easily seen from the rooftop of The Silo Hotel, is situated only 9kms offshore from Cape Town. The island was declared a World Heritage site in 1999 because of its historic political importance, having been the forced home of Nelson Mandela for 18 of the 27 years that he was a political prisoner of the apartheid regime. It is advisable to allow us to pre-book this very popular tour for you. Allow half a day for this tour.

Table Mountain is a great source of pride to all Capetonians. At 260 million years old it is older than the Andes, the Rockies, The Himalayas and the Alps, and was once under the sea. It was recently crowned as the seventh natural wonder of the world. A four minute cable car ride will take you to the 1067m “table top”, with spectacular views on the way up.

Cape Town has some of the world’s most beautiful beaches on offer. Clifton Beaches: there are four Clifton beaches, each as beautiful as the others – pack your sunscreen, a cap, some water and your Frisbee. Camps Bay: the palm fronds of Camps Bay make for the most dramatic sunset pictures – a great spot for cocktails or a bite to eat. Muizenberg: head down to the Sunrise Beach in Muizenberg and take a surfing lesson with the local experts. Cape Point & Boulders Beach: explore the Cape Peninsula and see the fascinating penguins of Boulder’s Beach on a wonderful day trip from Cape Town. Please ask a member of our team should you need directions or transport.

The best place to experience Cape Malay cuisine is on a walking tour through the Bo-Kaap (Above The Cape) District in Cape Town, an area with steep cobblestone streets and brightly-coloured houses where former Cape Malay slaves settled in the early 19th century. Stop to enjoy a local Bobotie, Sosatie, Koeksister or Cape Malay Curry for lunch whilst learning about the rich heritage of the Cape Malay people who live there.