Conceived as a love letter to the Karoo, the experience at Samara Karoo Reserve near Graaff Reinet in the Eastern Cape is one that celebrates the uniqueness of this special South African region.
Slow, meaningful and exceptional safari experiences encourage guests to breathe in the magic of the Karoo landscape whilst encountering its unique biodiversity – from charismatic lion, rhinoceros and cheetah to tiny medicinal plants and species uniquely adapted to the semi-arid Karoo landscape, such as the endangered Cape mountain zebra.
The dining experience at Samara also exhibits a true sense of place. Whether a private picnic out in the bush, a boma dinner under the stars or something a little more refined on the lodge patio, each meal is thoughtfully and caringlycrafted to be a little different and is always rooted in the local landscape.
Samara’s General Manager Marnus Ochse says, “Dining at Samara is all about flexibility, flavour and diversity. Our menus change seasonally; they are inspired by what’s fresh and they showcase the honest flavours of the Greater Karoo. We often incorporate local foraged plants into our dishes – for example in our Spekboom cake.”
He continues: “We work closely with nearby producers to keep things local, sustainable and full of character and as a result our guests enjoy seasonal dishes made with regeneratively farmed, locally grown ingredients, including from our own farming project. Our menus can be curated to guests’ preferences and they don’t have to adhere to specific times for meals. We’re very flexible in fitting in with the rhythms of their tailor-made safari.”
From relaxed breakfast picnics in the bush to beautifully plated lodge dinners, the food at Samara is about simple elegance – honest ingredients prepared with care. This winter season, morning brunches feature favourites like Karoo Eggs Benedict, while flexible all-day dining offers popular options like Samara’s signature Karoo lamb burger. Come evening, you might start with Springbok carpaccio, move on to a hearty Ostrich pot pie and end with a sweet potato malva pudding. It’s Karoo cuisine at its best: unpretentious, generous and full of soul.
Samara Karoo Reserve
Reservations: reservations@samara.co.za | +27 (0) 49 940 1111 | www.samara.co.za
Facebook | Instagram: @samarakaroo
For further information please contact Theresa Gibbon on theresa@theresagibbonpr.co.za or 082 820 8437.
About Samara Karoo Reserve
A leader in luxury conservation-driven tourism in the heart of South Africa’s breathtaking Great Karoo region, Samara has pioneered the rewilding of this uniquely biodiverse landscape since 1997.
Today Samara offers a private luxury safari experience where every guest’s stay is thoughtfully-tailored – combining world-class comfort, exceptional wildlife encounters and personalised service in one of Africa’s most enchanting destinations. Three authentic lodges provide quality accommodation that celebrates the unique style, traditions and soulfulness of the Karoo.
By choosing to visit Samara, guests actively contribute to the ongoing preservation of the Great Karoo’s unique biodiversity, ensuring its magic endures for future generations.
Located 270 km from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and 53 km from Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape, Samara is easily accessible by road or by air yet retains a remote wilderness feel.
For further information, visit Samara’s new website: www.samara.co.za
