THE KAROO – ‘’LAND OF GREAT THIRST’’

Graaf Reinet has all the amenities you would need for short stay; 3 nights is ideal as this gives you time to explore the town and visit Cambedoo National Park.

I stayed at the Drostdy Hotel, centrally located with a restaurant and spa on site it has a really lovely feel with rooms in the grounds laid out like a small village. The bedrooms have a creative style with art and unique furnishings and are very comfortable.

The Historical Walking Tour of Graaf Reinet was fascinating as you about its heritage and history whilst visiting its landmarks and monuments. I highly recommend this during your stay.

The highlight for me was our visit to Cambedoo National Park to see the Valley of Desolation. Set just outside Graff Reinet you take a 4×4 trip into the park and up into the mountains to view the spectacular Valley of Desolation – 120m high columns of ancient eroded volcanic rock that stands over the Plains of Cambedoo. The views are breath-taking.

Heading back into the park we saw Kudu, Cape Mountain Zebra and the stunning Verraux’s Eagle with its 2m wingspan as well as the indigenous plants of the National Park such as the Kapokbossie (Cape Snow Bush) which is of the Rosemary family – the Karoo lambs love it making their meat one of the tastiest!

No visit to the Karoo would be complete without ending on a safari….

Samara Private Game Reserve. Located just 30 minutes from Graaf Reinet or 2h 30 minutes from Port Elizabeth, its nearest main airport, Samara is an experience and an opportunity to be part of their inspirational vision.

Samara have been reintroducing animals that once called this semi-arid land their home. They have successfully reintroduced wild cheetah, desert adapted black rhino, elephants and most recently the first lions back into the region for 180 years.

The game experience is not about just ticking off The Big 5 but more about the thrill of tracking cheetah on foot or spotting elephants as they climb the mountains (I never knew they could!)

The landscape itself is part of the journey during your stay and even after 3 days of seeing it I never tired of its natural beauty at all times of the day.

The hospitality and high standards at either the Manor or the Karoo Lodge is exceptional and as you plant your Spekboom into the soil before leaving Samara you are not only contributing to the fight against climate change but at the same time truly connecting with the Karoo.