Kariega Main Lodge

Highlights

Game Drives
Safari Walks
Kariega Health Spa
River cruises
Mountain Biking
Canoeing
Fly-fishing
Hiking

Information

Lodge type; Safari Lodge
Location; Kariega Reserve
Lodge size; 24 Log chalets
Recommended stay; 2-5 nights

Introduction

Kariega Main Lodge offers families, friends and couples a relaxed and friendly environment to enjoy the African bush. Located on a hilltop on the eastern side of the Kariega Reserve with views out over the surrounding hills and valleys.

The main public areas and log chalets blend perfectly in with the surrounding bushveld, walking around the lodge one will be surprised at the amount of birdlife fluttering around in plain sight.

Kariega is well known for her "Big Five" safaris and spectacular wildlife and birdlife; the area is, of course, malaria-free making it a perfect safari destination for young families.

Reserve Information

10 000 hectares, "Big 5" and "Malaria Free", this is the Kariega Game Reserve. Located in the Eastern Cape, Kariega's landscape and topography are arguably the most beautiful of all the Eastern Cape game reserves, resulting in stunning views and vistas not forgetting the fantastic wildlife and birdlife on show.

Guests can expect to be enthralled with the sightings of lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard, hippo, hyena, giraffe, zebra, eland, kudu, wildebeest, waterbuck and a variety of antelope, as well as a myriad of bird species, including nesting fish, martial and crowned eagles.

Rooms and Suites

24 Log chalets, with sizeable private viewing decks (some with private pools) offering privacy and stunning views of the Kariega River valley. All the log chalets are air-conditioned, with en-suite bedrooms, fireplace and satellite TV.

King-size bed (can be made up as twin bed)
En-suite bathroom
Inside shower and Ornate bathroom
Large private viewing deck (some with private pool)
Air-conditioning
Bar fridge
Internet connectivity (at reception)
Safe and telephone

Cuisine and Wine

The lodge has been expertly integrated with the surrounding bush to create a natural environment where the guests can enjoy traditional meals in the restaurant or boma, a drink at the bar or a quiet a swim in the pool.

The restaurant area accommodates around 80 visitors; there is a small bar at which there is an excellent selection of beers and wine. The boma area is a must for dinners if the weather is playing fair.

Facilities

A large swimming pool on offers for those hot summer days. Around the corner from the pool, there is a gym and wellness centre that offers spa treatments.

Activities

Inclusive activities;

Morning and evening game drives
River cruises
Guided safari walks
Canoeing on the Kariega or Bushmans Rivers
Fishing

Child Friendly

Kariega Main Lodge is child and family friendly with accommodation, meal menus and activities dedicated towards the little ones.

Spa and Wellness

The Wellness Centre at Kariega Private Game Reserve is the perfect place to rest, relax and rejuvenate body, mind and soul. Treat yourself to the luxury and pampering you deserve in beautiful, tranquil surroundings and indulge in our range of treatments and therapies, including various relaxing or energizing massages, facials and the like.

Situated at Main Lodge, the Wellness Centre is also ideally positioned to service guests from Ukhozi Lodge and The Homestead. The centre comprises two treatment rooms and a gym.

Addo Elephant Back Safari

I have been travelling in Africa for over three decades. In that time, I have been on countless safaris; by Land Rover, on foot, by canoe and horseback, up and down mountains and valleys.

The sense of wonder and appreciation of natural beauty has never left me.

There are, of course, individual animals which I prefer above all others. Some are large, very large and some small but all, for some reason or other, have endeared themselves towards me. I will start with the very large.
Addo Elephant Back Safari
Samara Game Reserve Review

About three hours' drive northwest of Addo National Park (see Tuesday's blog) lies a different country.

If Addo enjoys a lush and verdant environment, Samara Game Reserve (close to Camdeboo National Park) is the opposite. Its semi-desert environment is more akin to Namibia.

Yet here we are in the middle of the Great Karoo near the historic farming town of Graaff Reinet.
Samara Game Reserve Review
Kwandwe Game Reserve Review

My husband and I were fortunate enough to visit the Kwandwe Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It had been many years since I had been on safari in the Eastern Cape and I was eager to see how the experience had changed.

We flew from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth where we picked up our rental car and drove the 2 hours to Kwandwe Private Game Reserve. From the moment we arrived at the reception, we experienced the service that this Relais and Chateaux property is famous for.

We were met with a welcome drink, a cold towel and fresh homemade cookies accompanied by our check-in.
Kwandwe Game Reserve Review
Death of a Cheetah

When you live in Africa, love the smell of nature and its strong call, and perhaps even more importantly, understand the natural cycles; you see the death of wildlife as part of the natural order.

The strong conquer the weak, and the old give space to the young.

When you look at a magnificent animal and predator die in an area which is desperately (and successfully) trying to rehabilitate natural corridors of flora and fauna over a previously devastated land, no one would think less of you for shedding a tear.
Death of a Cheetah