Kariega Main Lodge gives every guest their own little house in the bush. Each log chalet has a spacious lounge and a large private deck looking out over the Kariega River valley, so there is plenty of room to unwind between game drives. The lodge lies within the family-owned Kariega Game Reserve, a malaria-free Big Five reserve of 12,000 hectares in South Africa’s Eastern Cape.
Days follow an easy rhythm. Morning and afternoon game drives in open vehicles explore valley bushveld, grassland, fynbos and riverine forest, home to elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo, giraffe and hippo. On one of the morning outings, the drive gives way to a gentle cruise along the Kariega River. Guests aged 16 and over can also set out on foot with a ranger on a guided bush walk.
Families are particularly well looked after. Children of all ages are welcome, and the daily Kids on Safari programme fills the midday lull with tracking, animal print casting and bushcraft. Meals are served buffet-style in the restaurant or out in the boma, and there is also a bar, a swimming pool and the reserve’s Wellness Centre.
ACCOMMODATION
The log chalets are woven into the surrounding bush, with views across the Kariega River valley. Each one has a generous lounge and living area, perfect for families or friends travelling together, with the bedrooms set apart for privacy. Bedrooms are air-conditioned and have king-size beds made up as a double or twins, plus en-suite bathrooms with a bath and an inside shower. A large private deck faces the valley, and some chalets have their own plunge pool. Tea and coffee facilities, a safe and a hairdryer complete the comforts.
Kariega Main Lodge sits on a hillside above the Kariega River valley in the Eastern Cape’s historic 1820 Settler Country. The reserve is around an 80-minute drive from Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport. The golden beaches of Kenton-on-Sea are less than 15 minutes away, so it is easy to pair a safari with a few lazy days by the sea. Kariega also makes a natural final stop on a Garden Route journey from Cape Town.
Speak to a specialist for availability and pricing.
