Samara Private Game Reserve in South Africa’s beautiful Eastern Cape, is delighted to announce a new five day photographic safari trip which promises to introduce its participants to the stunning Karoo landscape and its fascinating inhabitants. 

Monkey Valley in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Great Karoo became the first farm that formed the nucleus of the Samara Private Game Reserve, bought by Mark and Sarah Tompkins in 1997. Their dream was to amass enough land to have a self-sustaining eco-system that would carry game, the herds of antelope that used to inhabit this area, and the predators to keep the balance that helps maintain these fragile eco-systems.

This unique tour has been designed and managed by Africa Geographic and led by experienced guide and a photographer Mark Drysdale. Participants will get a rare opportunity to observe and photograph some of the rarest animals and endangered species. Let the South Africa’s Great Karoo, the land of raw beauty, vast landscapes and overwhelming starry skies, steal your breath away.

Full Board Accommodation: Samara Karoo Lodge
Karoo Lodge is a lovingly restored homestead reflecting its colonial past but pampering guests with modern day luxuries. The Lodge caters for individual travellers and families but can also be booked on an exclusive use basis for up to 20 guests. Karoo Lodge lives in perfect harmony with its wild surrounds, nestling in colonial splendour overlooking a vast amphitheatre of mountains. Each suite is traditionally decorated and exquisitely styled to create an ideal balance between comfort and the beauty of the African bush. Relax, unwind and enjoy your front row of magnificent wildlife.

Join us and experience the lush, indigenous wild landscape of Samara, which inspires everyone who comes here and entices you to return time and time again. To book a place on this great photographic safari experience with Mark Drysdale, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   For further information about Samara & the trip, visit www.samara.co.za

Dates: 22-26 August 2014

Price: ZAR 10,865 (£607.42) per person sharing, SADC Rate – ZAR 10,265 (£573.88) per person sharing, Single Supplement: ZAR 2,100 (£117.40)
Climate: Expect the Karoo climate to be cold at night, fresh during the day and cool in the evenings. There is hardly, if any, chance of it being hot or humid. Temperatures will vary between (6-21°C), early morning and evening drives, and definitely night drives will require warm clothes and a wind breaker. There is a very slim chance of rain at this time of year (18 mm/0.7 inches)
Difficulty: This tour is largely vehicle based and is not strenuous. Walking possibilities exist but are optional, the opportunity of taking short walks to vantage spots or get a better look at something next to the road do exist
Group Size: The safari has been limited to a maximum of 6 people
How to Reach Samara: Samara is located in the Eastern Cape, near Graaff Reinet; about 2 1/2 hour drive from Port Elizabeth. You can self-drive directly to Samara or fly into Port Elizabeth from where we can assist you with transfers. Samara also boasts a private landing strip for direct charter to the lodge. If you opt to drive with your own vehicle the recommended route from Port Elizabeth takes the R75 towards Graaff-Reinet for 258km. You then turn right and take the R63 towards Pearston/Somerset East for 7km. Keep an eye out and turn left into the Petersburg gravel road and drive 23km to reach Karoo Lodge.
Price Includes: All accommodation, meals, snacks, mineral water and local brand drinks, game drives, all conservation and entrance fees to access the reserve and professional guide fees. Informal photo processing workshops, and free internet connectivity. 24/7 office support.
Price Excludes: International or domestic flights, road transfer to the reserve from PE Airport (although these can easily be arranged), visas, items of personal nature, telephone calls, laundry, travel and medical insurance, gratuities, excess baggage charges, or any activities not specified in the itinerary.