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Kariega Main Lodge, Eastern Cape | Timbuktu Travel
Eastern Cape

Kariega Main Lodge

Travel and Leisure Worlds Best Awards for number 1 tour operator in the world 2024 and number 2 tour operator in the world 2025
We're one of the World's Best Tour Operators!
Named three years running in Travel+Leisure World's Best, including No.1 in 2024

About Kariega Main Lodge

A Large bush lodge with diverse activities on a private Eastern Cape reserve
Family-owned Kariega Game Reserve occupies 9,000 hectares of the beautiful Eastern Cape. The reserve includes a variety of habitats, from pristine thickets to reclaimed farmlands, and is bordered by two scenic rivers - the Kariega to the East and the Bushman's to the West. It is split into two separately fenced areas by a public road: the eastern side is home to a good variety of antelope, while the west has elephants and lions. Although it's marketed as a Big Five reserve, in reality there are no leopards here, and it lacks the 'wildness' of some of South Africa's larger, more natural reserves. Nonetheless, it provides an opportunity for convenient and easy game viewing, within close proximity of the famed Garden Route. There are five lodges on the reserve, Main Lodge being the largest and the lowest cost option. It occupies a lovely hilltop position and has good facilities including a gym and spa.
Kariega Game Reserve , Eastern Cape , South Africa
From $490 per person/per night
Safari
21 Rooms
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Property details

The property

The large central complex houses a restaurant that seats 70 guests around white-washed wooden tables and chairs, and a vast U-shaped bar with adjoining lounges. When the lodge is full, this area can get a bit cramped, so the balcony with a few bar tables and a nice view is a welcome retreat. Outside, there are a few basic picnic tables scattered around a fireplace and a lovely pool area surrounded by dense thicket. The wellness centre has two treatment rooms and offers a decent range of services. There is also a well-equipped gym and curio shop.

The rooms

Twenty-four two- and three-bedroomed wooden chalets stretch out along the hillside on either side of the main area. Each has a spacious lounge, tea and coffee making facilities, a TV, fireplace and private deck with impressive views of the reserve. Rooms have ensuite bathrooms with showers, claw-foot bathtubs, wash-basins, complimentary toiletries and toilets. Bedrooms are air-conditioned, and half the chalets have private plunge pools, which should be requested when making a booking. The décor is slightly dated but everything is comfortable and clean.

Activities

Morning and evening game drives form the core activities on this reserve, and although it is great that big game can be seen so easily, guides can focus too much attention on this, to the exclusion of the myriad of smaller species to be found. The real highlights of a safari in this region are the oft-overlooked species such as aardvark, bush pigs, porcupines, caracal, bat-eared foxes and aardwolf, many of which come out to play at night, as well as the wide variety of succulent plants found in the thicket biome. Ask your guide to pay attention to these things in addition to finding you lions and rhinos. Boat cruises on the rivers are a real treat, as are kayaking and fishing trips.
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How to book Kariega Main Lodge

How do I book Kariega Main Lodge?

Kariega Main Lodge can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made South Africa trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended South Africa trips featuring Kariega Main Lodge or get advice and suggestions from one of our South Africa specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.

How much does it cost to stay at Kariega Main Lodge?

Stays at Kariega Main Lodge start from around $490 per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.

Kariega Main Lodge

South Africa

Eastern Cape

A tip top safari destination with a cultural heart within reach of Cape Town and the Garden Route.