Kariega Main Lodge – Eastern Cape, South Africa

Overview

Kariega Main Lodge sits high on a ridge, its wooden chalets built up on stilts to make the most of their spectacular views. This is the most affordable of the properties in Kariega Private Game Reserve, and the two-, three- or four-bedroom chalets are great for friends or families looking for a South Africa safari in the malaria-free Eastern Cape.

Start each day with a morning game drive, and watch as the landscape comes to life with the sunrise. Not only is this one of the best time to see Africa’s big game but the golden light is just right for photography too, so you’re sure to come away with some excellent pics. Kariega is, indeed, a popular choice for photographic safaris; it’s a beautiful reserve with dramatic vistas and a good selection of big game including lion, rhino, hippo, giraffe, herds of elephant and graceful antelope.

After a three- to four-hour game drive (depending on what you see), it’s back to the lodge for a hearty breakfast. If you aren’t ready for a nap by then, you can stretch your legs on a guided bush walk or take a kayak onto Kariega River for a quiet paddle. During one of your morning drives there’s also the option of a river cruise on the Kariega Queen, while your afternoon drives hold the promise of more big game sightings including – if you’re really lucky – the thrill of lion on the hunt!

The lodge itself has plenty of space to relax: top up your tan alongside the swimming pool, treat yourself to a massage at the Wellness Centre or settle in on your chalet’s private deck with its wide views over wooded ravines. Breakfasts and lunches are served in the glass-walled restaurant or out on the wooden decks overlooking the reserve, and on warm evenings look forward to a traditional dinner under the stars in the open-air boma.

Kariega Main Lodge welcomes children of all ages, and since you’re on safari in a malaria-free reserve you don’t have the hassle of anti-malaria medication. This private game reserve is also a short drive from the coast, making it easy to combine with the sandy beaches and warm sea of the world-famous Garden Route.

Accommodation

Kariega Main Lodge has 21 wooden chalets tucked amongst the trees of an indigenous forest. The chalets are nicely spaced to ensure plenty of privacy and each has wonderful views out across the reserve. Whether you choose a one-bedroom or a four-bedroom chalet, each bedroom has its own en-suite bathroom and a king-size (double or twin) bed.

The chalets are air-conditioned and each has an indoor lounge area cushioned couches, a log burning stove and satellite TV – although why watch TV when you can sit out on your private viewing deck, surrounded by trees and birdsong! Some chalets even have a small swimming pool, just check with your consultant when you make your reservation.

Main Lodge has everything you need for a comfortable stay but if you’re looking for a romantic getaway or added exclusivity then consider River Lodge: a smaller, more luxurious lodge which is also located within Kariega Private Game Reserve.

Wildlife

Kariega is a family-owned and operated private reserve stretching across 10,000 hectares ranging from forests to savannah grasslands. This rich biodiversity together with two permanent rivers, the Kariega and the Bushman’s, support an abundance of wildlife including all of Africa’s Big 5.

Leopards are the most elusive of Africa’s big cats, tending to stick to dense bushveld and high rocky outcrops so while your chances of seeing them are slim, you are likely to have close up sightings of lion, elephant, buffalo and rhino. A real treat is seeing Thandi, a rhino that was nursed back to health after poachers hacked off her horn. It’s heart-warming to see how well she’s doing, especially since she’s recently given birth to a calf.

Other big game that’s regularly sighted includes hippo, giraffe, hyena, wildebeest, warthog, zebra, eland, and kudu, as well as smaller predators such as the black-backed jackal and caracal. Kariega Game Reserve also has an impressive bird list from larger and more unusual species including the secretary bird, crowned hornbill and martial eagle; to a wide range of waterbirds: flamingos, egrets, herons, dabchicks, darters and colourful kingfishers.

Conferences

Special occasions:

Kariega Game Reserve is the perfect destination for a safari holiday, but it may also provide the ideal setting for a variety of special occasions including honeymoons, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and exclusive business getaways.

Main Lodge offer the best in romantic and luxurious getaways. Request a private evening safari drive and share the exhilarating encounters with Africa’s wildlife before driving to one of Kariega’s most scenic spots for sundowners. Honeymooners can also enjoy their own romantic dinner in a private location or savor a specially prepared breakfast picnic in the African wilderness.

More Info

Children:
Children of all ages are welcome Kariega Main Lodge.
Children 12 years and under pay 50% of the adult rates .
Children 3 years and under stay free of charge.

Directions

Directions from Cape Town:

Travel the N2 from Cape Town along the Garden Route towards Grahamstown, and choose one of two alternative routes:

Route 1:
The coastal route on the R72, via Alexandria to Kenton-on-Sea, where you turn inland and proceed 14 km on the R343.

Route 2:
Proceed on the N2 towards Grahamstown for about 110km and turn right before reaching Grahamstown onto the tarred road (R343)to Kenton-on-Sea for a distance of 32km.

Directions from Port Elizabeth:

Travel from Port Elizabeth along the N2 towards Grahamstown for approximately 50 km and then take the Port Alfred turnoff, where you will then travel along the R72 towards Kenton-on-Sea and Port Alfred. The turnoff to River Lodge is signposted and is exactly 15 km beyond Alexandria.