Family owned and managed, it would be accurate to say that the gradual growth and development of the now expansive 11,500 hectare malaria-free 'Big Five' reserve is one of the most accomplished conservation projects in the Eastern Cape to date. Kariega’s landscape spans across five different eco-systems, offering an exceptional game viewing and birding experience. Having two major rivers incorporated into the reserve (the Kariega and Bushmans rivers) adds enormous beauty and value. With a choice of lodges; Ukhozi and River Lodge offer a more intimate atmosphere, and the Main lodge is ideal for families; so whatever the occasion, Kariega Game reserve has something to suit your needs and create lasting memories.
Amenities
Families
Honeymoon
Safari
Bar
Swimming Pool
Where is it
On 11,500 hectares of natural bushveld in the Eastern Cape. Transfer time from Port Elizabeth Airport: 1 hour 30 minutes.
Hotel information
There are 5 different lodges: Main Lodge – has been expertly integrated with the surrounding bush offering stunning views of the reserve. The 24 log chalets enjoy complete privacy with large private viewing decks (some with private pools) and stunning views of the Kariega River valley. All chalets with air-conditioning, en-suite bedrooms, tea/coffee-making facilities and hairdryer. Sleeping maximum 6 adults or 4 adults and 2 children or 2 adults and 4 children.
All Inclusive of: all meals and selected beverages (bottled water, soft drinks, local beers, wines brandy, whiskey, gin etc). Two game-drives per day, river cruises, guided bush walks and canoeing.
Ukhozi Lodge – truly captures the romance and intimacy of Africa, offering10 luxury suites crafted from log, each with a private plunge pool and deck offering panoramic views of the river plains. Sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 1 child (over 10 years old).
The River Lodge – is uniquely situated on the banks of the Bushmans River and comprises 10 luxury thatched suites. Special activities include daily boat trips to the Kenton beaches and river fishing. Sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 1 child (over 10 years old).
Settlers Drift – is a 5-star luxury tented lodge, located in an untouched part of the Kariega wilderness, featuring 9 luxurious tented suites that offer a spacious living area and bedroom, full bathroom, indoor/outdoor shower, and a private deck with unrivalled panoramic views over valley plains, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 1 child (over 10 years old).
The Homestead – the Homestead is a private lodge set in a remote and private part of the reserve. With 7 bedrooms, all en suite, a bar, swimming pool, satellite TV, lounge, large garden, boma and spectacular views, it is a great choice for a group or family.
At each lodge – indoor and outdoor (boma) dining, lounges and bar, swimming pool, spacious decks, curio shop and spa treatments. Wine cellar (Settlers Drift and Ukhozi Lodge only). Activities include morning and evening game-drives, guided bush walks, river cruises, canoeing and fishing*. Activity programme for kids. Wellness Centre* at the Main Lodge and Ukhozi Lodge. Sala's at Settlers Drift and River Lodge. Complimentary WiFi is available at all lodges. Private laundry facilities.
* Denotes local charge.
Please note: all children are welcome at the Main Lodge. Children under 10 years are not permitted at River Lodge, Settlers Drift, and Ukhozi Lodge.
Based on 338 reviews
Rating summary
Location
Sleep Quality
Rooms
Service
Value
Cleanliness
Traveller rating
Excellent (303)
Very good (30)
Average (4)
Poor (1)
Terrible (0)
Sustaining a legacy of care and conservation
Dec 3, 2024Dreamer57324427703
I stayed at Ukhozi Lodge with my daughter - it was the best refresh and recharge we could have hoped for. In addition to the care and attention given to the guests, what Kariega Game Reserve is doing, it's legacy of care and conservation are so important - not only for the immediate area and local communities, but also in preserving a unique…
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I stayed at Ukhozi Lodge with my daughter - it was the best refresh and recharge we could have hoped for. In addition to the care and attention given to the guests, what Kariega Game Reserve is doing, it's legacy of care and conservation are so important - not only for the immediate area and local communities, but also in preserving a unique example of South Africa's natural heritage and maintaining greenspaces for the future. Be very proud Kariega! Thanks!
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A great option for a safari on the Eastern Cape!
Nov 28, 2024Luke GTerrigal, Australia
First time taking my family on safari and Kareiga was a great place to start. Ukhozi Lodge was wonderful, lovely rooms and communal areas and great food. The landscapes of the game reserve was beautiful very different to any previous safaris I'd done. Our guide Megan was fantastic and made the experience really enjoyable for all of us, especially…
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First time taking my family on safari and Kareiga was a great place to start. Ukhozi Lodge was wonderful, lovely rooms and communal areas and great food. The landscapes of the game reserve was beautiful very different to any previous safaris I'd done. Our guide Megan was fantastic and made the experience really enjoyable for all of us, especially the kids. Had great sightings including numerous close encounters with lions. A great option for a safari on the Eastern Cape!
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Megan and her Land Cruiser
Nov 27, 2024Wanderer33133367770Chur, Switzerland
Megan and her land cruiser are unstopable. Thanks for the ride, you are outstanding. We had an amazing time here in Ukhozi Lodge.
Shout out to the all the staff who are very friendly and allways open for a chat.
Treat the natur and animals good. They deserve it!
Just gorgeous!!
Nov 26, 2024stephjasesWilmslow, United Kingdom
From the minute we arrived until we left - everything was perfect.
Welcome drinks, friendly and efficient staff, stunning lodge and gorgeous bedroom cabins with plunge pool (too cold for me!). As we absolutely love our food, we were very pleasantly surprised with delicious meals 3 x a day - see photos!!
Not forgetting the main event: the…
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From the minute we arrived until we left - everything was perfect.
Welcome drinks, friendly and efficient staff, stunning lodge and gorgeous bedroom cabins with plunge pool (too cold for me!). As we absolutely love our food, we were very pleasantly surprised with delicious meals 3 x a day - see photos!!
Not forgetting the main event: the fabulous game drives. One at 6am for 3 hours and another at 4pm for 3 hours. Our guide JJ was super knowledgeable and showed us the maximum amount of animals - he just found them every day!! Thanks very much for an amazing stay xx
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Kariega, a safari destination that satisfies even the most demanding.
Nov 16, 2024safariman2011Southampton, United Kingdom
We recently returned from an eight night stay on the Kariega reserve as part of a small group tour with Wildlife Worldwide. We stayed at Ukhozi and River Lodges and Settlers Drift. Each was of a high standard but smaller and more intimate than the much larger Main lodge. Each had its own character. Ukhozi was really relaxing with resident…
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We recently returned from an eight night stay on the Kariega reserve as part of a small group tour with Wildlife Worldwide. We stayed at Ukhozi and River Lodges and Settlers Drift. Each was of a high standard but smaller and more intimate than the much larger Main lodge. Each had its own character. Ukhozi was really relaxing with resident bushbuck and massive millipedes seen on the way to the main hub. River Lodge was in a superb riverside setting with Pied kingfisher easily spotted from the frontage. The lodge's speciality was river trips down to the ocean. Wonderfully different! Finally, Settlers Drift was luxury tenting. Attention to detail was evident everywhere although even their staff were a little stretched when the elephants decided to wreck the incoming water pipes!
Kariega is a superb example or rewilding in action. We saw two more male lion awaiting release and five cheetah also nearing release. With fences of newly acquired farmland being removed there is much to see. We were exceptionally lucky to have Wayne and Brendan as our guides. I've been on many safaris and , in their own areas of expertise, they're as good as it gets. They also happened to be two really nice people who did their utmost to educate, entertain and satisfy our requests.
Kariega is suitable for first timers after the big five or specialist photographers/veterans like us who were after specific species. The density of land cruisers/guests was low and sightings were often just us. The species available were good. Many antelope species ranging from duikers to Nyala to Eland. Ungulates included white rhino and excellent sightings of Black. Elephant were plentiful and ridiculously laid back. The birding count was high with Crowned eagle and Knysna turaco being especially prized. However, for us, the trip was built upon trying to see and photograph Caracal, a cat I've failed to see in over twenty safaris. Kariega and the team turned up trumps with three sightings of a female hunting that totaled nearly two hours of photographing and observing behaviour.
Getting to Kariega involved twenty four hours of travel from the UK. Was it worth it? Absolutely!
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Sustaining a legacy of care and conservation