Conceived as a love letter to the Karoo, the experience at Samara Karoo Reserve near Graaff Reinet in the Eastern Cape celebrates the uniqueness of this special South African region.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Slow, meaningful and exceptional safari experiences encourage guests to breathe in the magic of the Karoo landscape whilst encountering its unique biodiversity – from charismatic lion, rhinoceros and cheetah to tiny medicinal plants and species uniquely adapted to the semi-arid Karoo landscape, such as the endangered Cape mountain zebra. The dining experience at Samara also exhibits a true sense of place. Whether a private picnic out in the bush, a boma dinner under the stars or something a little more refined on the lodge patio, each meal is thoughtfully and caringly crafted to be a little different and is always rooted in the local landscape.
Samara’s General Manager, Marnus Ochse, says, “Dining at Samara is all about flexibility, flavour and diversity. Our menus change seasonally; they are inspired by what’s fresh and they showcase the honest flavours of the Greater Karoo. We often incorporate local foraged plants into our dishes – for example, in our Spekboom cake.” He continues: “We work closely with nearby producers to keep things local, sustainable and full of character, and as a result our guests enjoy seasonal dishes made with regeneratively farmed, locally grown ingredients, including from our own farming project. Our menus can be curated to guests’ preferences, and they don’t have to adhere to specific times for meals.
We’re very flexible in fitting in with the rhythms of their tailor-made safari.” From relaxed breakfast picnics in the bush to beautifully plated lodge dinners, the food at Samara is about simple elegance – honest ingredients prepared with care.
This winter season, morning brunches feature favourites like Karoo Eggs Benedict, while flexible all-day
dining offers popular options like Samara’s signature Karoo lamb burger. Come evening, you might start with Springbok carpaccio, move on to a hearty Ostrich pot pie and end with a sweet potato malva pudding. It’s Karoo cuisine at its best: unpretentious, generous and full of soul.
Samara Karoo Reserve
Reservations: reservations@samara.co.za | +27 (0) 49 940 1111 | www.samara.co.za
Facebook | Instagram: @samarakaroo
