Main Lodge offers families, friends and couples a relaxed and friendly environment to enjoy the African bush. All the log chalets are air conditioned, with en-suite bedrooms, and large private viewing decks. Each has a spacious lounge and living area which is great for socializing before retreating to the privacy and comfort of your bedroom. The lodge has been expertly integrated with the surrounding bush to create a natural environment where guests can enjoy traditional meals in the restaurant or boma, a drink at the bar or a swim in the pool.

Safari Lodge Chalets
24 Log chalets, with large private viewing decks (some with private pools) offering privacy and stunning views of the Kariega river valley. All the log chalets are air conditioned (bedrooms only), with en-suite bedrooms and satellite TV's.

Rates Include
• Safari drive twice daily
• All meals inclusive (excludes beverages)
• Meals served buffet-style
• Private viewing deck, some with plunge pools
• River cruises and guided bush walks
• Canoeing
• Comfortable bedrooms with king-size beds (twin or double)
• En-suite bathrooms
• Inside showers and baths
• Air conditioning (bedrooms)
• Satellite TV
• Fireplace in most chalets
• Tea and coffee facilities
• Hair dryer
• Internet connectivity (in lodge, not in chalets)
• Safe (at reception)
• Telephone

Game Viewing
Experience the ultimate in luxury safari holidays at the beautiful 10,000 hectare Kariega Private Game Reserve in malaria-free Eastern Cape, South Africa. Prepare to be captivated by close-up viewing of the Big 5 - lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard as well as a multitude of other African wild game and bird species.

Stunning Safari Drives
At Kariega, everything revolves around our twice-daily safari drives - the close-up encounters with African wildlife are the centre of guests' unforgettable safari holiday. Our experienced game rangers will drive you out on safari every morning and afternoon/evening in open game-drive vehicles, traversing the valleys, grassy plains and African bushveld to bring you close to the Big 5 and other game roaming freely in their natural habitat. If you are fortunate, you may witness the lion hunting or feeding, or even the heartwarming social interactions of an elephant herd.

Plentiful African Game
Kariega Game Reserve is the perfect setting for exciting safari holidays, with abundant game and spectacular viewing. Apart from lion and elephant, the game reserve is home to the other three members of the Big 5 - rhino, buffalo and leopard. Other species abound such as hippo, hyena, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, eland, kudu, waterbuck and a variety of other antelope, as well as a myriad of bird species including the nesting crowned eagle, martial and fish eagles.

Dramatic African Bush and Landscapes
The game reserve is bordered in the east and west by the vast and dramatic Kariega and Bushmans river valleys. On safari drives you will explore many different habitats highlighting five different ecosystems - valley bushveld, savannah grasslands, fynbos, riverine forests and acacia woodland. The awe-inspiring African landscape will captivate your senses and the trees, grasses and plants of the Eastern Cape will divulge their secrets. Sometimes it is the hidden secrets of the bush which guests most treasure as memories of their safari holidays, the amazing intricacy of a spider's web or the monumental work of a dung beetle. There is never a dull moment on safari drives; you never know what African bush experience awaits around the next corner.

There is much to do and see at Kariega Game Reserve. As a result anything from two to seven nights can be enjoyed, however, a minimum three night stay is highly recommended for your ultimate safari experience.

Inclusive Activities

Game Drives
Guests are taken out twice daily in open safari vehicles, usually in the early morning and late afternoon, although times are dependent on the season and weather. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the African bush, while your skilled ranger provides hidden details and fascinating facts about the surrounding wildlife. Game drives are the center of the Kariega safari experience and guests will be thrilled by close-up encounters with the likes of lion, elephant and an abundance of other African wildlife.

River Cruises
An abundance of bird and animal life makes for exciting game viewing whilst enjoying the peace and tranquility of the dramatic river valley. During one of the morning game drives, guests at Main Lodge, Ukhozi Lodge and The Homestead can enjoy a majestic cruise down the Kariega river. At River Lodge, an optional daily boat cruise takes guests down the Bushmans river, through the quaint village of Kenton-on-Sea and to its picturesque beaches. Settlers Drift guests can also enjoy boat cruises on the Bushmans river.

Guided Bush Walks
Kariega offers guided bush walks with our experienced rangers. This provides our guests with the opportunity of walking amongst more than 25 species of game and abundant birdlife.

Canoeing
Take one the canoes for a leisurely paddle down either the Kariega or the Bushmans rivers and watch in blissful silence as the river birds and animals go about their daily business.

Fishing
Guests at all lodges can enjoy river fishing on either the Kariega or Bushmans rivers. River Lodge and Settlers Drift are perfectly situated for keen fisherman, where guests can fish in the Bushmans river from a boat or canoe.

Kids on Safari
Main Lodge welcomes children of all ages and kids can enjoy our daily children's programme, between approx. 11h00 and 14h00. These are mainly about having fun but we also aim to inspire, excite and educate.
Children are encouraged and welcome to join their parents on all game drives. Baby-sitting is available if required.
Please note that children of all ages are most welcome at Main Lodge and The Homestead. Settlers Drift, River Lodge and Ukhozi Lodge do not accommodate children 10 years and younger.

Game Drives
Children of all ages are encouraged to enjoy morning and afternoon game drives with their parents (as well as the river cruise). For children 5 years and under it is the guide’s and General Manager’s discretion as to whether they can be taken to sightings of the more dangerous Big 5 for safety reasons.

Playroom
This area is situated at Kariega Main Lodge and is ideal when the weather is bad or during evening meal times – when Mom and Dad sometimes have to deal with restless kids! The area is equipped with:

Wildlife and fun DVDs
Books, toys, puzzles, colouring-in books, play-dough, games, etc.
Black-board
Table tennis (in conference room)
Midday Activities
There are children's activities on offer between 11h00 and 14h00. Meet the dedicated coordinator at the Kids on Safari centre and receive a goodie bag. Please feel welcome to also discuss options with your guide.

Children will enjoy one or more of the following safari activities (weather permitting):

• A guided trail within the boundaries of Main Lodge where they will learn more about their beautiful surroundings and the miracles of nature, including plants, insects and animal tracks. The group will have time to ask questions and interact with the ranger. They may be given a fun short test and will each receive a Junior Ranger Certificate
• Learning how to create moulds of animal tracks using plaster of Paris. These can serve as great souvenirs from their time at Kariega
• Target practise shooting with a traditional "kettie" (a safe y-shaped slingshot) and other bushcraft and wildlife survival skills (depending on the age of the group)
• Arts and crafts, including colouring and making animal masks
• Creating "Bushman paintings"
• Environmental education using natural items from the bush including ostrich eggs, porcupine quills, skulls etc.
• Completing the activities in the Kids on Safari booklet.
• Children 16 years and over are welcome on our guided bush walks.