Kariega Game Reserve Safaris
This beautiful Big Five reserve is situated in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. Its name is inspired by the Kariega River, which flows through the region and provides nourishment for a vast variety of wildlife.
When to go to Kariega Game Reserve
Best Time to Go
Malaria-free reserve
Range of activities
Big Five & other species
A great family-friendly reserve
Big Five Garden Route Safaris
Located just 80 minutes from the bustling city of Port Elizabeth, Kariega is well worth considering as a stop along the Garden Route. It combines well with a trip to Cape Town too. Alternatively, it is a first-rate stand-alone destination! Whether you are on a family vacation, solo adventure, romantic break, honeymoon, or group trip, this fine reserve has something to suit you.
Activities & Wildlife
Kariega’s diverse landscapes and ecosystems support an exciting variety of big game and smaller species. Explore it on game drives, guided bush walks and river cruises.
Big Five
Mammals & Smaller Species
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Kariega hosts a stretch of the Bushmans river as well as the river from which its name derives. Its landscape is made up of five different eco-systems, including sprawling savanna, evergreen forest, and majestic mountains. This variety results in an excellent assortment of wildlife. Kariega’s big game success stories include the reintroduction of all of the Big Five – lion, rhinoceros, leopard, elephant, and buffalo.
Other mammals brought back into the area include zebra, giraffe, blue wildebeest, red hartebeest, oribi, eland, nyala, kudu, waterbuck, and hippopotamus, lots of types of antelope, wild cat, lynx, hyena, jackal, genet, baboon, monkey, bushpig, warthog, aardvark, otter, honey badger, and the prickly porcupine! There is also a wealth of birdlife in the reserve.
History
Kariega Game Reserve is owned and managed by the Rushmere family. In 1989, the family purchased a portion of land – the first of many – that had been used for farming. In fact, the reserve as it exists today was once owned by 15 different farmers, all concerned with rearing livestock. Their farming practices included hunting the local wildlife in order to protect their herds, with the result that large numbers of indigenous species were brought close to extinction.
Once the Rushmeres had bought the land, they set about reintroducing numerous types of animals. As they purchased further portions of Kariega, they were able to boost the concentrations of wildlife. The initial area consisted of 2,000 hectares. In 2003, they acquired a further 3,500 hectares; this success was followed by 500 hectares in 2006 and a substantial 4,000 hectares in 2007! So today the reserve occupies a grand total of 10,000 hectares.
Talk to someone who’s been there
Real expertise doesn’t come from a few trips to Africa. All our specialists have either been guides, run the camps, or grown up and lived in Africa. That’s over 600 years of genuine safari experience.
Good to Know
01.
What are the best accommodation options?
Kariega contains five properties – Main Lodge, Ukhozi Lodge, River Lodge, The Homestead, and Settlers Drift. Main Lodge is great for groups and families. Each lodge has a unique character, however, common to all properties are luxurious communal areas and accommodation, superb service standards, and some exciting activities – game drives, guided bush walks, river cruises, canoeing, fishing, and excursions to attractions such as the local port towns and beaches.
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