Samara Plains Camp Cheetah Trail Review: Eco-Luxury in the Heart of the Camdeboo
We were only a few minutes from our camp when we came across the brothers enjoying a morning lie-in. Their lithe forms sprawled across the Ochre-stained dirt of the Camdeboo plains. We’d set off on foot for a morning bushwalk, putting us close enough to the action to get my heart rate soaring. Fortunately, the pair were too engrossed in their morning ritual to be concerned with a couple of leering bush tourists elated at the sight of two wild cheetahs.
We watched on as they playfully groomed each other with gentle swipes of the tongue, their tails flicking lazily in the cool morning air. In between yawns, one brother paused, his sleek head lifting as he gracefully came to stand. His keen eyes locked onto something — perhaps the faint promise of breakfast stirring in the distance.
Our guide, a calm and knowledgeable presence, gestured for us to keep still. My pulse quickened as we continued to watch. They weren’t doing much of anything at all, yet we could have stood there for hours observing them, captivated by their spotted coats shimmering in the soft sunlight filtering through the vast, open plains.
I’d been eager to visit Samara Plains Camp for its walking safari-focused itinerary, but I hadn’t expected an experience this spectacular so soon into our trip. It’s quite something catching a glimpse of a cheetah when out on a game drive, but there’s something so special about encountering them unexpectedly, without the false sense of security a safari vehicle provides. Samara is widely regarded as one of the best places on the continent to view wild cheetah, and this incredible encounter more than solidified that status in my books.
Our group was invited to the camp to be some of the first to experience Samara’s new 3-night Cheetah Trail. The new trail is designed for those who appreciate the delights of a safari with a difference. Rather than jumping into a vehicle every morning and evening for the customary game drive, the Cheetah Trail offers walking safaris. It’s 4 magnificent days of exploring the diversity of the reserve’s rich plant and wildlife on foot, and with each step, you get to see the Eastern Cape’s untamed beauty unfold in moments of raw, heart-stopping wonder.
Go Wild at Samara Plains Camp
If it’s an authentic, up-close and personal bush experience you want, the Cheetah Trail at Samara Plains Camp is the ultimate escape for wildlife lovers. Tucked away in the vast expanse of the 67,000-acre Samara Karoo Reserve near Graaff-Reinet, Plains Camp offers an intimate, off-the-grid safari experience that feels like stepping into a bygone era of exploration.
Unlike the polished elegance of The Manor, Samara’s luxury exclusive-use villa, Plains Camp is all about reconnecting with nature in its purest form. Think canvas tents, lantern-lit evenings, and the kind of soul-stirring silence that only the Karoo bush can deliver. After our unforgettable cheetah encounter, I was eager to see what else this unique camp had in store.
Rustic Meets Luxury Retreat
Plains Camp is a love letter to quiet luxury. Designed to immerse you in the Karoo’s stark beauty without sacrificing comfort, the camp blends the ruggedness of camping with luxury touches. The camp consists of just four canvas tents, each a cosy hideaway of soft linens, warm blankets, and thoughtful touches, such as hot water bottles, to ward off the chilly Karoo nights.
Each luxury tent is equipped with a wood-burning fireplace and an en-suite bathroom, complete with bucket showers, for an authentic glamping experience. The tent’s private patio makes for a great place to read a book or unwind with a G&T when you’re not out exploring the bush on foot.
There’s almost no WiFi or cell signal out here, and that’s the point. It’s just you, the endless horizon, and the occasional roar of a lion in the distance. The tents are spaced far enough apart to feel private, yet close enough to the central boma or mess area to foster a sense of community among guests. The ‘mess’ area itself is a highlight, boasting an indoor lounge with a fireplace and guest bar as well as a swimming pool with sun loungers for soaking up the sun on warm summer days.
Dinners are an experience to remember with a long wooden table set under a canopy of stars. Hearty home-cooked meals are cooked on an open fire and served family-style — think flame-grilled meat, fresh salads bursting with local produce, potjie, and malva pudding so good it deserves its own fan club.
The staff, many of whom hail from nearby communities, bring warmth and authenticity to every interaction. Over dinner, stories of the reserve’s conservation efforts, including re-wilding farmland and reintroducing species like cheetah and lion to the area, flow as freely as the South African wine.
Adventures in the Bush
What sets Samara Plains Camp apart is its focus on immersive, low-impact experiences. The guided bush walks are a hallmark of the Samara experience. Unlike traditional game drives, walking safaris let you feel the crunch of the earth beneath your boots, giving a front row seat to appreciate the smaller details of the bush. It’s a sacred time to notice the delicate tracks of an aardvark, the scent of wild sage, or the distant silhouette of a wildebeest. Our guide’s passion for the Karoo’s ecology was infectious, turning every step into a lesson in conservation and coexistence.
The slackpacking Cheetah Trail is suitable for anyone who is fit enough to walk. The hiking is not too strenuous, but the walks do cover between 10 -15 kms per day. Every walk is led by Samara’s fully qualified guides/trackers and focuses on tracks and signs, flora and fauna and the geology of the area. Game drives are also available if the weather doesn’t allow for much walking. Either way, game walks and game drives offer guests a chance to spot the reserve’s Big Five, along with giraffe, warthog, ostrich, and baboons in a landscape that is teeming with life.
For those who prefer a slower pace, the camp offers stargazing sessions that are nothing short of magical. The Karoo’s unpolluted skies are a canvas of constellations, and with a telescope and a guide to point out the Southern Cross, it’s easy to lose yourself in the cosmos.
The 3-night, Cheetah Trail experience also includes an exhilarating night camping out under the stars around a campfire. Weather permitting, you’ll walk to a mobile fly camp location on the second night where you’ll learn about ‘Khoisan candles’ and ancient springbok migratory routes, before falling asleep under the Milky Way.
A Commitment to Conservation
Samara is more than just another game reserve. Samara’s ethos is rooted in restoring the Karoo to its former glory, and Plains Camp embodies this mission. The reserve’s conservation journey, from rehabilitating overgrazed farmland to reintroducing species long absent from the region, is woven into every aspect of the experience.
Guests are invited to participate in activities like tree planting or tracking animals collared for research purposes, offering a hands-on connection to the land. It’s the kind of place where you leave feeling like you’ve contributed to something bigger than yourself.
Fall in Love with Luxury Camping at Plains Camp
Plains Camp isn’t for everyone — it’s not a five-star lodge and there’s no air-con or flat screen TVs. But, for those craving an authentic, soulful escape, it’s perfection. For discerning adventure seekers, the camp offers an exclusive luxury bush experience you won’t forget. Think of its as a very soft launch into the world of glamping where your every need is met, and then some.
The camp’s small size (just eight guests at a time) ensures a personalised experience, while the lack of modern distractions forces you to slow down and savour the moment. Whether you’re a solo traveller, a couple seeking romance, or a group of friends looking for an escape, Plains Camp delivers an adventure that’s as meaningful as it is memorable.
Samara Plains Camp is a rare gem in South Africa’s safari scene, a place where luxury meets raw wilderness, and every moment feels like a privilege. From the thrill of tracking cheetah on foot to the quiet joy of fireside chats under the stars, this is the kind of escape that stays with you long after you’ve left.
Book the Cheetah Trail at Samara Karoo Reserve
Samara Karoo Reserve is located in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, 53km south-east of Graaff-Reinet, and 250km from Gqeberha. The reserve is also within driving distance from Cape Town. If you’re looking to make a road trip out of it, then you can split the 8-hour drive over two or three days with stops on the Garden Route and Route 62 along the way.
Samara Karoo Reserve 3-night Samara Cheetah Trail is now open for bookings. Booking for the trail is essential as the season is limited and there is no Samara Cheetah Trail over the peak season (Christmas and New Year) or from June to August. The SADC launch rate for the trail is R14,995 per person for the fully guided 3-night trail (valid until 15 December 2025), including all meals and selected drinks. The trail is open to guests 16 and older.
For more information and to book your stay, visit the Samara Karoo Reserve website.
