MINI-REVIEW OF KARIEGA GAME RESERVE
IN SOUTH AFRICA


We went to Kariega (main lodge) in South Africa and it was totally fabulous!
Spent 6 days/7 nights there and all three of us - 15 year old son included -
just wanted to stay there and not move on.

Most people stay for three nights, which is long enough to spot about 75%
of the animals, once.  But, it doesn't give you any time to get to know them!

Despite the relatively small size of the reserve (expanding annually), their
conservation commitment is huge; so too their local community involvement.

As well as the usual twice daily ranger guided drives; there are walking
trails, mountain bike routes, canoeing & swimming in the river (bikes &
canoes provided - free), plus a short river cruise to see the Fish Eagles, etc.
- very relaxing.

The chalets are huge!  Three of us shared three double/twin bedrooms,
plus three bathrooms;
with a large sitting area, large dining area, massive fully equipped kitchen -
which was odd, as it was full board! Some have small private pools, but
there is a nice larger pool down below the bar/boma area.

Wildlife of all sizes wander around your chalets and on the bike/walk trails
day and night; but not the elephants, hippos, & large predators, which are
fenced at the other (larger) side of the reserve.  Oh, except for the
leopards, of course. No-one fences in a leopard, they go where they want!

If there was a problem at all (our fellow British and Irish travellers all
agreed on this point), then it was with the huge variety and great quality of
the dishes on offer at each and every one of our three meals a day!  It was
so gorgeous, but we just couldn't even try it all - never mind finish it!  
(possibly an American appetite is needed?)

To sum up, we thought the place idyllic, and would definitely go back.  The
place is beautiful and all the staff were great, always friendly and helpful,
even if they didn't speak English!

But best of all and what made it magical, was Anton!  He was
friend/carer/chauffer/'gofer'/companion/"Mr.Fixit"/conversationalist/
translator/and the most excellent and informed ranger/guide that any safari
party could wish for.  Anton is a real star!

I can't (yet) compare Kariega with a full wilderness safari; but if you're
doing a bit of South
Africa's south coast (eg. Table Mt., penguins, wine & whales), then I'd
seriously recommend it
as a few (or more) nights stopover before the Indian Ocean beaches.

For Eastern Cape safari options, Kariega is one to throw in the hat
(malaria-free).

Kariega:
-      We never had full landcruisers.
-      We were alerted by other rangers as to sightings we might be
interested in.
-      Anton tried to stay on the tracks generally, but would drive off over
ludicrous terrain for a point of interest.
-      Maximum of three landcruisers at any one specific place/sighting.
-      This translated into us hardly ever seeing another vehicle party whilst
on safari, though Anton knew where they were.

www.kariega.co.za

As recommended by Mike, England.
















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