Samara Karoo Reserve unveils Cheetah Trail Experience

October 2024 marks the launch of an exciting new offering from the award-winning Samara Karoo Reserve: the Cheetah Trail, a 3-night, 4-day immersive walking safari designed for small groups of up to 8 guests. Revered as one of Africa’s premier destinations to view the iconic cheetah, Samara offers a unparalleled opportunity to witness these majestic animals in their natural habitat - against the backdrop of the breathtaking Great Karoo wilderness and its expansive, starry skies.

The Big 5 reserve will take guests on an intimate journey by foot, offering a deeply personal connection to the region’s rich history, where prehistoric creatures once roamed and ancient cave paintings remain as a testament to a distant past. Guided by expert trail leaders, guests will explore the vast semi-arid landscapes of this Global Biodiversity Hotspot, tracking cheetahs, the Big Five, and various antelope and bird species, while uncovering the intricacies of Samara's unique ecosystems and geology. 

Covering 30km over two days, the Cheetah Trail isn’t just a hike - it's a curated wilderness experience. Along the way, guests will learn to read the land - spotting tracks, identifying flora and fauna, and discovering ancient rock formations. While physically engaging, the walk is designed to be enjoyable and suitable for most fitness levels.

Guests will start and end their journey at Plains Camp, Samara’s new off-grid eco-camp offering four luxurious walk-in tents and spectacular views. On the second day, guests embark on the ultimate slack-packing adventure, spending the night at a remote fly camp under the stars—a truly magical experience enhanced by a traditional bucket shower beneath a Jacketplum tree, and stories around the campfire told by local Khoisan guides. 

Sarah Tompkins, director of Samara Karoo Reserve, comments:  

“The Cheetah Trail is the most thrilling guest experience we've launched. It allows our visitors to not only encounter the incredible diversity of our 66 mammal species and 225 bird species on foot, but also to engage deeply with the Karoo's fascinating geology and distinct biomes.”