The Great Karoo is South Africa’s Must-Visit Destination for 2026
Improved wilderness access, new attractions and soulful tranquillity await in this luxury safari and conservation destination.
As travelers increasingly seek meaningful, restorative journeys, South Africa’s Great Karoo is emerging as one of the world’s most compelling destinations for 2026. Vast, remote and rich in natural and cultural heritage, the Great Karoo—a semi-desert located a scenic three-hour drive inland from Port Elizabeth—offers an almost spiritual sense of space.
At its heart lies Samara Karoo Reserve, a leading Big 5 luxury safari and conservation destination offering transformative wilderness experiences such as cheetah tracking on foot through 67,000 acres of ancient landscapes.
The Karoo’s desert tranquillity, vast open plains and unspoiled night skies make it the perfect destination for travelers seeking disconnection and restoration.
According to the Africa Wellness Initiative’s 2025 trends report, wellness-focused travelers are increasingly looking for deep immersion in nature, slow itineraries and meaningful experiences — all of which the Karoo offers in abundance.
At Samara, guests enjoy authentic hospitality, guided walks and immersive nature experiences such as cheetah tracking. Signature offerings such as the Samara Star Bed, where guests sleep under the vast Karoo sky in complete privacy, elevate the sense of connection to place.
Looking ahead to 2026, Samara’s 4-bedroom The Manor is welcoming families seeking exclusive wilderness living with upgraded facilities and elegant, refreshed interiors. Couples will find authentic Karoo charm coupled with homely living spaces at Karoo Lodge, a lovingly restored historic farmstead for up to 24 guests whilst Plains Camp offers a unique off-grid eco camp safari experience for up to 8 guests.
New attraction for history buffs and humanists
Those keen to learn more about the ancient and newer history of the Karoo can combine a stay at Samara with a fascinating day out in nearby Graaff-Reinet, the oldest town in the Eastern Cape. Known as the Capital of Gondwana, the town recently unveiled the Karoo Origins Fossil Centre, an immersive attraction celebrating one of the world’s most significant fossil records.
Remarkably, the region surrounding Samara and Graaff-Reinet is the only place on Earth that preserves such an extensive timeline of early reptile diversification in a single basin, tracing the distant evolutionary ancestry of mammals, in extraordinary detail.
Beyond the fossil record, Graaff-Reinet also hosts stunning colonial architecture and five remarkable museums, each offering insight into Camdeboo’s natural and human heritage, from early settler history and Victorian life to regional military stories, art and architecture. Just 15 minutes out of town lies Camdeboo National Park and the iconic Valley of Desolation, a national monument offering dramatic rock formations and and several panoramic viewpoints.
Guests can also visit community initiatives supported by Samara, such as Vuyani Safe Haven for vulnerable children or Boundless Assisted Workplace, which provides employment opportunities for adults with disabilities.
How to get there: New direct flights from Port Elizabeth to Samara
Getting to the heart of the Karoo has never been easier. Samara now offers seamless air transfers from Port Elizabeth airport through its aviation partner, Air du Cap. Guests travel aboard a pristine twin-engine aircraft accommodating up to five passengers. The swift 45-minute journey offers time-pressed travelers smooth access directly to Samara’s ancient landscapes – so that they can make the most out of their safari time.
Rates: ZAR 20,230 / ca. $1200 per person / night sharing on all-inclusive basis (luxury suite, all meals + drinks, daily game drives, bush walks and conservation activities); 2-night minimum stay. 4-night stays include flights from Cape Town / Johannesburg + road transfers to Samara
Visit samara.co.za or email reservations@samara.co.za. Follow on social media: @SamaraKaroo.
