Kariega Game Reserve Main Lodge

We just finished our 3 day visit to Kariega game reserve and I have to say it was excellent. Our guide Mariska was fantastic ... so knowledgeable and capable and incredibly obliging. She made a big difference to our experience and Kariega are lucky to have her. Overall the food, chalets, staff and ALL the guides and all the different things that they laid on for us were top notch. Thanks guys Alan & Siobhan

What a fantastic experience for the whole family. 13 of us aged from 14 months to 68 years and it was an epic trip. We had two 4 bedroom lodges which were spotless and very comfortable. One lodge had its own plunge pool. The food in the main lodge was very good both at breakfast/brunch and dinner. One slight negative for us was the barbecue night. We actually felt the food on this night was not great which was disappointing as we had all been looking forward to it. The babysitter was superb and we felt completely comfortable leaving the youngest with her. She was also extremely flexible re timing to allow for dinner etc Finally our safaris were superb. Huge shout out to Margot & Dume(?). You guys made the whole experience memorable for young and old alike. Happy to recommend Kariega for a family safari. We have been home for a month now but the memories for the grandchildren will last a lifetime. Many thanks to everyone at Kariega

We’ve had the most magical trip of a lifetime at The Kariega Game Reserve. Mariska, our ranger, was so knowledgable and personable which just made our experience so memorable. The accommodation was wonderful, with a balcony looking out over the reserve. The food was plentiful and delicious. I even enjoyed the early starts!! Thanks so much to Mariska and the whole team for making our dream holiday a reality :-)

We stayed at Kariega Game Reserve Main Lodge for 3 nights 4th week in September. After a long drive we were given a top welcome by the receptionist and introduced to our guide Matthew. Matthew took us down to our one bedroom chalet which was more than adequate however we felt it was a little dated. We had lunch in the restaurant which was excellent (as was all our meals) and then Matthew picked us up for the first of our five game drives at 4.00pm. I can’t begin to find the words to explain how pleased we were with Matthew over the next two and a half days. He was absolutely amazing during our time at Kariega, his knowledge and experience resulting in a truly fantastic experience, which we will never forget. We were truly privileged to see everything we wanted to see and more. Not only did he locate the animals, we also tracked them and took loads of pictures and videos so we can relive our time at Kariega. Not only was Matthew very knowledgeable, he was a great ambassador for the “Kariega family” speaking very highly of the owners and of the Game Reserve. He was the model professional employee and hopefully he is well rewarded for his loyalty. The Kariega Game Reserve was a great way to finish our South Africa adventure holiday and we will recommend it to all our friends and family.

Hospitality is of high standard, 5 stars indeed. From the welcome upon arrival (where you meet the manager and the ranger that is assigned to you) until the goodbye moment, everything is taken care of. The staff assures that you feel true guests and surprises each time when you ask for anything. The lodges are magnificent, big, luxurous and well equipped. Kariega river lodge is small-scale, making it an even more personal experience. The reserve is vast and the rangers are knowledgable and focussed on guest satisfaction: driving to perfect spots, avoiding road bumps, treats and drinks at the stop, a boat ride even up to the sea, explanations for every interest and more. The food is good, every night a small menu to choose from, nice wines and excellent service. The food quality is what you expect in a 5 star lodge. The price of a night in Kariega River Lodge is substantial, but truly everything is included and worth every penny. Our 3 night stay (including 6 game drives/safari's) was the highlight of our trip.

Amazing place ! All was great ! . Acommodations are grate, the park is beautiful, incredible guide . Honestly I was with the young girls (2 and 5 years), and this place is amazing to enjoy with family. Each safari was very very nice, we can see lot of animals, we receive lot of intersting information about. I highly recommend the place