Imagine standing 15 metres from two male cheetahs feeding on a young oryx. Then, circling back on foot through a thicket, heart racing, to view a black rhino – notorious for their aggressive behaviour – from a safer vantage point. Or sleeping under the stars with only a mosquito net separating you from the elements, hearing lions in the distance. How about lazing in a pool with a view of the still Karoo landscape with an absence of electronics, thanks to a mostly Wi-Fi-free zone? It’s moments like these that make daily life and the constant grind fade into the background, and give one the opportunity to reflect and be reminded that we are just a speck in life’s ecosystem.
The thought of being off the grid, sleeping in a tent and walking through the bush with only an armed guide and tracker between you and what lies ahead may not appeal to all. It may even seem contradictory to the notion of luxury travel. For others, it is exactly this back-to-basics and the ability to switch off, unwind, and reset that is the luxury. And that’s exactly what you can expect at the Cheetah Trail at Samara Karoo Reserve, a place defined by its expansive landscapes of open plains and mountains, deep silence and vast, almost surreal sky.
Samara has gained worldwide recognition for its successful efforts to reintroduce various species to their natural habitat and has had particular success with the cheetah conservation programme. When they introduced cheetahs back into the region in 2004, it was the first time the cats had walked the land in 130 years. While you mayencounter all game on the trail – including the Big Five, antelope, wildebeest, giraffe, and plains zebra – at the heart of this experience lies the thrill of tracking cheetah. Thanks to the conservation programmes, the cheetahs are habituated, which means they are still wild and there is no direct human contact, but it is safe to approach them on foot with a guide, keeping a respectful distance. For this reason, Samara is widely regarded as one of the best places to view cheetah in the wild.
— Having grown up in the area, guide Christiaan Swanepoel is a wealth of knowledge and a reassuring presence when on foot
Slackpacking allows for a much closer interaction with the environment. Traversing the Karoo landscape on foot offers a slower, more intentional way to immerse yourself in the experience, allowing the natural rhythm of the land to guide the pace. While the trail is a walking journey, it doesn’t sacrifice comfort. The luxury tents at Plains Camp, where you spend nights one and three, have cosy beds, sheepskin throws, a fireplace, hot water bottles, a flushing loo, and heated bucket showers. There’s a deck with chairs and a lounger if you want to enjoy the solitude, while the communal tent where meals are served has a pool, expansive deck, and a bar and lounge area. You travel light (water and snacks are provided) and an overnight bag for the mobile fly camp is transported there ahead of time. Each day covers around 10 to 15 kilometres, making it accessible to those of moderate fitness levels, while still being physically rewarding. Walkers are led by seasoned guides and trackers who bring the landscape to life with their fascinating stories of wildlife encounters, educational sessions on the local fauna, flora, rock formations and conservation efforts, as well as entertaining anecdotes about Karoo life.
— Plains Camp, where nights one and three are spent, is glamping at its finest
In a world that is increasingly cluttered and interconnected, there is something distinctly luxurious about endless space. At Samara, this space is more than a backdrop; it becomes the experience itself. And this is why the Cheetah Trail is so rewarding… It’s not merely a hike, but rather an opportunity to tap into a new wave of luxury that prioritises self-discovery, connection, and environmental awareness. Walking across the Karoo landscape, where the earth meets an endless sky, you realise that space and solitude are the new hallmarks of a sophisticated escape.
The Samara Cheetah Trail Package includes:
- Accommodation at Plains Camp (nights one and three) and a mobile fly camp (night two)
- All meals and house wines, beers, and soft drinks
- Fully guided
- Samara branded day pack
SADC rates: From R14 995 per person for the 3-night trail.
International rates available on request.
Guests must be 16 years and older. There are no trails over peak season.
