Jan
GoodWildlife: Hot summer days; wildlife is more active in the early morning and late afternoon.
Hot summer days; wildlife is more active in the early morning and late afternoon.
Kariega Main Lodge
Eastern Cape, South Africa · Private reserve
Official rating: 4 out of 5 stars, graded by Tourism Grading Council of South AfricaLodge
Mid-range · How we rate: Explore Africa level, based on the typical lowest nightly rate per person sharing: Value under A$400, Mid-range A$400 to A$899, Luxury A$900 to A$1,799, Ultra-luxury A$1,800 or more.
How we rate
Explore Africa level, based on the typical lowest nightly rate per person sharing: Value under A$400, Mid-range A$400 to A$899, Luxury A$900 to A$1,799, Ultra-luxury A$1,800 or more.
Photo: Kariega Game Reserve · Source ↗
Full board (FB)
All meals, Twice-daily game drives and 1 more
24 rooms
Main Lodge 3 Bedroom Chalet, Main Lodge 1 Bedroom Chalet
All ages welcome
Family rooms available
By air
1 hr 20 min from Port Elizabeth Airport
Wi-Fi in rooms
From about A$650
per person / night, sharing
Overview
About Kariega Main Lodge
Kariega Main Lodge brings families, couples and friends together in log chalets overlooking the Kariega River valley. Private viewing decks and separate living areas give guests space between safari outings, while the shared pool, bar and boma provide places to gather. All meals, twice-daily game drives and river cruises are included. Children of every age are welcome, with a daily programme for younger guests and babysitting at an extra cost. One-bedroom and three-bedroom chalets suit different group sizes, with air-conditioned bedrooms, en-suite bathrooms and Wi-Fi. The setting combines Eastern Cape bush with access by road.
“A practical choice for families and friends who want room to spread out, with private chalet decks, a daily children's programme and game drives included.”
Best for
FamiliesChildrenGroups
Known for
What you can expect to see
Big FiveLionElephantRhinoBuffaloHippoHyenaGiraffeZebraWildebeestBirdlife
Big Five habitat, frequent sightings of lion, elephant, rhino and buffalo, and birdwatching around two rivers shape the safari experience.
Your stay
What's included
Board: Full board (FB)
Special offer: Save 15% on stays of three or more nights arriving from 1 May to 31 July 2027. This offer cannot be combined with other specials.
Included
- All meals
- Twice-daily game drives
- River cruises
- Game drives
- Boat safaris
Not included
The compulsory Foundation levy is R250 per adult and R125 per child aged 4-12 per night in 2026, rising to R300 and R150 respectively in 2027. Children aged 0-3 pay no levy.
Optional extras (at a cost)
- Drinks
- Transfers
- Laundry
- Gratuities
Drinks, transfers, laundry, spa treatments, babysitting, shopping and telephone calls cost extra. Gratuities are separate.
Facilities
Comforts and facilities
At the property
- Swimming pool
- Children's programme
- Nanny service
- Spa
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Boma
- Curio shop
- Public WiFi
In your room
- Wi-Fi in your room
- En-suite bathroom
- Air-conditioning
- Private deck
- Tea/coffee station
- In-room WiFi
- Safe
Rooms
Where you sleep
- Main Lodge 3 Bedroom Chalet15 at the property · sleeps 6 adults · En-suite bedrooms, Air-conditioning, Living area, Private viewing deck
- Main Lodge 1 Bedroom Chaletsleeps 2 adults · En-suite bathroom, Living area, Private viewing deck, Air conditioning
Activities
Things to do
Included in your stay
Getting there
How you'll arrive
- Port Elizabeth Airport
- 1 hr 20 min transfer
- Kariega Main Lodge
- How you arrive
- By air · 1 hr 20 min from Port Elizabeth Airport
- Transfers
- Port Elizabeth Airport is an 80-minute drive away. Main Lodge arrivals use Main Reception on the R343; paid road transfers are arranged in advance.
Good to know
Before you book
- Children
- All ages welcome. Family rooms available
- Single travellers
- A single supplement applies
- Dietary needs
- Special diets catered for
- Malaria
- Malaria-free area
When to go
Best time to visit
- January: Good
- February: Good
- March: Good
- April: Good
- May: Good
- June: Dry season, best game viewing
- July: Dry season, best game viewing
- August: Dry season, best game viewing
- September: Good
- October: Good
- November: Good
- December: Good
- Dry season, best game viewing
- Good
Month-by-month notes
Feb
GoodWildlife: Hot summer days; wildlife is more active in the early morning and late afternoon.
Hot summer days; wildlife is more active in the early morning and late afternoon.
Mar
GoodWildlife: Autumn brings mild days, crisp mornings and cool evenings.
Autumn brings mild days, crisp mornings and cool evenings.
Apr
GoodWildlife: Autumn brings mild days, crisp mornings and cool evenings.
Autumn brings mild days, crisp mornings and cool evenings.
May
GoodWildlife: Autumn brings mild days, crisp mornings and cool evenings.
Autumn brings mild days, crisp mornings and cool evenings.
Jun
Dry season, best game viewingWildlife: Cold winter mornings and evenings coincide with some of the best game viewing.
Cold winter mornings and evenings coincide with some of the best game viewing.
Jul
Dry season, best game viewingWildlife: Cold winter mornings and evenings coincide with some of the best game viewing.
Cold winter mornings and evenings coincide with some of the best game viewing.
Aug
Dry season, best game viewingWildlife: Cold winter mornings and evenings coincide with some of the best game viewing.
Cold winter mornings and evenings coincide with some of the best game viewing.
Sep
GoodWildlife: Spring brings wildflowers and new growth, with cool mornings and evenings.
Spring brings wildflowers and new growth, with cool mornings and evenings.
Oct
GoodWildlife: Spring brings wildflowers and new growth, with cool mornings and evenings.
Spring brings wildflowers and new growth, with cool mornings and evenings.
Nov
GoodWildlife: Spring brings wildflowers and new growth, with cool mornings and evenings.
Spring brings wildflowers and new growth, with cool mornings and evenings.
Dec
GoodWildlife: Hot summer days; wildlife is more active in the early morning and late afternoon.
Hot summer days; wildlife is more active in the early morning and late afternoon.
How we judge each month
- Dry season, best game viewingAmong this property's strongest months for conditions, access and key experiences.
- GoodVery favourable conditions for this property and its key experiences.A generally good time to stay, with some normal seasonal compromises.
- Green seasonWorkable for specific priorities, with notable seasonal compromises.The property operates, but seasonal conditions bring substantial trade-offs.
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Details checked November 2026. Rates and availability are confirmed when you enquire.