As the seasons change and we look towards the winter months, the team at Samara Private Game Reserve, nestled within the Eastern Cape of South Africa, start to anticipate change. The sun, creeping across the Great Karoo, wakes us that much later, but that in turn means an earlier sunset - and a chance to stargaze during a boma dinner, or while enjoying a ''stoep sit'' on one of the comfy chairs dotted around the Karoo Lodge''s wrap-around veranda. The tea and coffee station before an early morning game drive becomes an even more valued asset as guests gather around in anticipation of their upcoming adventure, and if lead guide Tendai''s sightings are anything to go by, there''s plenty to see -
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Ranger Diary May 2nd 2014
Walking with Sibella - We have been tracking Sibella and her Cubs at the top of Kondoa mountain for the past week. She is enjoying the open grassland and she has been seen hunting wildebeest and kudu. Chilli and Pepper killed two baby wildebeest, marking the beginning of their independence.
Birdlife - Raptors sightings in general have been very good. Verreaux''s Eagles, African Harrier-Hawk, Amur [Eastern Red Footed Falcon] have been sighted at the top of Kondoa mountain. I spotted endemic Layards and Tit-Babbler around Springbok Pan.
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Bat-eared Fox and Black Rhino were the stars of the week, Bat-eared Fox were sighted at every morning game drive along the Jucket Plum Drive.
General Game have been good too, with a lot of giraffes, eland, gemsbok and White Rhinos. At Night Game drives porcupine and aardvark were spotted.
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Water levels are rising in the Karoo from local rain.The Milk River was flooded yesterday afternoon.
Samara specials
To book your Winter Wonderland holiday at Samara, call us on +27 (0) 23 626 6113 or visit www.samara.co.za
FAMILY SPECIAL - KIDS STAY FREE*. Valid 27 June to 31 July 2014
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Children up to their 14th birthday, sharing with 2 full paying adults, will stay absolutely free.
- Become a mini-master tracker - go out in the wild and receive your Tracking Certificate
- Your kid''s pack will contain a lovely surprise from Vuyani Safe Haven
- Become a Conservation Kid - plant a Spekboom and receive your Conservation Certificate and learn all about this amazing plant.
RED WINE & MOHAIR*. Valid 1-31 August 2014
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Snuggle up in front of a roaring fire with a bottle of wine and a mohair gift from us.
- A bottle of premium red wine for HIM
- A Mohair gift for HER
Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability
Connect with samara online:
- Samara on our webpage http://www.portfoliocollection.com/go/Samara-Private-Game-Reserve
- www.samara.co.za
- Facebook/samarareserve
- Twitter @samarakaroo
- Instagram samara_karoo