Mount Camdeboo Private Game Reserve

Mount Camdeboo is an ideal family destination in a malaria-free setting and children of all ages are welcome. Please note:

• The full adult rate applies for children 12 years or older. 
• Children under the age of five are not permitted to go on game drives. 
• Families can explore the Melk River Meander, the large fenced area surrounding the lodges, to stretch little legs and spot birds, insects and the region’s flora. 
• Extra beds can be accommodated in certain rooms at Camdeboo and Courtyard Manor.
• Hillside Manor cannot accommodate any extra beds.  Some rooms can accommodate up to two beds. Please enquire about availability.
• Persons must be 18 years or older to stay at the Pods.

To ensure that you have a comfortable and memorable safari experience, we recommend that you include the following items when packing:
 

• Light-weight clothing
• Swimwear
• Warm clothing, including items such as a jacket, scarf and beanie
• Waterproof jacket
• Hat
• Sunblock
• Sunglasses
• Insect repellent
• Small flashlight
• Binoculars
• Camera

 
Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you need further information.
 

The Karoo has a rich heritage when it comes to flavourful, traditional cooking. The talented chefs at Mount Camdeboo have been inspired by recipes that date back to a bygone era. Recipes have been reinvented with a light contemporary touch.

These wholesome meals are seasoned with herbs grown on the reserve — their roots deep in ancient soils — while the balance of delicious ingredients is brought in fresh from neighbouring farms and suppliers.

Just like the menu, the evening dining venues are varied. One night, you might dine under the twinkling Karoo stars (an essential part of the African experience), complete with full-course silverware and a dedicated chef cooking right before you. Another night may present you with a dining experience in a secluded courtyard or alongside a roaring dining-room fire. This element of surprise creates a highly enjoyable way of absorbing the splendour and diversity that Mount Camdeboo has to offer.

A number of dietary requirements are catered for, including halaal, kosher, vegetarian and vegan.

Mount Camdeboo falls within a malaria-free area. It is, however, recommended that you contact your local travel clinic for advice on the necessary precautionary measures for visits to the region.

We recommend that you contact your local travel clinic for advice on the necessary precautionary measures that you should take for visits to this region.

The Great Karoo is considered a semi-desert region that stretches into the Western, Eastern and Northern Cape provinces of South Africa. The climate results in a very particular landscape, dotted with xerophytic vegetation. The topography on Mount Camdeboo is however quite different, boasting lush valleys, due to its location at the foot of the Sneeuberg.

The broader region is home to vast plains and picturesque mountains and is well-known for its game-viewing and bird-watching opportunities. If you’re into outdoor activities, the Great Karoo won’t leave you disappointed as there are plenty of options available, like horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking or canoeing, to name a few.

Directions

Mount Camdeboo Private Game Reserve lies just to the east of the town of Graaff-Reinet, approximately 60 km away, in the heart of the malaria-free Great Karoo region.

Daily scheduled flights arrive at Port Elizabeth International Airport from Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. From there, a road transfer can be arranged to Mount Camdeboo in a private, air-conditioned vehicle. The duration of the drive is three hours (distance 280 km).

If you’d like to self-drive, the reserve is an easy 268 km drive from Gqeberha. Self-drive directions are available on request. Enquiries regarding pre-arranged helicopter charters can be done through Reservations.

Arid air and cloudless skies are typical of this area, as are great heat and frosts. Daytime is typically warm, while nighttime and early mornings can become cool, even in summer months.

Summer: 

• October–April / May 
• Hot with occasional thundershowers
• Average daytime temperature: 30°C  

Winter: 

• April / May–September
• Cold and sometimes snows on the mountains
• Average daytime temperature: 15°C

Mount Camdeboo Private Game Reserve is approximately a 3-hour drive (268 km) from Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), Eastern Cape.

Yes, guided historical tours exploring Graaff-Reinet, South Africa’s fourth-oldest town, can be booked directly from Mount Camdeboo.

Mount Camdeboo hosts over 250 bird species, including the iconic Verreaux's Eagle, ostriches, secretary birds, and numerous endemic Karoo species.

Yes, Mount Camdeboo is renowned for stargazing, offering guided night-sky experiences in the clear skies of the Great Karoo.

Mount Camdeboo is accessible by regular vehicles. A 4x4 is not necessary, though higher-clearance vehicles are recommended after heavy rains.