Mount Camdeboo Celebrates Two 2026 Haute Grandeur Global Awards
Posted on: 10 July 2026 Written by: Newmark Hotels & Reserves
Awards judged by guests often carry greater significance than those decided by industry panels. The 2026 Haute Grandeur Global Awards determine winners entirely through verified guest ratings, making Mount Camdeboo Private Game Reserve's double win a direct reflection of the guest experience.
Newmark Hotels & Reserves, which manages Mount Camdeboo, now holds two 2026 Haute Grandeur Global Awards: Best Safari Experience in Africa and Best Eco-Friendly Stay in South Africa.
What These Awards Mean
The Haute Grandeur Global Awards recognise hospitality excellence across more than 65 countries. Winning a continental category like Best Safari Experience in Africa means Mount Camdeboo ranked above all competing properties across the continent in that segment, based on guest submissions alone.
Best Eco-Friendly Stay in South Africa is a country-level category, and it carries specific weight for a reserve that has built its conservation record over decades:
- The reserve spans 14,000 hectares of malaria-free Great Karoo terrain at the foot of the Sneeuberg mountain range
- Two eco-pods on the Camdeboo Plains minimise environmental impact while offering premium amenities, including wood-fired hot tubs and uninterrupted views of the Karoo night sky.
- Mount Camdeboo achieved a world first in cheetah conservation by successfully rewilding UK-born cheetahs Nairo and Saba. Nairo later bred on the reserve, fathering four cubs.
- The reserve's elephant herd grew to nine animals by 2022 through an active rehabilitation programme
- Lions, introduced in 2019, have established themselves on the 14,000-hectare terrain
What the Safari Experience Award Reflects
Accommodation Across Four Historic Manors
Mount Camdeboo's accommodation sits across four restored Cape Dutch farmhouses: Camdeboo Manor, Courtyard Manor, Hillside Manor, and Peppertree Cottage. Hillside Manor occupies an elevated position on the Sneeuberg slopes, where its unwalled design allows wildlife to move freely through the landscape. With fewer vehicles and vast open landscapes, game drives feel unhurried, allowing guests to observe wildlife in a quieter, more immersive setting.
Dining Tied to the Landscape
The culinary programme at Mount Camdeboo moves guests through settings rather than keeping them in a single dining room: riverside lunches, deck breakfasts after morning drives, and three-course dinners in the manor. The executive chef accommodates vegetarian, vegan, halal and kosher dietary requirements with advance notice.
Together, these experiences reflect the thoughtful hospitality and genuine sense of place that guests continue to recognise and celebrate.
Plan a Stay at an Award-Winning Karoo Reserve
Discover why Mount Camdeboo was recognised as Africa's Best Safari Experience. Explore award-winning accommodation, remarkable conservation initiatives and unforgettable safari experiences with Newmark Hotels & Reserves.
FAQs
Q: What did Mount Camdeboo win at the 2026 Haute Grandeur Global Awards?
A: Mount Camdeboo Private Game Reserve won Best Safari Experience in Africa and Best Eco-Friendly Stay in South Africa at the 2026 Haute Grandeur Global Awards. Both awards are determined by verified guest feedback, not panel votes or public ballots.
Q: How does the Haute Grandeur Global Awards process work?
A: Haute Grandeur determines winners through guest feedback rather than votes from the general public or a judging panel. Properties are rated based on firsthand guest experiences across categories covering hotels, lodges, spas, and restaurants in over 65 countries.
Q: What eco-friendly features does Mount Camdeboo have?
A: Mount Camdeboo has two eco-pods on the Camdeboo Plains, designed to minimise environmental impact while providing full guest amenities. The reserve also runs active conservation programmes, including cheetah rewilding, elephant rehabilitation, and lion reintroduction across its 14,000-hectare terrain.
Q: Is Mount Camdeboo a Big Five reserve?
A: Yes, Mount Camdeboo is a Big Five reserve in the malaria-free Great Karoo, Eastern Cape. The reserve is home to elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and buffalo, as well as cheetahs, through an active rewilding programme.
