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At the foot of the Sneeuberg mountains in South Africa's famed Great Karoo lies Mount Camdeboo Private Game Reserve, a wild yet peaceful place that's been owned by the Buchanan family since the 1990s. The property's trio of century-old Cape Dutch houses have been impeccably restored, and two luxury safari tents erected, to create a gorgeously sustainable and eco-friendly retreat. Sheltered by the mountains, this 14,000-hectare sanctuary is greener than the surrounding semi-desert, so there's a definite oasis-like atmosphere. Lose yourself in the silence of the rugged landscape, where Cape buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, mountain zebra and white rhino roam.
From $410 person/night
Graaff- Reinet, Eastern Cape, South Africa
If your pockets are deep, book a helicopter ride and soar above the reserve, soakng up the breathtaking views. The trip ends with a picnic on a high point on the Sneeuberg, with views to forever. It's a bucket-list must...
There are few places where the stars shine as bright and bold as they do in the Karoo. Spend some time admiring the clear, star-spangled skies and admire their brilliance.
Tracking cheetah in the game vehicle (with shade canopy and cupholders for your water bottles) and learning the tricks of the trade from your expert guide. The guides' knowledge is encyclopedic!
Your Karoo experience wouldn't be complete without a feast. The chefs here base their dishes on recipes introduced by the early Cape settlers, updated with a light twist, and the results are hearty and very tasty. Dinner are undeniably romantic, with fine cutlery and crisp cloths. Dine beneath a thousand stars, head to the dining room for a fireside meal, or take a table in a secluded courtyard. There's a cool pool to escape the heat, and a lovely garden.
Enter into a world long past in one of the restored Cape Dutch houses, where the settler heritage has been preserved with added modern luxuries. Woven grass carpets complement the king-sized bed and its fine linens; and the en-suite bathroom with its large bath that beckons you to take a long candlelit soak. Two private canvas tents feature a special deck with rustic outdoor furniture – settle back and enjoy sweeping views of the Milk River Valley and Sneeuberg mountains.
This tranquil oasis has a surprising variety of wildlife. The waterhole's constant stream of visitors included a mama warthog and her babies, antelope and rhino.
The plethora of activities range from guided bush walks to game drives and cheetah tracking – bring the camera for those all important pictures of the reserve's marvellous animals and birds. Hire a helicopter and spend the afternoon soaring high above the reserve and Sneeuberg range . At night, count the stars and absorb the silence, disturbed only by the calls of creatures reverberating through the foothills.
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