Kariega Game Reserve


River Lodge Location Map

The 11,500 hectare Big 5 Kariega Game Reserve is situated in the malaria-free Eastern Cape, and River Lodge is located on the quiet, meandering Bushmans River.

The reserve is home to game and wildlife such as lion, elephant, leopard, rhino, hippo, giraffe, zebra, eland, wildebeest, waterbuck and a variety of antelope, as well as a myriad of bird species.  Guests can enjoy early morning and late afternoon game drives in open game viewing vehicles accompanied by experienced game rangers.

A host of other activities are offered as well as the daily game drives, including guided bush walks, fishing, and canoeing. A unique feature of a stay at River Lodge is also the option to take a 20 minute boat ride after breakfast to the nearby Kenton beach, where you can relax for an hour or so before returning to the lodge for a sumptious lunch. 

River Lodge's 10 luxuriously appointed air-conditioned suites are all decorated to a very high standard.

The Bushmans River flows beneath the deck of the main restaurant, and the outdoor dining is a magnificent experience under the abundance of stars in the African night sky.

For guests wanting a Spa treatment, you can choose from a range of treatments and therapies, and enjoy these in the comfort of your own suite.

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Show Rates in
Our standard rates for a Luxury Suite
DatesPriceBasisTypeNights
1 September 2024 to 19 December 2024 GBP 385 USD 488 ZAR 8,748 EUR 461 per person sharingContracted Rate1+ nights
20 December 2024 to 31 December 2024 GBP 416 USD 528 ZAR 9,460 EUR 499 per person sharingContracted Rate2+ nights
20 December 2024 to 10 January 2025 GBP 416 USD 528 ZAR 9,460 EUR 499 per person sharingContracted Rate2+ nights
1 January 2025 to 10 January 2025 GBP 421 USD 535 ZAR 9,589 EUR 506 per person sharingContracted Rate2+ nights
11 January 2025 to 30 April 2025 GBP 442 USD 561 ZAR 10,053 EUR 530 per person sharingContracted Rate1+ nights
1 May 2025 to 3 May 2025 GBP 305 USD 388 ZAR 6,942 EUR 366 per person sharingContracted 15% Discount - Min 3 Nights3+ nights
1 May 2025 to 3 May 2025 GBP 356 USD 453 ZAR 8,108 EUR 428 per person sharingContracted Rate1 to 2 nights
4 May 2025 to 5 May 2025 closed / not available
4 May 2025 to 5 May 2025 closed / not available
6 May 2025 to 11 May 2025 GBP 305 USD 388 ZAR 6,942 EUR 366 per person sharingContracted 15% Discount - Min 3 Nights3+ nights
6 May 2025 to 11 May 2025 GBP 356 USD 453 ZAR 8,108 EUR 428 per person sharingContracted Rate1 to 2 nights
12 May 2025 to 13 May 2025 closed / not available
12 May 2025 to 13 May 2025 closed / not available
14 May 2025 to 25 May 2025 GBP 305 USD 388 ZAR 6,942 EUR 366 per person sharingContracted 15% Discount - Min 3 Nights3+ nights
14 May 2025 to 25 May 2025 GBP 356 USD 453 ZAR 8,108 EUR 428 per person sharingContracted Rate1 to 2 nights
26 May 2025 to 28 May 2025 closed / not available
26 May 2025 to 28 May 2025 closed / not available
29 May 2025 to 31 July 2025 GBP 305 USD 388 ZAR 6,942 EUR 366 per person sharingContracted 15% Discount - Min 3 Nights3+ nights
29 May 2025 to 31 July 2025 GBP 356 USD 453 ZAR 8,108 EUR 428 per person sharingContracted Rate1 to 2 nights
1 August 2025 to 31 August 2025 GBP 356 USD 453 ZAR 8,108 EUR 428 per person sharingContracted Rate1+ nights
1 September 2025 to 19 December 2025 GBP 442 USD 561 ZAR 10,053 EUR 530 per person sharingContracted Rate1+ nights
20 December 2025 to 10 January 2026 GBP 483 USD 613 ZAR 10,978 EUR 579 per person sharingContracted Rate2+ nights

Prices are on a per person sharing basis (pps).

Special offers for longer stays or when booked as part of a longer itinerary may apply - details on request.

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Rates Include

All meals; local beverages; the Conservation and Community Levy; and 2 shared game activities per day are included.


Children Policy

Children aged 10 years and older are welcome.


Bush Walks / Walking Safaris

Children under the age of 12 years are not permitted on guided walks in the reserve. 

The final decision on whether a guest can join a guided bush walk remains with the guide and lodge manager.



Guest Rating: 4.7 / 5.0 based on 9 ratings




Start TestimonialWent here on honeymoon and couldn't have picked a better place, very luxurious and well looked after with a few extra touches. Very attentive staff and friendly. Food excellent and great choice and drink plentiful. Game drives excellent, day well filled with activities. A real highlight of our honeymoon and would recommend to anybody.End Testimonial

V HOBBS

Start TestimonialThe Kariega Game Reserve was incredible - we have never experienced anything like it. Muriel (the duty manager) was so welcoming, the food was so tasty and creative, our suite was lovely (except for the spiders!). We had the best Game Ranger - he knew exactly where to be to see all the animals on our drives, he even took us down to Kenton-on-Sea in a little boat on a really sunny day so we could enjoy the beach. We really coudln't have benn looked after better or made to feel more special! Even when we had two flat tyres on our car at the end of our stay, the Ranger took them off, ran down to a local garage and had them fixed for us within an hour... Thank you again for making the arrangements that helped make our first trip to Africa so memorable!End Testimonial

D DANBURY

Start TestimonialThank you so much for your recommendation for Kariega River Lodge. It was perfect for Mum and Dad, and just what we were looking for. Everything about it surpassed our expectations, and we cannot speak highly enough about the staff and the service they provided there. The food too was outstanding.End Testimonial

D WILKINS

Start TestimonialJust wanted to drop you a mail to say thanks for helping sort out our holiday. We got back yesterday morning. Fi and I had an amazing time, very memorable and as one South African put it to us - "SA gets under your skin" and we are already talking about when we can go back. Your recommendations were spot on in all ways and the safari at Kariega was mind blowing.End Testimonial

M LAPENSEE

Start TestimonialEverything at River Lodge was outstanding! There is nothing I can fault. The manager (Lex) and our ranger (Alan) plus all the staff were fantastic, friendly but not in your face at all, the accomodation was luxury, the food both quantity and quality was outstanding. As you can tell, I thouroughly enjoyed the whole experience and am already recommending it to others. My only niggle is that we didn't spend an extra day there just chilling out, the whole place is tastefully decorated and very relaxing. Thanks very much for recommending this lodge to me and finding us accomodation at such short notice. I'm sure to be using Travel Butlers again.End Testimonial

S LUMBARD

Start TestimonialI just wanted to drop you a note for helping me to organise my trip to the River Lodge. We had a fantastic time and the place was wonderful.  I would recommend it highly to anyone else.End Testimonial

C ONSLOW


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River Lodge Location.

Directions For Drivers

From Port Elizabeth / Garden Route: Travel along the N2 towards Grahamstown until you reach the R72 Port Alfred turnoff (approximately 50 km from Port Elizabeth). Travel along the R72 towards Kenton-on-Sea and Port Alfred, and the turnoff to River Lodge is signposted and is 15 km beyond Alexandria.

PLEASE NOTE: When following directions from a GPS navigation device PLEASE DO NOT turn onto a gravel road. Please ignore any GPS navigation suggestions to travel on a gravel road. The only gravel road that you travel on is after you have gone through the entrance gate.



General Information For Guests

All suites have en-suite bathrooms with spacious showers, air conditioning, a fan, mini bar, hair dryer, heater, tea/coffee making facilities, in-room safe, satellite/cable television and a telephone.

There is a swimming pool, bar and a library at the main lodge. A laundry service is available (additional cost). Wi-Fi is provided in the main lodge only, not in the suites.

Guests are taken out twice daily in open safari vehicles, usually in the early morning and late afternoon - times are dependent on the season and weather. During one of your morning game drives, you will enjoy a cruise down the Kariega River on the Kariega Queen and enjoy the tranquillity of nature, whilst viewing the wonderful birdlife and game along the river.

River Lodge guests also have the option of taking a daily boat cruise down the Bushmans River, through the quaint village of Kenton-on-Sea and to its picturesque beaches. This is an additional cost.

Kariega also offers guided bush walks with an experienced ranger. This provides guests with the opportunity of walking amongst more than 25 species of game and abundant birdlife. This is included in your rate.

Credit cards are accepted.

Your rate also includes a compulsory Conservation and Community Levy - this contribution will aid conservation efforts as well as the anti-poaching unit and community projects.


Bush Walks / Walking Safaris

Children under the age of 12 years are not permitted on guided walks in the reserve. 

The final decision on whether a guest can join a guided bush walk remains with the guide and lodge manager.


Popular Alternatives to River Lodge

These are the top properties booked by people who considered staying at River Lodge, but for one reason or another booked a different property. It may have been that River Lodge was not available on the nights they wanted to stay, or they decided that somewhere else was better suited to their budget or itinerary.

If you're not sure which place might be best for your own trip then either give us a call or get in touch via the website, and we'd be delighted to run through the options with you.

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