Sarah & Mark Tompkins

This accommodation provider has taken action to address one or more issues (whether environmental, social or cultural) which will contribute positively to the long term viability of the destination and hence their site displays a Caring for the destination rating.

Main area of focus in Caring for the Destination:  

It focuses on the community involvement, conservation, research, training and community upliftment.

Detailed description of the Caring for the Destination Initiative: 

Samara forms an essential part of the area's heritage and as such, plays an important role within the local community. Not only are 90% of the staff from Graaff-Reinet and surrounds, but children from previously disadvantaged backgrounds are invited on a regular basis, to explore Samara. In association with the mayor of Graaff-Reinet, Daantjies Jafta, educational visits are arranged for local schools, during which time the children experience the magic of the wilderness and learn about South Africa's growing eco-tourism industry.

Samara Private Game Reserve's dream was to rehabilitate the ground and land to its former glory it was a hundred years ago. It has now become a lifelong commitment for Samara to conserve what they have achieved. The re introduction of the indigenous species to this area and the protection for the endangered species, the Cape Mountain Zebra, the Blue Crane and the Cheetah has become the legacy of Samara. There are only 34 global biodiversity hotspots recognized by Conservation International, supporting the majority of the world's biodiversity in less than 5% of the world's surface area. Samara is privileged to be at the junction of 2 of these: the Succulent Karoo Hotspot and the Maputoland-Pondoland-Albany Thicket Hotspot. This places Samara at the forefront of global conservation responsibility. In order to realize this responsibility, Samara is working closely with a number of wildlife and conservation organizations, including De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth.

Samara is pleased to be involved with numerous ongoing research projects, all of which are aimed at the continued conservation and rejuvenation of our land and animals. The projects include, Vervet Monkey Research, Spekboom project and endangered species research.