Shortly after the accolade of being recognised in the top 15 Resorts in South Africa in the Condé Nast Traveler’s 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards, Samara Karoo Reserve, near Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape’s Great Karoo region, has received another award.
Isabelle Tompkins of Samara announced that Samara was awarded the 2023 FGASA Frontier Award for exceptional progress in the level of guiding in the region, and for making exceptional contributions to the guiding and tracking community.
“We are very proud of our guiding team for excelling at the recent The Field Guides Association of Southern Africa Eastern Cape awards. The awards celebrate the role players that shape every guest’s safari experience with their skills, passion and commitment to continued learning”, she said.
The team also received individual Honouris Aloe awards for their career dedication and contributions to guiding.
- Ewert Hauptfleisch was awarded silver
- Marnus Ochse received an honourable mention
- Dumisani Nleya was awarded bronze
- Mzi Dlakavu was awarded bronze
- Christiaan Swanepoel was awarded bronze as well as an honourable mention for the Addo Award
- Roelof Wiesner was awarded bronze
“What a tremendous pleasure to be awarded the FGASA Frontier Award for 2023”, said Roelof Wiesner, Samara’s head guide.
“The Frontier Award is awarded annually to the institution that has demonstrated the greatest level of improvement in its level of guiding, as well as having delivered an incredible contribution to the region. And this incredible achievement that highlights the hard work and dedication shown by our talented guiding team to not only better themselves, but ultimately to ensure an unforgettable top class guiding experience for all guests that visit Samara”.
Samara Karoo Reserve, born in 1997 of an ambitious vision to rewild 67,000 acres of former farmland is now one of South Africa’s most diverse safari destinations. Its responsible tourism model focuses on slow and meaningful safari encounters that inspire a deep connection with the wild spaces of the Great Karoo. Three intimate luxury lodges welcome discerning nature-lovers for exceptional wilderness and wildlife experiences in one of the lowest guest-to-land ratios in Africa.
Samara is on a journey to regenerate South Africa’s semi-arid Great Karoo region through rewilding and responsible tourism. As a member of The Long Run, Samara strives to achieve a holistic balance of the “4Cs”: Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce. Staying at one of Samara’s lodges acts as a direct contribution to this vision.
Samara Karoo Reserve
Reservations: 049 940 1111
Lodge: 049 940 0059
reservations@samara.co.za
www.samara.co.za
Holding the elephant picture: Top row (l-r) Marnus Ochse (General Manager), Mzimasi Dlakavu (Guide), Elroy Pietersen (Tracker), Christiaan Swanepoel (Guide), Roelof Wiesner (Head Guide), Dumisani Nleya (Guide); Bottom row (l-r) Henrico Thys (Tracker), Kevin Simon (Tracker), Handrew Billett (Tracker)
Left to right: Mzimasi Dlakavu (Guide), Dumisani Nleya (Guide), Marnus Ochse (General Manager), Christiaan Swanepoel (Guide), Roelof Wiesner (Head Guide)
