Iain Buchanan, conservationist and founder of Mount Camdeboo Lodge talks to Secret Getaway about the visionary evolution of what a safari means, and how perhaps the sounds of Canvas Tents (no matter how luxurious) flapping in the wind, will no longer be the only way to tread lightly in areas of such singular beauty.
On a breathtaking plateau overlooking the Great Karoo, with vistas sweeping as far as the eye can see, you can be forgiven for not recognising the unexpected sight of a slow loping Giraffe or the distant grunt of a lion. Yet they were here in the not so distant past, and through Herculian efforts to reintroduce endangered species privately owned reserves such as Mount Camdeboo are making progress.
Nestled on the outskirts of Graaff-Reinet (READ: Secret Graaff Reinet, Explore the Gem of the Karoo), bordering the Eastern and Western Cape, lies Mount Camdeboo Private Game Reserve. Originally a father's dream of a quiet farm, it is now the canvas for his son's vision of sustainable and regenerative travel. A destination that offers more than a private safari experience with all the comforts of luxury hospitality: it also offers a flash of brilliance into an evolutionary prospect for safari accommodation.
The History and the Heart
Offering a more traditional luxury stay: Camdeboo Manor is picture-perfect with its 10ha of formal and wild gardens, complete with an meandering stream: idyllic for kids (and those young at heart!) to skip stones across. For adults wanting to relax between drives, there is an array of spaces in which to take a nap, read a book, or just ‘be’. Its large stoep allows shade where families can gather and relax: a perfect inter-generational travel destination. This is a lodge well-considered by the founding family, who remain very hands-on in the innovation and creation of a Karoo vision of connection to nature, each other and the importance of open spaces.
Experience a Sense of Wonder
Mount Camdeboo is one of South Africa's most unique private nature reserves, in so far as it offers an intimate Big 5 safari experience for its guests, but it is also positioned within this unique biome of the Karoo. A stay here unlocks a deep appreciation of the sheer vastness of the surrounding veld, the clarity of the night sky - free from urban noise - and most importantly the smallness of human troubles.
If you are looking for an emotional reset, the combination of these elements makes this the ideal location. Iain spent 4 months of COVID lockdown here with his family, and during that time the genesis of the Eco Cabins were born. These Pod-like structure were easy to install, move & visually became one of the most iconic elements of the reserve. It is also a new business that is gaining fast traction beyond the borders of this reserve. Upon his return to Cape Town he spent time with an architect rethinking what a safari meant: typically the canvas-style tent allowed travellers to experience the bush up close without having to break ground with hard concrete, and whilst this was the cutting edge of eco-savvy travel accommodation technology at the time, there is a new way of experiencing nature and creating small sanctuaries that are light on the ground yet still true to that pioneering spirit.
Try a Night in the Innovative Eco Pods
These initial Eco Pods at Mount Camdeboo Private Game Reserve are a unique cabin concept that can be described as a fusion of modern design and eco-friendly living, or as Iain described it when having a chat to us: "The Tiny House revolution underway overseas is something revolutionary as we rethink about what truly makes up comfort". These Cabin Pods are not just ultra stylish, but also very comfortable, and they're located in the reserve itself: positioned perfectly for each unique location. What's exciting is that more locations will be revealed in the coming months, as well as an innovative Geodome style option, rather akin to an Igloo.
The Camdeboo Eco Pods are made from sustainable materials— with the journey ahead to source mostly locally. And if you do decide to stay in one of these Pods during your time at Mount Camdeboo, there's something else worth knowing: each one has its own indoor heaters for those chilly Karoo nights, outdoor firepits, as well as wood-fired hot tub.
These Eco Pods are remotely located and situated to make the most of the vantage points on which they stand, which makes them a wonderfully romantic add-on to a stay at Mount Camdeboo's Manor, or if a real hard reset is needed from urban reality, a full week of solitude with the perks of daily game drives and prepared meals is also an option! This is the type of accommodation where you decide what you need.
READ: Plan an Affordable Safari on your Doorstep
View the Big Five in a New Context
The term "Big Five" refers to the five most dangerous animals to hunt on foot back in the day, when that was considered connecting with nature… fortunately we now know there is more to nature than just the Big 5. Whilst the lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo are all amazing to see in the unique context of the craggy Karoo backdrop, it is the diversity of life, both fauna and flora, that make this such an incredible safari. It is also the quality of the rangers who are not just stereotypical “Jeep Jockeys”, but passionate advocates for this environment, so even the most seasoned of bush enthusiasts leave having learnt something new.
The reserve spans 14,000 hectares, with more neighbouring land being incorporated in the near future and has only been open to the public since 2007. It, therefore, has all the beauty and serenity of newly discovered wilderness. It is home not only to the big five, but also to several other small game species as well as plenty of bird life such as Black Eagle, Secretary Birds and Kori Bustards, as well as a huge range of wildlife including baboons, antelopes and of course the unique Cape Mountain zebras. Whilst cheetah now roam free after some pioneering work on this front, the ultimate apex hunters: lions, are still kept separately due to the fine ecological balance needed to introduce them. Enjoy the landscape with one of their guided tours or hiking trails (or take some time out and use one of their mountain bikes). You can even visit their stargazing spot or have a go at clay pigeon shooting or archery if you’re feeling brave.
READ: Mount Camdeboo's Conservation Blog
Mount Camdeboo is a special place, a destination that will take you far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It’s an escape into nature, where you can reconnect with yourself, explore untouched landscapes and immerse yourself in the beauty of South Africa’s natural splendour. Mount Camdeboo has much to offer those looking for more than just a stop on a Garden Route road trip. It is a unique destination that offers something different every day - whether it be a guided hike through grasslands teeming with wildlife or stargazing under the African sky at night, this is a Bush Break that is a destination in and of itself.
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