南非卡列加野生动物保护区(Kariega Game Reserve)位于东开普省,距离伊丽莎白港(现更名为 Gqeberha)大约 80 分钟车程。这片土地的历史最早可以追溯到 1989 年,当时它只是由 2,000 公顷的农场改造而成,经过三十多年的扩建,现在的保护区面积已经达到 11,500 公顷,横跨五种不同的生态系统。如果你想在南非看非洲五霸(Big Five),又担心克鲁格那种复杂的防疫要求,卡列加几乎是目前最平衡的选择。
比起克鲁格国家公园,卡列加最大的优势在于它是一个完全的无疟疾区(Malaria-Free)。这对带着五岁以下小孩或是不想折腾各种疫苗的家庭来说省了不少麻烦。这里不需要提前服用昂贵的抗疟药,下飞机后直接租车或者约个接送就能直达。这里的地形非常有趣,卡列加河(Kariega River)和布希曼斯河(Bushmans River)两条河流穿行其中,这种双河景观在南非的私人保护区里不算多见。
卡列加原本是 21 个不同农民用来养牲畜的地方。1989 年开始,当地的 Rushmere 家族接手了这片土地,拆掉围栏,把被猎捕殆尽的原生物种一点点带回来。现在这里不仅能看到狮子、大象、犀牛、花豹和水牛这非洲五霸,还有超过 400 种鸟类和成群的河马。保护区内不设内部围栏,这意味着动物们是在一万多公顷的完整荒野中自由迁徙。甚至在 2021 年,保护区还成功引入了濒危的猎豹,这种对生态修复的投入让它在国际保护界名声不小。
大多数南非 Safari 只有驱车游猎(Game Drive),但卡列加因为靠近海岸线且拥有两条河流,多了一种游船游猎的方式。在布希曼斯河上乘船,你能从水面高度看岸边喝水的长颈鹿或者潜伏在草丛里的鸟类。说真的,那种在夕阳下拿着一杯杜松子酒坐在船头,看着河马就在几十米外打哈欠的画面,比单纯坐在越野车里要浪漫得多。你甚至可以尝试划独木舟或者在河边钓鱼,这些项目通常都包含在房费里。
卡列加一共设有 5 个不同档次的营地(Lodges),每个营地的受众非常明确。这种分布是为了让不同需求的游客互不干扰,保护那种荒野的静谧感。
如果你是带着孩子来,主营地(Main Lodge)是唯一首选。这里的小木屋面积很大,通常有 3 个带独立卫浴的卧室,适合一家老小。最重要的是,它是唯一允许 10 岁以下儿童参加游猎的营地。如果你追求极致的避世感,定居者漂流营地(Settlers Drift)则是天花板级别,只有 9 个豪华帐篷套房,每个套房面积都超过 100 平方米,那种隐没在丛林里的私密感确实对得起它每晚过万兰特的价格。对于想要河景的游客,河畔营地(River Lodge)是建在布希曼斯河岸边的,清晨推开窗就能看到河面上升起的薄雾。
别以为度假就是睡懒觉。在卡列加,清晨五点半你就会被敲门声叫醒。南非的清晨即便在夏季也非常凉,坐在敞篷游猎车里出发时,你会冷到需要裹着毯子怀抱热水杯。早晨的游猎通常持续 3 到 4 小时,这期间向导会通过无线电互相通气寻找狮子或花豹的踪迹。中午回营地吃饭睡觉,下午三四点再次出发。最有仪式感的是傍晚的停靠(Sundowner),导游会找一片开阔地停下车,在车头铺上布,摆出各种零食和酒水,让你在荒野的晚霞中喝上一杯。
去卡列加不需要像去欧美国家那样研究繁琐的门票,因为这里所有的私人营地都是一站式全包。你的房费里已经包含了每天两次的游猎、三餐、饮料以及各种河面活动。需要额外掏钱的基本只有水疗(Spa)、礼品店消费和给导游的小费。目前每人每天的保护费(Conservation Levy)大约在 250 兰特左右,这笔钱会直接用于反偷猎行动。
很多人觉得夏天(12 月到 2 月)去南非最好,但如果为了看动物,5 月到 9 月的旱季才是黄金期。这时候草木枯黄,动物为了喝水会聚集在固定的水源点,很容易就能看到大场景。而夏季虽然满眼绿色,但茂密的灌木丛会成为豹子最好的掩护色,找起来很费劲。另外,无论什么季节,一定要带一件挡风性能极佳的外套。即便下午气温有 25 度,清晨和入夜后的游猎车上,冷风会吹得你怀疑人生。
最方便的方式是飞到伊丽莎白港机场(PLZ/FPE),然后租车自驾。沿着 N2 高路一直开,过了格拉汉姆斯敦(Grahamstown)后转入 R343 就能到。路况很好,普通轿车就能开,不需要四驱车,因为进入保护区后你必须把车停在营地停车场,改坐保护区的专用游猎车。如果不想开车,可以提前联系营地安排机场接送,单程大约 80 分钟左右。要注意的是,保护区大门通常在下午 5 点就会关闭,如果晚于这个时间到达,必须提前跟营地打招呼,否则你可能得在门外和野生动物过夜了。
价格随季节和营地级别波动很大。主营地(Main Lodge)在淡季每人每晚大约 6000 兰特起,而顶级的 Settlers Drift 在旺季可能会涨到 16000 兰特以上。房费通常包含了所有餐食、两次游猎和大部分河上活动,但不含酒精饮料(部分高级营地除外)和每天约 250 兰特的社区保护费。
可以看到。由于卡列加面积超过 11500 公顷且生态多样,狮子、大象、水牛和犀牛的目击率非常高。花豹由于习性隐秘,比较看运气。如果你在这里住满 3 晚,在专业导游的带领下,凑齐五霸的概率通常能达到 80% 以上。
这里是无疟疾区,非常安全。主营地(Main Lodge)欢迎所有年龄段的孩子,3 岁以下免费,12 岁以下通常有 50% 的折扣。但要注意,除了主营地外,其他如 Ukhozi 和 River Lodge 通常不接待 10 岁或 11 岁以下的儿童,订房前务必确认具体营地的政策。
建议采用洋葱式穿衣法。清晨需要防风外套、毛帽甚至围巾,中午则只需短袖。颜色上尽量选择米色、灰色或绿色等中性色,避免鲜艳的红色或纯白色,以免引起动物警觉或招引昆虫。别忘了带防晒霜和望远镜,虽然营地通常会提供,但自带的用起来更顺手。
大部分营地的公共区域(如大堂和餐厅)都提供免费 Wi-Fi,但由于地处荒野,信号强度无法与城市相比。客房内的网络信号通常比较微弱或没有,这正是保护区希望游客放下手机,完全沉浸在自然环境中的设计初衷。
Simon Absolutely stunningly located lodge with breathtaking views. The staff were all incredibly friendly, welcoming, and helpful. Amber, our guide, was not only highly competent but also truly delightful—warm, knowledgeable, and passionate about what she does. We enjoyed every single moment with her, from the exciting activities to the insightful conversations. Her presence made our stay even more special. The entire experience was unforgettable, and we can’t wait to return. Thank you for making our time so perfect in every possible way!
Margaret Paul A fantastic experience! Kariega Game Reserve is truly a special place where our encounters with wildlife were often close and always breathtaking, while also highly respectful of the animals’ space and paramount care. The guides are attentive, knowledgeable, friendly, and excellent at maneuvering you through the reserve’s beautiful landscape. We saw lions, rino, zebra, elephants, hippos, giraffes, wart hogs, springbok and many other forms of wildlife. In fact, one of our group had been to Kruger and on other safaris where she didn’t see and experience time with nearly as many of the animals. This abundance of sightings was an extra thrill to her. Conservation is also a significant part of the work at Kariega, as they care for and preserve the land and its inhabitants, ensuring rich biodiversity. And when we weren’t out on drives, we enjoyed spending time at our stunning, luxury accommodations where we were completely spoiled by the comfort and views overlooking the reserve. This was a truly unforgettable 3 days, with incredible memories that we will always cherish. Highly recommend.
Vann Boy It's not a bad game viewing experience, but it's a managed safari area, not wilderness. No leopard, no cheetah, 12 lions in far apart places. The chalets are poor and poorly maintained. We complained about lights needing repair & replacement shower heads desperately in need of cleaning, but were left wanting. The grime on the walls and down the skirting was very off-putting. To find anything good about the place, I can only say the food was tasty and plentiful. I can not recommend this place.
kayleigh wade We had an amazing experience at the main cabin. We were greeted by the friendliest host, who then introduced us to our guide, Trust, who was a perfect combination of friendly, fun and informative and just all around wonderful! My 3 year old got to join us on both of our game drives and he absolutely loved it. We also were lucky to see more animals than expected. Our chalet was a clean, spacious and cozy place for us to relax and unwind. Well worth mentioning to come hungry- the buffet was plentiful and delicious. Wish we were able to spend more than one night and hope to come back in the future.
Jessica Glassock We had the most amazing time at Kariega (River Lodge) for our honeymoon! It is such a breathtaking and peaceful place. Our guide Aussie was brilliant and made the experience so special. We saw so many beautiful animals and have so many memories we will cherish. The staff were all lovely and we can't thank them enough for making our stay so magical.