Settler History
Salem was founded by European settler families, in 1820, that travelled from Port Elizabeth. The name of the town has biblical origins and means ‘peace’, which it was given after the Xhosa people agreed to leave the area peacefully after negotiations during the War of Hintsa.
So, if you really want to relive the old settler times, best you turn the old cart a little west and head for Salem, and in so doing you'll turn the clock back about 150 years. There's a very English-shire cricket green, a store, a few houses, and the very church where self-appointed spiritual leader of the Salem flock, Richard Gush, opened the door and his heart to Chief Hintsa's armed men, who had been determined to show them the back door to Settler Country.
Salem is surrounded by unspoilt hills and unusual forms of flora and fauna. Many of the cottages built by the settlers still stand today. It is a great spot to break away from busy city life.
Kariega Game Reserve
Salem is home to Kariega Game Reserve, a Big 5 reserve just 10 minutes from the beautiful coastline village of Kenton-on-Sea. The reserve is part of an Eastern Cape conservation project that aims to preserve the area’s biodiversity and animals.
The reserve was originally owned by 15 individual farmers, and in 1989 one family purchased more land to expand Kariega. Some 20 years later, the Main Lodge was opened in 1999, followed by the intimate Ukhozi Lodge in 2002.
The Kariega river and Bushman’s river forms part of the reserve, and in 2004 the first elephant and lion were introduced into their new home. In 2007 an opportunity arose to purchase more land adjacent to Kariega, which turned it into a beautiful 10 000ha reserve. This land houses the luxurious Settlers Drift Lodge.
The reserve has stunning views and vistas, and they have a high number of species, including giraffes, lions, hippos, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes and leopards. There are numerous bird species as well, so visitors have a range of activities to enjoy - game-viewing, birding and safari drives. The reserve has five different ecological habitats - valley bushveld, savannah grasslands, fynbos, riverine forests and acacia woodland. It is the true definition of African landscape and the ultimate safari experience.
Kariega Game Reserve is a private, family-owned reserve that lies upon 10 000 hectares of pristine wilderness of the Eastern Cape, South Afr...