Electron paramagnetic resonance and magnetic susceptibility measurements were performed for two La3Ga5.5Ta0.5O14 single crystals doped with 1.96 at.% of Sm 3+ ions and 3.8 at.% of Er 3+ ions. Two magnetically inequivalent sites were found to be responsible for the electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of Sm 3+ ions. Both sites reveal a low (at least C2) symmetry with gx ∼ 0.46, gy ∼ 0.46 and gz ∼ 0.52. The symmetry of isolated erbium ions is higher than C2. From electron paramagnetic resonance and magnetic susceptibility experiments it results that the ground state of Er 3+ ions is Γ 6 or Γ 7 . Below 51 K electronic transitions within Γ 6 doublets take place. Between 51 and 60 K, Γ 6 to Γ 7 transitions dominate, while above 60 K mainly transitions within Γ 7 doublet are active.