Kapama Private Game Reserve

Kruger and surrounds, South Africa

Suite at Southern Camp
Luxury Villa at Southern Camp
Luxury Villa at Southern Camp
Family Luxury Villa
Southern Camp
Southern Camp
Southern Camp
Buffalo Camp
Buffalo Camp
Buffalo Camp
Buffalo Camp
Buffalo Camp
Lounge at Buffalo Camp
Dining area at Buffalo Camp
Buffalo Camp
Karula Camp
Superior Villa at Karula Camp
Superior Villa at Karula Camp
Superior Family Villa at Karula
Superior Family Villa at Karula
Karula Camp
Wellness Centre
Dining at Karula Camp
Bar at Karula Camp
Suite at Southern Camp
Luxury Villa at Southern Camp
Luxury Villa at Southern Camp
Family Luxury Villa
Southern Camp
Southern Camp
Southern Camp
Buffalo Camp
Buffalo Camp
Buffalo Camp
Buffalo Camp
Buffalo Camp
Lounge at Buffalo Camp
Dining area at Buffalo Camp
Buffalo Camp
Karula Camp
Superior Villa at Karula Camp
Superior Villa at Karula Camp
Superior Family Villa at Karula
Superior Family Villa at Karula
Karula Camp
Wellness Centre
Dining at Karula Camp
Bar at Karula Camp

The hotel

Among the 'Big Five' that roam this private 16,000 hectare reserve, you'll find a collection of unique safari retreats. You could stay in a glass-wrapped pool villa at Karula; in a luxury treetop tent at intimate Buffalo Camp; or in the welcoming suites and pool villas of Southern Camp, where picture windows and private patios ensure you're never far from unfolding safari scenes. The camps' boma dining, swimming pools and Karula’s Spa and Wellness centre make Kapama the perfect African safari destination. But it's the 'Big Five' experiences that make Kapama Private Game Reserve unforgettable, with twice daily game-drives, bush walks and lantern-lit romantic sleepouts on a raised platform.

Amenities

  • Bar
  • Safari
  • Spa
  • Swimming Pool
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Laundry Service
  • Internet Access

Where is it

Situated in Hoedspruit, Limpopo, South Africa.

Hotel information

Choice of 3 bush camps and lodges. Southern Camp is situated on the southern most section of the Kapama Game Reserve and caters for families with 15 standard Suites, 7 Luxury Villas and 3 Family Luxury Villas. Each luxury-thatched suite has air-conditioning, personal bar, tea facilities, Lavazza coffee machines and safe. Suites have a private patio and good views, sleeping maximum 2 adults. Villas and Family Villas offer more space and have a private pool and outdoor shower.

All Inclusive of: 3 meals a day, tea/coffee, local alcoholic and premium beverages. Two game-drives daily.

Accessible by elevated wooden walkways, Buffalo Camp offers a traditional old African safari camp experience and has 10 tents on stilts. Each tent sleeps 2 adults and has an en-suite bathroom with standalone bath and shower.

Karula offers 10 Superior Villas and 2 Superior Family Villas, either located along the Klaserie River or hidden among the surrounding riverine bushveld. Both villas offer a private lap pool and views of Klaserie River. Superior Villas sleep maximum 2 adults and the Family Villas sleep 2 adults and 2 children.

Choice of camps and lodges, each with swimming pool, bar, boma, thatched dining room, lounge, reception and curio shop. Special bush dinners*. Karula Spa* with fitness centre, steam room and spa pool. Game-drives, bush walks. Photographic workshops*. Romantic Sleepout*.

* Denotes local charge.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (1897)
  • Very good (280)
  • Average (47)
  • Poor (15)
  • Terrible (4)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great for our family

Aug 11, 2019 Stormrod Welwyn Garden City, United Kingdom

This is relatively large & lively lodge which is what we were looking for on our first safari. That said for us it never felt crowded or noisy other than at meal times. The spa was terrific with wonderful staff. The food, on the whole, was great (special thanks to the lovely Gloria who organised a special Springbok carpaccio for one of our… Read more
This is relatively large & lively lodge which is what we were looking for on our first safari. That said for us it never felt crowded or noisy other than at meal times. The spa was terrific with wonderful staff. The food, on the whole, was great (special thanks to the lovely Gloria who organised a special Springbok carpaccio for one of our party on our last night). I cannot comment on the lunch as after breakfast and with the prospect of cake at 3.30 lunch was just a meal too far. Our ranger Heinrich and tracker Michael were great and took super care of us, especially our daughter who had difficulty getting in and out of the land cruiser. Our drives were exciting and varied in their own right but the variety of animals they managed to find was fabulous - the last morning with so many elephants and then a leopard walking out of the trees was really special. Thanks! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Ms Dinky Proos

Aug 11, 2019 DinkyP3

Fantastic time we had. We were spoilt by each of the staff, Erasmus the chef, and the excellent , Tintswalo with her soft friendly personality and always ready to fulfill our waitressing needs. The ranger and tracker, Michael and Dumisani, were the best ever, teaching us all they knew about the ins and outs of the wild animals. We are much wiser… Read more
Fantastic time we had. We were spoilt by each of the staff, Erasmus the chef, and the excellent , Tintswalo with her soft friendly personality and always ready to fulfill our waitressing needs. The ranger and tracker, Michael and Dumisani, were the best ever, teaching us all they knew about the ins and outs of the wild animals. We are much wiser about the habits of the wild animals now. Elaine and Cosmo is the perfect hosts and made us feel so special at the welcome on the arrival. The welcome note and champagne in our room topped it! Marcia and Spiwhe made us relax for an hour at the spa. Thanks also to many others behind the scenes. They worked together as a fantastic team. The people, facilities and food were all tip top. Thanks Mandy (manager) for making sure everything runs smoothly even in your leave of absence. It was a great time and we are reliving it on paging through our videos and pics. Thank you!! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Outstanding!

Aug 11, 2019 BermudaIsles Smith's Parish, Bermuda

Myself, husband and 14 year old daughter stayed at the Kapama Riverlodge for three nights in a Family/Spa suite. The safari drives, accommodation and food were all outstanding. We were very lucky to have John as our guide and Fani as our tracker, as we saw the Big 5 on multiple occasions as well as a hyena pack close to their den after the sun… Read more
Myself, husband and 14 year old daughter stayed at the Kapama Riverlodge for three nights in a Family/Spa suite. The safari drives, accommodation and food were all outstanding. We were very lucky to have John as our guide and Fani as our tracker, as we saw the Big 5 on multiple occasions as well as a hyena pack close to their den after the sun went down. John just seemed to know where to go (in the vast 15,000 hectares reserve) and the right time to hit those spots as we had amazing encounters with a herd of elephant, (including a couple of babies) as well as a pride of lion who came within a few feet of our jeep (but we're not threatening at all). How Fani spotted the leopard laying behind the scrub was just incredible. I certainly recommend this place for the wildlife experiences, even from our room we saw giraffe, elephant (also just outside of the Boma dining area), bushbusk, nyla and impala but then you will see so much more on your drives too. You go out in open jeeps which the driver/guide deftly manoeuvres into close viewing positions. Blankets are provided for the cool start and return of your game drives, and even a hot water bottle. During the drive a sun downer stop includes beverages and snacks and the African sunsets just make this trip even more special! The food was delicious and service very good. There is wonderful spa and the setting incredible, my daughter saw giraffe as she was having a mani-pedi! The Kapama Game Reserve has several types of accommodation, the River Lodge is the largest, with 60 rooms, so not as intimate, or expensive, as the others. But we never felt "cattle herded" and indeed on most of our drives we seldom saw other jeeps. Certainly recommend! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Greed

Aug 11, 2019 darrenz2013

I can understand why first time visitors might have rated this place highly, however for those who have visited other lodges know that this experience, is one of a convention center and train station in the bush. Instead of secluded stand alone rooms, you are put in a hotel, with no sound proofing. You constantly feel crowded with hoards of people… Read more
I can understand why first time visitors might have rated this place highly, however for those who have visited other lodges know that this experience, is one of a convention center and train station in the bush. Instead of secluded stand alone rooms, you are put in a hotel, with no sound proofing. You constantly feel crowded with hoards of people everywhere! The restaurant is huge and serves only buffets in order to cater for the massive amounts of people! It’s Disney land in the bush! You would think with the amount of people they have stuffed in here they could at least not charge you for the drinks on the game drives!!! No other lodge charges. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating This is not a lodge it is a hotel

Aug 9, 2019 happyhellonndhdjbsjj

Was so disappointed, compared to other lodges I have been to. This is NOT a lodge but a hotel of 60 rooms built on top of one another. You can hear the person cough in the room next to yours! Don’t be fooled. Great reception area and that’s it