Destination Review | Kapama Game Lodges | South Africa

This months destination review focuses on Kapama Private Game Reserve near Hoedspruit and the world renowned Kruger National Park.

Location & History

Kapama Private Game Reserve is situated in South Africa’s Limpopo Province and occupies an area of approximately 13 000ha between the northern Drakensberg mountains and the Greater Kruger National Park.

Kapama Game Reserve had its origin in 1986, when the late Johann Roode purchased his first property in Hoedspruit called Moria farm. The name Kapama originated from a small railway station across the road and it is believed that Kapama was the name of a chief of a local tribe that lived in the area of Thulumahashe.

Wildlife and Game Viewing

Kapama boasts the full compliment of Big 5 species as well as a host of general game species including Zebra, Wildebeest, Giraffe, Impala, Bushbuck and Nyala. The game drives during my brief visit (Friday evening to Sunday morning) yielded great sightings of Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, White Rhino, Saddle-Billed Storks, Tawny Eagles, Giraffe, Impala and a host of other general game species.

[nggallery id=5]

All game drives are conducted by a qualified guide and tracker combination. The Shangaan trackers in the Lowveld are some of the best in the country and our tracker, Respect, lived up to the reputation. Trackers add a fantastic element which compliments the game-drive experience with their interpretation of field sign left by animals.

Accommodation

Kapama Game Reserve has a total of four lodges, each unique in their own way, which cater for a broad spectrum of safari travelers. All accommodation is inclusive of two game drives per day, three meals, teas, coffees and high tea.

Kapama Karula

Karula lodge is the latest addition to the Kapama portfolio and is, in my personal opinion, going to become the flagship lodge of the brand. It consists of seven luxury air-conditioned tents and five large exclusive chalets (which were not yet completed at the time of our visit).

[nggallery id=1]

The lounge, dining room, bar, pool and pool deck as well as other guest entertainment areas are elegantly finished with the large open plan layout immersing you ‘in the bush’. Stone clad walkways lead you beneath the canopies of the riverine vegetation to the beautiful luxury tents.

Kapama Buffalo Camp

Kapama Buffalo camp offers a more traditional tented camp which allows guests to get an authentic safari experience without compromising on comfort.

Eight luxury canvas tents, each sleeping two, are set on wooden decks built on stilts over a steep-sided riverbank. Wooden walkways interconnect the rooms, which are all in the upper reaches of tall riverine trees. Each tented room has all the usual comforts of electricity, en-suite bathroom, safe, writing table, wardrobe, suitcase stand and tea/coffee facilities.

[nggallery id=2]

Communal areas include a thatched bar, dining room, pool terrace and boma area. Accommodating up to 16 guests, this camp offers great value for money and is ideally suited to families and couples. Be sure to keep an eye out for the African Wild Cat kittens that hang around the lodge!

Kapama Main Lodge

Main lodge is set below towering  fever trees on a small (4 000ha) portion of the Kapama reserve. The lodge consists of twenty thatched chalets. The two honeymoon suites at the water’s edge offer a few extras, but all bedrooms offer all the creature comforts and are spacious, air-conditioned.

[nggallery id=3]

The communal areas include a pool, tea deck which overlooks the dam (great for birding and a bit of fishing), library, main dining room, bar and boma. Main lodge is ideally suited to larger groups which are still seeking a certain amount of privacy.

Kapama River Lodge

River Lodge is by far the largest of the lodges at Kapama with a generous 64 rooms (128 sleeper).  Despite the hotel type size and feel, the lodge has many communal areas where people can retreat to. These include a spa, running track, kids play area, two dining areas, as well as a bar and pool. Each of the rooms at Kapama River Lodge feature a full en-suite bathroom and terrace with  views out onto the reserve.

[nggallery id=4]

The Spa area and Spa Suites are the most recent additions to River lodge and I would recommend paying that little extra for a spa-suite as these rooms are slightly larger and overall, have a far nicer feel to them than the older standard suites.A spa treatment in the new Spa area is a must. Does it get better than a relaxing massage in the bush whilst watching game at the waterhole?

River lodge is ideal for larger groups and for families who enjoy the social, hotel type vibe that this mammoth lodge offers.

Activities

Apart from the two game drives included in the rates, there are a host of optional extras which you may be interested in whilst staying at Kapama:

• Private sleepout on a platform in the reserve
• Elephant Back Safaris
• The Endangered Species Centre
• Hot air Balloon trips

Rates and Packages

Direct rates for the Kapama Lodges range from R 1 950.00 pps to R 4 500.00 pps depending on the lodge and the season.However, Moya Wa Tenga Safaris has secured preferential rates with all of the Kapama Lodges and will gladly assist you in arranging your accommodation as well providing you with road transfers from Johannesburg and OR Tambo International Airport.

If you are interested in booking accommodation or transfers for any of the Kapama Lodges, or if you would like more information or advice, please completes the following contact form and we will gladly assist you.

[easy-contact]