Kapama
Reserve - Central Kruger National Park - More
Kruger National Park Accommodation
|
|
|
Kapama
Game Reserve
|
Kruger
National Park
|
South
Africa
|
|
|
The northern
Drakensberg mountain range provides a majestic backdrop to the largest
private game lodge in the Greater Kruger National Park region.
Kapama
River Lodge is situated within Kapama Game Reserve, and presents the perfect
blend between luxurious safari accommodation and a generous bed capacity
of 42 bedrooms.
Although
large, it is so stylish and roomy and beautifully positioned along a dry
riverbed, that guests fall in love with it.
Lodge
The
central guest entertainment areas include a large rim-flow swimming pool
with sun umbrellas and recliners for lazy afternoons. The long L-shaped
relaxation lounge and bar under a double-volume thatch, curves around the
pool and on either side is a huge double-sided fireplace creating a wondrous
open-plan yet cosy atmosphere. |
|
|
|
The Rhino
Boma dining area with tables arranged under a low thatch in a horseshoe
curve, has a central open space where a roaring outdoor fire gives a glow
to evening meals.
Buffet-style
meals introduce African flavours with Pan African dishes using fresh local
ingredients and specialist dishes featuring venison like kudu and impala.
Location
Kapama
Game Reserve is within the Greater Kruger National Park wilderness area
just 4½ hours drive northeast of Johannesburg. A 1-hour flight is
the easiest way to transfer from Johannesburg direct to Eastgate Airport,
which is only minutes from Kapama Game Reserve. A Kapama 4x4 safari vehicle
will transfer you to and from Eastgate Airport at no extra charge. |
|
Dining
Kapama
River Lodge extends itself with three different dining venues:
Rhino
Boma is the most popular buffet dinner venue where a delicious variety
of dishes is eaten under an open-sided thatch around a crackling fire.
The
Riverbed is a romantic place to dine, with a star-studded African night
sky above you and the sand of the dry riverbed beneath you. |
|
Siyatla
Lounge is newly built and perfect for large groups, formal functions,
product launches and conferences. It has its own bar and lounge with two
huge fireplaces with chimneys extending up to the open-beam thatched roof.
Huge wizened leadwood trunks create a truly African feature inside the
hall. Concertina glass panel doors open the space completely to let the
sounds and smells of Africa in.
|
|
Dishes
are prepared with seasonal local produce and fresh herbs grown at Kapama
River Lodge.
Ethnic
dishes and accompaniments like mealie pap (African-style polenta) and chakalaka
(a hot and spicy relish) are used to give the taste of Africa, but more
familiar food is also on the menu. Safari game drives have the habit of
giving you a raging appetite so blow the diet and dig into specialist dishes
like warthog stew and kudu casserole, impala sausages and mild oxtail curries.
Fish eaters get an option on the menu and vegetarians are well catered
for with fresh African vegetables like sweet potatoes baked in their skin,
wild spinach and feta cheese, spiced zulu cabbage and steamed gem squash. |
Wine
Cellar
Kapama
River lodge has a wine cellar worth boasting about.
Three
big plate glass windows allow you to look into the perfectly humidified
environment storing more than 600 bottles of fine wine. Apart from some
French Champagne, all the wines and Cape Classique sparkling are from South
Africa’s finest Cape vineyards; Meerlust Rubicon, Veenwouden and Boschkloof
Merlot, Graham Beck Shiraz, Nitida pinotage and fine vintage Chardonnays,
Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc.
|
|
|
Lounge
African
pots, stools and artefacts grace the illuminated recessed alcoves in the
L-shaped lounges and bar of Kapama River lodge. Chairs are softly upholstered
in reds and golds and the high yellow thatch reflects a warm light back
into the beamed lounges. A wide chimney divides each lounge area, and the
dual-facing fireplaces throws light and warmth into all areas.
Wooden-framed
glass concertina doors can be pulled closed to keep it cosy or opened up
completely for views beyond the rim-flow pool into the sandy riverbed.
A special feature of Kapama River Lodge is the straw-clad plaster walls,
helping to seamlessly merge the inside with the outside.
|
Siyatla
Lounge
Kapama’s
newly completed Siyatla lounge offers guests a completely new experience
in dining. This venue can also be used for conferences for large groups.
River
Lodge Swimming Pool
Kapama
River Lodge is so named because it lies in a curve of the Kapama River,
which is usually dry but floods from time to time and can reach the steps
of the lodge swimming pool. A small permanent water source lies just beyond
Kapama River Lodge perimeter fence attracting animals like antelopes, elephant
and buffalo. Watch this truly African spectacle from the warm blue water
of the big rim flow swimming pool, or relax in the shade of an umbrella
on loungers around the pool. |
|
|
|
Kapama
Wellness Centre
The latest
addition to Kapama is the luxurious wellness centre. Exquisitely nestled
in the African bush is a piece of paradise designed to uplift your mind,
body and soul. Complete with a state of the art gym, equipped with cardio
and weight training facilities, the centre energizes and uplifts in the
healing presence of nature.
While
connecting with the call of the wild indulge in an array of uniquely designed
spa treatments. These include facial, body and beauty treatments. Two signature
treatments romantically merge the needs of couples. The Marula Rasul Steam
Treatment is a sensual experience for two. |
Merging
the wisdom of the Orient with the raw energy of Africa, this magical treatment
balances the elements of water, fire, earth and air within the body. Another
unique treatment for couples is the Kapama Pinotage Bliss; combining a
deep body massage with an aromatic bathing experience in a detoxifying
vine extract.
Stepping
from one invigorating treatment to the next, a lap pool welcomes you to
lie back and relax under a breathtaking bushveld sky. Reconnect with your
inner beauty and strength as you lose yourself in an African panoramic
vista.
|
Suites
Kapama
River Lodge features 40 spacious air-conditioned suites, with modern yet
distinctly African furnishings and log-beam ceilings under a golden thatch.
Step onto your private balcony with an iced drink from your mini bar, and
while away free time looking lazily into the bush for animals that may
pass by.
There’s
tea and coffee at your disposal too. Bathrooms are all en-suite with his
and hers basins, bath and shower, complimentary toiletries and lotions
and fluffy white towels.
|
|
|
Family
Room
The
Kapama Family Room is situated together with the Spa suites and includes
three balconies and a separate area with two beds for younger kids if guest
want their kids to be accommodated in one room. This room is in excess
of 70 m² including the balconies and is also ideal for guests who
just enjoy the comfort of a large room.
|
Spa
Suites
The
20 Spa suites, completed in November 2008, is positioned close to the Spa
on a private setting away from the rest of the lodge and all rooms have
magnificent private views into the reserve. The ebony and ivory colors
and the use of frameless glass panels in the bathroom as well as the 3
meter high doors makes it possible to fully enjoy the magnificent views
from every corner of the room. The room includes all other luxuries such
as a minibar and coffee and tea making facilities, hair dryer, minisafe
and even have a built in international plug that can accommodate most electric
power plug configurations. |
|
|
Royal
Suites
Pamper
yourself at the two Kapama River Lodge Royal Suites. These suites
are bigger in every way and have a separate lounge and extended balcony
with recliner couches. Your en-suite bathroom has bath and a dual shower
cubicle looking towards the bush. |
|
|
|
Kapama
Game Reserve is so well positioned, not too far from habitation but still
deep in the bush, enabling us to offer a truly superior range of activities.
Two game
drives per day and an optional bush walk is included in the all-inclusive
Kapama safari package. All other activities are not included and will charged
as extras.
Game
Drive (included in the tariff)
Two
daily game drives are part of the fully inclusive tariff and your skilled
ranger and tracker do their best to find the animals of Africa for you
to admire. Expect a wake up call at between 5am and 5.30am and gather
for tea or coffee and rusks before heading out at first light. If you are
lucky, the big cats will still be around after their night of hunting.
This is Big 5 country (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino and Buffalo) all
of which are possible to see during a two-day safari in Kapama Game Reserve. |
There
are also many other species to be seen, large and small, as well as fascinating
plants and colourful birds. Stop halfway through the morning game drive
for hot drinks and rusks from the Landrover snack box and return at around
9am for breakfast. During the rest of the day, you are likely to see wildlife
like nyala antelope and vervet monkeys around the lodges.
At
about 3.30pm everybody convenes for high tea, before departing with the
same ranger/tracker team for the day’s second African bush safari.
Enjoy a sundowner drink along the way (not included in the tariff), and
get out of the vehicle to stretch your legs and watch the sun go down over
the distant Drakensberg Mountains.
|
|
|
As
darkness descends it’s time to return to the safety of the Landrover and
let the tracker scan the landscape with a spotlightpicking out the glinting
eyes of nocturnal animals. Return to the lodge at around 7pm, where there
is time to freshen up before dinner.
Bush
Walks (included in the tariff)
Get
some African soil under your feet with a bush walk after breakfast. Explore
the environment with your ranger, learn about curative properties of plants
and identify animals from their footprints and dung. Large game is avoided
when on foot but animals can often be seen from a safe distance. |
Kapama
Wellness Centre
The latest
addition to Kapama is the luxurious wellness centre. Exquisitely
nestled in the African bush is a piece of paradise designed to uplift your
mind, body and soul. Complete with a state of the art gym, equipped with
cardio and weight training facilities, the centre energizes and uplifts
in the healing presence of nature.
While
connecting with the call of the wild indulge in an array of uniquely designed
spa treatments. These include facial, body and beauty treatments. Two signature
treatments romantically merge the needs of couples. The Marula Rasul Steam
Treatment is a sensual experience for two. |
|
|
Merging
the wisdom of the Orient with the raw energy of Africa, this magical treatment
balances the elements of water, fire, earth and air within the body. Another
unique treatment for couples is the Kapama Pinotage Bliss; combining a
deep body massage with an aromatic bathing experience in a detoxifying
vine extract.
Stepping
from one invigorating treatment to the next, a lap pool welcomes you to
lie back and relax under a breathtaking bushveld sky. Reconnect with your
inner beauty and strength as you lose yourself in an African panoramic
vista.
|
Hot
air balloon
The
giant candy-striped balloons lift off at first light and drift at the mercy
of the wind for about an hour. This usually means that you pass right over
Kapama Game Reserve and the skill of the balloon pilot is such that you
can skim the top of the trees and spot the wild animals below. The hot
air balloon landing can be bumpy, so hold on tight then celebrate with
a glass of bubbly. This memorable experience is highly recommended.
|
|
|
Elephant
Back Safari
This is
a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity here in Kapama Game Reserve to ride on
the back of an African elephant. Meet the herd in the early morning or
late afternoon and learn just how to get onto the back of an elephant and
move to its rhythm as they walk through the bush. Elephants need to feed
for many hours a day, so just because you are on top, this doesn’t stop
them from pulling down branches and grabbing a trunk full of grass as they
walk. They are the largest creatures in the African jungle so other animals
that you may come across will give way to you. After walking for about
an hour, the elephants will return you to the elephant boma. A video can
be made of your experience for an additional fee. |
Hoedspruit
Centre for Endangered species
This is
an ideal activity for the restless to fill up a morning after breakfast.
A guide will take your to the Hoedspruit Centre for Endangered Species
facility where cheetah and a number of other rehabilitated animals can
be viewed at close range. An educational video is shown to explain the
projects undertaken by this unique establishment. A guided tour will follow
to view the cheetah and other animals.
|
|
|
Golfing
Safari - Hans Merenski
Enjoy
a challenging game of golf at the Hans Merenski Country Club Championship
Course in Phalaborwa, or the Drakensig Golf Club in Hoedspruit. Both require
an early morning departure and a luxury air-conditioned mini safari vehicle
will do your road transfers from Kapama. Wildlife often roam around the
golf courses, making this game of golf rather unique. Return to the lodge
in time for your evening game drive. Clubs are available but prior notice
is necessary to confirm availability. |
|
|
Latest
rate available on enquiry
Top
|