Spanning 15 000 hectares of pristine South African bushveld and riverine forests, Kapama Private Game Reserve offers the perfect sanctuary for a wide variety of wildlife. Here, over 40 different species of mammals including the Big 5 – elephant, lion, leopard, African buffalo and rhinoceros – as well as 350 bird species, thrive in their natural habitat.
Kapama is ideally situated for that perfect luxury safari experience as it is a mere 10 minutes away from the town of Hoedspruit and one of its entrance gates is just across the road from Eastgate Airport where complimentary transfers welcome guests and deliver them to any of the four luxury game lodges within the game reserve.
On arrival at OR Tambo Airport – Johannesburg, you will be met and assisted in boarding your scheduled domestic flight to Eastgate Airport (Hoedspruit Airport). On arrival, you will be met by the lodge’s team and transferred to Kapama River Lodge, your home for the following 4 days.
The largest of the Kapama Private Game Reserve camps, River Lodge’s wide, open spaces and airy design are a constant reminder that you’re sleeping under the African sky. The lodge air-conditioned deluxe suites have uninterrupted views over the Big Five game reserve from any area of the room or private patio.
After a refreshing welcome drink followed by the check-in procedure – depending on the arrival time, seat for lunch after which freshen up and relax.
Around 15h30, gather for a decadent high tea during which you will be introduced to your Ranger. After your briefing, Board on the lodge 4 x 4 Open Landcruiser before setting off on your first safari drive in the game reserve. The absence of windows and the elevated vantage position allow for excellent photographic opportunities. You will have an amazing chance not only to view the game but also to listen to and smell the African bush and its denizens.
While on Game Drive, you will stop for Sundowners at a magnificent location and toast the splendour of Africa as you watch the sunset. As darkness falls, nocturnal animals of the bush get excited as they celebrate their “dawn” and come out. Your skilled tracker will scan the landscape using a spotlight, which illuminates animals’ eyes. A variety of completely different species can be seen on the night drive back to the lodge. Arrival at the lodge is usually around 7 pm, allowing time to freshen up before enjoying dinner. This is the time to discuss the afternoon safari highlights and plan the next morning game drive with your ranger
Room Type: Standard Courtyard Suite
Meal Basis: Full Board (all meals); drinks (selected local brands, house wine, beer & soft drinks); Two daily safari activities; Bushwalks; return road transfer from/to Eastgate (Hoedspruit) Airport.
Wake up call between 5 am and 5h30am, enjoy tea or coffee and rusks before setting off on a morning game drive. Departure time for Game Drives varies according to the seasons: during summer we depart very early before the sun rises hoping to catch up with some lions or leopards on their way from a hunting night.
Back at the lodge, enjoy breakfast. Guests are welcome to join the morning guided bush walk after breakfast. Skilled rangers will not only show you wildlife but also share traditional knowledge about tracking, medicinal plants and birdlife.
The rest of the day is spent at leisure, relaxing in your room or by the pool or pampering yourself at the superb Wellness Centre, a major drawcard for River Lodge – it’s arguably the best value for money safari spa experience on offer in the country!
Lunch is served between 13h00 – 14h00.
Around 15h30 gather for a decadent high tea, made of muffins, cakes, crunchy biscuits, fruits, tea or coffee before departing for the afternoon game drive which is a “replica” of yesterday afternoon’s sunset game drive.
Back at the lodge and there is enough time to freshen up before seating for dinner and time to share tales and make new friends.
Room Type: Standard Courtyard Suite
Meal Basis: Full Board (all meals); drinks (selected local brands, house wine, beer & soft drinks); Two daily safari activities; Bushwalks; return road transfer from/to Eastgate (Hoedspruit) Airport.
You are by now used to the bush routine of early wake-up followed by tea or coffee together with muffins, fruits, and juice … before embarking on your last game drive at Kapama Private game reserve.
Today, your African bush experience comes to an end with this final early morning game drive after which you will enjoy breakfast. Later guests will complete the check-out procedures and then it is time to bid farewell to staff at the lodge before being transferred back to Hoedspruit Airport for your flight back to Johannesburg for onward private arrangements.
