The magnificent Kapama Karula Lodge is situated on the banks of the perennial Klaserie River in the Kapama Private Game Reserve in South Africa, about 48km to the west of the iconic Kruger National Park.
Karula, meaning “place of peace” in the local Shangaan language, is an apt description of what guests to this prestigious luxury Kruger safaris lodge can expect. A pinnacle of tranquillity in the heart of the African wilderness, the lodge offers superb five-star accommodation to those in search of an exclusive bush experience.
Spanning 13 000 hectares of pristine African wilderness, the Kapama Private Game Reserve is situated near Hoedspruit in the Limpopo Province of South Africa.
This pristine reserve is home to a spectacular array of wildlife species, including Africa’s Big Five – elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo and leopard. Here, more than 40 mammal species thrive in their natural habitat.
The reserve also boasts more than 350 bird species, making it a true haven for avid birders.
Experience and knowledgeable rangers and trackers accompany visitors into the heart of the African bush during daily safaris and bushwalks. With a wide variety of habitats to explore, such as savanna and riverine forests, guests can look forward to exciting and once-in-a lifetime encounters with spectacular wildlife species.
To create the best experience possible for guests, Kapama now also boasts a private aeroplane and airstrip to receive guests travelling directly from Johannesburg or Cape Town, as well as a courtesy transfer service from Eastgate Airport.
Mouthwatering cuisine at Kapama Karula comprise of Pan African dishes with distinct African flavours, all prepared by the passionate chefs. Only the freshest ingredients are sourced locally and the lodge’s vegetable garden ensures that the cuisine is……
Dishes are beautifully presented and the range will appeal to all palates. Whether it is a scrumptious breakfast, light lunch, or delectable three course dinner, cuisine at Kapama Karula will impress.
The location in which to dine is up to you. The lodge also caters for a wide variety of dietary preferences.
Kapama Karula’s 10 superior luxury villas, and two superior family villas, are all exquisitely styled to provide the discerning nature lover with spectacular accommodation in the heart of the wilderness. Subtle tones and rich textures accentuate the open spaces which mirror the natural surrounds to perfection.
These suites all offer generous private space, and boast wraparound glass sliding doors then open up onto a private deck with heated splash pool from where you can enjoy pristine views of the Klaserie River, where Africa’s wildlife come to play.
Each suite has an opulent en-suite bathroom with his and her basins, bathtub and in- and outdoor showers. A wide range of luxury amenities provide guests with a comfortable and luxurious African safari experience.
The two superior family villas each has an open-plan living room with fireplace, that flows into the master bedroom with its en-suite bathroom….
A second bedroom – ideal for children, which leads off the living room, is accessible through and inter-leading door or via its own entrance. This room also has an en-suite bathroom and is equipped with a TV and game console to keep the young ones entertained.
Each family villa has a private deck and heated splash pool where families and friends can enjoy many pleasant hours in the African wilderness.
The main lodge boasts open spaces with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open up onto the deck with is unrestricted views of the river and surrounding wilderness. Earthy tones and rich materials define the chic interiors, and magnificent chandeliers add a touch of superior luxury. Stunning bleached blonde wood and African decor fuse beautifully with the subtle lighting and open space to create an ambience of tranquillity and utter relaxation.
The inviting lounge and dining area offer tranquil spaces in which to spend pleasant hours with friends and loved-ones, whilst enjoying some liquid refreshments from the Tree-House Pub. Guest can also spend quiet time in the multi-purpose Karula Library which also boasts a range of audio-visual equipment, as well as Wi-Fi access.
The immaculate cellar offers a wide choice of vine local vintages to enjoy on the deck, or around the fireplace in winter.
The stunning spa with its huge glass windows with majestic views of the bush, offer a range of rejuvenating treatments to indulge in. Amenities such as the steam room, ice bath and the large hydro pool, offer guests blissful rejuvenation in the African wilderness.
• Lounge
• Dining area
• Restaurant
• Bar (2)
• Deck with pool
• Wine cellar
• Library
• Spa
• Gym (nearby)
• Curio shop
• 24-hour security
• Private vehicle available
• Baby-sitting service
• Credit Card
• Laundry service
• Room service (24h)
• Internet connectivity
An early morning and late-afternoon/early evening game drives are offered daily. A highly skilled ranger and tracker will accompany guests into the bush in open safari vehicles, and share their wealth of knowledge of the bush and its inhabitants in a spell-bounding manner.
As the reserve is a Big Five haven, guests can look forward to sightings of lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and even the elusive leopard. Smaller mammals such as the African wild dog and a variety of civets, as well as a wealth of bird species, also provide for stellar sightings.
The wake-up call for the morning drive will sound at dusk. Watching the bush wake up at the first rays of the sun, is a thrilling experience, as the animals are most active during this time of day. Your ranger will stop at a scenic spot en-route where you can indulge in some treats. Upon your return a scrumptious breakfast will await.
After enjoying a pleasant high tea with scrumptious delicacies, you will head out into the bush again. As the temperature cools down the animals start preparing for the onset of darkness. You can enjoy the magic of an African sunset, cocktail in hand.
Then it is time to search for nocturnal animals with the spotlight, an activity guaranteed to get the adrenalin pumping. Upon your return to camp your will have plenty of stories to share around the fire in the open-air boma while enjoying a scrumptious dinner.
For the more active and adventurous, a bushwalk offers the opportunity to experience the African wilderness up close.
Guided by an armed and experienced ranger, guests can enjoy an intimate encounter with nature and its wildlife which will involve all their senses, and leave them with a renewed appreciation of the wonders of the universe. Avid
Interesting facts such as how to track an animal by its spoor, how to tell animal tracks apart, and the messages contained in animal dung, just to name but a few, will leave participants in awe.
Bushwalks take place in the early morning before the heat sets in.
Avid birders will delight in the more than 350 species recorded on the reserve. Expect sightings of the coqui francolin, lilac-breasted roller, purple-crested turaco, secretary bird, and the southern ground hornbill, to name but a few. The field guides are experts in ornithology in their own right.
The on-site luxury Karula Spa, an opulent haven of tranquillity boasting breathtaking views of the bush, offers a wide variety of health and beauty treatments to rejuvenate and refresh body, mind and spirit.
Highly trained and experienced beauty therapists remain abreast of global treatment trends, while giving them a uniquely African twist at Kapama.
Amenities such as the steam room, ice bath and the large hydro pool, offer guests blissful rejuvenation in the African wilderness.
Those in need of working up a sweat can do so in the well-equipped gym with its state-of-the-art cardio and weight-lifting equipment.
Kapama Private Game Reserve is delighted to host world-class photographic workshops by a leading South African wildlife photographer – hands-on in the African bush. Hosted by professional wildlife photographer Albie Venter, the workshop is aimed at beginner and intermediate photographers. It also aims to bring together like-minded people who enjoy both nature and photography. During the workshop, you will learn everything from operating a camera to how to compose and spot evocative photographs. You will also be able to put your newly acquired knowledge into action, and hone your skills during private game drives through the bush.
* Workshops must be pre-booked at additional cost.
Sleeping in the open air on the reserve, elevated high above the ground under the African night sky, is a uniquely romantic experience. A raised platform is evocatively furnished with an oversized bed festooned in white linen and billowing mosquito netting. It’s completely safe, while being surrounded by only wilderness and wildlife. The experience is guaranteed to take your breath away.
The elephant interaction offered by Kapama, is a unique opportunity for guests to get extremely close to the world’s largest land animals. This activity offers visitors the chance to learn about African elephants, both wild and habituated, as they interact and feed these gentle giants.
Guests will visit an elephant sanctuary where they will enjoy close interaction with Africa’s giants, and even be able to touch them and feed them delicious treats.
The interaction allows you to observe these animals in their natural environment as they peacefully go about their daily routine. Listen to amusing anecdotes about each individual elephant, each with their own quirks and antics.
The 90-minute elephant interaction includes coffee and tea with biscuits. For some, this up-close interaction is a life-changing one, but for everyone it is a truly unforgettable encounter.
To see rare wildlife up close, take a late morning trip – after the game drive and breakfast – to the nearby Hoedspruit Centre for Endangered Species. Here cheetah, wild dog, serval, caracal and various other species are rehabilitated and can be safely viewed from close range.
An educational video is shown as part of the tour and showcases the different projects undertaken by the centre. It’s followed by a guided tour to view cheetah and other fascinating wildlife. Guests will be accompanied by a Kapama Lodge ranger.
If you want to indulge in a view from the top, why not take an early morning hot-air balloon ride?
This one is not for the faint-hearted as it offers a thrill a minute!
* Rates and info available upon request.
Kapama Karula Lodge is situated in the Kapama Private Game Reserve, about 48km to the west of the well-known Kruger National Park.
The lodge is ideally situated to receive fly-in guests at the nearby Eastgate Airport in Hoedspruit, in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The airport is only a 10-minute drive from the reserve entrance and guests can enjoy complimentary transfers in open safari vehicles, directly to the lodge.
