General Information:

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 64 bedrooms. Although large, it is so stylish and roomy and beautifully positioned along a dry riverbed, that guests fall in love with it.  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.

Accommodation:

Each spacious room at Kapama River Lodge features a full en-suite bathroom and terrace with uninterrupted views into the leafy-green Big 5 game reserve. 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.

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.

Activities:

Game Drive (included in the tarrif) - 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. 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.

Bush Walks (included in the tarriff) - 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 (Opening 1 June 2008) 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.