Buffalo Camp

The Camp:

Sweeping views across a tranquil lake create a sentiment of feel-good as soon as you arrive at 5-star Kapama Lodge. Rambling natural growth at the water’s edge contrasts with tended gardens and lawns nibbled by wandering nyala antelope. Thatched viewing decks overlooking the water ensure instant relaxation here at Kapama Lodge.

Set along stone pathways among leopard orchids, aloes, and fever trees are Kapama Lodge’s twenty thatched chalets. The two honeymoon suites at the water’s edge offer a few extras, but all bedrooms have the ability to make you gasp as you walk in; fresh white bedding plump with cushions is surrounded by four great swathes of mosquito netting creating a fairy-tale four-poster effect. The rooms are spacious, air-conditioned and decorated to reflect the rich textures and colours of Africa.

When the African sun rises to full strength after a morning of Big 5 game driving, it is time to jump into the Kapama Lodge swimming pool or sit on the tea deck with an ice-cold drink. Cocktails are served here on balmy evenings, while winter evenings are best spent in the library lounge around the log fire.

A team of chefs create an array of fine food served in Kapama Lodge main dining room, or in the traditional circular outdoor boma lit by lanterns, or at a secluded bush venue under a starry African sky.

All these comforts mean nothing without the genuine smiling faces of Kapama Lodge staff. From the broadly smiling waiters to the expert rangers and trackers, it is they that make a good safari vacation into a great African holiday.

Accommodation

The décor of the twenty suites at Kapama Lodge are as eclectic as nature itself with colours and shapes mirroring the natural world; whole log door frames, twisted stem lamps, coir mats and curling metal-framed furniture. Luxurious twin or king size beds are a vision of white with crisp linens and pleats of mosquito netting falling into a four-poster effect.
Rooms offer all the amenities associated with a quality establishment; minibar, air conditioner, tea and coffee station, electronic safe, telephone, gowns, and luggage rack and 24 hour duty staff.

Dinning

Food is always a focus on an African safari and the day starts with hot drinks and homemade rusks before the early morning game drive. Your ranger normally stops during the game drive for another refreshment stop and leg stretch. On return it’s a slap up breakfast with everything you desire to eat to set you up for the day. Lunch is a buffet of starters, salad and hot dishes, usually featuring one of the speciality soups made fresh each day by the sous chef.

The chefs are not only kept busy preparing food, they are often seen in the office typing out recipes for guests who request them, like the delicious Kapama Lodge mushroom soup or banoffee pie.

A la carte evening meals include local and international dishes with specialities like tender rack of lamb or gentle curries and flavourful seasonal vegetables. Dinner is served in different locations chosen according to whim and weather; you may be in the subtly lit main dining room, eating by lantern light in the outdoor boma, or by the light of the moon and stars at a hidden location deep in the bush.

Activities

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.

Here’s a quick guide to what’s on offer, then read on for all the exciting details of each option:

  • Game Drives and Bush Walks (included on the tariff) – two game drives per day and an optional bush walk are included in the safari package price

  • Romantic Sleepout – nothing can top the experience of sleeping with your loved one on a high platform deep in the African bush, on a bed of white linen surrounded by lanterns and billowing mosquito netting. A luxurious bathroom with flush toilet is below you.

  • Hot Air Ballooning – let the wind drift you towards the Drakensberg Mountains or across the game reserve to spot game from the air

  • Elephant Back Safari – get up close and personal with an African elephant and see Kapama Game Reserve from his back 

  • Kapama Thulumahashe Children’s Home – let Africa touch your very soul with a visit to this rural children’s home where abandoned children are looked after with some help from Kapama

  • Hoedspruit Centre for Endangered Species – see rescued cheetah and other animals to be rehabilitated at close range and learn all about them at this unique conservation establishment 

  • Private Dining – celebrate a special occasion with a private bush dinner.

  • Golf at Hans Merenski Championship Course – where wildlife roam about the fairways

Game drives

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 spotlight picking out the glinting eyes of nocturnal animals. Return to the lodge at around 7pm, where there is time to freshen up before dinner.

Rates and packages: 01 December 2010 – 30 November 2011

Package Includes: – All meals, Tea & Coffees, Accommodation, 2 daily activities,return road transfer and Entrance Fees; self drive includes: All meals, Tea & Coffees, Accommodation, 2 daily activities and Entrance Fees
Excludes: – All drinks, curio purchases, Laundry and items of a personal nature.
Tourism Levy: – No Tourism levies are charged at present.

PLEASE NOTE: Children are not allowed at this camp

Package Price PP Sharing Single Supplements Single person  
Self drive: per night R2 150pp R1 075 R3 225 Book Now
1 Night Package R5 350pp R1 075 R9 625 Book Now
2 Nights Package R7 960pp R2 150 R14 040 Book Now
3 Nights Package R10 565pp R3 225 R18 710 Book Now
 Road Transfer Only: Click on the rate to book
Road transfer 1 – 3 pax 4 -7 pax 8 – 13pax
One way transfer, per vehicle (including entrance fees) R3200pv R3900pv R4200pv
One way transfer, per vehicle (including entrance fees and Panorama Route) R3900pv R4300pv R5300pv