Kapama Private Game Reserve

Kapama boasts accommodation of various types, but the overall size of the reserve and the road running through it mean you inevitably "hit" the fence. There's a bit of a "Jurassic Park" feel to all of it, and the rangers tend to be very young, lacking a bit of experience.

Imagine Jurassic Park only with modern African fauna and flora and you're at Kapama.

First let me tell you that the staff at Kapama couldn't be friendlier or more attentive to a guests needs. I tell you this first because wherever you are, an unfriendly staff can ruin your visit. In addition to the regular staff, the guides were extremely knowledgeable wildlife experts who were clearly deeply interested in enjoying the bush and in enjoying parlaying their knowledge of the bush to their guests.

Now, as regards the wildlife, the experience at Kapama was something we can all only hope that future generations will be able to enjoy as much as I did. This is no zoo. You will find yourself very often so "up close and personal" with lions, elephants, etc. as to cause you to wonder how safe you really are, but don't worry, you are. These people know their business and the way the wildlife will react to your proximity. You will feel fear at times regardless, and that will definitely be part of the story you will tell when you get home.

The only problem with the accommodations was that I got so comfortable that when my four day stay ended, I didn't want to leave. My room was quite luxurious and one morning I got to share my back porch with a Kudu buck. Scared THE HELL out of me AND it when I walked out on to the porch with my coffee. It's another story I tell often.

For the skittish eaters among you, don't worry. Meals at Kapama are much like eating in a better New York City restaurant, only with friendlier service and often served outdoors.

The scenery is spectacular. You are in the African Bush. In the words of Simon and Garfunkel, you are "under African skies". We lucked out with the weather too. We never saw a drop of rain and the mildly hot days turned into downright chilly evenings.

I could easily spend a week or more at Kapama, not necessarily doing day and night game drives every day but just relaxing by the pool, sipping wine and chilling out.

By the way, be SURE to do the elephant back "safari" offered as a side excursion. This was yet another experience at Kapama that I tell people about regularly.

Pure luxury in the bush and great conservation work are being done at Kapama. The day tour to see the cheetahs are excellent with very knowledgeable guides. Stunning accommodation options.

Large variety of birds and animals, pretty scenery, high level of hospitality.

We saw an amazing variety of wildlife in just a few days, led by an excellent guide who consistently gave clear explanations of what was happening.

An amazing Safari Experience

It was our first trip to South Africa and we were really excited about our Safari Experience. Our trip was arranged through Go2Africa and I have to say Kapama Southern Camp gave us the most amazing experience. We stayed there for four (4) days and by the last day we did not want to leave.

The chalets and the surrounding areas are truly amazing! You will have animals roaming around the camp and you can even see Kudus or monkeys outside your room. The camp is so peaceful that between games you can spend some time by the pool reading a book. Food is great! You will have plenty of options to chose from during breakfast, lunch and dinner and even during the snacks.

I guess we were really blessed since the beginning of our trip! The day we arrived we did not made the usual check in process because we were rush to the restaurant so we can see a herd of elephants (fist of the big five’s) playing at a sort of lake located at the back of the camp.

Our Ranger Aneen was very knowledgeable; she knew every flower, bird, and animal and their “story” and she even draw a story for us in front mirror of the truck. Our Tracker Muxe, was spectacular. He was so respectful, attentive and sweet that we did not want to leave him by the end of our trip. The combination of the knowledge of Aneen and Muxe was impressive.

This is not a Zoo, is a real “bush” or “safari” experience. You will find yourself very close with all the animals. For example we saw an old male lion and he decided to stand mere two feet from our truck looking in my direction, I was scare, but at the same time I felt safe because I knew Muxe was there. Now, that is one of the great stories and pictures I can share with friends and family.

We saw lots of giraffe (my favorite!), Impalas, Warthogs, Kudu, Elephants, Rhinos, Buffalos, a Pack of Male Lions, a Cheetah, an Old male Lion and his lioness eating a warthog, among other animals. We also interacted with another Ranger, Janri, because he was the one who transfer us to the Endanger Species location and to the Spa. He was sooooo nice! In our way to the Endanger Species location we saw a male lion with two lionesses, a herd of elephants, two rhinos and buffaloes and all of them really close, no binocular needed. Definitely, we will be going back to some of Kapama Camps in the future.

Recommendations: If you are not that young, ask for a room not too far away from the reception area. Take with you a bathing suit, you will have time to chill out. Visit the Endangers Species Project. Use comfy pants and clothes and take with you a hat and sunglasses.

An unbeatable experience! No enough words to describe it!

It was our first trip to South Africa and we were really excited about our Safari Experience. Our trip was arranged through Go2Africa and I have to say Kapama Southern Camp gave us the most amazing experience. We stayed there for four (4) days and by the last day we did not want to leave. We saw all Big 5s, it was great!

The chalets and the surrounding areas are truly amazing! You will have animals roaming around the camp and you can even see Kudus or monkeys outside your room. The camp is so peaceful that between games you can spend some time by the pool reading a book. Food is great! You will have plenty of options to chose from during breakfast, lunch and dinner and even during the snacks.

I guess we were really blessed since the beginning of our trip! The day we arrived we did not made the usual check in process because we were rush to the restaurant so we can see a herd of elephants (fist of the big five’s) playing at a sort of lake located at the back of the camp.

Our Ranger Aneen was very knowledgeable; she knew every flower, bird, and animal and their “story” and she even draw a story for us in front mirror of the truck. Our Tracker Muxe, was spectacular. He was so respectful, attentive and sweet that we did not want to leave him by the end of our trip. The combination of the knowledge of Aneen and Muxe was impressive.

This is not a Zoo, is a real “bush” or “safari” experience. You will find yourself very close with all the animals. For example we saw an old male lion and he decided to stand mere two feet from our truck looking in my direction, I was scare, but at the same time I felt safe because I knew Muxe was there. Now, that is one of the great stories and pictures I can share with friends and family.

We saw lots of giraffe (my favorite!), Impalas, Warthogs, Kudu, Elephants, Rhinos, Buffalos, a Pack of Male Lions, a Cheetah, an Old male Lion and his lioness eating a warthog, among other animals. We also interacted with another Ranger, Janri, because he was the one who transfer us to the Endanger Species location and to the Spa. He was sooooo nice! In our way to the Endanger Species location we saw a male lion with two lionesses, a herd of elephants, two rhinos and buffaloes and all of them really close, no binocular needed. Definitely, we will be going back to some of Kapama Camps in the future.

Recommendations: If you are not that young, ask for a room not too far away from the reception area. Take with you a bathing suit, you will have time to chill out. Visit the Endangers Species Project. Use comfy pants and clothes and take with you a hat and sunglasses.

The most amazing experience of my life

Everything was perfect. The weather was wonderful, the accommodations excellent, the staff so accommodating and friendly. The tracker and driver were relaxed, friendly and incredibly knowledgeable leading us to see animals I'd never even realized were out there as well as all the big ones. The pool and spa were great, can't say enough good things about the experience

A fabulous first safari experience at Kapama

The park is beautiful with a wide diversity of landscapes and animals. We saw a leopard and her cub before we even checked in at the lodge. Although at first captivated by the lions, the elephants quickly became my favorites and watching their behavior was endlessly entertaining. We saw all the Big Five over and over but never got tired of spotting something new. The Lodge itself was beautiful and we loved our Royal Suite where we could shower with a view of animals in the bush. The food was good and plentiful, it always seemed to be mealtime! The sunsets were dramatic and we even got to experience an earth-shaking thunder storm. We learned a lot from our tracker and guide, enjoyed mixing with other guests from all over the world, and completely fell in love with South Africa. We can recommend Kapama River Lodge to everyone. This was our first safari, but not our last!

wildlife was plentiful- the guide and tracker- Mornay and Edwin- were incredible!