Kapama Karula has the reputation of being the best luxury safari experience in South Africa, so it was ranked high on our list of places to visit. Kapama Karula staff greeted us on arrival at East Gate Airport, also known as Hoedspruit Airport – holding up a sign with our names. East Gate Airport is a quick 40 minute flight from Johanessburg, South Africa. The Kapama Private Game Reserve is located directly across the street from the airport, so the safari experience starts immediately. As soon as the gates opened for the game reserve, we saw two majestic giraffes grazing.
The Property
The Kapama Private Game Reserve is massive – approximately 15,000 hectares or 130 sq. kilometers. This is roughly the size of New York. After a week-long stay, you would still need more time to visit the entire reserve. It is a private reserve – meaning you will not see other safari lodges or their vehicles on the property. Once we entered the game reserve, it took 30 minutes to travel from the airport to Kapama Karula. We saw many animals along the way – hippos, zebras, impalas, birds, and giraffes. Apply sunblock and insect repellant before leaving the airport, as guests will be transported in an open vehicle to the lodge. Once we arrived, the staff greeted us with cool towels and refreshing drinks. Kapama Karula has a fitness center and spa on the property. Guests from the other Kapama safari lodges within the private reserve have access to these facilities, so reservations are recommended.
Superior Suite
After check-in, we were escorted to our suites. We stayed in a superior suite and it’s breathtaking. Each suite has over 1,000 sq footage of living space and feels even bigger with the high ceilings. The suite has an open layout with a living room, a wood-burning fireplace, a king-size bed, dual sinks, a bathtub, and an ensuite bathroom with a bidet. The room has a divider between the bathroom and bedroom for privacy, but we set it aside as we prefer the openness. The outdoor deck boasts an outdoor bed, additional seating, an outdoor shower, and a private heated swimming pool overlooking a river. Heating the pool requires advance notice. Each suite is fully stocked with a mini bar – freshly baked goods – the cookies are particularly delicious. The mini fridge is stocked with juices, water, carbonated beverages and beer. There are several bottles of wine displayed in the room – all included. The room has exceptional air conditioning, heating, and a remote-controlled ceiling fan. The staff are available 24/7 – so call them at your leisure for any requests.
The Dining
Kapama Karula provides breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and beverages as an all-inclusive safari lodge. The food tastes as good as it looks – fantastic. A few nights, we opted to have dinner in the library, as well, as in our suite. For the in-suite dining, our server brought each meal – course by course – so we didn’t feel rushed and each entree was freshly prepared. Typically on safari lodges, I have low expectations for food because it’s in a remote location, but Kapama Karula shines with its flavor profiles and various options. One of my favorite items was the exotic fruits each morning – from mango to dragon fruit.
What to Wear
The temperatures range greatly from the blistering sun to light rain and windy evenings. Wear light fabrics and dress in layers, so you can easily cool down or warm up at a moment’s notice. We experienced some cooler days on safari. One day the weather was around 65 degrees with wind and light rain and later in the afternoon, it was hot and humd, around 92 degrees with clear skies and direct sun. Pack for both temperatures – anything can happen. Kapama Karula offers ponchos and blankets to keep you warm and dry – as the safari game drives are offered – rain or shine.
Highlights of the Property
One of the unique features of the Kapama Private Game Reserve is that they keep their grounds in immaculate condition. I’ve become accustomed to a bouncy ride while on a game drive, but the roads and paths here are smooth. You want to be comfortable, especially when game drives last for 3 hours each session – 2(x) a day. After the safari game drive, walking back into the oasis of our suite was fantastic. It was almost as if – I didn’t spend three hours looking for animals in the bush. So instead of seeing elephant poo on the road, I’m relaxing in my private heated pool and the only thing I need to do is relax. The WiFi is strong throughout the entire property. Two words: unlimited laundry – what a perk! During my downtime, I have been cuddled up on the couch – watching the logs in our wooden fireplace burn – so beautiful.
Safari Games Drives
Two safari game drives are offered each day. Wake up call at 5:30 AM. Coffee, tea, and a light breakfast (yogurt parfait and pastries) are available in the common area before the meetup at 6:00 AM to head out for the day. The drive lasts 2.5-3 hours depending on sightings and weather conditions. For the evening game drive, we meet at 3:30 PM for another 2.5-3 hour drive for sightings. During each game drive, there is a break where the staff will provide drinks and refreshments. A popular favorite is “bush coffee” – a mixture of coffee and Amarula, a coffee liqueur.
A tracker and a guide will be assigned to guests during their stay. The tracker sits in an extension seat – in front of the vehicle. The tracker looks out for paw prints, bent branches, and fresh droppings to find the animals as soon as possible. The guide is a hospitable and knowledgeable driver. Feel free to ask any questions along the drive and inform the staff if there is a particular animal you want to see. Some guests prefer birding vs the Big 5, so it’s good to have open communication in advance.
The game reserve is fenced in – so no animals can go in or outside of the Kapama Private Game Reserve. This can be a positive experience because you are almost guaranteed to see wildlife on your game drive; however, I understand that some travelers like the idea of no fences so animals can come and go freely.
Animal Sightings
What didn’t we see? We saw so many animals, it was extraordinary. Not only did we see the big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and African buffalo) but we saw a leopard tortoise, owls, eagles, snakes, and so many different birds. The amount of animals we spotted and how frequently we saw them was the highlight of the game drive. At one point, we spotted new animals – every 20 minutes.
Improvements Needed
We encountered a couple of issues during our stay. The staff provided a QR code for check-in but it didn’t work. We were waiting around in the heat rather than being escorted to our air-conditioned room. We requested bug spray and my parents in another suite requested insect repellant and we received each other’s orders. At one point, our bathtub leaked, creating a pool of water, so we had to call maintenance for that. We weren’t given advance notice that we could have a private game drive, so that would have been helpful to know. We had an ant infestation in the outdoor entryway of our suite and by the pool deck. We spoke to management who apologized and informed us that the rooms were treated before our arrival. We didn’t have any bug issues at the two other safari lodges we visited, so to experience this at Kapama Karula was disappointing. While swimming in our private pool, I noticed several wasps swarming and the staff discovered two hives: one in the tree next to the pool, which they could remove and the other hive was under the pool that would require a third party to remove. One of the best features of Kapama Karula is the heated pool. You have to request this and the process to heat the pool takes approximately 3 hours. Advance notice of this arrangement from the safari lodge to the guests would be ideal so we could have put in the request before arrival.
Conclusion
Kapama Karula provides a trip of a lifetime with refinement and luxury. We enjoyed our time here, especially seeing the wildlife. I would recommend to travelers who prioritize magnificent accommodations, delicious food, and a smooth game drive experience. With some modifications, Kapama Karula is easily a 5-star resort. If you have any questions, please let us know. You can book directly on Kapama Karula’s website. If you decide to book, please let them know – Loren and Ken sent you.