Getting There

Kings Camp is located in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, on the boundary of Kruger National Park. The best way to get to Kings Camp is to take a flight from Johannesburg, South Africa to East Gate Airport, also known as Hoedspruit Airport. Then it will take approximately 30 minutes by car to arrive at Kings Camp. You can self-drive or book a transfer through Kings Camp. Stay alert as you spot animals everywhere. The animals travel freely between Kruger National Park and Kings Camp. When we arrived at the property, we were greeted with a refreshing cold beverage and completed our check-in paperwork. We were given a tour of the dining area, a meeting point for safari game drives, and our suite.

Accommodations

The suites are spectacular. The amount of natural light that pours into the room makes my heart sing. The first thing we noticed was the air conditioning – powerful. It is essential for relaxation, especially with hot temperatures in the bush. The decor is giving – we made it vibes. From the plants to the whiskey filled glass decanters and black and white animal prints – everything has its place. Kings Camp has the luxurious feel of a resort, but personal touches that make it feel like home. There are bath salts by the tub, an oil diffuser on the bathroom counter, and extra soft towels. Even the shower hooks are cute. There is an outdoor shower and an indoor shower – both with amazing water pressure.

Every room has a private deck with a plunge pool. There is a fence to protect us from any wild animals. There are (2) outdoor recliners with pillows, (2) chairs, and a sectional couch with a firepit. The staff surprised us by arranging a private dinner for two with the fire pit roaring when we returned from a safari game drive.

Kings Camp provides personalized water canisters with our names. In the evening, the staff provides turndown service which includes putting up a mosquito net, drawing the curtains, placing chocolates on the pillow, and leaving information cards on the table – detailing the weather for the following day. The staff genuinely cares and wants each guest to have the best experience.

Animal Sightings

Now, what everyone REALLY wants to know. How are the safari game drives? 5/5 Highly recommend. It is the best of the best. Within 5 minutes of a game drive, we spotted a leopard hanging out in a tree. For the record, many guests at other safari lodges never see one. Animal sightings are never guaranteed but the wildlife is abundant at Kings Camp. We saw the Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and African buffalo) within the first two game drives. The guides are knowledgeable, professional, and fun. The time flew by on the game drives which typically last 2.5-3 hours in the morning, as well as, in the evening. The game drive is not the only place to see animals. Kings Camp built an underground viewing point in front of the watering hole at the main camp. This is called “the hide.” This viewing point has modern amenities such as wifi, charging stations, tea and coffee, and comfy seating as we waited patiently for the animals to stop by. It was worth the wait as several elephants stopped by for a drink.

Dining

We enjoyed every meal outdoors. All the meals are included at Kings Camp. Before the morning game drive, there is an option to have a coffee, tea, fruit and biscuits. After the morning game drive, we were given a menu with 2 to 3 options. We typically picked a fruit platter and an eggs and bacon combo. For lunch and dinner, the chef showed their creativity and passion. You can tell by the presentation alone – that they love what they do. One night we were surprised with an outdoor BBQ called a bomba. We had our pick of chicken, lamb chops, beef, grilled corn, medley of veggies, and so much more.

Highlights

Kings Camp excels at making guests feel at ease. Between the unlimited laundry service to providing a booklet to track animal sightings, the staff knows your needs and desires before you ask. The attention to detail is impeccable and it feels like home away from home. The animal sightings are outstanding. The guides and trackers are allowed to offroad for the big 5 animal sightings. For me, this is crucial. I have been to other safari lodges where we missed out on sightings because you have to stay on the path.

We can’t say enough great things about Kings Camp. We had a phenomenal time. For reservations, you can book directly on the Kings Camp website. Please let them know Loren and Ken sent you.

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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.

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