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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. 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.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to TGCSA - Tourism Grading Council of South Africa.
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Kapama River Lodge receives high marks for its exceptional service, with guests frequently lauding the professional staff and tailored experiences. The luxurious amenities, including a spa and diverse dining options, coupled with an intimate atmosphere, are popular among travelers.
While the spacious and spotlessly clean rooms are generally celebrated, some minor issues have been flagged. Nestled in a vast game reserve, its location is a highlight, offering an outstanding safari adventure that many find to be excellent value for money.
Location
Secluded
Atmosphere
Luxurious
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Remarkable
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Lavish
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This is the best overall experience. The hotel is top-notch, the food was great, the service impeccable, and the animals amazing. We had a three-part safari plan, each was great but this was the best and the culmination of the entire trip. I highly recommend anyone at least include this as part of safari plans, if not make this the entire trip. It is comfortable and authentic.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: October 2022
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Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed here party of a land tour. It was amazing! We arrived at the airport and the gates to the park are across the streed. So we loaded up a safari vechile entered the park and right away was seeing giraffes. It was so fun going through the dirt roads to arrive at the main lodge. The lodge is beautiful. Our room had 2 single beds per our request (I went with my mom) Beds were a bit hard for my liking, but my mom loved. You got a fridge in your room and large glass bottles of water. Drank the water (which is purified) and was good, incase anyone had concerns. Gorgeous bathroom, bathtub, shower, seperate toliet. Love the bathroom spray. Would have bought some if for sale! We did have occasion bugs in our room, but this is Africa and is expected in a lodge. Breakfast/lunch was typical buffet style, lots of good options. Dinner one day we had outside by a fire. Be prepared for bugs attracted to the lights on the tables. This cannot be stopped and adds to the experience. Second night we had it in the buffet room which was good. Staff were great, expecially the house cleaning staff. They knew us by name which was a nice touch. Only complaint was I wish we had longer here :D Will do sperate review for the game drives for the park.
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Date of stay: January 2020
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Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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We had absolutely the best time ever at Kapama River Lodge. We were assigned our own tracker, driver and waiter...who knows us by name and treated us like royalty. Our tracker, Nevermind and Freedom our driver's knowledge is incredible and they go out of their way to find animals. Each day’s breakfast, lunch & dinner were so delicious, thumbs up to the Chef! We had a 27th birthday during our stay, Kapama thanks again for making her day, to spoil her with the champagne on ice that morning, the birthday cake and the birthday song, performing by the waiters. The sound of that African drums, compliment your voices. You can’t find anything faulty with the beautiful and clean suites, with very comfortable mattresses, a coffee/tea station, with white bath ropes and chocolates on your pillow every evening, they did everything with effort and perfection. And then there is the spa that looks like an exotic island, where we had an out of the world spa treatment. I had a few massages in the past, but these ladies just know how to make you forget about all the stress and believe me, all the stress muscles are relaxed and out
From the booking, with Veronica, to leaving, with breakfast packs arranged by Israel our waiter.....amazing and so professional......We will be back!
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Date of stay: June 2021
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed for 3 nights in the beginning of November. We stayed in a Spa suite. The game drives were great, 3 hours every morning and evening (which I feel is great value for money). Our driver was great and knew a lot! We saw 4 out of the big five, leopards are always the hardest to fine, so unfortunately didn’t get lucky this time. Overall the staff were great, very helpful and friendly.
The wifi doesn’t really work in the room, only at reception and communal areas. This wasn’t an issue though as it was nice to switch off and relax.
The 3 choices of pools were great.
The improvements I’d suggest is: If you’re scared of spiders, the rooms would be a no. There were massive big black spiders in my room every day (even though we always kept the doors closed). So I don’t think the rooms were cleaned properly, as they were definitely hiding behind the curtains etc.
The spa was very relaxing and beautiful. However my massage was very average. It felt like the lady was just rubbing my back in a circle for 45mins, even though I requested a hard pressure back and neck massage.
Lastly the food supplied was average too. It would seem as though they only have a cook, and not an actual chef making the food. The food options and taste were pretty bland. Not the worst, but after 3 nights I was definitely looking forward to going home and eating somewhere else.
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Date of stay: November 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I come from the hospitality industry and I could not fault Kapama River lodge on anything. Best service I have experienced at an establishment in years. Staff are so well trained and friendly and nothing is too much to ask. Our guides Tasha and Phillip were amazing highly recommend them, Food was delicious and beautifully presented. Rooms were cleaned early so you came back to a neatly cleaned room after your morning game drive . I will definitely be going back to Kapama
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: September 2021
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It took me ten years of traveling around the globe to end up on safari in South Africa. It should have been my first stop. The safari experience, especially as hosted by Kapama River Lodge, is simply amazing, delightful, enlightening, and unforgettable. Kapama River Lodge offered luxury in a stark wilderness. No comfort was overlooked. From the initial welcome to the daily smiles and greetings to the culinary offerings to the attentive assistance and to the ethnic choral performance at the end of dinners... all was there to please each guest. The game drives were 3 hours of adventure and surprise in the morning and evening. One never knew what creature lurked around the next bend in the bumpy dirt road. One never knew what mood that creatures might be in. One never knew what secrets of nature would be revealed. The Kapama rangers and trackers could read every spoor and behavior of Africa's zoological bounty. They offered close encounters but never overlooked the safety of the guests or the well-being of the animals. Well done, Kapama River Lodge, well done!
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Date of stay: February 2020
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kapama River Lodge is a well maintained and most importantly well managed Safari Lodge giving South African's the opportunity to afford it, albeit it just for 1 night during these unprecedented times. Excellent and friendly Staff stood out the most, as well as the entire setup which blends in with the bush environment. Food is excellent and service of the food quick and friendly. Menus are varied, and food fresh and plentiful.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: October 2021
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We arrived at Kapama River Lodge after a great 3 days in Sun City resort. We had a good journey on a South African AirLink flight from OR Tambo Airport (Johannesburg) to Hoedspruit.
We had decided to stay for 3 days and 3 nights, meaning we had 6 safaris overall.
The morning safaris started at 6:30 AM and finished at 9:30 AM, followed by breakfast. After we had an extended period of 'chill time' in which we went down to the pool. It was absolutely freezing! Following this, afternoon tea was at 3:30 PM and the second safari started at 4:00 PM and ran to 7:00 PM. Dinner started at 7:30 PM and each night there was something different on offer. The food was exceptional and everyone staying in the same safari group sat together along with the safari driver.
Our stay was absolutely amazing, and we weren't disappointed at all. We got to see all of the big five along with many other interesting animals. A truly incredible experience for all of us!
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Date of stay: August 2019
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
An incredible few days spent in the bush with my fiance! The service was amazing and all the staff members were so kind and friendly. The lodge is beautiful and the images and videos don't do it justice. The spa was outstanding and it was so great to be able to relax between treatments at the fabulous pool overlooking the waterhole. The food was five star all the way and we had some unbelievably tasty meals. The spa suite room was very luxurious with all the modern amenities included. The game drives were action packed and so many laughs were shared with the incredible guide and tracker team Michael and Colin. My only issue was that viewings are a little rushed but this is to allow other vehicles a turn and not have to many cars around the animals disturbing them. The lodge is big and does have more of a hotel feel and is ideal for families and larger groups also with a choice of two swimming pools to use. Overall we loved every minute of the stay and would highly recommend this lodge to anyone wanting a fantastic bush experience.
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Date of stay: September 2020
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Good day, thanks for the message. Yes for leopards and lions, we do go off-road, provided that the weather conditions and terrain permit this. The safety of our guests is always a top priority. Kind regards
There are more places to choose from in the Kapama Private Game Reserve area.
PRICE RANGE
₹80,464 - ₹1,08,181 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
kapama river hotel kapama private game reserve
LOCATION
South AfricaKruger National ParkKapama Private Game Reserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
62
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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Yes, it offers wheelchair access, reduced mobility rooms, and facilities for disabled guests. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.
