This award is our highest recognition and is presented annually to those businesses that are the Best of the Best on Tripadvisor, those that earn excellent reviews from travellers and are ranked in the top 1% of properties worldwide.
Reminiscent of a traditional African safari camp, Kapama Buffalo Camp offers a unique and intimate experience in the African bush. It is ideal for discovering big game Africa in true safari tented style without compromising on comfort. Ten luxury build canvas en-suite tents, each sleeping two, are set on wooden decks built on stilts over a steep-sided riverbank. Wooden walkways interconnect the rooms, which are all in the upper reaches of tall riverine trees. But the thick African bush is just a glance away, inhabited by animals like lion, hyena and jackal whose calls can be heard in the dead of night making Kapama Buffalo Camp a truly authentic way to experience the African bush.
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.
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
Powered by AI
Kapama Buffalo Camp earns rave reviews for its exceptional service, with guests frequently praising the staff's friendliness and personalized attention. The spacious and private rooms, complete with luxurious features and wildlife views, are consistently lauded by travelers.
The hotel's range of amenities, including the unique Romantic sleep out, coupled with its serene atmosphere and immaculate cleanliness, contribute to an experience that many find to be of great value, offering luxury at an affordable price.
Atmosphere
Tranquil
Rooms
Spacious
Value
Remarkable
Cleanliness
Spotless
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Lavish
Was this helpful?
Tripadvisor is not responsible for this summary or the opinions in it. For more information, please read the traveller reviews and learn more about how the site works.
My husband and I had the most INCREDIBLE experience at Kapama Buffalo Camp. From start to finish every detail is perfectly planned. The food is absolutely out of this world. The treehouse / tent room was beautiful. The safari drives were once in a lifetime ! Have to shout out our guide Ben who gave us the best experience we could have asked for. Every staff member was so friendly and kind and the service was amazing. I cannot say enough good things about this place and if I could rate it higher I would!
Read more
Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
Everything about Kapama and Buffalo Camp is mind blowing. We stayed for 4 days and from the moment we were picked up from the airport to the moment we were dropped back there we felt completely privileged. Not just because the service at Buffalo Camp is absolutely first class in every way but because you are completely immersed in the magic of the bush - the reserve itself is breathtaking. Buffalo Camp have got everything right. The staff cannot do more and are so genuinely friendly, the food is absolutely world class and the wine selection is well thought out. The lodge itself retains the charm of a traditional safari lodge,decorated in tasteful stylish decor but with every modern comfort you could imagine. The rooms are spacious yet cozy and in their unique position in the trees you really do feel like you are part of the bush. The attention to detail in the room makes you feel special and spoilt. As for the game drives. It is hard to put into words how special they are. I have been lucky enough to go on safari twice before and Rassie our ranger was by far the most knowledgeable, experienced and passionate ranger we have ever had. Coupled with Foster with his 21 years experience tracking, we felt like we had the dream team. The fact that it was just us and our two friends in the vehicle and we had Rassie and Foster for all the 8 drives just made the safari experience completely unique to us. The open vehicle was also an added bonus, it makes viewing so much better. We saw all of the big 5 on more than one occasion, including a brilliant sighting of a leopard almost making a kill (but failing). We saw lots of babies (elephants, lions, giraffes, hippos) - we couldn’t have asked for more. We also learnt so much every day and have left enriched and with a greater understanding of the environment and natural world. Even when the game drives were quieter, we just loved driving around, appreciating the trees, grass, water, sky and sounds. I titled this review a once in a lifetime experience, but I sincerely hope I am lucky enough to return one day.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled with friends
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.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveller reviews.
This is the third time that we are going to Kapama Buffalo Camp, and it has again exceeded our expectations. The people are very professional, friendly and go out of their way to make your stay as fantastic as possible Receptions is efficient and friendly, the room is spotless, beautiful and very comfortable and you get a hot water bottle in the evening in the bed ☺ The food is absolutely top class and prepared with great love and attention to details The Guide and tracker who we had this time round was Geoff and Foster and they had incredible knowledge of the plants, animals, environment etc. and went out of their way to make sure that we saw everything that we could, taking note that wild animals don’t always play the game with you and are very elusive They really did a fantastic job and we saw two lionesses with 7 cubs and the interactions between plus lots, and lots of other animals A absolutely fanatic 3 nights and 4 days spent at Kapama Buffalo camp looking forward to the next visit
Read more
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: August 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.
We had the most amazing time at Kapama Buffalo Camp. The design of the lodgings are very special: each room ist a sort of tree house with tent walls but a very luxury type of treehouse tent. Very spacious with a comfy bed, large sanitary facilities (lovely shower) and a large and beautiful balcony which sort of "hangs in the trees" so that when chilling on the balcony you feel like sitting in a tree yourself. The food was very good (loads but never too much, I liked the small portions), loads of fruit all the time (great bonus), friendly and attentive staff and the most amazing Ranger and Tracker! Thanks to their good humour, expertise and interesting and funny stories the Game Drives were the highlight of our stay!
Read more
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: April 2022
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.
WOW! This camp is excellent in every way. The 'tents' are spacious and have their own balcony and are sited so that they are not overlooked. The facilities are excellent. Housekeeping is carried out x2 per day whilst you are out on game drives. All the staff are extremely friendly and helpful and really want guests to have a memorable experience! Be prepared to eat loads-we have healthy appetites and could not cope with all the food. The food is also of a high standard( not always to my taste) and even the breakfast menu changes constantly. The wines are good too and the serving staff will offer recommendations As for the drives-totally unbelievable. The jeeps are open and rarely carry more than 6 people. There are 2x drives per day each lasting approx 3 hours. The drivers and trackers are so knowledgeable and really go beyond their duty to ensure guests see as many animals as possible and at close range. An amazing place which I would highly recommend
Read more
Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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 is our 5th visit to Kapama and 4th to Buffalo camp. At buffalo camp we had the best reception, the room was clean and beautiful with its deck on which you can sit and relax and listen to the bush noises and take in its perfume. We saw all the big 5, great interaction between 3 rhinos (mother, son, and large male) fantastic sighting of large male leopard once on road and second time with kill. Saw a beautiful young female leopard with kill and calling for her babies, we saw elephants in action, plenty, saw lions sort of active, but looking great as they slept on their backs like large kittens. We saw civet cat, genet, dwarf mongoose, banded mongoose, baby hyena, large ones, giraffes with baby suckling, the prince of the bush a very large black mamba, we interacted with a baboon spider, saw buffalo, vultures, plenty of birds, identified trees and plants, saw eland, very rare, yes and impala plenty, plus kudo, nyala, bushbuck duiker, waterbuck, Saw tortoises, dung beetles plus plenty of other small and large insects. Our Guide Hancho and tracker Release were as always full of information and patient in showing us everything and the game drives were never quiet and boring. :) The food as always was top class with a selection of meat, fish, and vegetarian to satisfy the pickiest of eater, they have a broad selection of south African wines, good brandies, and whiskeys so nobody will be disappointed. The staff are always very professional, friendly, looking after all of your needs Thank you, guys, for again giving us a fantastic relaxing and regenerating three nights with you Looking forward to our next stay with you
Read more
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: October 2022
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.
From the moment we arrived at the airport until the moment we left, we were treated with friendly, helpful staff. All servers, bartenders, management, trackers and guides added to our fantastic experience. The knowledge of the guide Ben and tracker Collen and their desire to make sure all our game drives exceeded our expectations was present every time we entered the Jeep. The kitchen made sure that all our allergies and special requests were attended to at all times. We had a fabulous time at Kapama and would highly recommend this to everyone.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
When we arrived, the reception was very friendly, and it was lovely to see the people with whom we had a great time the previous time that we came here. We had the most fantastic breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for 3 days. The kitchen did everything in its power to satisfy the group's needs from vegetarian to garlic intolerance. Then on the game drives, we had all of the experiences from looking at the smallest of animals to the largest, we saw rhino, giraffes, buffalo, hippo, lion, hyena, chameleon, lots of different spiders, 102 different birds, genet, honey badgers, elephants, porcupine, warthogs, impala, wildebeest, bushbucks, duiker, steenbuck, zebra, dung beetles, bushbaby, leopard, we had 4X4 driving, sunset drinks and sunrise brofees with dip ‘n Oma. So yes that was the highlights of 3 absolutely fantastic days at Kapama Buffalo Camp I can say that all the staff was absolutely great. From Claire, Chantelle, and Langu, who took us through the rules, took our temperatures, sorted out all of the admin be it at arrival and after leaving, getting equipment that we had forgotten behind to us, in the most patient and pleasant way Hancho our guide who has an incredible knowledge of the bush from the birds to the mammals and the insects. Vusi our assistant guide had the plant species sorted plus the tracking. Chris who took us on a game walk we had a great time and learned a lot from The Ladies in the kitchen were fantastic, Vasti and Rose, supplied us with the best meals out and made sure that everybody from the vegetarians to the garlic intolerant people was accommodated. The food was cooked to perfection, the presentation was beautiful and the flavours delicious. The barmen, waiters, Ben, Rassie, Hancho, Chris, Langu, and Kaletso made sure that we were never dry and that everything ran smoothly during meals. Thank you all for making our three days with you absolutely fantastic Looking forward to come back again
Read more
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: April 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.
We have just returned from Kapama and South Africa. After several days in Cape Town, we spent four nights at Buffalo Camp. Our ranger (Chris) and tracker (Safary-he promised that was his real name!) were second to none. We saw the Big Five (actually twice over) during our game drives, which were full of incredible encounters and tons of great educational information provided by Chris. The tents at Buffalo Camp are immaculate and gorgeous, with views of the African bush just outside the back windows and porch. The food was impeccable and impeccably served. All of the staff were hospitable and accommodating. We couldn't have asked for a better experience!
Read more
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: July 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.
We all loved Kapama Buffalo Camp, a small lodge with a very personal sense of attention. The tents are incredible, other than the wind blowing on the canvas you would not believe you were in a tent. Huge, king-size bed, bath, shower, double sinks, balcony overlooking the trees. The restaurant and lounge areas are beautiful and comfortable. The food is very good. The staff are very attentive and helpful. Our game ranger Joas was outstanding; his knowledge, humour, driving skills incredible. Our spotter Temba was delightful and very skillful. Kapama as a reserve is excellent. We had superb sightings: huge herds of elephant and plains animals, lions galore, leopard, hyena and cubs, superb Birdlife - almost 200 species seen. Highly recommend this camp. Do take hat, gloves and layers as early morning drives and last bit at night are very chilly!
Read more
Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
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.
There are wooden walkways that join the tents to the main area with very little stairs. The incline is not steep at all so we are sure your mom will have no issues. Kapama is regarded as a low malaria area.
Kind regards
Good day,
August temperatures range from 55 - 82°F
We suggest a light, yet warm jacket as early mornings and after sunset drives can still be a bit chilly.
We look forward to welcoming you.
Kind regards,
The Kapama Team
New Smyrna Beach, Florida493 contributions138 helpful votes
You see a variety of animals from the grounds, monkeys and baboons are the most common, there are a couple resident red dear that wander around, mongoose are fairly plentiful, we could hear lions and hyenas while in the room & occasionally an elephant rumble, there is no penned off areas or a place see the savanna from the room or hotel grounds, it’s an amazing place to visit, we were there in May & just rebooked another visit.
North Richland Hills, Texas90 contributions50 helpful votes
Hi,
We stayed for 3 nights back in May and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I do think 3 or 4 nights is enough and then you can move on to try someplace different. We did not try the balloon ride but did the Elephant interaction at Jabulani. It was fantastic!
As far as comparing the Camps, I believe Buffalo Camp is the smallest and we liked that. Quiet and intimate, very relaxing.
Two points to possibly consider; 1 - Buffalo Camp has an electrified fence surrounding the living areas so an escort is not needed after dark. 2 - We only had 4 people at the most on our safari game drives and noticed some of the vehicles from the other camps were more crowded. Maybe we were just lucky but being a small camp might be a good thing.
Enjoy
There are more places to choose from in the Kapama Private Game Reserve area.
PRICE RANGE
₹99,782 - ₹1,25,399 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
kapama buffalo camp hotel kapama private game reserve
LOCATION
South AfricaKruger National ParkKapama Private Game Reserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
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.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
