Kapama Karula

4.9 /5
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Based on over 1000 Verified Reviews.

Overview

This unreservedly luxurious lodge lies in a private reserve close to the Kruger National Park. Set on the banks of the perrenial Klaserie River in classic Big 5 country and boasting stupendous views, there is little else you could ask for in a safari lodge.

Suitable for honeymooners, families and wildlife enthusiasts alike, the lodge offers thrilling wildlife encounters on game drives but a wide range of activities means there is much on offer at Kapama Karula. Go on guided walks with expert guides; visit the nearby Centre for Endangered Species for close-up encounters with rare animals; take to the sky on a hot-air balloon adventure or take a break from all the big game drama and revitalise mind, body and spirit in the Kapama Wellness Centre.

Kapama Karula means 'place of peace' and you and your family are sure to find tranquility in the very large family suites, which each have two bedrooms, a fireplace in the living room and little extras like an iPod docking station. All suites, including those for couples, have heated pools for year-round swimming.

Highlights

  • Set in a private reserve close to the Kruger Park
  • Year-round Big 5 game viewing & birding
  • The most luxurious accommodation in the reserve
  • All suites have heated swimming pools
  • Attentive service & excellent cuisine
  • Very large family suites available

Activities

  • Animal tracking experience
  • Elephant interactive experience
  • Game drives
  • Guided walks
  • Local village visits
  • Nature drives
  • Photographic safaris
I was quite impressed with Karula, they have gorgeous rooms looking over the Klaserie river, offering an intimate setting and a backdoor to the Big 5. Game-viewing was quite impressive, great property for romantics!
Emma Hill

Emma Hill

African Safari Expert

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Rooms

Family Villa

There are also two family suites that clock in at 170m / 558ft each. In addition to all the attractive features of the Superior Suites, the Family Suites each have a children's bedroom that is equipped with a flat-screen television, a selection of age-appropriate movies and a Wii game console.

Other room type

There are 12 fully air conditioned Superior Suites, each measuring at least a whopping 90 metres / 295 foot. The en suite bathrooms have indoor and outdoor showers, twin vanities and bathtubs. The mini-bar is stocked with fine wines, a selection of champagnes and a Nespresso machine, and the living room has an iPod docking station and a gas fireplace. The crowning glory of every suite is a wrap-around deck that leads to a full-sized heated swimming pool!

The interiors of all suites are airy but cosy, with white-washed woods, neutral colour palettes and large sheets of glass that invite both the sunshine and moonlight inside. Furnishings and decor take their cues from both mid-century design, and the organic curves and tactile textures of the African bush.

Facilities

This beautifully designed contemporary lodge sits on the banks of the Klaserie River. Its lazy flowing waters impart a sense of tranquility as you stand on the lodge's deck, chilled drink in hand, admiring the stupendous views. And what views: augmented by floor to ceiling windows in the lounge and dining area as well as skylights, there is an atmosphere of intimacy with the surrounding environment.

Take a dip in the inviting pool to beat the midday heat or update your online travel diary while browsing through the library’s extensive book collection.

The Kapama Wellness Center has a wide range of health, beauty and wellness treatments to smooth out the creases after a day in a safari vehicle, or you may just want to simply relax and indulge your senses at a spa that is considered one of the finest of its kind in Africa.

Dining

The delicious aroma of fresh pastries and coffee at the breakfast buffet before your game drive makes the early morning start even more worth it. On your return, a wholesome and hearty menu selection for brunch will have you agonizing over what to choose.

Later in the afternoon, gather at the main lodge before your second game drive to sample a choice of delicacies from the high tea display. After sun downer drinks on your game drive, start the evening off with a cocktail at the bar before indulging in a sumptuous multi-course meal from the a la carte menu, served by your personal waiter.

General facilities

  • Bar
  • Beauty or wellness therapist
  • Gym
  • Restaurant
  • Spa
  • Swimming Pool

Rates

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Dates Board Price
2022-01-05 — 2022-12-19 Fully Inclusive Plus (Meals, Beverages & Extras) $1,080

Our rates are per person sharing unless we note differently. Please treat all pricing as a guide only:

  • All rates are subject to availability and may change without notice.
  • Single supplements may apply.
  • Request a quote or speak to one of our African Safari Experts for the best, most current rates available.
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Traveller Reviews

Kapama Karula
SL

Samuel Lovely

We were absolutely blown away by the site and quality of service! Kapama Karula upgraded us into a luxury suite complete with our own pool. It would be hard to imagine any place that could ever possibly provide better accommodations, food, and person al service. The over-night sleep out was a unique experience. The game viewing at Kapama was also good - we were able to watch young lion cubs, rhino and elephants for a long periods of time because of the exclusivity of the lodge.
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SB

Sally Bryant

"What a gorgeous place! The rooms are just wonderful. Great tracker and guide - we saw all the Big 5 and had a magical experience of being surrounded by a large herd of elephants, including babies, walking right by our jeep."
MB

Mathew Brbich

"Kapama Karula stole the show - we could go back there every year."
BS

Barbara Shore

Thank you again for your recommendation. I rate my experience 5 stars, and am only sorry that I could not spend another day there. Everything went right, perhaps because I did not know what to expect. When I arrived (and transfers are great from hoed spruit and add to the adventure) Sharon the manager on duty greeted me and went over my schedule and told me I had been upgraded to a suite – which was gorgeous and beautifully designed overlooking the river. She went over my schedule and told me that the elephant interaction might be repetitive with the actual safari ride and offered to refund my money or look at alternatives such as the spa or the endangered species. I chose the endangered species centre and am very happy that I did so- I learned so much! (I chose to distribute my refund among the staff who had taken such good care of me.) She went over my diet preferences and asked if it were satisfactory to have fish cooked in aluminium foil at the boma that night, which it was. My suite was gorgeous- I had an assigned butler, Lewis, but the entire staff looked after me. The second night, the cook came out to check that everyone was enjoying their meals. I skipped high tea but enjoyed the coffee breaks and sundowners on the safari. My safari drives were superb and provided the big 5 and 3 of the little five- the buffalo weaver, the leopard tortoise and the rhinoceros beetle (actually that showed up at the boma!) The ranger was Julius and the tracker was Nicholas, and I cannot imagine a better team to introduce me to the wonders of the bushveld. Julius explained that we were assigned a different sector each ride, and so we never knew what we would discover. He and Nicholas would confer over tracks they saw, and I admired their teamwork. We had wonderful encounters with giraffes and zebras and water buffalos and rhinos and those incredible elephants. Our team taught us the patience to watch a lion so that we could watch him wake, walk and then roar his dominance over his territory. The view of different herbivores grazing peacefully in the same area. My second night safari brought the glimpse and pursuit of a leopard, hippos on land, and a trio of lionesses crossing the road in front of the lodge gate. I thank Kapama for making my safari magical. I must add that I was fortunate that the couple with whom I shared the vehicle were delightful, and I ate several meals with them. The elephant back safari is wonderful-and I loved riding on Lundi and watching her mischievous son Mambo taking shortcuts. Camp Jabulani provided that extra depth to my adventure. I did not mind the fences or the power lines- if it didn’t bother the animals why should it bother me. My fellow guests and I joked that the sound of the ‘go away bird’ that stayed by the entrance was so inappropriate, since we felt so welcome. I would go back in a heartbeat.
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CL

Clive Lubner

Kapama Karula took our collective breath away. the elephant encounter and the cheetah rehab, those are 2 experiences that will stay with all of us forever and continue to feed our appreciation for wildlife. The food was 5-star it was exquisite. Game viewing was exceptional.
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GM

Gary Meltzer

"Each lodge, although very different was an awesome experience. Kapama was the ultimate in contemporary luxury....the guides were great, the staff was very friendly and the food was delicious."
LW

Ling Wang

"Our trip went extremely well. Thank you for arranging the accommodation for us. We enjoyed Kapama, Table Bay and Spier a lot. South Africa is such a beautiful country - both the safari trip and the Cape Town visit far exceeded our expectation."
PO

Polly Ogden

About the most beautiful place I have ever stayed. The room was simply exquisite. Staff friendly and helpful. Food superb. Our Ranger, Don, was knowledgeable, friendly, courteous and fun. He is one of the highlights of the trip. Loved the evening c ocktail on the afternoon drive. Animal sightings incredible and many, many more that I ever imagined. Nature walk a special event.
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MS

Marion Said

Kapama Karula - Extremely luxurious. Our Ranger Don was outstanding, he rushed us around the reserve to try to get to all of the best sightings. Don went above and beyond, even taking us on bush walks despite bush walks not being explicitly offered by the lodge. The food here was extremely fancy - the presentations was always 5-star, but we wouldve liked it to be a little simpler, we didnt want to eat extremely rich sauces and purees for every meal. That being said, it was still quite good. I think we thought Karula felt more modern, posh, and luxurious. As far as the reserves and sightings, we thought Kapama had a lot more animals,we saw tons of giraffes and antelope (as well as lions, elephants, etc) at Kapama
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MD

Marina Draghici

"Many thanks for helping us with Kapama, we had a great time!"
JM

Janaina Maranh

"Fantastic experience at Kapama Karula. The safaris were amazing, the place was beautiful, the food wonderful and the service was awesome too."

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