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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 earns rave reviews as a luxurious retreat where the splendor of nature meets comfort and style. Guests have called out the spacious and immaculate rooms, adorned with modern amenities for a restful stay.
Despite some finding it pricey, the consensus is that the experience, complete with high-quality safaris and a variety of dining options, justifies the cost. With its harmonious atmosphere and exceptional service, the hotel stands out as a peaceful enclave for wildlife encounters and indulgent amenities.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Tranquil
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Lavish
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Kapama river lodge The lodge is located within the Kruger park, in the heart of a nature reserve located a few km from Hoedspruit airport. We are in the north east of South Africa, the ideal area for safaris in the large parks. Taking into account that we are talking about an expensive and luxurious structure (5*L), obviously the expectation is at the maximum and I will be very picky in my overall opinion. They pick us up at the airport with a fantastic open jeep, which will be our means of transport during all these days of holiday. Majestic and spectacular lodge in terms of architecture, environmental impact, elegance and luxury, full of works of art linked to the world of the natural context in which we found ourselves (vote 10) Fantastic welcome at check in (score 9) Elegant common areas and perfectly in tune with the environment that surrounded us (score 10) Stunning pools, but unfortunately the water is unusable in season because it is too cold (score 8) All-inclusive rate: in reality we are not big drinkers, but there was unlimited availability of drinks in the mini bar, restaurant, pool bar etc (rated 9) Restaurant cuisine: varied and refined, different choices every day, even vegetarian, flexible when you ask for variations to the dishes (score 9) Service at the restaurant: our waiter was not very empathetic and a little careless when ordering at the table (score 7) Rooms (rated 10) to call them amazing is an understatement. They were luxury suites, in my case with 2 very comfortable separate beds, a huge bathroom with an outdoor tub, a huge shower and double sink, and a beautiful small terrace directly on the savannah with a view of the animals of the reserve that came to graze below. Cleaning: perfect, our friendly and efficient maid cleaned the room twice a day with a daily change of all linen (score 10) Safari guides (vote 10): we were on Dumi's jeep, he and the other guide accompanied us and followed us for all the excursions trying to satisfy us in looking for all the animals, explaining a lot to us and answering all our questions, always keeping attention to our safety during the safari. Both truly exceptional. In short, I must say an expensive experience (aligned with the costs of a 5* hotel in Capri or Portofino, but decidedly superior in quality), if possible to do at least once in a lifetime, but I highly recommend it. One of the top 5 hotels in the world I've been to in terms of overall quality (rated 9.5)
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â Meglio le Luxury suites delle SPA suites
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.
My husband and I have just returned home after 3 nights at Kapama over Lodge. We were very impressed with the quality of accommodation (huge spacious rooms and bathrooms) and modern rustic style. The fact there was a spa, gym and 3 pools was a key factor in us choosing this Lodge and we weren't disappointed. The quality of guide was very high - we were lucky enough to see the full Big 5 - including 3 sightings of different leopards. The only reason for 4 stars rather than 5, would be that the food service in the dining room was a bit hit and miss, and some food arrived cold - they are attempting to serve high quality food on mass (the Lodge has a lot of guests). In addition, given there are 3 pools, it would be beneficial to designate one an adults only pool - to ensure those who want to escape the noise of young children can do so. In summary I would definitely recommend Kapama River Lodge if you want a larger Lodge with more facilities (eg Gym) in a high quality game reserve. But if you prefer a more 'boutique/personal' style of lodge, you may find one of the other Lodges at Kapama more suitable.
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Date of stay: March 2025
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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.
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We stayed for three days at Kapama River Lodge during our honeymoon, and it was an unforgettable experience. Staff attentive to every need, excellent cleanliness not only in the rooms (they came twice a day), but also in the common areas, every corner of the structure is taken care of down to the smallest detail. Two safaris were organized per day, one in the early morning and one at sunset, truly exciting and engaging. You are assigned to a jeep with your ranger and tracker and set off on the three-hour game drive. Inside the reserve you can find all the Big Five and see them from very close (2-3 meters). During the safaris we also took very suggestive small coffee/aperitif breaks surrounded by nature and animals, obviously all done in extreme safety without risking unpleasant encounters! Last but not least, the dishes served at Kapama, what can I say are truly tasty and varied. We note the search for quality products served in sophisticated and well-presented dishes, it is difficult not to satisfy all palates! To conclude, Kapama River Lodge is certainly a place that will remain in your heart, ideal for experiencing a 360 degree safari in the middle of the savannah, truly highly recommended!
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: October 2023
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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 booked a stay at Kapama River Lodge for my parents to celebrate my mom’s 60th birthday and their anniversary, and it was an unforgettable experience.
The concierge, Melanie, was amazing—so responsive and helpful in making the trip extra special. My parents were picked up from the airport by their ranger in a safari-style vehicle, which was such a unique touch. From the moment they arrived, every staff member treated them like royalty, with unmatched attention to detail.
Housekeeping kept the rooms immaculate, the food was abundant and exceptional, and the daily game drives were an absolute highlight. The knowledgeable rangers turned every drive into a fascinating and educational experience, sparking a newfound love for wildlife and the bush. Even with some rainy nights, my parents enjoyed the lodge’s stunning facilities.
Kapama River Lodge now feels like their home away from home, and they’re already planning to return annually. Thank you to the incredible team for creating such a memorable celebration!
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Date of stay: November 2024
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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 honest and truthful review of my wife's and my stay at kapama river lodge . A special mention to Ruan and Las our ranger and spotter,both brilliant ,professional but also funny, LEKKER !Ruan was extremely knowledgeable about everything, ie animals, birds, trees,insects and the bush itself, aswell as a brilliant safe driver.Las made a lovely hot chocolate with amurula which my wife loved. On the drives ,(2 a day morning and evening) they would both call out if they saw any animals or when any overhanging bushes were coming up. The room was amazing,cleaned everyday, a turndown at night with a little sweet placed on both pillows, a lovely little touch-thank you to our maid Pretty. Our veranda was fantastic, with a settee,chair and table also a seperate table and chairs. The bathroom was enormous with a double shower with a glass wall looking out at the bush.The food was brilliant, different menu each night-3 course, Marvin our waiter was very attentive but discreet. This is a true safari in the bush with over 1200km of dust/dirt roads, its not a drive through zoo with tarmac roads, and enclosures with separate animals so you may or may not see everything, we were lucky enough to see the big 5 and more. We also went on a bush walk -a must do ,learned a lot while on the walk that you don't in the truck, this was with our ranger and spotter as part of a morning drive, felt totally safe at all times. Like to mention that the group we were with were great and helped make the experience , as we all got involved . Ah Impala Lekker!!
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Date of stay: September 2023
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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.
Where do I start. Kapama River Lodge is the ultimate place to stay. Everything from accommodation, food, safaris, staff was exceptional to say the least. The room was spacious, comfortable bed, lovely bathroom. The food amazing from morning tea through to dinner. Well prepared and presented a la carte meals with plenty of choice. There was morning tea prior to safari, breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and the dinner. Every meal did not disappoint. Great beverages provided all day if so desired. After the safari in the morning lovely to sit around the pool with a cool drink. The safaris were a highlight my husband and I going on 10! 2 safaris offered each day one in the morning and one late afternoon. Our ranger Brendan and tracker Mafrig were fantastic ensuring we got to see the big five. The ultimate was to see a leopard stalking its prey and also some lions stalking too. To be honest the whole safari experience was amazing and Brendan and Mafrig made each safari special. We were allocated a waiter for meal times. Rodney was a character, we had such a laugh with him and he ensured that every meal and drink he gave us was perfect. Nothing was too much bother for him. Our cleaner Mapifa (sorry if spelt wrong ) made a point of greeting us every time she saw us by our first names which really impressed us and she made sure our room was spotless everyday. On our last evening we were treated to a private dinner with our own waiter and they allowed us to invite our Ranger Brendan along too. This was very beautiful and as we dined were were fortunate to hear lions roar and a hyena, I could go on and now about the virtues of Kapama Rivera lodge , its staff and everything it has to offer, however will say one last thing. Go visit and see yourselves, it won’t disappoint and it’s also great value for money. Thank you for all the wonderful memories Kapama River Lodge.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: July 2024
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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 was the most amazing trip of our lives, and we have travelled a great deal. Everything about the three days that we spent at Kapama was divine. This is very well run operation, and though expensive, you get a huge amount for your money. The setting and design of the lodges is superb. The interiors are exquisite, if you like that kind of thing, which I do and the design of the gardens and pools are magic. The rooms are extremely luxurious and soooo comfortable. The food and drinks are beyond amazing - we have never eaten such consistently good food in a hotel anywhere, And the packages include everything - all food and drjnks including alcohol - which is provided in almost overwhelming quantity. The only things we paid for were our massages in the exquisite spa overlooking the lake where a mother and baby hippo hung out. And where we also saw buffalo and rhino. You get safaris twice a day and can request bush walks as well. Our guide and his tracker were incredibly knowledgeable and skilled. We saw so, so many animals in so many different conditions and really, truly at arms length. All of the service was offered with low key attention to detail and wonderful African charm. We cannot recommend this place enough and would be back there in an instant if we could.
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Date of stay: February 2025
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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.
100% recommended. The reserve is beautiful and tastefully decorated. Seeing it in photos, it falls short of what it is in person. The food is exquisite, go hungry because you won't stop eating. There is a waiter who speaks Spanish, which is appreciated. All drinks are included, even if you are at the pool or feel like a drink at any time. Very good organization, safari at dawn for three hours and then at dusk, which already catches part of the night and is quite a spectacle. We saw the Big Five and were lucky to witness how the lions ate, fights between them, hunting attempts...brutal. However, taking into account that it is nature and these situations may not always occur. A stop is made at the sheet to drink something and snack. It's a luxury to be able to have a gin and tonic in the middle of the sheet. The spa is also recommended, the girls are wonderful and from the spa pool is where there is the best animal sighting. If you are going on your honeymoon, the Deluxe Suite is worth it, it is ideal, it has a special charm and you can also see animals from the terrace. We have been very happy with this experience
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: August 2023
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Cleanliness
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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.
Such an awesome place. Everything was fantastic! The rooms, location, food, staffs, safaris - everything was so perfect, especially our field guard / safari guide Matt. Matt is such a great professional! Big thanks to him for driving the Land Cruiser to the some of the really really tricky spots in the bushes to ensure that we were perfectly positioned to admire, observe and capture photos of all the amazing wildlife. Thanks to him for letting us sit safely amongst a herd of elephants for few minutes; he never once rushed us or hurried us along. Also thanks to Fanie for amazingly tracking the footprints of the animals and also delighting us with some outdoor snacks, soft drinks, coffee and sundowners, perfectly perched to toast the incredible African sunrises and sunsets.
And finally a huge thanks to Matt for ensuring that this trip was in fact a trip of a lifetime. We have been so lucky to have Matt as our field guard for all those 6 safaris. Matt has represented the brand Kapama to maximum level best and exceeded our expectations during every single safari. Matt has made memories for us that we will cherish forever and he is woven into every aspect of those memories.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: July 2024
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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 2 days at the Kapama River Lodge and had an absolutely MAGICAL and UNFORGETTABLE experience. The lodge is both luxurious and architecturally in harmony with the natural environment. The staff is friendly, attentive, and eager to ensure you have an enjoyable stay. The room was very comfortable with to die for soft pillows & a bathtub overlooking the park with wild animals passing below! We enjoyed the inclusive and delicious meals. We had an incredibly kind and knowledgable ranger Crystal who ensured we saw as many animals as we could and offered her extensive knowledge about the animals, trees, and plants on the reserve. She was joined by tracker Collen who, given his 25+ years of experience, was able to successfully locate the animals as they roamed. Highly suggest you do the bush walk (which is included) and consider going to the elephant sanctuary to feed and touch the elephants. It's a very long journey from New York City but a dream come true vacation to stay at Kapama!
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Date of stay: August 2024
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip 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.
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
HK$6,646 - HK$9,180 (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 the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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