Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Reflects recent average nightly prices reported by our partners, and may not include estimated taxes or fees. Price at checkout may differ.
Cheaper
Average
Higher
About
5.0
#1 of 1 lodge in Kapama Private Game Reserve
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Jabulani, where luxury and purpose meet. As a proud Relais & Châteaux member and 5-star luxury lodge in Kapama Private Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger Park area, a Jabulani safari promises nothing but the best experience from start to finish. Jabulani, with its six superior suites and the exclusive, family-friendly Zindoga Villa, offers a unique opportunity for gracious living in a five-star luxury lodge. Each spacious and elegant suite is luxuriously furnished and features both a private deck and a plunge pool. Children are welcome at Jabulani from the age of six and at Zindoga Villa at any age. Protecting the gentle giants was one of the founding principles at Jabulani. The lodge was started to help care for a rescued elephant herd nearly 20 years ago. Today, they continue with this by sharing the experience with guests while guests help to conserve this magical species just by visiting. Devoted elephant carers share insightful stories of their life journeys with the Jabulani herd, whilst you have an opportunity to respectfully observe the elephants during their daily routines – while they enjoy their midday swim and forage in the wild. There are also plenty of other things to do, such as game drives, walking safaris, bird-watching, exploring the little creatures, helicopter flights, hot air balloon rides, and spending time at Jabulani’s onsite facilities, like the luxury bush spa. Jabulani offers a one-of-a-kind, all-inclusive dining experience. Enjoy fine cuisine in the best setting, from breakfast bush picnics and sundowner canapés, to star-lit private dinners or gatherings in the boma. Twice-daily morning and evening game drives are designed to coincide with the times of day that the wildlife is most active. Head into the bush on an open, custom-built safari vehicle, with our experienced and knowledgeable rangers at the helm. Jabulani is a soulful, insightful and unforgettable experience.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Luxury
Languages Spoken
English, Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu
Location
R40 Between Hoedspruit and Klasserie, Kruger National Park 1380 South Africa
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
Powered by AI
Jabulani Safari hotel emerges as a pristine retreat where the cleanliness of its rooms shines, complete with private decks and plunge pools, as guests have enthusiastically noted. The amenities don't disappoint either, offering bespoke culinary delights and unique encounters with wildlife that leave a lasting impression.
Many travelers find the service unparalleled, lauding the staff's dedication and the personalized touches that make each stay memorable. The hotel's ambiance, perfectly aligned with nature, provides a serene backdrop that, alongside the commendable cleanliness of the premises, ensures a tranquil and spotless getaway.
Atmosphere
Enchanting
Rooms
Comfortable
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Outstanding
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.
Fantastic Experience. Elephant care is absolutely first class. Game viewing was superb with Ranger Reece Willox. Reece really brought the whole Game Drive to life with his professionalism, expertise and overall friendly / fun character. Nothing was too much trouble and Reece catered for every wish.
Elinda was a lovely host for our Special Birthday trip and made everything fall into perfect place for us. She is charming and very professional as well as witty and a real laugh to be around.
Songs Vusani has to be one of the best butlers to look after you on your visit. Friendly, knowledgeable and also a fun guy.
The Housekeeping team are so very efficient, our lodge was kept amazingly though out our stay.
Our Lodge was absolutely amazing with wildlife all around us. Personal secluded Plunge Pool kept us cool in 40 degree heat, Air Conditioning was superb to keep the Lodge cool and insect netting to keep you having a good nights sleep.
The facilities are first class and set in an amazing Private Game Reserve that is well kept and maintained. The location of the main Lodge is gorgeous and easy access to each Lodge with good footpaths, swept every day to allow wildlife tracking the next morning so you can see what the sounds were that you heard in the night.
The food is absolutely delicious and the Chefs really know how to keep you well fed for your adventures
Read more
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: September 2023
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.
Response from Jabulani Safari, Guest Services / Front Office at Jabulani Safari
Responded 26 Sept 2023
Dear I9968ORdave Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a lovely review. The entire team definitely had a huge smile after it was presented to them. Thank you so much for your support and we can't wait to host you again in the near future. Kindest Regards
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
So grateful as a family to have had the opportunity to experience this truly magnificent lodge. Our son had one request for his 13th birthday and that was to stay at a lodge in the Kruger Park or bordering on the Kruger Park. This would be a once in a lifetime trip. We could not have wished for more perfect stay. There was absolutely nothing we could fault during our stay. The friendliness of all the staff, the cleanliness of our suite, the delicious meals (thank you Alex for always making our meal times so special)and the most outstanding game drives. Our game guide Jonathan was extremely knowledgeable and had the most wonderful sense of humor. No matter how many questions our son asked he was happy to answer these. When your son says two weeks after your trip, that he misses Jonathan, you know that this person has left a huge impression on him. We had the most fantastic game drives and the best was that on most out of drives we would not come across another game drive vehicle. It feels like you are the only ones on the reserve. And then last but not least was having an interaction with the beautiful HERD. This was exceptionally humbling and the work that is done by Adine, Tiger and all the carers is to be commended. The love they have for these beautiful elephants is felt when enjoying these interactions. It warmed our hearts to see little Khanyisa in her natural environment. A huge thank you to Stefan, Ansie, Jonathan, Alex, Songs, Issac, OB, Bonnie and the housekeeping staff. We know that the time we had at Jabulani will hold a very special place in our hearts. If you ever get the opportunity to visit Kapama, Jabulani Safari should be the only lodge to consider. It is the small things and attention to detail that make a huge impression. Thank you Jabulani Safari 🐘🦒🦉love Ashleigh, Shelley and Matt
Read more
Date of stay: April 2021Trip 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.
Response from Jabulani Safari, General Manager at Jabulani Safari
Responded 27 Apr 2021
Dear Ashleigh Wow, thank you for your amazing review. It warms our hearts to know that Matt and yourselves enjoyed your time here. It was our absolute pleasure hosting you. We hope to welcome you back soon. Kind regards The Jabulani Team
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveller reviews.
The property is luxurious. Every person you come in contact with including the manager, guide, chef, butler and rest of the team, is genuinely interested in maximizing the enjoyment of your time with them. They go overboard to make sure you feel comfortable and have the most wonderful experience. Not to mention the fantastic safari rides and viewings. We first did a few days at different location for the same price and the service and food at Jabulani were far superior. I was a little skeptical about the elephant encounter, but it turned out to be a wonderful thing and we were all very happy with the offering.
Read more
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: October 2023
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.
Response from Jabulani Safari, Guest Services / Front Office at Jabulani Safari
Responded 16 Oct 2023
Dear Frederick Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a beautiful review. It brings us great joy to know that you had an amazing experience. We will definitely forward this review to our entire team, and we know it will put a massive smile on their faces. We hope to welcome you back to Jabulani shortly. Kindest Regards
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Amazing getaway to Jabulani Safari Lodge!! We received a warm welcome from Chantel on arrival and we were treated like royalty throughout our stay. The rooms are luxurious and spacious. All the staff were amazing throughout and cant think of anything to fault. We were fortunate to have Stefan as our guide and he shared a lot of his knowledge with us. Every game drive was a special treat and entertaining (you may be lucky enough to hear Stefan's lion call). Isaac, our butler, was fantastic and Songs was helpful and energetic. Ansie at the gift shop was very friendly and helpful. The food was great throughout our stay and the chefs (Dylan & Alex) went out of their way to make sure that our dietary requirements were catered to and that all the food was made to our satisfaction. The elephant experience is a must for anyone visiting this special place. Would not hesitate to recommend Jabulani Safari Lodge to anyone looking for an outstanding bush break. Thank you very much Jabulani team for a great experience.
Read more
Date of stay: October 2020
Location
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.
Response from Jabulani Safari, General Manager at Jabulani Safari
Responded 12 Oct 2020
Dear Luzuko T Thank you, thank you for this amazing review. It was our absolute pleasure hosting you at Jabulani. We would absolutely love for you to return. Best wishes The Jabulani Team
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Where to start? Jabulani was incredible. We had originally booked for 5 people in the Zindoga Villa and thanks to there flexibility we were allowed to book a sixth person for no extra price. We arrived at Hoedspruit airport to be greeted by our amazing guide Ryan. He drove us through the game reserve to the lodge. Our villa had 3 rooms and 2 swimming pools and it was really nice to have our own villa to ourselves. Our private chef Alex made delicious meals and his Caesar salad and lamb with custard was fantastic. Orbit was our butler and was very welcoming and was a the type of guy you could have a good conversation with. Stefan the manager really made feel at home. The safaris were great as we could create our own set schedule and the elephant interaction and elephant sunset was a family memory that we will treasure. The pictures that Ryan took were fantastic and the tracking down of the lion pride really did blow our mind. Also thank you for letting us watch the Manchester United vs Liverpool match on your TV. One minor setback, try make the wifi a little stronger as there isn't mobile data in the game reserve. A memorable trip to remember. Thank you Ryan, Alex, Orbit, Stefan and the Jabulani team for making this one of the best holidays ever. We'll be back. The Luthras
Read more
Date of stay: August 2022
Rooms
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.
We managed to book 2 nights at a special all inclusive rate that was just too good to pass. This turned into an extension to 3 nights and a week before our arrival we added another night. This was all worth the effort. We were met by the staff from General Manager to our personally appointed butler Shadrack and our personal ranger Juan Hattingh. Nothing was too small or big for them to deliver. We were the only guests on the first night and we were pampered. The establishment and its staff are very careful not to be pushy and insist on activities such as game drives but will be there at the drop of a hat if you do need to do an activity. They seem to appear out of the ether whenever you might have a need. Our ranger Juan Hattingh was superb with great knowledge and charm. The food experience let a lot to be desired as the breakfast is based on a English Breakfast of Sausage, Bacon, Meats, etc. However from the 2nd day the chef was more than willing to conjure up fresh smoothies or omelettes, etc. The dinners seem to be best for carnivores as they are very good at venison and other meats. However if you don't eat meat the menu is very bland. There seems to be an emphasis on the number of items on a plate rather than the quality on the plate. However I have already referred all my friends to Jabulani and will be returning as soon as possible
Read more
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: January 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.
Response from Jabulani Safari, General Manager at Jabulani Safari
Responded 17 Feb 2022
Dear Douglas. Thank you so much for taking the time to review our property. We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the game viewing and service. We take great pride in ensuring that all our guest are treated like family. We will be looking into our menus and the chef team will ensure that they knock you off your feet with your next visit. Kindest Regards
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
From the time of our arrival to the time of our departure, we were taken on a magical journey to one of the most ethereal spaces I have occupied. We were greeted just beyond the outer gate by head Ranger Jason, who escorted us to the entrance of the Main Lodge which sits amid Kapama Game Reserve. For those concerned with Covid, the entire staff always wore masks, our temperatures were taken daily, and all social distancing precautions were followed). We were greeted by GM's Stefan and Chantel, then were taken to our amazing suite which was luxurious, with great attention to every last detail as well as heart warming and welcoming. After dropping our luggage and high tea, we taken on our first of 6 game drives. the sightings were plentiful and of a large variety. The meals were prepared with care and love, and the wine list was on point. The Elephant Interaction was even more amazing than viewing the Herd on a family swim, and was equally fabulous as watching the Herd come home as the gorgeous reddish orange sun dropped creating a most heavenly scene. Ask your Ranger to guide you on a Bush Walk for an exhilarating experience. The service was impeccable and the staff friendly and accommodating, no request is too small. Absolute Heaven on Earth, the finest of everything from food and drink, the team members, right down to the suite and Lodge decor. Pure Luxury!
Read more
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: May 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.
Response from Jabulani Safari, General Manager at Jabulani Safari
Responded 1 Jun 2021
Dear Roam25526200165 Thank you for the wonderful review. We are so happy and delighted to know that you enjoyed your stay with us. We hope to welcome you back in the near future. Kind regards The Jabulani Team
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
What a remarkable Safari experience! 00000000000000000000000000000000 The lodge and accommodations were absolutely beautiful with a unique design themed around elephants. From check-in to check-out, the friendliest and welcoming staff were always available to assist us or even just chat, as if we were part of the family. We loved it.
Our Guide Jason was a legend. Apart from his knowledge of wildlife, he had some incredible stories and tales to go along with the game drives. Each drive kept getting better and better. We truly felt fortunate to have such a great guide.
The food there was phenomenal. All diets were thrown out the window on arrival. The food was just that good. The Chef was an absolute rock star.
What drew me first to Jabulani was the work with elephants, and that is felt throughout the entire lodge. We found ourselves jumping into as many elephant focuses experiences as we could. The work that Adine and the Team at Jabulani have done for elephants as a species is remarkable.
The whole Team was amazing. It's not often you travel and connect with people so quickly, but we found that at Jabulani. We feel truly lucky to have experienced such a magical place. And we cannot wait to head back.
Read more
Date of stay: July 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.
Response from Jabulani Safari, General Manager at Jabulani Safari
Responded 10 Aug 2021
Dear Ianswain2 Thank you for your amazing feedback. We are so honored to have hosted you at Jabulani. The team is delighted to read such an amazing review. We would love to host you again in the near future. Kind regards The Jabulani Team
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
What a great place and great stay. Stephan and Chantelle are fantastic managers with an awesome team working at the lodge. Our guide Jason is so knowledgeable and an absolute pleasure to drive with. I cannot begin to describe the fantastic room where we stayed in absolute luxury. The two Chefs Alex and Dylan - o my word, the food these guys make is unexplainable fantastic and one has to experience this to really appreciate good taste. We fell in love with the place. We loved our stay and will recommend Jabulani to anyone who takes a good stay, good food, lots of animals and great people in the bush serious!
Read more
Date of stay: August 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.
Response from Jabulani Safari, General Manager at Jabulani Safari
Responded 12 Aug 2020
Dear Wilma Thank you for the wonderful review. We are so pleased to know that you enjoyed your stay. It was our absolute pleasure hosting you and hope to see you back soon. We look forward to your next visit. Best wishes The Jabulani Team
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jabulani offers the perfect balance between a luxurious offering and personable staff that make you fele at home and comfortable. The rooms, and facilities are excellent, we thoroughly enjoyed the food, and the game drives were very enjoyable with the assistance of our highly motivated and dedicated guide. Of course, the elephant experience is truly unique and makes this a stand-out.
Read more
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: June 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.
Hi there, Unfortunately not. We do have a morning experience to meet one or two of the elephant bulls - it is a 90 minute experience from 06;30 - 08:00 every day. if you email us or contact us via our website, we will be able to assist with more information as we are unable to send booking links or email addresses on this message.
hope that helps!
Good day Caroline
Thank you for the enquiry.
We have a fully inclusive package that will include game drives as well as local beverages.
There are some premier beverages that are not included.
You are welcome to contact us directly if you need further information.
Kind regards
Dear CGriffiths
We are delighted to know that you will be returning to Camp Jabulani.
During your 3 night stay you can participate in any of the following Elephant activities:
Meet & Greet – Introduction to the herd and what you can expect.
This is the opportunity to feel and touch the elephants, and take some photo’s with them. The Elephant manager will do the introduction before moving to the elephants and introduce the groom and elephant. Here each guest is given insight into the Camp Jabulani world / offering a first glimpse of the elephant family and the individuals who work so close with the elephants, who are also part of the Jabulani elephant family/herd.
Elephant Tracking - Guests will join a senior trails guide, senior groom and their ranger for an elephant tracking experience in the big 5 game reserve.You will drive with the safari vehicle and stop a fair distance from where the elephants will be roaming that specific day. As silently as possible the group will track the elephants with the assistance of the elephant carer who will direct them in the correct direction. The senior elephant carer, trails guide(as it is a Big 5 game area, an armed ranger must be part of the group) and ranger will tell the stories about the elephants, their different personalities as you watch the herd from close proximity. The Herd is only being observed in their natural habitat and not disturbed..
Stable Walk - Guests will meet the herd at a wateringhole and will first watch the herd while they drink some water, with the beautiful sun setting in the back. As the herd make their way to the stables the guests will follow behind them. Guests will move to the platform near the stables, the elephant manager will explain which elephants are together in the different camps as well as explaining the interactions among them. This is also a perfect opportunity to observe our orphaned baby – Timisa. Here one can see the cleanliness of the stables,the welfare of each elephant and how the caretakers and elephants end their day.
We look forward to your return visit.
Have a safe journey.
The Camp Jabulani Team
There are more places to choose from in the Kapama Private Game Reserve area.
PRICE RANGE
HK$14,128 - HK$29,216 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
camp jabulani hotel hoedspruit
LOCATION
South AfricaKruger National ParkKapama Private Game Reserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
9
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.
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.
