Kapama River Lodge

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Pricing

pp/night sharing

normal price: R14 000 (save: 49%)

within 21 days of travel

1 Apr - 30 Jun '26

Marula Suite

R 7200

1 Apr - 30 Jun '26

Tamboti Superior Suite

R 8500

1 Apr - 30 Jun '26

Royal Suite

R 9800

INCLUDES DRINKS

Includes:

Luxury accommodation
Three meals per day
All local and select premium drinks
Teas and Snacks
Two daily Safari activities (safari game drives/bush walks)
Return transfers between Hoedspruit Airport (Eastgate) and the camp

Our Verdict

INCLUDES DRINKS! With 62 luxurious suites positioned along the seasonal Kapama river, it’s ideally suited to guests (often younger couples and groups of friends) looking a more “resorty” and quite social bush experience. The excellent Spa is also a huge drawcard!

Lodge Gallery

Our Ratings

7.5

Overall

7.5

Luxury & style

7.0

Setting

8.0

Game Viewing

6.0

Romance

Our Ratings

7.5

Overall

7.5

Luxury & style

7.0

Setting

8.0

Game Viewing

6.0

Romance

What's Hot

With its 62 suites Kapama River Lodge is the largest lodge in the private greater Kruger reserves – this makes it ideally suited to groups, whilst still retaining intimate spaces for individuals!
Kapama River Lodge has quite a "split personality" with some quite old-fashioned and traditionally styled facilities living alongside others which exhibit an extremely contemporary design style - hopefully there's something to suit your personal style preference
The superb Wellness Centre here is a major drawcard for River Lodge – it’s arguably the best value for money safari spa experience on offer in the country!
Take advantage of some of the more unusual activities on offer here – such as elephant interactions or hot air ballooning over the surrounding lowveld!
Excellent and reliably consistent game viewing aided by very good rangers and trackers – the wildlife experience at Kapama won’t disappoint!
Will suit people looking for a more buzzy and social lodge with loads of facilities for whom a small, intimate lodge could just be too quiet

What's Not

River Lodge has more of a small resort feel than typical game lodge, courtesy of those 62 suites – if you fancy smaller, more intimate lodge experiences then consider Kapama Karula or Buffalo Camp instead
Some people may prefer a reserve that’s a little quieter as with 4 sizeable camps there are quite a few vehicles out there traversing the reserve – then again that means that loads of sightings get called in from all the eyes out there

perhaps the highlight of Kapama River Lodge for many guests is the stunning Wellness Centre – a sophisticated Spa facility which includes 6 gorgeous treatment rooms and a stunning lap pool overlooking the riverbed!

Lodge Profile

Quick Overview

Location

Kapama

Drive Time

06 hours drive from Johannesburg

Malaria

Yes - low risk area

Setting

Overlooking a riverbed

Rooms

62 suites - 33 Deluxe Suites, 16 Spa Suites, 4 Family Spa Suites, 2 Royal Suites and 7 Standard Courtyard Suites

Aircon

Yes

Pool

Yes

Spa

Yes

Camp Fenced

Yes

Tracker

Yes - ranger and tracker

Off Road

Yes

Child Policy

All ages

Within the expansive Kapama reserve, 13 000 hectares of savannah and riverine forest that’s renowned for its high density of big game, lies Kapama River Lodge. This is by far the largest of the 4 lodges that makes up the Kapama portfolio – in fact with 62 luxurious suites it has more the feel of a small luxury resort or hotel than a typical bush lodge. This makes it suitable for travellers looking for a stylish and luxurious property with more facilities (especially the superb Spa!) and perhaps more of a “buzz” than smaller lodges – it also makes it a perfect option for corporate groups or management breakaways.

In many ways Kapama River Lodge has quite a "split personality" in that the hotel has both quite old-fashioned as well as bang-up-to-date contemporary elements existing side by side, courtesy of some extensive revamps and renovations that have been carried out over the years. This can be clearly seen in the 62 suites which are positioned along a bend of the seasonal Kapama River – on the older side of the spectrum are the 7 entry-level Standard Courtyard Suites (which to be absolutely honest would be our last choice as they are quite small, dark and old fashioned with views out over a courtyard) A definite step up are the 16 Spa Suites and 4 Family Spa Suites (which sleep 2 kids) which are more attractive and more modern, if not completely contemporary - they're positioned a little way from the main lodge wing to ensure additional privacy and proximity to the Spa, where you can enjoy unique African spa treatments. But our definite recommendation would be the 33 Deluxe Suites, the latest to be renovated and which boast a much more modern design feel, courtesy of their attractive light oak décor elements and matt plastered walls and which enjoy views out over the surrounding bush. Finally there are the 2 Royal Suites which are pretty much larger, more spacious versions of the Deluxe Suites and also offer spacious outside patio decks, perfect for relaxing whilst watching any passing wildlife!

That same "split personality" is evident in the main public areas of Kapama River Lodge too, where there is a mix of certain quite old-fashioned traditional elements (for example the old thatched, open sided Rhino Boma restaurant area, as well as the original lodge swimming pool and its adjacent lounge and bar area) living alongside other features which are absolutely modern and extremely contemporary in their styling (including the state-of-the-art Spa, the new main entrance/reception area, the new pool with its adjacent cocktail bar, not to mention the new dining area known as Xitsumbeni, which has its own bar with numerous lounge areas and fireplaces, two large firepits and floor to ceiling glass stack doors which open the lounge up to views of the surrounding bushveld) As you can see there's plenty of space and choice to find something that suits your personal preferences.

But perhaps the highlight of Kapama River Lodge for many guests is the stunning Wellness Centre – a sophisticated Spa facility which includes 6 gorgeous treatment rooms and a stunning lap pool overlooking the riverbed. Dermalogica and Matisse products are used and there is an innovative range of treatments infused with a unique African flavour. And if that all sounds a bit too laid-back and pampering, then fitness masochists (sorry, enthusiasts!) can enjoy making use of the state-of-the-art mini-gym!

It might not offer the feel of a typical game lodge, but guests at Kapama River Lodge definitely get to enjoy an excellent game viewing experience! Twice-daily game drives with a qualified and passionate ranger and expert tracker reveal Africa’s big game in all their glory, and you’ll get to share in their many secrets and stories of the bush – it makes for unforgettable wildlife encounters! You can expect to encounter a diverse range of animals on open 4x4 vehicles - it's a thrilling experience to find yourself surrounded by elephants or to spot a pride of lions with cubs! While seeing big game is always exhilarating, there are many other smaller species that are also captivating, and birding enthusiasts will be delighted. As darkness falls, the nocturnal animals come out and the skilled tracker will scan the landscape using a spotlight which illuminates animals’ eyes – and you will notice a completely different variety of species!

An interesting excursion on offer is to enjoy lovely views of the area from the air in a hot air balloon – with a glass of bubbly in your hand, what could be better! The Kapama reserve also offers you an unique and unforgettable African wildlife experience with the chance to interact with a herd of rescued elephants that now call Jabulani Safari home!

Pricing

pp/night sharing

More Information

Booking Notes

Child Policy

When sharing with 2 adults, children aged 2-11 years will pay 50% of the adult rate
Children under 2 years of age will stay free of charge
Generally, and except where children are accommodated on safari by means of a 'bush bumble', children under the age of 6 years will not be permitted on game drives, except on a specially arranged "bush bumble" safari
Children between the age of 6 and 12 years are permitted on drives at the discretion of the game ranger