Kapama Buffalo Camp

High in the treetops, accessible only by elevated wooden walkways, the old-world luxury tents of Buffalo Camp are the closest you’ll get to living alongside our wildlife.

This luxury tented camp, in Kapama Private Game Reserve near the Kruger National Park, is a quiet and intimate lodge where you can unwind in the shade of the trees and simply absorb the surrounding peace. The perfect luxury South African Safari escape.

The intimate Buffalo Camp lounge, nestled under a vaulted, thatched roof, is the perfect place to sink into a comfortable sofa for a spot of birdwatching – refreshing cocktail in hand, of course. The sun loungers around our elevated rim-flow pool offer excellent views of the surrounding fauna and flora.

ABOUT
Spanning 15 000 hectares of the pristine African bush, Kapama offers the perfect sanctuary for a wide variety of wildlife. Here, over 40 different species of mammals including the Big 5 – elephant, lion, leopard, African buffalo and rhinoceros – as well as 350 bird species, thrive in their natural habitat.

Visitors get the opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures in the wild with twice-daily guided game drives and nature walks.

Kapama’s four luxury lodges each have a charm of their own – Buffalo Camp delights with its old-world feel, Southern Camp offers warmth and hospitality, River Lodge is vibrant year-round and Karula is breathtakingly elegant. The more adventurous can also choose to spend a night in one of our romantic sleep-outs.

To offer visitors the best experience possible, Kapama now boasts a private aeroplane and airstrip to receive guests travelling directly from Johannesburg or Cape Town, as well as a courtesy transfer service from Eastgate Airport.

HISTORY
Johann Roode bought the farm Moria in 1986 to be used as grazing for his Bonsmara cattle. Soon he needed more grazing and a second portion of land, Drakensig, was acquired. Within a year Johann decided to shift his focus to ecotourism, and so Kapama was born.

Johann began to develop Kapama into an ecotourism destination dedicated to the celebration and preservation of this breath-taking region with construction starting in 1989. Buffalo Camp now stands on the land that used to be Moria.

Today, Kapama is still owner-managed by Johann Roode’s son, Bernard Roode, making it the largest family-owned reserve in the area. Only after Johann’s tragic passing in 2002, did his vision for Kapama started to take shape with the development of Kapama River Lodge in 2006.

Kapama has since further expanded through the acquisition of additional land, the most significant being Gwala Gwala and Hongonyi. These two portions of land are now the sites of the modern Southern Camp and the luxurious flag-ship Kapama Karula.

WEATHER
Summer is from October to March. Daytime temperatures can reach highs of up to 42°C and lows of 20°C. Summer is also when most rain falls in this area, which receives about 550 mm of rain annually. The colder winter months of May, June and July experience daytime highs of around 26°C and night-time lows of about 8°C.

Spring and autumn are more temperate seasons with less variance between day and night temperatures, and generally range between 12°C and 28°C. Game viewing, however, is excellent throughout the year at Kapama.

LOCATION
Kapama Private Game Reserve, situated in the Limpopo Province, occupies a vast area between the northern Drakensberg mountains and the Greater Kruger National Park, in the northeast of South Africa.

It spans 15 000 hectares of the magnificent South African bushveld, teeming with wildlife, including the Big Five, yet is ideally situated to receive fly-in guests of scheduled flights from the nearby Eastgate Airport in Hoedspruit.

The best airport to fly into is Eastgate Airport, also known as Hoedspruit Airport, which is just across the road from one of Kapama’s entrances.

Kapama offers complimentary transfers in open game viewing vehicles directly to any of the four luxury game lodges on the reserve: River Lodge, Buffalo Camp, Kapama Karula and Southern Camp.

Should a travel itinerary include Hendrik van Eck Airport or Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, guests will need to arrange a private transfer in order to get to Kapama Private Game Reserve. That is why Eastgate / Hoedspruit Airport is highly recommended.

10 LUXURY TENTS
Set among tall, shady trees, with a seasonal river below, Buffalo Camp’s suites are ultra-luxurious tents that consistently delight our guests. Dark wood and leather finishes add a nostalgic air, while lights illuminating the walkways at night create a wonderfully romantic ambience.

Each luxury tent features en-suite bathrooms and air-con, as well as additional blankets for cooler weather comfort. Tea and Lavazza coffee facilities come standard, along with a fully stocked minibar.

For peace of mind, there’s a lock-up safe for your valuables, and for our guests from abroad, international plugs for convenience.

BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
Tuck into delicate delights from our a la carte menu under traditional thatch, surrounded by natural beauty.

DINNER
Gather around a roaring, open fire in a true African boma as you dine on traditional fare to the soundtrack of a wild African night.

KOSHER
On request, Kapama Buffalo Camp can offer kosher meals. For information on our kosher meal options email our reservations team and they will be happy to assist.

SPA & WELLNESS 
Bliss awaits at our award-winning wellness centres. Indulge yourself in the finest spa treatments on the continent, work up a sweat with state-of-the-art fitness equipment and steam rooms, or take a plunge in our refreshing pool.

For a more comprehensive wellness encounter, explore our 3 unique all-inclusive Karula Spa Wellness experiences.

RIVER LODGE SPA
Considered one of the finest safari spas in Africa, the River Lodge Spa is a firm favourite with all our guests.

Lounge around a generous central lap pool before you hand yourself over to our highly trained and experienced beauty therapists for one of our distinctly African treatments, across five sumptuous treatment rooms, in a setting surrounded by stillness and sweeping bushveld.

RIVER LODGE FITNESS CENTRE
If you’d like to work up a sweat, River Lodge has a state-of-the-art mini-gym fully equipped with the latest machinery and technology from Technogym – the global experts of exercise, be it for fitness, health or sports.

There is a treadmill, recumbent and upright bike for cardio and an extensive range of weight-lifting equipment so you can tone or build muscle. As an additional option to compliment your wellness experience guided yoga and meditation sessions can be arranged.

KARULA SPA & WELLNESS CENTRE
After a day out in the wild, there’s nothing more welcome than a pampering treatment. Surrounded by glass, our award-winning luxurious Karula Spa has an intimate connection with the bushveld scenery. This stunning Spa is a haven of relaxation and calm.

With four deluxe treatment rooms and a range of revitalising health and beauty treatments, this spa uses only the finest quality products, including the new range of BABOR professional skincare. Should you wish to purchase any of the products from our BABOR ranger, click below.

SHOP BABOR

For those who aren’t quite sure, there’s always the Spa pool with built-in loungers and underwater jets or the hydrotherapy room with a steam room and ice plunge – and even a curio shop where you can find that perfect gift for a loved one back home.

KARULA FITNESS CENTRE
For a body workout, the fitness centre is equipped with state-of-the-art cardio and weight-lifting equipment from Technogym – the global experts of exercise, be it for fitness, health or sports.

Enjoy a morning run or walk on the stylish Jog Forma treadmill, experience the innovative SKILLROW indoor rowing solution or cycle on the new Technogym SKILLBIKE™, the first exercise bike with gears.

The patented REAL GEAR SHIFT enables the rider to simulate the dynamics of a climb, recreating all the sensations of cycling on the road. Kapama Karula offers free Wi-Fi, so you can connect to Strava, Zwift or The Mywellness App to continue with your workout regime, even when on safari.

As an additional option to compliment your wellness experience guided yoga and meditation sessions can be arranged.

SPA WELLNESS EXPERIENCE
To find peace in paradise look no further than the ultra-luxurious Kapama Karula Spa and Wellness Centre. This African oasis provides a sanctuary for travellers seeking to add another dimension to their luxury safari adventure.

Whether you are looking for a holistic shift in wellness, a fitness-focused fusion or a deluxe pampering indulgence, let one of our unique custom-made 3-day Karula experiences whisk you off to a place away from time.

ROMANTIC SLEEPOUT 
You’ll arrive before sunset to watch the changing colours of evening and sip a sundowner. The African bush fairytale continues with a five-course dinner served to you by a personal chef at an intimate table for two on the platform.

Or you can enjoy dinner at the lodge and arrive at your romantic sleep-out venue afterwards. By night, it will be encircled by a ring of golden lantern light.

The platform and luxury bathroom underneath are both animal-proof, but both a two-way radio and cellular phone are supplied for additional peace of mind. With a flush toilet, shower and his and hers basins, the bathroom has all comforts catered for.

A FLIGHT TO KAPAMA
Kapama realizes that the discerning travellers require something even more exclusive, luxurious and relaxing to kick-start their safari when arriving at ORTIA or Cape Town International.

To accommodate this need, Kapama developed and built its own tarred runway for its privately-owned Pilatus PC1-2 aircraft. This Kapama aircraft had its first flight in December 2017. Pilatus is a Swiss aircraft manufacturer with an astounding reputation for quality and safety.

The Pilatus PC-12 has an outstanding safety history and is known as one of the most reliable aircraft in the world. This Kapama owned and branded aircraft is now operating between ORTIA and Cape Town International for Kapama guests exclusively on request.

To add to this extremely luxurious travel option Kapama have partnered with Fireblade Aviation and will be using the exclusive Fireblade terminal services at ORTIA for guests making use of the Kapama luxury travel option to Kapama.

The Fireblade facility includes among others a gym, day rooms, boardrooms etc. where guests to Kapama can freshen up before they board the Kapama aircraft or when they return from Kapama and need a comfortable area and setting before moving on to their next destination.

The flight between Johannesburg ORTIA and Kapama is only a 50-minute flight. On arrival at the Kapama tarred airstrip, guests are welcomed by their dedicated ranger. The road trip to Kapama Karula is less than 10 minutes through the Kapama reserve.

The facilities utilized for this luxury travel option at Cape Town International will be those of Signature Flight services that provide similar facilities. The flight from Cape Town International will be approximate 3hours 20 minutes to Kapama.

SPECIAL OCCASIONS
Kapama is the ideal place away from time to celebrate your special occasions. Fall in love again in the rich African landscape, perfect for your anniversary, honeymoon or a romantic getaway with the one who keeps your smile.

There is magic in sharing your joy. Our luxurious lodges offer an abundance of space should you wish to celebrate with your family or friends.

PRIVATE OCCASIONS
We at Kapama believe in offering more to your experience to ensure that your stay with us is memorable. We have the following special occasions available as added extras.

PRIVATE DINNERS
Indulge in royal treatment with our exclusive private dinners, for couples and groups. Your tables will be hosted in a secluded area at the lodge, with dedicated waiters, where you can also dine on our sumptuous safari menu.

PRIVATE BUSH DINING
Begin your day with a robust and wholesome breakfast, or have dinner under the stars around a roaring fire after your game drive. Dinner is usually shared at a group table, along with your game ranger and fellow drive guests.

HONEYMOONS
Kapama offers a Honeymoon Special, which includes a complimentary bottle of fine South African wine for your safari honeymoon.

Step into a fairy-tale and spend your honeymoon surrounded by the melodies of wild Africa. As an additional add-on option to your special occasion, our Romantic Sleep-out is the perfect Honeymoon safari experience.

A raised platform with a giant four-poster bed swathed in billowing mosquito netting, Kapama’s Sleep-out platform is completely private, deep in the reserve, and incredibly romantic. Enjoy an uninterrupted view of the stars on your platform, encircled by golden lantern light.

The platform is completely safe and animal proof, and it is equipped with a full luxury bathroom. For additional peace of mind, Kapama supplies a two-way radio and cellular phone. After dawn, the ranger will be waiting for your call to return you safely to the lodge

CONFERENCING
River Lodge offers a world-class conference facility, decorated and furnished to reflect vibrant African style. Natural light streams into the conference venue through expansive glass stack doors, with the African bushveld directly outside. Should a darkened room be required, large blinds cut sunlight effectively.

This attractive safari conference venue offers seating for up to 130 delegates in classroom style, or 200 delegates in cinema style. For smaller conferences, Kapama Southern Camp offers seating for up to 30 delegates in cinema style or 20 delegates in classroom style.

WEDDINGS
Begin your new chapter in the company of mother nature and all her glory. Have peace of mind knowing that Kapama will take care of all your needs, creating the perfect setting for all your new memories.

A wedding on the African landscape is an experience like no other. Whether small or large scale, Kapama offers spectacular views and venues that will ensure that your vision for your wedding is met. Your guests can enjoy the wild on a game drive while you and your bridal party have your photo session.

Let Kapama give you peace of mind by arranging décor, entertainment, a wedding cake and floral arrangements for the ceremony, as well as hairdressers and makeup artists for the bridal party. Give your nuptials an African flavour by adding the sweet sounds of an African choir to your celebrations.

GAME DRIVES 
Two game drives a day are offered to all our guests. Accompanied by a skilled ranger and tracker, you can expect to encounter a diverse range of animal and bird species. Since this is a Big Five reserve, encountering lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo is possible over a two-day safari.

While seeing big game is always exhilarating, there are many other smaller species that are also captivating, and birding enthusiasts will be delighted at the approximately 350 species of bird recorded on the reserve. Throughout the day, it’s likely you will see wildlife such as nyala antelope, Vervet monkeys or even a few of the Big Five.

BUSH WALKS
Experience the African bush on foot under the guidance of a skilled ranger. Your guide will point out medicinal plants, insects and birdlife along the way, and share traditional tracking skills such as using animal footprints and scat to identify animals.

This truly memorable, authentic and intimate encounter with nature and our wildlife is included in the tariffs.

Website: www.kapama.com

Rooms: 10

Price: from 910 EUR per night