KAPAMA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

RIVER LODGE

The northern Drakensberg mountain range provides a majestic backdrop to the largest private game lodge in the Greater Kruger National Park region. 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. Although large, it is so stylish and roomy and beautifully positioned along a dry riverbed, that guests fall in love with it.

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. The Rhino Boma dining area with tables arranged under a low thatch in a horseshoe curve, has a central open space where a roaring outdoor fire gives a glow to evening meals. Buffet-style meals introduce African flavours with Pan African dishes using fresh local ingredients and specialist dishes featuring venison like kudu and impala.

Kapama River Lodge is so named because it lies in a curve of the Kapama River, which is usually dry but floods from time to time and can reach the steps of the lodge swimming pool. A small permanent water source lies just beyond Kapama River Lodge perimeter fence attracting animals like antelopes, elephant and buffalo. Watch this truly African spectacle from the warm blue water of the big rim flow swimming pool, or relax in the shade of an umbrella on loungers around the pool.

For those occasions when you really want to catch up on world news on cable TV, watch a sports game or entertain the children with a wildlife DVD, pop down to the Kapama River Lodge Media Room. This area is also adapted for small conferences of 20 delegates or less, with breakaway rooms seating 8-10 people.

Lounge
African pots, stools and artefacts grace the illuminated recessed alcoves in the L-shaped lounges and bar of Kapama River lodge. Chairs are softly upholstered in reds and golds and the high yellow thatch reflects a warm light back into the beamed lounges. A wide chimney divides each lounge area, and the dual-facing fireplaces throws light and warmth into all areas.

Wooden-framed glass concertina doors can be pulled closed to keep it cosy or opened up completely for views beyond the rim-flow pool into the sandy riverbed. A special feature of Kapama River Lodge is the straw-clad plaster walls, helping to seamlessly merge the inside with the outside.

Dining
Kapama River Lodge extends itself with three different dining venues:
Rhino Boma is the most popular buffet dinner venue where a delicious variety of dishes is eaten under an open-sided thatch around a crackling fire.
The Riverbed is a romantic place to dine, with a star-studded African night sky above you and the sand of the dry riverbed beneath you.
Siyatla Lounge is newly built and perfect for large groups, formal functions, product launches and conferences. It has its own bar and lounge with two huge fireplaces with chimneys extending up to the open-beam thatched roof. Huge wizened leadwood trunks create a truly African feature inside the hall. Concertina glass panel doors open the space completely to let the sounds and smells of Africa in.
Dishes are prepared with seasonal local produce and fresh herbs grown at Kapama River Lodge. Ethnic dishes and accompaniments like mielie pap (African-style polenta) and chakalaka (a hot and spicy relish) are used to give the taste of Africa, but more familiar food is also on the menu. Safari game drives have the habit of giving you a raging appetite so blow the diet and dig into specialist dishes like warthog stew and kudu casserole, impala sausages and mild oxtail curries. Fish eaters get an option on the menu and vegetarians are well catered for with fresh African vegetables like sweet potatoes baked in their skin, wild spinach and feta cheese, spiced zulu cabbage and steamed gem squash.

Wine Cellar
Kapama River lodge has a wine cellar worth boasting about. Three big plate glass windows allow you to look into the perfectly humidified environment storing more than 600 bottles of fine wine. Apart from some French Champagne, all the wines and Cape Classique sparkling are from South Africa's finest Cape vineyards.

Suites
Kapama River Lodge features 40 spacious air-conditioned suites, with modern yet distinctly African furnishings and log-beam ceilings under a golden thatch. Step onto your private balcony with an iced drink from your mini bar, and while away free time looking lazily into the bush for animals that may pass by.
There's tea and coffee at your disposal too. Bathrooms are all en-suite with his and hers basins, bath and shower, complimentary amenities are supplied daily.

Spa Suites
The 20 Spa suites, completed in November 2008, is positioned close to the Spa on a private setting away from the rest of the lodge and all rooms have magnificent private views into the reserve. The ebony and ivory colors and the use of frameless glass panels in the bathroom as well as the 3 meter high doors makes it possible to fully enjoy the magnificent views from every corner of the room. The room includes all other luxuries such as a minibar and coffee and tea making facilities, hair dryer, minisafe and even have a built in international plug that can accommodate most electric power plug configurations.
The Kapama Family Room is situated together with the Spa suites and includes three balconies and a separate area with two beds for younger kids if guest want their kids to be accommodated in one room. This room is in excess of 70 m² including the balconies and is also ideal for guests who just enjoy the comfort of a large room.

Royal Suites
Pamper yourself at the two Kapama River Lodge Royal Suites. These suites are bigger in every way and have a separate lounge and extended balcony with recliner couches. Your en-suite bathroom has bath and a dual shower cubicle looking towards the bush.