As the largest camp in the Kapama Private Game Reserve, River Lodge has more of a big hotel vibe than a small camping lodge feel. It attracts younger visitors, many looking to see the Big Five well before they hit the big five-oh themselves. Couples and groups of friends are often to be found kicking back on loungers around the rim flow pool, or sipping cocktails in the African-themed lounge or River Bar, before taking dinner in the Rhino Boma or Xitsumbeni (more about those later).
To give you an idea of the size of this place, there are 33 Deluxe Suites, 16 Spa Suites, 7 Courtyard Suites, 4 Family Spa Suites, and 2 Royal Suites at River Lodge. So being happy to meet new people as well as see new forms of wildlife will certainly help you enjoy your experience here.
All accommodation offers air conditioned comfort, with ensuite bathrooms featuring a tub and shower for your convenience, as well as private outside space with views of the reserve from all rooms, save for the courtyard suites which overlook the beautiful communal courtyard.
No review of River Lodge is complete without mentioning the spa. So here’s where we mention the spa. Rated one of the best safari spas in Africa by people who know about that sort of thing, it has six treatment rooms staffed by a team who’ve won awards to prove they know how to pamper you in style.
The open-sided thatched Rhino boma is an outdoor area with dining tables arranged around a fire which some might call roaring until they hear a proper roar of a lion in the wild. It’s a great place to eat a meal out in the open.
This is River Lodge’s new dining experience – a place to enjoy all your meals in different lounge-style settings, with fireplaces and firepits adding warmth, light and ambience to the experience.
The central guest entertaining area has the pool, bar, lounge, and dining areas you’d expect, but also a couple of features you might not – a library and curio shop. Both are well worth checking out, though don’t forget to bring your book back before you leave.
If you’re here for the romance of River Lodge, book the table for two in the riverbed at the front of the lodge and hope for a clear night so you can say you dined under the stars while on safari.
Kapama River Lodge offers a range of exciting activities that allow guests to fully experience the beauty of the African bush. Twice-daily game drives, led by skilled rangers and trackers, take guests on thrilling journeys through Kapama Game Reserve, where they can spot the Big 5 along with a variety of other fascinating wildlife. For those seeking a closer connection with nature, guided bush walks provide an intimate exploration of the landscape. The lodge also features a wine cellar stocked with some of South Africa’s finest wines, perfect for relaxing after a day of adventure. Guests can unwind at the Kapama Wellness Centre, which offers indulgent spa treatments, including the signature Marula Rasul Steam Treatment, along with a fully equipped gym for those wanting a more active form of relaxation.
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