A hippo yawning in water at sunset, Botswana. Photo: Pexels (free licence).
Is Kapama Private Game Reserve a good company to book a safari with?
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 2 November 2026
Kapama Private Game Reserve is in the Uncompromised Travel table of safari camp owners. Everything below is from its own website and its review listings, each line with the page it was read from: no score, no rank.
What do guests say about Kapama Private Game Reserve?
Kapama Private Game Reserve has 4.7 out of 5 on Google (listing 'Kapama Private Game Reserve') from 870 reviews, each read on its own platform and never added together.
- 4.7 out of 5 from 870 reviews. On the Google listing 'Kapama Private Game Reserve' (hotel), Kapama Private Game Reserve, Kapama, Hoedspruit. Camps with listings of their own are not added in.
- SafariBookings
- No SafariBookings listing in Kapama Private Game Reserve's name was found.
- Trustpilot
- No Trustpilot listing in Kapama Private Game Reserve's name was found.
Where are Kapama Private Game Reserve's camps?
South Africa. Four lodges, all within Kapama Private Game Reserve: River Lodge, Buffalo Camp, Southern Camp and Kapama Karula (the flagship).
- Countries
- South Africa.
- Camps
- Four lodges, all within Kapama Private Game Reserve: River Lodge, Buffalo Camp, Southern Camp and Kapama Karula (the flagship). All are on the family's own reserve.
- Where they are
- All four of its camps are inside Kapama Private Game Reserve, a 15,000 hectare private reserve in the Greater Kruger near Kruger National Park, on the Klaserie River. Karula is the flagship. Buffalo Camp is the smallest and only tented camp.
- Land and traversing
- Private game reserve of over 15,000 hectares, privately owned by the family and 'fenced'. It is in the Greater Kruger, not in the national park.
- Camp sizes
- Buffalo Camp has ten tents (the smallest lodge). Suite types: River Lodge Royal, Tamboti Superior, Marula, Leadwood and Leadwood Family suites.
How much does Kapama Private Game Reserve cost?
Kapama Private Game Reserve publishes its own rates: lowest published per person: Southern Camp Suites from R14,000 per person sharing (mid-year, 1 Jul to 19 Dec 2026).
- Lowest published
- Lowest published per person: Southern Camp Suites from R14,000 per person sharing (mid-year, 1 Jul to 19 Dec 2026).
- What the rate includes
- Included: three meals, tea, coffee and snacks, selected local and premium drinks, two daily game drives (open vehicles, guide and assistant guide), a guided bush walk, twice-daily housekeeping, road transfers to and from Eastgate (Hoedspruit) Airport. Extra: conservation levy per person per night (R650 to 30 Jun 2027, R700 after), spa, laundry, calls, shop, personal bar, special bush dinners and a private vehicle (included at Karula).
What are Kapama Private Game Reserve's booking terms?
Kapama Private Game Reserve does not publish a deposit on its own website; ask for its booking terms in writing before you pay.
- Balance due
- Not stated on its own website.
- Cancellation charges
- The text also says the fee equals the required deposit, which is 100% under 30 days. Cancellations must be sent by email.
- Currencies and card fees
- All rates are in South African Rands including VAT. Extras are settled on departure 'by credit card or local currency notes'.
- How guest payments are protected
- Not stated on its own website.
Who is Kapama Private Game Reserve best for?
Best for: A large Greater Kruger private reserve, on Kapama Private Game Reserve's own published facts; its terms for children, couples, solo travellers and private guiding are below.
- Children
- Children of all ages welcome at River Lodge, Southern Camp and Karula. Buffalo Camp is adults-only (16+). Under 12 sharing with two adults pay 50% in select rooms.
- Teenagers and families
- Southern Camp is pitched for multi-generational stays, with two-bedroom Family Villas. Children over 6 may join Big Five drives; bush walks are 16 and over.
- Honeymoon
- Honeymoon package at Kapama Karula: pay for 4 nights, stay 5 in a superior luxury villa with private heated pool, all meals and selected drinks, two daily safaris, a private candlelit dinner, unlimited South African sparkling wine and conservation levies; excludes 20 December to 5 January. A Romantic Sleepout can be added.
- Solo travellers
- A 50% single supplement applies at River Lodge Suites, Southern Camp Suites and Villas, Buffalo Camp Tents and Karula Villas. Buffalo Camp and River Lodge are described as suiting solo travellers.
- Older travellers and limited mobility
- No access or medical statement. Buffalo Camp tents are reached 'only by elevated wooden walkways'.
- Private guide and vehicle
- A private game vehicle is available 'on request at an additional charge and subject to availability'. Karula rates include 'a private safari vehicle and guides'.
- Exclusive use
- Private villas with their own pools at Southern Camp and Karula (Family Villas included). Whole-camp buy-outs and sole-use rates are not stated.
- Activities
- Twice-daily game drives, guided bush walks (16+), romantic sleepout, spa and yoga, photography workshops, children's programmes, 'A Taste of Kapama' dining, private charter. Evening drives show nocturnal life.
When is Kapama Private Game Reserve not the right choice?
Kapama Private Game Reserve is not the fit if its own published limits rule you out: they are below, in its own words.
- Children
- Under 6 not on scheduled drives (special 'bush bumble' drives, or a pre-booked paid private vehicle); 6 and over at the ranger's discretion; bush walks 16+.
- Single travellers
- A 50% single supplement applies at River Lodge Suites, Southern Camp Suites and Villas, Buffalo Camp Tents and Karula Villas.
What are the best alternatives to Kapama Private Game Reserve?
Cheetah Plains, Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Londolozi, MalaMala, MORE Family Collection and Nottens Bush Camp also own and run their own camps in South Africa only, each with the fact that it is best for.
- Cheetah Plains: best for: Sole-use villas in the Sabi Sand. 4.9 out of 5 on Google (listing 'Cheetah Plains Private Game Reserve') from 73 reviews.
- Elephant Plains Game Lodge: best for: Big Five game viewing in the northern Sabi Sand. 4.8 out of 5 on Google (listing 'Elephant Plains Game Lodge') from 242 reviews.
- Londolozi: best for: Five camps on the Sand River. 4.9 out of 5 on Google (listing 'Londolozi Game Reserve') from 242 reviews and 3.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 1 review.
- MalaMala: best for: Owner-led lodges in the Sabi Sand. 4.7 out of 5 on Google (listing 'MalaMala Game Reserve') from 560 reviews.
- MORE Family Collection: best for: South African safaris with Cape stays.
- Nottens Bush Camp: best for: An original, lamp-lit Sabi Sand camp. 5 out of 5 on Google (listing 'Notten') from 152 reviews.
Each is in the same table, read the same way. Alphabetical order; none paid to be listed.
Who owns Kapama Private Game Reserve?
Privately owned and family-run: 'the largest family-owned reserve in the area', under Bernard Roode, son of founder Johann Roode.
- Trading name
- Trading name 'Kapama Private Game Reserve' (also 'Kapama'), with the lodges Kapama River Lodge, Buffalo Camp, Southern Camp and Kapama Karula. Not stated: registered company name, number or registered address.
- Owner or parent
- Privately owned and family-run: 'the largest family-owned reserve in the area', under Bernard Roode, son of founder Johann Roode. No outside investors or parent group are named.
- In its own words
- 'Welcome to Kapama, where every moment is a testament to the beauty and splendour of the African wilderness, crafted with an unwavering commitment to luxury and exclusivity.' Claims 15,000 hectares, four ecosystems, the Big Five, over 350 bird species and 'the largest family-owned reserve in the area'.
- Conservation model
- The conservation levy (per person per night, all ages) funds conservation and the Anti-Poaching Unit, which patrols daily with two bloodhound tracking dogs. Kapama also supports APUs on surrounding reserves, has an agreement with the Agricultural Research Council, employs over 590 people and uses local Hoedspruit suppliers.
How do you book Kapama Private Game Reserve?
Direct to guests: 'View availability and book online', live chat, email and central reservations.
- Where it sells
- Direct to guests: 'View availability and book online', live chat, email and central reservations. Rates 'apply to FIT and GROUP bookings'.
- Price against a planner
- Not stated on its own website: it says nothing about whether booking direct is cheaper.
Kapama: the questions people ask
How much does Kapama Private Game Reserve cost per night?
Lowest published per person: Southern Camp Suites from R14,000 per person sharing (mid-year, 1 Jul to 19 Dec 2026).
How many camps does Kapama Private Game Reserve have?
Four lodges, all within Kapama Private Game Reserve: River Lodge, Buffalo Camp, Southern Camp and Kapama Karula (the flagship).
What activities does Kapama Private Game Reserve offer?
Twice-daily game drives, guided bush walks (16+), romantic sleepout, spa and yoga, photography workshops, children's programmes, 'A Taste of Kapama' dining, private charter. Evening drives show nocturnal life.
Does Kapama Private Game Reserve have honeymoon offers?
Honeymoon package at Kapama Karula: pay for 4 nights, stay 5 in a superior luxury villa with private heated pool, all meals and selected drinks, two daily safaris, a private candlelit dinner, unlimited South African sparkling wine and conservation levies; excludes 20 December to 5 January. A Romantic Sleepout can be added.
How does Kapama Private Game Reserve fund conservation?
The conservation levy (per person per night, all ages) funds conservation and the Anti-Poaching Unit, which patrols daily with two bloodhound tracking dogs. Kapama also supports APUs on surrounding reserves, has an agreement with the Agricultural Research Council, employs over 590 people and uses local Hoedspruit suppliers.
What is included in Kapama Private Game Reserve's rates?
Included: three meals, tea, coffee and snacks, selected local and premium drinks, two daily game drives (open vehicles, guide and assistant guide), a guided bush walk, twice-daily housekeeping, road transfers to and from Eastgate (Hoedspruit) Airport. Extra: conservation levy per person per night (R650 to 30 Jun 2027, R700 after), spa, laundry, calls, shop, personal bar, special bush dinners and a private vehicle (included at Karula).
What are Kapama Private Game Reserve's cancellation charges?
The text also says the fee equals the required deposit, which is 100% under 30 days. Cancellations must be sent by email.
Does Kapama Private Game Reserve charge a single supplement?
A 50% single supplement applies at River Lodge Suites, Southern Camp Suites and Villas, Buffalo Camp Tents and Karula Villas. Buffalo Camp and River Lodge are described as suiting solo travellers.
Does Kapama Private Game Reserve accept children?
Children of all ages welcome at River Lodge, Southern Camp and Karula. Buffalo Camp is adults-only (16+).
Does Kapama Private Game Reserve offer a private vehicle?
A private game vehicle is available 'on request at an additional charge and subject to availability'. Karula rates include 'a private safari vehicle and guides'.
Where are Kapama Private Game Reserve's camps?
All four of its camps are inside Kapama Private Game Reserve, a 15,000 hectare private reserve in the Greater Kruger near Kruger National Park, on the Klaserie River. Karula is the flagship.
Who owns Kapama Private Game Reserve?
Privately owned and family-run: 'the largest family-owned reserve in the area', under Bernard Roode, son of founder Johann Roode.
Read next
Built to answer the question in the main heading. What is shown: facts Kapama Private Game Reserve published on its own website and its review listings on Google, SafariBookings and Trustpilot, read on 20 October 2026, from the Uncompromised Travel safari camp owners table. No score and no rank. Kapama Private Game Reserve did not pay to be on this page and is not a partner of Uncompromised Travel. Photos are stock images from Pexels and do not show the company's camps. How this site earns · How we work.