About this hotel
General information
Karula is the flagship lodge of the Kapama Private Game Reserve: a dozen villas strung along the banks of the perennial Klaserie River, deep in riverine forest. The architecture is pared back and minimalist, with floor-to-ceiling glass that lets light and the bushveld into every space. The villas are set well apart and no path crosses another guest’s deck, which makes the lodge a natural choice for those who value seclusion, honeymooners among them.
The day keeps an unhurried rhythm: a morning and an afternoon drive with a guide and assistant guide, quiet hours in between on the villa deck or in the spa, and long dinners by the fire. Rates cover three meals a day, two daily game drives, a guided bush walk, a selection of local and premium drinks, and transfers from Hoedspruit Airport for guests arriving by scheduled flight.
Location
The lodge sits on the Klaserie River within the Kapama reserve in Limpopo province, between the northern Drakensberg and the Greater Kruger, close to Hoedspruit. Hoedspruit (Eastgate) Airport lies on the reserve’s northern boundary, with daily flights from Johannesburg’s international airport and regular flights from Cape Town; guests are met and driven to the lodge free of charge in an open game vehicle. Kapama’s own Pilatus PC-12 flies guests from Johannesburg, Pretoria (Wonderboom) or Cape Town straight onto the reserve’s 1.5 km tarred runway, and road arrivals use the main gate on the R40.
Spa
The glass-walled Karula Spa & Wellness Centre looks straight out onto the bushveld. It has four deluxe treatment rooms, couples’ treatments included, and works with BABOR products across massages, facials, beauty rituals and African-inspired wellness therapies. Between treatments there is a spa pool with built-in loungers and therapeutic jets, hydrotherapy sessions, a steam room and an ice plunge, and guided yoga and meditation can be arranged on request.
Sports & leisure
Twice a day, morning and afternoon, guests head out in open vehicles with an experienced guide and assistant guide, who follow fresh spoor and position the vehicle for clear sightings. Also on offer:
- guided bush walks for groups of up to eight (16 years and over), reading tracks and looking at birds and plants;
- private bush walks, arranged in advance;
- a fitness centre with Technogym equipment and views over the bush;
- the bar lounge and library with a viewing deck over the river, where animals come down to drink.
For children
Karula guests can join the reserve’s Kapama Kids programme. Children under six go out on dedicated Bush Bumble drives focused on smaller animals, birds and tracking. Older children can take part in the Little Rangers Safari Quest, tracking lessons, spoor casting, a “dung detectives” session, beading and rope making, and cookery sessions with the lodge chefs.
Restaurants & bars
The chefs write daily menus around local produce and adapt them readily to low-carb, plant-based or allergen-free diets; there are no fixed mealtimes. Afternoon tea comes with cakes and pastries.
- open-sided dining area — breakfast and long lunches with the focus on the wine list;
- glass-fronted dining room — dinners looking out over the bush;
- fire pit dining area — dinners in the open around the fire;
- boma — a traditional open-air enclosure where the chefs cook in front of guests under the stars;
- private dining on the villa deck by candlelight;
- bar lounge and library — cocktails from the barman with views of the Klaserie River.
Swimming
Every villa has its own solar-heated pool on a wooden deck above the river. The spa adds a pool with built-in loungers and therapeutic jets.
Rooms
Karula has 12 villas: ten Superior Villas for two and two Superior Family Villas with a second bedroom. All have sliding glass walls, a private deck with a pool and views of the Klaserie River.
Each villa has a fireplace, air conditioning, a minibar, a selection of wines and champagne, a Nespresso machine, complimentary Wi-Fi, international adapters, and both indoor and outdoor showers.
Superior Villa
A villa with one large en-suite bedroom whose wrap-around glass sliding doors open onto a private deck with a heated pool and views of the Klaserie River. It has an outdoor shower and a fireplace, and sleeps two adults, with room for one child.
Superior Family Villa
A villa with two en-suite bedrooms, an open-plan lounge and dining area, and a deck with a pergola, sun loungers and a solar-heated pool. It sleeps two adults and two children under 12, and comes with its own safari vehicle, guide and assistant guide.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.