Landing at Hoedspruit’s Eastgate Airport, I’m excited at the thought of on an evening game drive in just 3 hours. For me, there is nothing like the thrill of chasing wildlife on safari in Africa, and Kapama Private Game Reserve’s 13,000 hectares of wilderness would not disappoint!! Thrilled and amazed by impala and warthog grazing as we taxi down the runway, little did I know I’d be on safari within the hour.
Guests arriving to Kapama receive courtesy transfers in open game viewing vehicles to a choice of four luxurious safari lodges and two wellness spas. Kapama’s gated entrance is literally across the road from the airport, and 5 minutes later, we were viewing impala, warthog, kudu and giraffe.
From my room balcony I see giraffe stretching necks to treetops, while a herd of buffalo meander past one floor below me.
Before meeting our ranger and tracker for an afternoon game drive, we gather for High Tea with cheeky monkeys who don’t mind a Danish or two.
Feeling refreshed, it’s time for safari.
Two hours later we stop for sundowners as the sun sets behind the Drakensberg Mountains. Celebrating with tales of the impala, kudu, giraffe, warthog, zebra, lion, buffalo, hippo and rhino we had spent time with.
Into the evening drive, our tracker spots two courting lions lying at the side of the road. We stop and are treated to fifty shades of nature at its best, before returning to lodge for dinner in the boma. Our tracker & ranger sit with us at dinner to discuss our experiences and answer any questions we have, as we are entertained by a traditional marimba band and tribal dance group. The Buffalo Pie is to die for.
The following morning we rise with a 5am call, for light refreshments before departing at first light. For 3 hours, we are captivated by elephant, hyena, kudu, impala, giraffe, warthog, wildebeest, rhino, buffalo, vulture, zebra and a pride of lions on a late morning hunt through the riverbed. After a morning tea stop, we find these lions devouring a buffalo breakfast.
We return to the lodge in the heat of the day, enjoy a hearty buffet lunch and decide whether to lie by the pool watching the buffalo roam and hearing hippo grunt, visit the wellness centre or rest in the air conditioned room. Rest and Repeat.
Kristy was hosted by Dragonfly Africa.