The northern Drakensberg mountain range provides a majestic backdrop to our private game lodge in the Greater Kruger National Park region. The lodge is within Kapama Private Game Reserve, where all the big game of Africa reside, including the famed 'Big 5' - lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. Game drives are conducted through the rolling savannah grasslands and riverine forests that make up this appealing African reserve. The Klaserie River flows through the reserve and offers ideal prowling grounds for leopard. Kapama's natural environment and ecosystem offers guests the opportunity to have close encounters with all the African animals that traditionally roam this area. As darkness descends our trackers scan the landscape with a spotlight picking out the glinting eyes of nocturnal animals.

Kapama Private Game Reserve - Greater Kruger National Park Region. Kapama Private Game Reserve occupies a vast area between the northern Drakensberg mountains and the Greater Kruger National Park. It is the largest single-owner game reserve in the region. Kapama Game Reserve is in Limpopo Province, an area renowned for superb safari vacations. Kapama's 13000 hectares has all the big game of Africa with 42 mammal species and approximately 350 bird species. This equates to huge natural diversity and includes the famed 'Big 5' - lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. Game drives are conducted through the rolling savannah grasslands and riverine forests that make up this appealing African reserve.

Two daily game drives are part of this fully inclusive tour and your skilled ranger and tracker do their best to find the animals of Africa for you to admire. Expect a wake up call between 5am and 5.30am, gather for tea or coffee and rusks before heading out at first light. If you are lucky, the big cats will still be around after their night of hunting. This is Big 5 country (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino and Buffalo) all of which are possible to see during a two-day safari in Kapama Game Reserve. There are also many other species to be seen, large and small, as well as fascinating plants and colourful birds. Stop halfway through the morning game drive for hot drinks and rusks from the Landrover snack box and return at around 9am for breakfast.

Get some African soil under your feet with a bush walk after breakfast. Explore the environment with your ranger, learn about curative properties of plants and identify animals from their footprints and dung. Large game is avoided when on foot but animals can often be seen from a safe distance. Please note that this will be done under ranger discretion.

During the rest of the day, you are likely to see wildlife like nyala antelope and vervet monkeys around the lodge. Between game drives you are at leisure. 

At about 3.30pm everybody convenes for high tea, before departing with the same ranger/tracker team for the day's second African bush safari. Enjoy a sundowner drink along the way (at own expense), and get out of the vehicle to stretch your legs and watch the sun go down over the distant Drakensberg Mountains. As darkness descends it's time to return to the safety of the Landrover and let the tracker scan the landscape with a spotlight picking out the glinting eyes of nocturnal animals.

Return to the lodge at around 7pm, where there is time to freshen up before dinner.  (B,L,D)

Please be aware that arrival times and the itinerary may change due to unforeseen delays or events such as festivals and public holidays. However, we shall endeavour to ensure all sites are visited and that your tour runs as smoothly as possible, but please note that Africa does not run like clockwork, therefore do not expect the streamlined travel arrangements associated with some other continents. Things do not always go to plan; there will be times when you will need to be patient and philosophical about your travels. Conditions in Africa can vary dramatically; however we always try to use the best facilities available. Be flexible, you will enjoy your tour much more. Kumuka makes a point of visiting the indigenous populations of each country you visit, in order to give a true reflection of the country; please treat the local people and their customs with respect.

Lastly, your tour leader is always conscious of everybody's views, but sometimes he/she will have to make an unpopular decision and your understanding will be appreciated in these circumstances.

Note that there is no pre-departure meeting for this tour.

Please bring the following items on Day 1:

1. Passport

2. Vaccination Certificate

3. Travel Voucher

4. Insurance Policy

Hoedspruit Airport Meeting Information Day 1:

You will be met on arrival at Hoedspruit Airport so please ensure that you have provided your flight arrival details.

Please note that if you are connecting from Johannesburg International Airport we can organise for a representative to meet you at Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport and assist you to your connecting flight to Hoedspruit. Please advise Kumuka should you require this service.

Your passport is a valuable document and you should exercise extreme care in keeping it safe. We recommend that you keep your passport on you at all times, preferably in a money belt that is worn under your clothing. We advise that you take copies of relevant pages in your passport and any visas that you may purchase in case of loss or damage. Your tour leader will require your passport details at the pre-departure meeting. Again, we recommend that you have a photocopy of all passport details, kept separate. Your passport must be valid for six months after the END of your tour, and must have one blank page for each country to be visited.

Vaccinations:

You must have an International Certificate of Yellow Fever Vaccination if arriving into Madagascar from certain countries.   

Compulsory Inoculations:

Yellow Fever if you are arriving from an infected area. Please refer to your GP or Immunization Clinic.

Strongly Recommended:

Diphtheria, Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid, Meningitis, Hepatitis A & B, Yellow Fever.

These may vary from country to country, please consult your GP or local Travel Clinic.

We also recommend:

- A dental check-up prior to travelling.

- That you know your blood group in case of emergency.

- That if you have any pre-existing medical conditions which might affect you on tour, you make these known to your tour leader and your agent/Kumuka at the time of your booking.

You can also visit www.kumuka.com for further details.

Medical Supplies:

We advise that all passengers bring along their own personal first aid kit. Below is a list of some recommended items:

Band Aids/Bandages, Laxatives, Upset stomach remedy, Anti-diarrhoea remedy, Panadol/Aspirin, Rehydration remedy, Antiseptic cream/powder, Sterile dressing, Any relevant course of medication such as contraceptive pills.

A complete Travellers Medical Pack can be purchased for approximately US$25 at most Vaccination Centres, Chemists and outdoor travel shops.

• Do not take unnecessary valuables with you.
• A money belt, or something similar, worn close to your body is the best way to carry passports, airline tickets and money.
• DO NOT leave any valuables in ANY hotel room in Africa, please use SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES.
• Pickpockets operate everywhere, particularly in tourist areas and in crowded markets; you must always exercise care.
• Be aware that anything left lying around will also be liable to theft.
• Kumuka vehicles have secure doors but it is never foolish to be cautious.

For many tipping is a means of supplementing their wage and is a normal part of payment for goods and services. Be sure to keep small denomination notes or coins on you to avoid embarrassment. Sales and service taxes are imposed in some restaurants and bars.

Bargaining is also expected and in all markets prices are inflated to accommodate such a practice. Rule of thumb is to cut the offer in half and work upwards. This can sometimes be hard work but do not let yourself be intimidated by stallholders, you can always say no and walk away.

We suggest that you take into account the time of year you will be travelling, and pack accordingly to the season. Quick drying clothes are recommended, and at many lodges there are laundry facilities.

Contrary to expectations it does get cold in Africa. Southern Africa, particularly South Africa and Namibia get quite cold at night between June and August. Mount Kilimanjaro will be cold at night all year round, due to the extreme altitude. You will need to bring your warmest clothes.

Personal Effects:

Camera & film, Spare passport photos, Water bottle, Money belt, Sewing kit, Sunhat/ Sunglasses, Music cassettes/CDs, Books, Wet Ones, Soap to wash clothes, Writing materials, Swiss Army knife, Calculator, Personal toiletries, including tampons, Contraceptives, Insect Repellent, Sunscreen.

NOTE: If you wear glasses, it is advisable to bring a spare pair since opticians are uncommon. If you wear contact lenses you may find that climatic changes and dust can create visual irritation, therefore, it is advisable to bring a pair of glasses.

You might like to read up on the destinations that you are about to visit as these cities all have interesting sites and histories. We recommend a variety of guidebooks such as Lonely Planet, The Rough Guide and Insight Guides. All these publications have good general information as well as more specific country information that will help orientate you in the countries you visit.

Vegetarians or those with special dietary needs or allergies can also be catered for however the type of food may be limited. Please let the Reservations team know your special requirements as soon as possible so we can do all possible to assist your needs. Please note we will attempt to provide for these special requests, however they cannot be guaranteed - please ensure the lodge is aware of any special requests on arrival.

Dishes are prepared with seasonal local produce and fresh herbs grown at Kapama River Lodge. Ethnic dishes and accompaniments like mealie 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.

Tour Questionnaire - We would like to hear about your experiences on tour. One week after your tour ends you will automatically receive a feedback questionnaire via email. If we do not have your email address you can still complete a questionnaire by visiting www.kumuka.com/feedback

Email - If you have any specific comments about your tour then please write to us by email to operations@kumuka.com