Overview
Camp Jabulani is situated on the Kapama Private Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger area and provides guests with a highly immersive elephant interaction experience. Visitors meet the elephants and their keepers in the morning and have the opportunity to photograph, touch and feed the elephants.
In the afternoon guests join the senior trails guide and game rangers in 4×4 safari vehicles to track the Jabulani elephants within the reserve and spend the afternoon observing the herd and learning more about them. At sunset, when the herd has returned, guests are invited to walk with the elephants back to their unique custom designed sleeping sheds at the lodge.
Situated on a Big 5 private game reserve in the Greater Kruger area, Camp Jabulani is a five-star Relais & Chateaux accredited luxury lodge. The six private suites are luxurious and comfortable, each with a deck and heated plunge pool. Families or groups will appreciate the stand-alone Zindoga Villa where children can be accommodated. There is an on-site gym and experienced therapists offer soothing massages in the outdoor spa or in the comfort of the guest’s suite. Experienced rangers host guests on game drives and bush walks for close sightings of predators and other iconic African species living wild. Camp Jabulani prides itself on exceptional cuisine, combined with fine wines and a variety of dining venues, both indoors and outdoors.
Highlights
- The Lodge has an authentic African feel, with colonial-style décor.
- A complimentary wireless network is available in public areas, suites and in the Zindoga Villa
- Facilities include a dining room, lounge, open-air spa (Therapy Lapa)
Facilities
- 24-hour Security
- Eco Friendly
- Kiddies Club
- Mobile Connectivity
- Restaurant
- TV Room
- Gym
- Laundry Service (Available)
- Pool
- Secure Parking
- Communal Dining
- Internet Access (Complimentary)
- Library
- Private Vehicle Available
- Spa
Rooms
Luxury suites
6 Ultra-luxurious air-conditioned suites, en-suite facilities, hot beverage facilities and mini bar fridge, private plunge pools. Butler service. Includes all meals, snacks, beverages and local branded alcohol. Daily elephant excursions and game drives.
Room Amenities
- 24-hour Security
- Eco Friendly
- Kiddies Club
- Mobile Connectivity
- Restaurant
- TV Room
- Bar
- Gym
- Laundry Service (Available)
- Pool
- Secure Parking
- Communal Dining
- Internet Access (Complimentary)
- Library
- Private Vehicle Available
- Spa
Activities
Elephant Interaction:
The Camp Jabulani Elephant Experience is a very personal and highly immersive connection, where man and elephant meet one another on equal terms.
§ The First Meeting – This first interaction, directly at the Lodge, is always a very powerful one where emotive bonds are instantly made. During this interaction, visitors have the opportunity to touch and feed the elephants, and to have photographs taken in very close proximity.
§ Following Gigantic Footsteps: Elephant tracking – Guests will join a senior trails guide, a senior elephant keeper and their ranger to track the Jabulani elephants within the Big Five Kapama Private Game Reserve. Once the herd have been located, the afternoon is spent watching them and hearing more about the their individual stories, their personalities and how to identify them.
§ Getting In The Know: Elephant research in practice – Did you know that an elephant’s stress levels can be established and monitored through its dung? During this unique part of the experience, guests get to participate in field research.
Game Drives on the Big5 Kapama Reserve:
The Kapama Game Reserve is home to a wide variety of wildlife including elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros, and large populations of giraffe, impala, blue wildebeest and kudu. Predators include lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted hyena and many smaller species. Bird-watching is most rewarding and more than 350 bird species have been recorded, including the rare Gymnogeg and Knob-billed duck.
Guests join their ranger in his open safari vehicle for a game drive, and head out in search of The Big Five, and the smaller (but no less significant) creatures that are part of an African safari.
Camp Jabulani rangers are consummate professionals. Highly experienced in guiding, they are the perfect safari ambassadors while out in the African bush.
Safaris may be arranged at any time of the day. A word of warning though – the summer months are incredibly hot in the middle of the day! This time is best spent enjoying the cool respite of a private plunge pool, with a chilled refreshment in hand!
Guided Bush Walks:
The intrepid walker will take pleasure in experiencing a guided walking safari. Heading into the bush with an armed ranger, guests can learn more about the many different facets of the bush. From tracking spoor (animal prints left in the ground), to touching and examining trees and plants, to sitting quietly and simply absorbing the many smells, sounds and sensations of Africa in its most primitive glory – this is a safari in its purest form.
The lucky may encounter animals in close proximity on the Kapama Game Reserve, although great care is taken to ensure safe and respectful distances are always observed from the larger and more dangerous animal species.
It is recommended that walking during summer months is restricted to early mornings before the heat of the day fully sets in.
Walkers need not be fitness fanatics, as the pace is set around the guest.
Exclusive Tour of Hoedspuit Endangered Species Centre (HESC):
The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre has established itself as one of the leading private research and breeding facilities for endangered species in the country. Governed by a progressive and modern management approach, it concerns itself with the breeding and maintenance of several endangered indigenous wildlife species in southern Africa. The centre places particular emphasis on the breeding and maintenance of cheetah in captivity. The excellent condition of these animals and the premises on which they are maintained, reflect the attention to detail, which is the hallmark of this facility.
Camp Jabulani guests have the opportunity to experience and in-depth tour of the centre and view the feeding of the cheetahs, wild dogs and visit the famous vulture restaurant. You can even adopt your own cheetah or endangered species!
Spa & Fitness:
An on-site gym is available with experienced therapists that offer soothing massages in the outdoor spa or in the comfort of the suites.
A bush-gym is equipped with basic weights and exercise machinery for those who enjoy something a little more active.
The Gallery:
Private wine tastings and intimate dinners are offered in The Gallery in an effort to continuously enhance Camp Jabulani’s bespoke guest experience. Only South African wines are featured, and guests have the opportunity of selecting their own wine for dinners.
Guests may also choose from the boutique for gifts back home (or for themselves!). Stocked with a variety of art pieces, jewellery, trinkets, crockery, clothing and more, those who enjoy retail therapy will find their happy place here.
Cuisine:
Camp Jabulani’s executive chef has trained in the kitchens of great chefs around the world, and takes pride in designing fusion creations with a South African twist – always with an artistic finish.
Menus change on a daily basis. As individual tastes are as unique as personalities, a range of dietary preferences and restrictions are catered for effortlessly (Kosher and Halaal meals are sourced by prior arrangement). Vegetarians or those who prefer lighter meals are well catered for, with inventive choices each day. Some may even prefer simple, hearty meals. At Camp Jabulani, everything goes.
The chefs like nothing better than to interact with guests at each mealtime, and will personally present their menus. They have also been known to share a special recipe or two.
The sub-tropical climate means that chefs are spoiled for choice with an abundance of delicious fresh ingredients produced in the surrounding region. Tastes are enhanced courtesy of our very own herb garden. Wherever possible, we support initiatives that promote sustainable local employment.
Freshly baked muffins, delectable teatime treats, and moreish sundowner snacks are baked daily. The chefs pride themselves on making as much as possible with their own hands. Through private cooking classes, guests may even be treated to ‘insider’ tips on making homemade breads, sauces and ice-creams.
A perfectly paired wine will transform a great meal into a sublime experience. Camp Jabulani has very carefully collected an impressive medal-winning collection of both red and white South African wines, sourced from the winelands of the Cape to be enjoyed in the bush.
Private tables are impeccably set for each guest, as we appreciate that time spent with close family and friends is all too precious. But some may prefer to share the company of new friends just met, and special arrangements will be made for a more social environment. The atmosphere, whether indoors or out, is always elegant yet relaxed with a friendly and professional team of service staff. Mealtimes are flexible, and venues tend to change (weather dependent). From private candlelit dinners, to traditional South African boma nights – there is no equal to the ambience of bonfires, lanterns and starry nights.
Hot Air Ballooning:
After a safety briefing, become airborne in time to witness the sunrise as you gently drift over the landscape. Hot air balloon safari flights are one hour in duration, over the scenic Lowveld section of the Blyde River (15 km West of Hoedspruit). The terrain is a mixture of farmland, private nature reserves and wildlife estates, making for an incredible Kruger Park safari. The mountains to the South and West provide shelter from the prevailing winds, thereby affording good flying weather on most days. As the sun rises, the landscape, the vegetation and, if you’re lucky, some wildlife will provide photo opportunities. Game spotting cannot be guaranteed but on most flights plains game like giraffe and wildebeest are seen.
The height above ground will vary between skimming the tree-tops to as high as 2 000 feet as the pilot changes altitude in search of favourable wind directions and speeds.
Passengers don’t have to be physically fit, but must be prepared to stand in the basket for at least an hour. Youngsters are welcome, but should be at least 1.2m (4 foot) tall, so they are able to see over the rim of the basket. Regrettably pregnant people are not permitted on balloon excursions.
Sparkling wine and fruit juice are served after the flight.
Please note: Hot Air Balloon safaris are entirely dependent on weather conditions. This service is contracted out to a third party supplier, and while we delight in taking care of the arrangements on behalf of our guests, we cannot be held accountable for changes or cancellations to schedules as dictated by the service provider.
ACTIVITIES ON SITE (some activities may be seasonal):
- Big 5
- Fine Dining
- Fine Dining
- Game Viewing Hide
- Massages
- Bird Watching
- Game Drives
- Game Walks
- Safaris
- Elephant Interaction
- Game Viewing
- High Tea
- Wildlife
ACTIVITIES OFF SITE (Nearby) :
- Animal Encounters
- Child Friendly Activities
- Game Viewing
- Helicopter Rides
- Natural History Tours
- Walks (Guided)
- Big 5
- Cultural Tours
- Game Walks
- Hiking
- Quad Biking
- Wildlife Tours
- Bird Watching
- Game Drives
- Health and Fitness Centre
- Hot-air Ballooning
- Safaris
