They’re two words that have become almost synonymous with luxury travel today: unique experiences and wellness. And to be honest, I thought I had seen them put together in just about every travel package possible.
Until I walked into the Wellness Centre at the Kapama Private Game Reserve on the outskirts of South Africa's Kruger National Park. The reserve merges varying levels of upscale and luxury lodge and tented accommodations with one of South Africa's best safari lodge spas -- a stunning open-air facility that offers what I have dubbed a "spafari."
On a trip following the International Luxury Travel Market Africa conference, hosted last week by the resort and Thompson’s Africa, we were housed in the main, 64-room Kapama River Lodge. While it’s billed as luxury and the rooms are large, comfortable and stocked with all the requisite amenities, the lodge has a different vibe than the decked out “tents” and treehouses that set the highest of African safari standards.
The reserve also offers two other, more intimate tented camps. And, most importantly, the game viewing is phenomenal. On our first day out we bagged the Big Five (the de facto standard for a successful safari): We got a quick glimpse of a leopard on our drive out of the airport in Kruger National Park before spotting rhinos, lions, buffalo and elephants on our first evening game drive. In between we also saw plenty of giraffes, zebras, jackals, wildebeest, monkeys and so much more roaming the bush.
The second day we hit the jackpot: spending time amidst a herd of about 40 elephants.
But remember the spafari? It’s the spa that really sets this lodge and its sister camps apart. Set off from the main lodge in an unfenced area of the reserve, the open air pool deck offers a unique alternative to a game drive
When I walked in for my midday treatment, there were buffalo wandering in the pond just outside the pool deck, doing whatever buffalo do. After one of the best massages of my life, the buffalo were gone but a hippo had emerged. And apparently I had just missed seeing a lion chasing prey along the side of the buildings.
The view from the spa at Kapama Private Game Reserve in South Africa. Photo Credit: Jeri Clausing
Gazing at the animals and the pristine and empty clear blue pools, I briefly wondered why I bothered to get up at 5:30 to roam the bush in search of the Big Five. After all, half of them had passed by the spa in less than an hour.
The wildlife is so prolific at the spa that guests are warned never to enter the open areas after hours alone as they often find wildlife lounging on the decks, even elephants drinking from the pool.
The treatment areas are also amazing, offering the latest in treatments and amenities, including private, side-by-side soaking tubs overlooking the pond.
I have limited Africa experience, but one of my fellow travelers, Sebnem Denktas, editor the Robb Report’s Turkish edition and author of the blog Especially Africa, said Kapama has one of the best safari lodge spas she has ever seen. And she has seen many.
There are no official fitness or wellness offerings at the Wellness Centre other than a wide range of body treatments, but the doors leading into the pool decks and workout area are left open 24 hours a day, offering guests a dramatic spot to practice yoga, meditate or exercise -- if they dare.
Update: This Insight was updated April 14 to correct references to the animals author Jeri Clausing saw on her game drives and at the spa.