The Guidebook to Kings Camp Private Game Reserve
Kings Camp, part of the premier Seasons in Africa collection, hosted Stephanie, one of our valued travel consultants, on her recent safari adventure in South Africa. In her firsthand account, she provides a detailed narrative of her stay.
On Arrival
At Kings Camp, you step into a space providing a classic old world safari experience. It immediately reminded me of my arrival, when I previously stayed at the Royal Livingstone Hotel in Livingstone, Zambia. We were met by the friendly staff – Patricia, Licia and Warren. They provided a refreshing beverage of soda and lime cordial, while we checked in at reception.
We decided to head to lunch first, so that we could spend more time exploring the main lodge. Lunch was an option of a traditional bobotie served in a miniature “potjie” pot or a shrimp; avocado and anchovy wrap with a fruit salad and potato wedges. For dessert we had an option of a fruit smoothie or a mango sorbet. It was all very delicious.
Accommodation
Kings Camp excels in combining luxury with natural beauty, creating an immersive and tranquil atmosphere for guests. The thoughtful details—like the private plunge pool, a harmonious colour palette with lush greens in the rooms, and the elegant touches of dark wood and gold—showcase a perfect balance of sophistication and comfort.
The bathroom setup, featuring a clawfoot bath, dual basins, and a secluded outdoor shower, offered a deeply relaxing and unique retreat, adding to the sense of tropical serenity. The personalised Kings Camp branded water bottle and the animal print scarf are lovely souvenirs, allowing guests to take a piece of the safari spirit home. It’s a perfect example of how Kings Camp provides guests with memorable luxury, embracing the natural landscape and aesthetic.
Experiences
We met in the lounge for drinks before we headed out for our first 4 pm afternoon game drive, where we met our guide-Cynet and tracker-Sonnyboy, before heading to the 4×4 safari vehicle. The sightings on the afternoon safari were incredible. First we saw 3 white rhinos. The experienced guide said we had to take a short drive to a special sighting but due to the nature of the sighting there was only 1 vehicle permitted. On the way we passed a large herd of elephants, before spotting a hippo sitting in a shallow pool of water. Continuing on the drive down to the riverbed, we stumbled upon a lioness and her 3-cubs lazing in the shade. The next sighting was a leopard hiding in the tall grass. About 15 minutes later we saw a cheetah. We tracked her for some time before she disappeared into the tall grass. The drive ended with memorable sundowners including snacks and drinks.
While waiting for the other guests to return from the afternoon game drive, I went to the newly built hide, which has become a great attraction for guests. There is a livecam at the hide, so guests can use the link to watch some of their favourite animals at the active waterhole.
The morning game drive started off with a large herd of buffalo, we were able to see quite a few different species of owl and eagles. A first for me was seeing a pack of hyenas with their young. The smaller pups were black in colour while the older pups had already developed some spots. They had made their home in an old termite mound. We then continued on for a coffee stop, before heading back to the lodge for breakfast. Warren met us for breakfast, he shared the story of him starting at the lodge as a guide before he met and married Licia. He also explained how the surrounding land was a meeting place for all the chief’s in neighbouring villages. The ground at which Kings Camp stands today was the neutral ground for these chief’s and this is how the lodge got its name. Him and his wife, Licia have been managing and living at the lodge since they got married, they also raised their two children there. Their son, a world-renowned photographer and their daughter a promising cricket player.
Dining
On the night we stayed, we enjoyed a Boma dinner. This is a quintessential safari experience, blending traditional African dining with the unique ambiance of the bush. Set under the stars and surrounded by the warmth of a crackling fire, the Boma offers a rustic, open-air setting that immerses guests in the natural sounds and scents of the African wilderness.
The menu consisted of:
- A starter of creamy mushroom soup.
- A buffet of fresh salads, vegetables and dressings.
- A choice of grilled chicken espetada or ostrich fillet.
- Also the first I’ve seen on safari – a stir-fry station! There was a choice of kudu fillet or calamari strips in the stir fry. All paired with sweet and sour sauce, oyster sauce, soy sauce and sweet chilli sauce.
- A chef also assisted us with the selection of vegetables to our requirements.
- Dessert was a peach cobbler topped with cream.
We were escorted back to our room and I had the best night’s sleep!
Breakfast was a choice of a traditional breakfast, a continental breakfast with an assortment of cold meats and smoked salmon and eggs benedict. They also served freshly baked croissants with butter, marmalade and jam. Warren also mentioned that the lodge will soon undergo a refurbishment of the upper deck area and main dining area.
Highlights
- Kings Camp offers speciality services such as photographic safaris, where photographers from all over the world come to Kings Camp for photo opportunities at the hide.
- They offer vegan safaris where a vegan consultant comes to the lodge to completely change the room to a vegan friendly room. This is where they remove all animal products including the amenities, the animal skin rugs and any other animal product that might be deemed offensive. The guests will also be served the same style menus throughout their stay but with exclusive vegan options.
- They also cater for a Kosher safari. The lodge has a full service Kosher kitchen, which has been sealed by a Rabbi. Should the guests book the safari, the rabbi will be brought in to do the necessary protocol for the food preparation. Only the Rabbi can break the seal to the Kosher kitchen.
- Dedicated sommelier.
- Private plunge pool at each room.
Overall Thoughts?
Overall Kings Camp is spectacular. Everything from the game drives, the rooms, the service, the food and especially the staff! Just as they greeted us with a warm welcome, they sent us off with a fond farewell.
I would like to thank our great hosts – Patricia, Licia and Warren and of course Cynet and Sonnyboy for bringing the game drives to life! Their passion, knowledge, and storytelling surely made each wildlife encounter unforgettable, transforming the safari into a captivating adventure. Their keen eyes and understanding of the bush must have added depth to every sighting, allowing guests to see the beauty and excitement of the African wilderness from a new perspective.
Need help planning your trip to Kings Camps Private Game Reserve? Contact us today!
