Camp Jabulani, Kapama Private Game Reserve, Limpopo, South Africa

Travel journalist Carrie Hampton thinks that Camp Jabulani is one of the most wonderful safari experiences in South Africa. Not only do you get to see and touch elephants, you get to ride on them in a superbly run eco-animal adventure. If you want to get as close to nature as possible and have 5-star accommodation and food, Camp Jabulani has it all. Read this extract from Carrie’s book; ‘‘Exclusive Safari Lodges of South Africa’ with amazing wildlife photographs by Gerald Hoberman.

Camp Jabulani leaves you feeling enriched in so many ways; not only will you have been a guest at one of the most comfortable and elegant safari camps in South Africa, but you will have had much closer encounters with African elephant and cheetah than you would have ever thought possible.

Camp Jabulani is named after one special elephant that lodge owner Lente Roode rescued after he was found stuck in mud. This baby elephant was nurtured back to life before attempts were made to reintroduce him to the wild. However, it seemed he preferred human company.

Jabulani needed friends, and when Roode heard that eleven trained elephants were facing an uncertain future in Zimbabwe, she rescued them. Now she owned a whole herd of trained elephants and luckily also a very large game reserve close to the Kruger National Park in Limpopo, namely Kapama Private Game Reserve. Like Jabulani, these elephants were too conditioned to return to the wild, so another plan was hatched, this time to offer elephant-back safaris in the reserve.

These safaris give guests the opportunity to ride atop an elephant among the wild animals of the reserve. And just because you are on top, the pachyderms will not necessarily stop tearing off branches to feed as they go. Taking photographs under these circumstances is not always easy but are a wonderful reminder of this special trip on top of an elephant.

Camp Jabulani guests can also get close to cheetahs at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, a non-profit breeding and research centre established by Roode in the late 1980s. She is an avid animal lover and her passion for animals is evident from the wildlife paintings, bronzes and artefacts found throughout the safari lodge.

Elephant figures are even stamped on leaves decorating the marble-top basin consoles in the suites. Suites are huge and luxurious with everything designed to make your stay unforgettable – and in this regard they have succeeded.

Cuisine at Camp Jabulani is one of the memories you will take away with you and such is the skill of the chef that the food here easily matches international gourmet standards. The chef personally introduces the menu at the start of each meal and stays to chat about your day and his food.

The signature style is aimed at creating perfectly sized portions of the freshest ingredients presented in an exquisite arrangement that will leave you more than satisfied. The passion that all staff members have for Camp Jabulani is palpable, and sharing this passion is what makes a stay at Camp Jabulani the most exquisite experience.

Order a copy from office@hobermancollection.co or email the author carrieh@iafrica.com.

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