In 1986, the South African farmer Johann Roode purchased a piece of land in Limpopo province close to Kruger National Park, where he wanted to raise cattle. But things didn’t quite go to plan. Disease and (especially) predators made a big dent in his cattle population, and it didn’t take long for him to realise that the area was not suitable for cattle farming. The predators, on the other hand, thrived in the area, and instead of a cattle farm, he decided to use the land to create a private game reserve.

The story could end here, but it doesn’t.

Roode kept buying up land, and the game reserve grew and grew. In the same year (1993) that Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk won the Nobel Peace Prize, Kapama Private Game Reserve was founded.

Sustainability is in many ways at the core of Kapama’s history, and since Roode bought his piece of land, the projects have only grown – both in number and footprint.

It was soon realised that if nature and wildlife were to be preserved, the local population had to be involved. Kapama has therefore initiated for a large number of projects which strengthen the local community economically. This ensures education and creates jobs, and in doing so contributes to future generations learning about the environment, nature conservation, biodiversity, etc.

The lodge has installed a gigantic photovoltaic system, and works actively with waste sorting, wastewater recycling, and mainly buys food from local farmers, thus avoiding long transportation, and supporting the local community. At Kapama, they think about their footprint – and about YOUR footprint, too, when you visit the lodge.

As a guest, you have the opportunity to visit one of the schools that Kapama supports, and it’s possible to support the projects – just ask at the lodge!