Hotel reviews: King's Camp

• Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

The camp has been operating as a game lodge since 1995. Kings Camp is involved in a community project in Magoebaskloof, in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The Thusanang Trust facilitates Small Micro Medium Enterprise projects and skills development, empowering rural people and disadvantaged communities. Note that the camp is open to children aged six years and above.

• Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

In most lodges you are first welcomed by an enthusiastic team of staff from the lodge but in the case of Kings Camp it's actually two elegant bronze giraffes with which you will have first contact. Standing tall on the triangle of grass at the camp's entrance they'll watch you step out of your vehicle towards to aforementioned greeting party who will offer you a welcome drink and the possibility to rest your weary selves in the reception area which boasts old typewriters, an array of flowers, portraits of past generations of the lodge's owners and another statue, this time of an elephant, at the centre. The smart, orderly space is also home to the curio shop and is where you can usually find a member of staff for any queries. Out the other side of the welcome area are paths leading to the various other sites at the camp as well as a vast expanse of pristine lawn complete with towering trees and blooming flowerbeds.

Taking up part of that open lawn is the infinity pool which enjoys complete exposure to the sun and is surrounded on the grass by sun loungers and parasols. There is no real view from the pool, but you may well be able to spot some animals pass by as you take a dip. Just close to the pool is something quite unique and rather fun in the form of a two-floored lounge, the upper deck of which is great for spotting animals from afar. Down below are some armchairs arranged around marble-topped tables while the more comfy upstairs boasts more inviting furniture, complete with blankets, rugs and lighting for an evening spent in the open air.

The colonial-style library is a warm, welcoming space filled with elegantly upholstered seating, books, games, wildlife drawings and excellent examples of wood carvings. Open to guests all day as a place to relax and wind down, it is also the place to come if you'd like to watch a spot of television or use the internet. If your idea however of relaxing is to take a workout then head for the camp's gym where you'll find a range of cardio and weights machines in a room whose windows look out on to the camp's lawns. For those of you who prefer to be pampered then the massage cabin is perhaps a better option. Also situated amongst the lodge's outdoors, the small but well presented facility offers a range of massages including Indian head massage, Swedish massage, African wood massage and hot stone therapy. Not the most complete of wellness services, however it's always good to have that option.

For a relatively intimate camp in terms of number of guest, Kings occupies a large piece of land which it keeps in perfect order throughout. All the public areas are easily accessible as are the rooms. Each occasion we had to interact with the staff left us smiling and we found them to be accommodating and obliging.

• Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

A total of 11 rooms make up the Kings Camp inventory, with 10 luxury rooms and a honeymoon suite. Each of the well-appointed, isolated rooms are thatched and beautifully furnished in a colonial style. The luxury rooms are open plan and feature both a bedroom and separate seating area. The former features a large double bed surrounded by an elegantly hung mosquito net which is suspended from a frame itself hung from the ceiling. The animal/animal print theme is laid on quite strong with zebra-embroidered cushions, leopard print plaids and animal skin rugs featuring on or beside the bed (as well as a watercolour above the bed). You'll find on the sideboard a decanter of complimentary sherry with the minibar below inside while the closet conceals the safe, anti-mosquito products and bathrobes. The seating area consists of armchairs and a sofa with more of those embroidered cushions along with a coffee table with a lamp and decorative objects as well as a full length mirror lent against the wall. Outside the open plan room is a terrace with armchairs and a hammock in one corner. Some rooms have better views than others, but all look out on to the bushveld and give the possibility of spotting animals up close. The bathroom, which is brightened up by the presence of flower heads placed here and there, feature a double vanity with Molton Brown toiletries, gilded mirrors and make-up mirror, a claw foot bath alongside which is a table with salts and candles, a walk-in monsoon shower and a huge outdoor double monsoon shower for those who prefer to wash 'au naturel'.

The honeymoon suite is without doubt one of the finest rooms we saw. This enormous open plan room combines the bedroom, living space and bathroom. The details such as the candelabras, etched mirrors and the decorative objects make this a very special room indeed. The terrace outside the room boasts a beautiful plunge pool with table and chairs and sun loungers with a view on to the bushveld.

• Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

Kings has the luxury of being able to rotate to a large degree the locations for their meals. Upon arriving back from the morning game drive a breakfast made up of a continental spread and delicious hot options will be served in the dining room. This latter has large chunky wooden dining tables laid beautifully with good quality crockery, a silver table service and flower heads with high back chairs pulled up to them. The buffet is laid out at the bar while the hot dishes are served at your table by the delightful staff. There may be times when breakfast is served in the bush as a buffet although lunch is always served à la carte in the dining room. Dinner locations can vary between the main lodge (dining room or lawn), the boma and the bush. Chef Nico Hoogers serves up imaginative, tasty dishes which are both well presented and executed. The only complaint for us was that during our visit we were sitting with the other couples staying at the lodge that night without a host which may make some guests uncomfortable. If you prefer to eat alone in your room or on your terrace or privately in any of the dining locations, this is absolutely possible and the staff will be pleased to arrange this for you. Equally, if you have any dietary requirements they will be happy to look after you any way they can. If you fancy a drink before or after your meal, then head for the green-themed bar where you can enjoy a refreshment round the fire. The comfy sofas and armchairs are set against a backdrop of African masks, pottery and carvings along with soft lighting and a view of the camp's lawn.