Jabulani Safari South Africa
Jabulani Safari
Greater Kruger Area,
Kapama Private Game Reserve,
South Africa
www.jabulanisafari.com/
HOTEL INFORMATION
Shareholders
Privately Owned
Date of Creation
2004
Hotel General Manager
Ruan Roos is Lodge Manager at Jabulani Safari and has been in the Jabulani family for many years, having started as a ranger moons ago. Ruan went on to become Head Ranger and then Assistant Lodge Manager and as such, he has vast experience in and knowledge of our special Big 5 wilderness and the Jabulani soulful safari experience.
Hotel Positioning
5 Star Luxury Safari Lodge. Relais & Châteaux.
Development Strategy
2010 Jabulani Safari added Zindoga Villa.
2023 Jabulani Safari added Villa Somopane.
JABULANI Safari
History & Story
Our story started in 1997, with Jabulani, an elephant calf of just four months, was found injured, abandoned and stuck in the mud of a silt dam. He was successfully rehabilitated and once weaned, introduced to the wild elephants of the reserve, who repeatedly rejected him.
Yet fate had a different plan for Jabulani. In 2002, we were contacted to urgently step in and rescue a hand-reared herd of elephants Zimbabwe who were to be culled during the country’s land reformation process.
Within a few days, we had rescued the elephants and brought them to our reserve in South Africa, together with their carers. We were hopeful that they would accept Jabulani into their family, as every elephant needs a herd.
Fortunately, Tokwe, the matriarch of the herd, accepted Jabulani lovingly and gracefully. Jabulani had finally found a new family.
This was a significant moment in both our history and our future, as the original herd are all believed to have been orphans too. Their unique family structure would create a favourable environment for orphaned elephants in need of a herd. They have since warmly welcomed another three orphaned elephants that we have introduced to them.
With the substantial financial burden of having to care for the elephants and provide housing and income for their carers, it was decided to build a luxury lodge that would offer elephant back safaris and sustain the herd. So, in 2005, Camp Jabulani Safari came to be.
In 2006, the herd started to reproduce, an affirmation of their happiness and low-stress levels, as an elephant will not easily fall pregnant when under duress. Five healthy elephant calves have since then been born to the Jabulani herd. Two additional elephant orphans that were rescued by conservation organisations were accepted by the Jabulani HERD.
In 2018, Camp Jabulani rebranded to JABULANI Safari, revealing a unique and soulful safari experience. Complimented by our people, the wildlife and the Jabulani herd, the experience will be etched into your heart and soul for a lifetime.
In 2019, Adine Roode, the owner of Jabulani built South Africa’s first dedicated Elephant Orphanage, HERD (Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development), which was built alongside the Jabulani Herd homestead.
Date Renewal
Jabulani Safari implemented soft refurbishments in the superior suites, Zindoga Villa and main lodge in 2024 and continued to do so in 2025.
Date added extensions
• The Owner of Jabulani Safari built Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development (HERD), South Africa’s first dedicated elephant orphanage alongside the Jabulani elephant homestead in 2019.
• Zindoga Villa added in 2010 catering for family travellers/ 2014 added the (add: art) gallery, wine cellar and curio shop.
• The two bedroom Villa Somopane was built and opened 2023 providing an exclusive use space for families or friends travelling together.
Main Strengths, Special Touch
Jabulani Safari, a Soulful Safari Experience.
Jabulani Safari is a place to indulge your every sense. A place to explore the amazing wildlife, to rest, to eat, and to reconnect with nature, and most importantly, yourself.
Learn about our inspiring journey that began with a herd of elephants that rescued nearly twenty years ago. Our devoted elephant carers will share insightful information, and stories of their life journeys with the Jabulani elephant herd, whilst you have opportunity to observe the herd during their daily routines, such as their midday swims, or as they are out, for aging in the wild.
You soon realise that you are part of something much greater here, than just another luxury safari lodge.
The Jabulani Safari experience is soulful, insightful and truly unforgettable.
A Proud member of Relais and Châteaux.
Location
Jabulani Safari is based on the Kapama Private Game Reserve 30 mins drive outside the town of Hoedspruit. Kapama is very conveniently located right next to Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport which is well serviced with daily flights operated by SA Airlink from Johannesburg and Cape Town, as well as charter flight operators. Jabulani Safari is a 20-minute private transfer in an open safari vehicle from the Hoedspruit airport. Private charters direct into the reserve are also available.
Key sites/activities in the area
Guests have the exclusive opportunity to observe the herd, learning more about their behaviour, their unique character traits, their incredible story and what it takes to take care of them.
Much of this takes place while the elephants are in their natural environment, foraging in the bush, walking through the reserve or swimming at the waterhole.
Situated on a Big five private game reserve in the Greater Kruger area, this is one of the finest places on earth for viewing and photographing wildlife. Experienced rangers host guests on game drives and bush walks for close sightings of predators and other iconic African species living wild.
Other optional activities include hot-air ballooning, canyon helicopter tours and golfing. No itinerary has set times, as Jabulani Safari offers a tailor-made experience according to our guests’ specific interests.
Fun Facts
• Jabulani Safari is named after our first rescued elephant Jabulani. Jabulani Means « rejoice /happiness. »
• JabuLadies is a women’s empowerment initiative started by Jabulani Safari owner Adine Roode as a way to upskill and generate income opportunities for women in the local community and amongst the housekeeping team.
• Jabulani Safari assists HERD in providing donations of Nkosi supplementary super bars to young learners at a nearby school in Acornhoek called Jameyana school each month to help combat childhood malnutrition in disadvantaged communities.
• Jabulani Safari implemented solar energy with approximately 200 solar panels to provide a sustainable and secure source of power. This assists both HERD and Jabulani Safari during the unstable energy supplies from the national electricity supplier as well as ensuring a more environmentally friendly alternative.
• HERD currently cared for 16 elephants; 11 of which are orphans due to human elephant conflict and 5 of which were born to the orphans. Jabulani Safari provides a protective wilderness for these orphans to roam with dedicated elephant carers during the day.
• Every guest at Jabulani Safari through an elephant levy to the protection and support of the elephant herd and elephant conservation.
Children’s Corner
The Jabulani Soulful Safari experience touches the hearts of even the youngest of our guests. Our JabuJuniors programme promises that our young safari-goers experience the best of South African wildlife and allow them to dig deeper into the fun world of soulful conservation.
Your children have the opportunity to become JabuJuniors Conservationists in the making or be accredited in our JabuJuniors Ranger Academy; taking home personalised certificates to fondly remember their Jabulani and South African wildlife experience for many years to come.
JabuJuniors CONSERVATIONISTS
• Aquaponics tour: Learn about the world of aquaculture and responsible tourism.
• World of Worms: Get wiggly with us!
• Visit Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre(HESC) and learn all about rhino conservation, cheetah conservation and other wildlife conservation projects.
• World of Elephants: Learn all about the remarkable Anatomy of Elephants with our elephant carers.
• Elephant Dung Research: Assist our elephant care team carry out vital research in monitoring the stress levels of the Jabulani herd compared to wild herds of Kapama.
• Elephant Dung Throwing Challenge
• Learn how we make Compost
• Make your own Elephant Dung Paper
JabuJuniors RANGER ACADEMY
• Orienteering (learn to find your way home in the wild) Survival Tips for the Bush l Animal Tracks Identification: Learn how to identify the trails of wild animals.
• LandRover Orientation
• Learn about the Big Five and Ugly Five on Safari.
• Seeds and Pods: Learn how even the tallest tree comes from a small beginning. l Discover our African Skies: Stargazing
• Bird Watching & Identification
• Flowerpower: Learn about different plants and their medicinal uses.
• Bug Search: For the adventurous JabuJuniors! l Learn basic Shangaan (local language)
• Mammal Behaviour Lessons
JabuJuniors CREATIVE KIDS
• Elephant biscuit decorating
• Design your elephant pizza l Make your African animal T-shirt l Spoor casting (painting etc.)
• Various arts and crafts activity
HOTEL FEATURES
Accommodation
• Two-bedroom villa (Villa Somopane) with a plunge pool and private deck
An Exclusive Private villa (Zindoga Villa) 2 master suites with plunge pools with an additional 3rd bedroom for children.
Restaurants & Bars
Jabulani Safari prides itself on exceptional cuisine, combined with fine wines and a variety of dining venues, both indoors and outdoors.
• All Inclusive (all meals and a selection of local beverages)
• Unlimited private dining
• Tailored menus according to requirements that can include kosher and halaal
• Internationally trained executive chef delivering 5* fine dining, with a South African twist
• Beautiful lakeside boma with the ambience of stars, lanterns and bonfires, with food cooked over open fires
• Surprise bush breakfasts and champagne sundowners can be set up for groups
• Dining Room and private deck for meals
• Cocktail lounge
Wellness
• Bush Spa with experienced therapists offering soulful treatments.
• Wellness & yoga retreats available at certain times of the year.
• Each suite is equipped with a yoga mat, cushion and visual guide
• Wall-to-ceiling glass-enclosed gym with air-conditioning and state-of-the-art equipment.
Corporate & Celebration Events
• We can cater for up to 22 guests
• Innovative and fun team-building activities available on request
Extra Notable Features
• Unique and Soulful Elephant Experiences (remove tracking)
• Game drives and bush walks on a Big 5 Reserve (remove Kapama). Private guide(s) allocated to groups
• Optional extras include helicopter tours of Blyde River Canyon, golf, hot air ballooning, relaxing spa treatments
Hotel and restaurant Awards
2025
Conde Nast Johansens Award winner 2025 Best Immersive Experience (Africa, Asia, Middle East & Oceania)
2020
Relais & Châteaux Woman of the Year – Adine Roode (MD and owner of Jabulani)
2019
Five Star PREMIUM Status awarded by TGCSA (Tourism Grading Council of South Africa)
2015-2020
Certificate of Excellence Trip Advisor
Conde Nast Saver’s / Sustainability Award
Number of employees
52 Lodge + 30 Elephant carers