Hidden in lush riverside forest, offering spectacular views of the Marico River and the surrounding bush and its wildlife, Makanyane Safari Lodge offers you the ultimate luxury safari experience within the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, which boasts 75,000 hectares of Big 5 game viewing territory. As well as elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo, the Reserve is also home to wild dog, cheetah, plains game including gemsbok, springbok, zebra and giraffe, and over 340 species of birds.
Makanyane Safari Lodge has earned an enviable reputation for its friendly service, outstanding cuisine and fine wine cellar.
In-between game drives, you can relax by lounging at the heated swimming pool, be pampered with a massage or aromatherapy on your private deck or in the bush spa, or unwind by exercising in the gym.
There is also a private sleep-out hide, hidden deep in the bush and overlooking a waterhole, where guests can spend the night sleeping out under the stars or watching game coming down to drink.
Each of the 8 luxurious suites has an open fronted lounge and a private sundeck. Glass walled bedrooms and bathrooms offer uninterrupted views of the bush and the Marico River.
The spectacular bathrooms have a freestanding bath as well as indoor and outdoor showers, and the wide, folding doors can be opened to allow the sounds and scents of the surrounding bush to join you while relaxing in the bathtub.
Rates Include
House wines, local beers and spirits, soft drinks and mineral water; breakfast, lunch (also on day of arrival and departure if required), afternoon tea and dinner daily; the Madikwe Conservation Levy; the Madikwe Gate entry fee/FedAir landing/departure fee (if applicable); 2 shared game drives each day; game walks accompanied by an experienced ranger; transfers from the airstrip in Madikwe Game Reserve; sleepout under the stars (not available June and July); a laundry service; and use of the gym are included.
Children Policy
Children aged 12 years and older are welcome. Rates available on request. Children under the age of 16 years are not permitted on guided walks in the reserve.
Bush Walks / Walking Safaris
Children under the age of 16 years are not permitted on guided walks in the reserve. Guests over 60 years old wishing to join a guided walk are required to have a letter or certificate from their doctor confirming they are in good health and are physically fit to do the walk. A guided walk can last a couple of hours and involve walking over uneven terrain that may contain dangerous wildlife in potentially high temperatures. Guests may need to move quickly and for a sustained period through rough bush terrain if instructed to do so by their guide.
Regardless of age or the provision of a doctors certificate, the final decision on whether a guest can join a guided walk remains with the guide and lodge manager.
A stay at Makanyane Safari Lodge provides children with an unforgettable wildlife experience, designed to stimulate, educate and above all entertain young minds while promoting a deep respect for the environment and natural areas and a strong desire to preserve both.
Madikwe is a malaria-free environment, ideal for children!
Children over the age of 5 are taken on the Makanyane Pup Junior Ranger Course – a fun-filled, exciting course where children are taught survival skills, tracking skills, orientation skills and an endless array of exciting and fun facts about the African bush and why it is so vital to conserve it. (Children younger than 5, accompanied by an adult, are also welcome to join the fun!)
The junior ranger course is run for approximately 2 hours each morning after breakfast or brunch (depending on the season), allowing mom and dad a bit of time to focus on themselves, while their children are being looked after and entertained.
The course includes
:Closely supervised target practice with bow and arrows (made by the children themselves) and air rifles, a very popular aspect of the course – with parents and children alike!
A mini game walk in the grounds of the camp, exploring the banks of the river and bush around the lodge. Special emphasis is placed on the fascinating small wildlife and insect life of the African bush.
Once they have completed their Makanyane Pup course, children are presented with their very own certificate, signed by their ranger.
The children enjoy a child orientated menu and any specific dietary requirements will be taken into account.
Directions For Drivers
PLEASE NOTE: The main gates open at 06:00 and close at 18:00. Guests who arrive after this time will not be allowed to self-drive to the lodge. The lodge will send a representative to escort guests to the lodge at an additional cost. SUGGESTION: Refuel at Sun Village/Zeerust as there is no fuel available inside the reserve. DO NOT follow your GPS after Zeerust/Sun City - it will take you on the wrong roads.
From Johannesburg Airport via N4 tar road: Follow the R21 north, to Pretoria (Tshwane) through Kempton Park. After 40 km follow N1 north to Pretoria (Tshwane), Pietersburg (Polokwane). After about 12 km, take N4 west into Pretoria (Tshwane), to Rustenburg or Hartebeespoort Dam. Follow the N4 to Hartebeespoort Dam.
Take the N4 to Zeerust past Brits, Rustenberg, and Swartruggens. Zeerust is approximately 220 km from Pretoria. In Zeerust turn right on the R47/R49 to Gaborone/Madikwe Game Reserve. After +/- 90 km you will see a sign on the right for the Abjaterskop Gate of the Madikwe Game Reserve. Go past this gate and follow the road past the town of Supingstad to the Derdepoort turning to the right. Turn right and follow this dirt road past the Tau Game Lodge Gate and the Derdepoort Gate. +/- 5 km after the Derdepoort Gate is another gate on the right, this is the Makanyane Safari Lodge gate. There is a large beige Makanyane sign next to the gate. A vehicle will be waiting to lead you down to the lodge - if no-one is there, please call the lodge on +27 (0) 14 778 9600.
Do not get out of your car until you reach the lodge. You may see some wildlife on your way - if you do, slow down and maintain a good distance. Do not drive off-road in any circumstances.
From Sun City via N4 tar road: Turn right from as you leave Sun City onto the R565. After a few km you will come to a junction with the R565 to the left, and the R556 signposted straight ahead. Turn left here to keep on the R565 signposted Phokeng and Rustenberg, and it is 38 km from here to the junction with the N4 tar road.
When you reach the N4, turn right onto the road (signposted Swartruggens and Zeerust) and continue for around 130 km on this road to Zeerust. In Zeerust turn right on the R47/R49 and follow the directions as above.
From Johannesburg or Sun City via gravel roads: There is a gravel road from Sun City to Madikwe - this route is a lot shorter than the current tar road route, however as the roads are gravel and the signs to Madikwe are rather inconsistent, we would not really recommend this route to customers.
Should you wish to return to Sun City or Johannesburg using the gravel roads, the lodge will be able to supply you with a map and directions.
General Information For Guests
Each suite is air conditioned and has a large bedroom, lounge and a huge bathroom, with indoor and outdoor showers and roll top baths. There is also a private sundeck which is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of the bush.
Morning bush walks can be arranged with an experienced guide. Please note that guests under the age of 16 years are not permitted on walks. Guests over the age of 60 are required to produce a medical certificate stating that they are fit for such an activity.
One experience not to be missed is the 'Sleep out hide under the stars', a unique experience. For one night of your stay, if you can bear to forego the luxury of your suite, you can sleep outside on the specially-designed Sleep-out Hide. You are surrounded only by the African wilderness, providing the adventurous with their very own 'Out of Africa' experience, listening to the sounds of the bush under a huge canopy of stars. Surrounded by romantic lanterns on a lofty second-storey platform, your bed for the night is one of the most unforgettable and magical experiences ever. This must be pre-booked prior to arrival - please contact your Travel Butlers consultant.
Spa treatments can be enjoyed in the secluded bush spa, on the deck of your suite, or in a variety of locations.
There is an infinity swimming pool and a gym.
All the water is filtered and is safe for drinking, but complimentary bottled water is provided in all the suites and on game drives.
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in the main lounge area of the lodge and there is mobile phone reception.
If you are arriving/departing via FedAir, the lodge is a 40 minute drive away from the airstrip.
Bush Walks / Walking Safaris
Children under the age of 16 years are not permitted on guided walks in the reserve. Guests over 60 years old wishing to join a guided walk are required to have a letter or certificate from their doctor confirming they are in good health and are physically fit to do the walk. A guided walk can last a couple of hours and involve walking over uneven terrain that may contain dangerous wildlife in potentially high temperatures. Guests may need to move quickly and for a sustained period through rough bush terrain if instructed to do so by their guide.
Regardless of age or the provision of a doctors certificate, the final decision on whether a guest can join a guided walk remains with the guide and lodge manager.
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Makayane was excellent. We got to see a Leopard for the first time ever, the accommodation and the staff were superb.