Makalali Private Game Lodge

Makalali Private Game Lodge – the perfect place to find your true inner self. From its curious mix of rugged thatched spires and earthly walls, to its ancient mystical ornaments and luxury appointments, Makalali offers a truly unique experience. Praised as one of the most innovatively designed hotels in the world, Makalali will take you on a spiritual journey and let you discover ancient mysteries under star-studded African skies.

Rooms: 24
Rate: 5070 - 7000 ZAR

Makalali is the ideal safari destination, with activities including game drives in open Land Rovers accompanied by professional game ranges and trackers, photographic excursions, bird-watching safaris and tribal dancing, are all available on a daily basis. Makalai Private Game Lodge is only an hour’s drive west of the Kruger National Park. Makalali also offers a range of unique activities including:
Panoramic Escarpment Tours, River Rafting on the Olifants River, Golf Packages and Tours to the Cheetah Breeding project.

Makalali, meaning "Place of Rest" in Shangaan, has four separate 12 bed camps, situated on the banks of the Makhutswi River.

LUXURY accommodation is offered and each air-conditioned suite has a King Size bed, an en-suite bathroom, an outside shower, a private deck, a fireplace and a raised timber "sala" which doubles as a lounge or dayroom, or as a viewing platform. The rooms are decorated in AFRICAN DESIGN STYLES with sculptured ceramic taps and basins.

All rooms are fitted with mosquito nets, and guests are supplied with insect repellent, but please note that Makalali is a MALARIA AREA and malaria tablets are recommended ALL YEAR ROUND

The architecture dictates the style of food we serve, combining unexpected flavours. We make most of our own jams and might just surprise you with Amarula in your coffee on the morning drives to a welcoming ice tea. The food style at Makalali is culinary adventure, combining regional cuisine from all over Africa with the multitude of cooking styles left behind by centuries of exploration on this great continent.
At Makalali, we provide an array of dining experiences. Enjoy Africa under the stars with dinner in the bush or the legendary ‘boma dinner’. Other options include the indoor-outdoor dining area where you can enjoy a plated dinner or the more casual family style dining with other guests. We also offer a private ‘Sala’ Dinner for the Romantic.

Dietary Requirements
Should you have any special dietary requirements, be it vegetarian food, a low salt diet, etc we would like to know about it, so we can accommodate you in any way possible.

Drinking Water
We provide a complimentary bottle of mineral water in your room and water may also be purchased at your camp bar. Tap water at Makalali is drinkable, but due to a fluctuation in underground supplies we cannot always guarantee consistent quality. It is therefore our suggestion that tap water is utilized for cleaning purposes, brushing teeth, etc.

Food Packs
Due to changing travel arrangements and the possibility of missing a meal, we offer packed meals upon request. This service may also be provided, in the event of you having to depart the lodge early. We kindly ask that you please give us prior notice.

Room service
Guests usually enjoy dining together in the communal dining area, however private drinks and meals e.g., in your sala can be arranged on request.

Banqueting Functions and Events
Makalali has been selected as one of the "Top ten eating establishments in SA". We can provide an array of dining experiences for any function or event held in a dining option of your choice. From our entertainment centre, legendary "boma" or under the African stars in the bush.

An innovative bush lodge situated on 22 000 hectares of conservancy, Makalali Private Gajme Lodge will inspire you with its unique design and the natural beauty of its setting. The perfect place to find your true inner self.

This ethnic bush lodge is located close to the Drakensberg mountain range, west of the Kruger National Park.

Daily flights from Johannesburg International Airport to Eastgate (Hoedspruit) or Phalaborwa Airports are available.

By Road from Johannesburg:
Take the N4 East towards Witbank and onwards to Belfast (Pta-Belfast +- 240 Km), Turn Left off the Highway towards Belfast, In Belfast, turn right at the Belfast Toyota onto Dullstroom/Lydenburg (R540), At the T – Junction (R540 – R36) turn left to Lydenburg.

In Lydenburg, at the Origstad sign, turn left and follow the main road of Lydenburg (De Klerk street) on the Origstad road (R36). Follow the R36 through Origstad and through the Strijdom tunnel.

Turn left towards Tzaneen at the T-Junction (still R36), Follow the road over the Oilifants River, past the Oaks (local Village) and Past Phalaborwa/Mica turn off ( +-10KM.

Turn Right at the Gravelotte turn off, this road becomes a Gravel road. Go through the boom Gate, Travel +- 10Km on the Gravel road to the Makalali Gate on your Right hand side.

Additional Charges:
A gate entrance fee of ZAR 65 (subject to change after end 2007) per person is not included in the rate and may be settled directly at the lodge on day of departure.

Makalali is situated in a malaria area and precautions are essential. We recommend long sleeved shirts and trousers for game drives and in the evening. Mosquito nets and insect repellent are provided by the camp. Bring comfortable, light clothing, walking shoes, sun hats and sunscreen. Swimsuits for the summer months and very warm clothing for winter months as there is a great wind-chill factor on the open game drive vehicles.