Makanyi Private Game Lodge

The seven luxury suites at Makanyi Private Game Lodge each afford guests sweeping views over the surrounding bushveld and mighty dam. The suites are all cosy and luxurious, with an atmosphere that can feel cool and refreshing in warm weather but warming and comfortable in cold weather. Each suite has exposed thatch ceilings which add character and dimension to the room, and all come with a unique curved lounge and seating area, with a fireplace on a grand stone feature wall which guests can cosy around on those cold evenings.

The decor of the room focuses on creams and dark wooden features which complement each other, and also feel connected to nature. An oversized bed sits in the middle of the bedroom, covered in crisp white bedding and a cream comforter, with mosquito netting hung above if guests wish to use it. The bed is sat opposite floor to ceiling sliding doors which open out onto the decking and fill the space with natural, bright light.

The bathrooms are decorated in a regal style, with a claw-footed bathtub sat in the centre – perfect for a relaxing dip, and a spacious shower located to one side of the bathroom. Double hand-basins sit in a mahogany vanity and a unique stone backed outdoor shower stands on the decking.

The wooden decking area offers guests another place where they can unwind and take in the phenomenal surroundings, with a view onto luscious trees and maybe an odd wandering animal or two. Two of the seven suites come with a private plunge pool where guests can catch a refreshing dip on a warm afternoon.

The Marula Suite is located a short distance away from the main lodge and sleeps 4, perfect for a family or a group of friends travelling together. With 2 bedrooms, a lounge, a kitchen, and a dining area this suite has all the home comforts any guest could want.

The suite has exposed, vaulted thatch ceilings running throughout which adds dimension and traditional safari character to the space and is full of bright, natural light which floods the suite from sliding doors and wide windows. The two bedrooms each come with their own ensuite bathroom and are complete with a large double bed, covered in crisp white bed linen and with plush pillows.

Unwind in the lounge on the comfy cream sofas or spend your downtime on your private decking area which includes a large sparkling private swimming pool for your enjoyment. Spend the evenings spent around your private boma area with a glass of wine bathing in the sunset tones before looking to the wide starry night sky.

A taste sensation awaits guests who dine at Makanyi Private Game Lodge. Meals inspired by the local South African cuisine, made with locally sourced and fresh ingredients by talented and professional chefs, can be served around the candlelit Boma under the wide sky, for a bush picnic or at a romantic private dinner. Wherever you choose to dine, be assured that the focus at Makanyi is centred around the beautiful scenery, good company, and delicious food.

Guests can make their way to the bar in the early explorer-style main lodge where they will find premium South African wines, as well as beers, liqueurs and spirits.

Adventure through the beautiful bushveld in the comfort of a 4×4 safari vehicle and keep an eye out for animals as you drive through the bush. A knowledgeable and friendly guide will accompany you and will be able to impart all their wisdom of the area as well as drive you to some of the best viewing spots.

This is the perfect activity to see some of the wild animals of the park, such as elephants, lions, giraffes and leopards, up close and personal, largely undisturbed and in their natural habitat. Guests can choose to go out on a morning or an evening drive. Although if time allows, it is recommended you go on both as every drive is a unique and exciting experience.

Accompanied by a professional ranger, head out on your own two feet to immerse yourself in the bush. You can explore places which may have been inaccessible to a game vehicle and can focus on the smaller eco-systems of the bush. Follow animal prints, which may lead you to a lounging lion or rhino or focus on the insect and birdlife of the reserve.

Begin your day with a quick workout in the fully equipped gym if that suits you before heading out on your day’s adventures. Indulge in a stress-relieving massage to heal your mind, body, and soul before your day of exploring begins or afterwards, massaging out any aches and pains.

If guests wish to capture the perfect shots of the reserve, then a professional photography guide can be arranged to accompany you on game drives to help you hone your photography skills and capture the best photograph you can. Photoshoots for guests who wish to have a family or friend portrait can be arranged at an extra cost, with the option for them to be printed on a premium canvas.

With a state-of-the-art telescope available for guests to use, stargazing has become the most exciting slow-paced nighttime activity. Whilst you wait for your turn to look through the telescope gaze up at the wise starry sky and see how many constellations you can spot before looking through the telescope at a planet or star up close and in breathtaking detail.

As well as the activities which are available at the lodge, there are many activities on offer within the local area. For a greater understanding of the conservation principles which Makanyi supports, visit the Moholoholo wildlife rehabilitation centre, which works to rehabilitate injured or poisoned animals to their natural environment. Guests also have the opportunity to go on a Shik Shack tour, which will take you to a local village where you can immerse yourself in village life, learning about their cultures and speaking to village members.

Guests can also travel to Blyde River Canyon, which is the third-largest canyon in the world, and take in the magnificent beauty which lines the sides of the canyon. Zip-lining over the Sabie River can be arranged also. This is an exciting activity for thrill-seekers and offers a unique way to view the Sabie River.

Take to the skies and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime bird’s eye view of the phenomenal bush. Soar through the skies on a helicopter trip, or for the more adventure-seeking, take to the skies in a micro-light aircraft. Gliding through the sky in a hot air balloon is also available for guests to prearrange – any of these thrilling flights are bound to leave you with memories which will last a lifetime.

Guests of Makanyi Private Game Lodge can assist with Timbavati Private Nature Reserves important and ongoing work tracking and chipping their rhino population to help anti-poaching initiatives. The rhinos need to be tracked and micro-chipped as ‘part of ongoing efforts to build a national DNA database.’ Guests will help with locating, chipping and tracking the rhinos as part of the experience and will be able to enjoy the rare pleasure of being up-close to these marvellous animals. Makanyi is involved in this project as part of their emphasis on conservation.

Supporting the local community is an important part of Makanyi’s ethos, and so when the opportunity arose to host the local Futuro’s Hospitality School for a day, they took up the offer. Students from this school are all training in hospitality and a day spent in a five-star establishment gave them invaluable first-hand experience of the work they are training towards.

The war on single-use plastic is a global effort and one which Makanyi have joined. They don’t use any plastic straws in their business, instead offering biodegradable paper straws on request, and are working towards eliminating their use of plastic water bottles. When each guest arrives at Makanyi they will be provided with a refillable aluminium drinking bottle, which can be filled from one of the many water dispensers which are placed around the lodge.

They still purchase plastic water bottles from suppliers, but make sure they are as eco-friendly and conscious as possible by purchasing specialised bottles made from Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). These bottles are recyclable and use less CO2 in the recycling process than normal plastic bottles. The recyclable bottles can be made into all sorts, such as insulation, fabric for clothing, fibre for textiles and can be used in construction.