Makanyane Safari Lodge Madikwe Game Reserve

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Email Makanyane Safari Lodge Reservations: booksa@madbookings.com

Makanyane Safari Lodge Accommodation

Makanyane Safari Lodge was designed by a team of award winning architects to effortlessly blend with the surrounding bush. The relaxed yet luxurious interiors complement the design perfectly, tastefully enhancing the atmosphere of comfort in this idyllic environment.

The lodge consists of a beautiful main building and eight stunning suites, which lie hidden in the lush forest, offering spectacular views over the tranquil Marico River. Situated on 1,800 hectares of private ground within the 75,000 hectare Madikwe Game Reserve, the lodge has accommodation for a maximum of sixteen guests, ensuring that each guest has privacy and individual attention.

Main Lodge
Located on the edge of a ravine, Makanyane's dramatic main lodge overlooks a stream-filled waterhole shaded by a dense canopy of trees. Enormous ancient Leadwood trees in the lounge and the dining room support the sweeping thatch roof.

The spacious lounge area has two rock fireplaces and opens out onto a wide wooden deck hanging over the ravine and waterhole below. On this wooden deck is the well stocked bar with its sweeping roof. The gracious dining room also opens onto the vast deck area, perfect for enjoying a meal under the trees while watching game drink below. The main lodge has a curio shop where you can browse for souvenirs, a library area and an extensive wine cellar.

Upstairs is the air-conditioned den with a viewing deck, the elevated position providing panoramic views of the grasslands. Sweeping plains roll out towards the horizon, surrounded by a breathtaking skyline.

The secluded swimming pool is the ideal place to soak up the African sun, while enjoying the idyllic scenery.

Close to the main lodge is the boma, an open air dining area enclosed by bush, reeds and trees. The boma is the perfect place to enjoy dinner next to a blazing fire. Sit back and enjoy the view out over the Marico River, the stars blinking through the canopy of leaves above you.

Not far from the main lodge, an isolated viewing deck stands on the edge of the plains. In this tranquil, tree shaded place, you can enjoy a quiet drink, while watching elephants stride through herds of waterbuck, zebra and impala grazing in these breathtaking grasslands. You may even see lion or cheetah moving through the grass, their vigilant stare searching for their next meal.

Suites
A stroll along the shady path winding through the riverine forest will bring you to your romantic and secluded suite. As in the main lodge, rich African textures abound, walls of natural rock and dried tree trunks merge with rough teak doors and contrast with the overhanging thatch. The glass walled bedroom suites allow uninterrupted views of the river and the surrounding bush.

The open-fronted lounge with its private sundeck is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of the bush. The call of the fish eagle echoes down the river as elephants, escaping the heat of the day, plunge into the deep water and disturb the sleeping hippo.

The spectacular bathrooms have under-floor heating as well as indoor and outdoor showers. The wide, folding doors can be opened to allow the sounds and scents of the surrounding bush to join you in the luxurious freestanding bathtub. The understated luxury of your suite flawlessly compliments your untamed surroundings.

The suites have fireplaces, overhead fans and are fully air-conditioned and heated. The rooms also have a telephone, hot beverage making facilities, mini safe and a bar fridge. Bathrobes, hairdryers, insect repellent, body and sun lotion, soap as well as shampoo and conditioner are all provided.

Food and Wine
Makanyane prides itself on the exceptional quality of its food and wines, adding another memorable dimension to your stay with us. Our meals are skilfully and imaginatively prepared by our executive chef, Mauritz Greeff, and his excellent team. Mauritz blends European and African flavours to create unique menus, using fresh local produce to create delicious and memorable dining experiences.

Our delicious cuisine is complimented by superb South African wines from our extensive cellar. As well as offering classic wines such as Kanonkop's Paul Sauer and Klein Constantia's Vin de Constance, we have gone to great lengths to search out excellent quality, value and range in the wine list that we offer our guests. This ensures that for wine lovers Makanyane is a real treat.

Gym and Spa
The well equipped gym and bush spa is just the place to work up an appetite, or to simply pamper yourself. Tucked away in the forest, this air-conditioned facility has all that you need for a gentle workout or more strenuous exercise. Alternatively, treat yourself to massage or aromatherapy from Makanyane's onsite masseuse.

Business Centre and Conference Facilities
computer with full internet access is available for the use of guests together with fax services. Satellite television and video are also provided. Makanyane has air conditioned conference facilities for 16 people.

Weddings
Makanyane Safari Lodge is the ideal venue for the ultimate intimate and romantic wedding. Imagine the romance of a wedding deep in the African bush, surrounded by the peace and tranquility of a truly wild place.

Here, secluded from the pressure and stress of city life, you can relax, unwind and truly enjoy this most important day in the company of your family and friends.

The staff at Makanyane understands how precious this day is to you, and how everything, from the setting to the service, must be as you want it to be. We will go out of our way to ensure that your wedding is a fairy tale come true.

Let us worry about the details of the catering, the flowers, the decorations, the photographer and the minister. All you have to do is enjoy your special day!

Makanyane is ideally situated for a dramatic, unforgettable ceremony, with stunning views of the surrounding bush. Wedding photographs can be taken around the lodge, in the bush against the backdrop of wide African plains, or in the cool romance of the riverine forest .

With just 8 luxury suites, each secluded in the forest on the bank of the river, privacy and exclusivity is assured.

Makanyane Activities
Look Outs and Hides
Rustic hides have been placed in certain idyllic locations on Makanyane's private and exclusive land. One of these hides overlooks a waterhole hidden deep in the bush, a favourite place for animals and birds to drink. Another looks over the vast plains, providing observers with an ever-changing view of animals moving across the breathtaking landscape.

Those reluctant to surrender to the luxury of their suite can continue their African experience by sleeping out under a velvet canopy pierced with uncountable stars. To allow guests to experience the ambience of the bush at night, beds will be made up on the upper deck of a hide hidden deep in the bush, next to a waterhole. Our overnight hide brings you even closer to the sounds and experiences of the African bush at night.

Activities at Makanyane revolve around relaxing your body and mind and experiencing the rich details of your surroundings.

Relax by lounging at our secluded swimming pool, strip away the stress of city living with a massage or aromatherapy on your private deck or in our bush spa, unwind by exercising in our gym, or simply catch up on your quiet time by selecting a book from our library and settling down in our den or on one of the outside decks to read.

To experience the vibrant bush life around you, allow yourself to be led through Madikwe's 75,000 hectare environment, either on foot or in an open vehicle.

Watch the wildlife, oblivious to your presence, from one of our bush hides overlooking a waterhole or facing plains that stretch to the horizon. You could even sleep out under the stars while nocturnal life continues around your secure, elevated deck.

Game Drives
After settling into the open vehicle specially designed to ensure your comfort and safety, your ranger will take you to see the unforgettable sights of the African bush.

Travelling through Makanyane's completely private 1,800 hectares and the 75,000 hectares of the magnificent Madikwe Game Reserve, your ranger will share their wealth of knowledge with you, from the fascinating private life of the dung beetle to the intricacies of the wild dog's social system.

A maximum of eight people in the vehicle ensure that you receive the ranger's individual attention and enjoy an unforgettable experience. The afternoon drive, after a brief stop to enjoy a sunset drink, continues into the night, a shielded spotlight revealing the nocturnal wildlife of the bush.

Game drive times are flexible, with the drives going out at a time chosen by the guests. Spontaneous drives may also go out in response to animal activity near the lodge. If lions roar near the camp during dinner, expect an invitation from your ranger to go out into the night in search of them.

Subject to availability, you may request the sole use of a game viewing vehicle and ranger.

Game Walks
To get even closer to your surroundings, game walks are offered in place of, or in addition to, the game drives.
Armed and experienced rangers will lead you along game paths, in the footsteps of the animals, allowing you to experience the thrill of walking through this wild environment.

Walking will allow you to appreciate the stillness, the quiet and the beauty of the African bush and to examine the sights and sounds less obvious from a vehicle.

Star View Sleep Out
Feeling adventurous? Somehow reluctant to surrender to the luxury of your suite? Makanyane offers guests the ultimate nocturnal bush experience - sleeping out under Africa's stars surrounded by the sounds of the bush, unobstructed by walls and roofs.

To allow guests to experience the ambiance of the bush at night, beds will be made up on the upper deck of a hide hidden deep in the bush, next to a waterhole. Allow yourself to fall asleep seduced by the lullaby of roaring lions, crying jackals and laughing hyenas. (Weather permitting).

Bush Barbeques & Breakfast
Makanyane's exquisite dinners may be served out in the bush, isolated from any trace of civilisation. Sit back next to a blazing fire, only the light of the lanterns hanging in the trees standing between you and the bush, the aroma of the delicious food mingling with the fresh air as stars blaze above you. Toast marshmallows over the fire's dying embers as you discuss the sights and sounds of another unforgettable day.

Breakfast may also be served in the bush, with tasty food sizzling over the open fire, the scent of fresh coffee mingling with wood smoke.

The Bush Spa
An ideal way to soothe away the stress and strain of everyday life is to let our trained masseuse pamper you. Surrender to a massage or to aromatherapy, either on your private deck or in the secluded bush spa.

Special Activities
Certain specialised activities will be held from time to time. Experts in various fields will be invited to Makanyane to give intensive talks and demonstrations on various subjects such as astronomy, cuisine, trees, birds and animal behaviour. These specialist activities will be promoted on the website in advance.

On Safari
Madikwe Game Reserve is South Africa's second largest game reserve and Makanyane is situated on 1,800 hectares of private ground within the reserve. The reserve is a joint venture embracing the North West Parks and Tourism Board, the private sector and local communities.

Established in 1991, Madikwe was the site of operation Phoenix - the largest translocation of game ever undertaken - with over 10,000 animals reintroduced into the reserve. Madikwe Game Reserve is more than just an incredible malaria-free safari destination, it is an internationally significant conservation initiative.

The species that populate Madikwe include lion, leopard, black rhino and white rhino as well as large herds of elephant and buffalo. The rare African wild dog (in the Tswana language, "Makanyane"), cheetah, spotted and brown hyena, giraffe, zebra and numerous antelope species also roam the reserve.

Over 340 bird species also make their home in Madikwe which sprawls across richly varied eco-zones, from rocky peaks, across open grasslands, to verdant valleys, each zone with its own distinctive inhabitants.

Location
Makanyane Safari Lodge is located on 1,800 hectares of private ground incorporated into the magnificent 75 000 hectare malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve in the North West Province of South Africa.

Madikwe Game Reserve is 50 minutes by air from Johannesburg. Driving time from Johannesburg is approximately 3.5 hours using the route via Sun City and 5 hours using the route via Rustenburg and Zeerust.

Email Makanyane Safari Lodge Reservations: booksa@madbookings.com