Name: Makumu Private Game Lodge
Address: Klaserie Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park, Kruger National Park, Kruger National Park, 1380, South Africa
Rating: 10

Air conditioning

Smoking areas

Smoke-free property

Security guard

Gift shop

Garden

Terrace

Fire Extinguisher

No elevators

General

Family room

Indoor Fireplace

Shower

Wardrobe/Closet

Bathrobe

Mosquito net

Slippers

Toiletries

Rooms

Laundry

Safe-deposit box

Concierge services

Dry-cleaning

Luggage storage

Wake-up service

Services and amenities

Coffee/tea for guests

Breakfast

Restaurant

Snack bar

Bottled water

Meals

Free Wi-Fi

Internet

Airport transportation

Transfer services

Transfer

English

Multi-language staff

Languages Spoken

Tour assistance

Tourist services

Billiards

Sun Deck

Recreation

Free parking

Free parking nearby

Parking

Outdoor pool

Pool facilities

Pool and beach

Fitness facilities

Sports

Doctor

Massage

First Aid Kit

Beauty and wellness

Playroom

Babysitting and childcare

Kids

Pets Not Allowed

Pets

Temperature control for staff

Extra decontamination measures

Temperature control for guests

Personal protection equipment for guests

Contactless check-in and/or check-out

Additional measures against COVID-19

Health and Safety Measures

At the cottage

Room amenities

Phalaborwa Airport

Hoedspruit Airport

Makumu Private Game Lodge

World Travel Awards — Africa Winners

Kruger National Park

child-bed

child-bed-fee

external-private-bathroom

private-bathroom

shared-bathroom

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king-bed

queen-bed

limited-time

lounge

treatment

no-window

bay-view

bosphorus-view

canal-view

city-view

courtyard-view

garden-view

golf-view

harbour-view

inland-view

lake-view

land-view

mountain-view

ocean-front

ocean-view

oceanside

panoramic-view

park-view

partial-ocean-view

partial-sea-view

partial-view

pool-view

river-view

sea-front

sea-view

street-view

sunrise-view

sunset-view

water-view

with-view

annex

basement

main-building

1-bedroom

2-bedrooms

3-bedrooms

4-bedrooms

5-bedrooms

6-bedrooms

not-guaranteed

wired-internet-access

smoking

sauna

duplex

safe

mini-bar

breakfast-for-1

breakfast-for-2

pets-allowed

wi-fi

park access

I've been on a few safaris throughout Africa and this was hands-down my favorite ever. What put this over the top for me was peaceful vibe of the lodge and the game drives.  We barely saw other vehicles but our tracker spotter the big 5 for us and more.  I think my favorite part was at night the entire lodge was candle-lit.  We still could charge our devices, connect to wi-fi, use heat/air-con and a hair dryer, but otherwise it was simple alacrity and so relaxing. The bomba and food were amazing.  We went with a group of 7, including my 12-year-old daughter.  Most were first-time safari foes and the entire groups was in love with Makumu. Already trying to plan a trip back with friends or family to rent the entire place.

My happy place!

I really appreciated that animals can be here animals in nature and not show objects like in the zoo or in national parks that operate with GPS to quick show all the Big 5 around any corner in full speed ! Makumu takes care and respects the animals in the game , give them the peace and freedom they need to walk around , away and back , breed etc 
Makumu game lodge does not lay out meat to attract leopards or lions , they have to catch them by their own , as in poor nature , there is no fridge standing around filled with meat to self serve !  Nature help you self and therefore will be the best natural outcome .

Where animals can be their own , and are no show objects to display in the line up

Words and pictures could never do this place justice. Absolutely beautiful lodge, excellent food, and amazing views. What sets this apart from all other places is the staff. My husband and I had never experienced this level of attentiveness—ever, despite having traveled extensively, until coming to Makumu. They get to know you personally, anticipating your needs before you do! The attention to detail is exceptional and every single staff member excels at what they do. The lodge is only lit by candlelight in the evenings, and I didn’t realize how special it would be until experiencing it myself. The game drives were unbelievable! Getting so close to these fascinating and beautiful animals, learning about them, hearing their noises, seeing the babies—all from the comfortable Land Cruiser—just amazing!! Ruan and Clide (driver and tracker) were the best!! We saw the big 5 and plenty more. Coming back from the game drives we were met by Thomas and Julia and it felt like coming home. This is truly a special place and we cannot wait to come back!! If you’re considering a game lodge stay, look no further.

Life-changing safari experience!

We have just finished 3 nights at Makumu Lodge and it’s only really just sinking in how amazing it was. I travelled with my mother and Aunt (both in their late 70’s) who had both wanted to do something like this since they were little girls. The pressure was high to make sure they had the best experience as they knew they would never come back in their lifetime and my goodness did everyone and everything at Makumu deliver.

The lodge and accommodation is 5 star without being ostentatious in anyway. Its feel is luxurious and homely all at the same time, with many vantage points for viewing the wandering animals in the bush below. It has an excellent pool too. The candle light at night is incredibly special. 

The staff make it though. Everyone is just lovely. Attentive, but also give space. Julia, Thomas, Nadia and Rheinhard (also all Field guides) are always on hand to help during the day and night or even just to chat about the animals and area. The housekeeping and chefs are brilliant. 

Ruan and Clide were our guides. Everyday we were out at dawn and dusk searching for animals. Clide our tracker had such skill, expertise and an incredible affiliation with the animals that lead us to them everyday (he’s our hero!). The tracking/searching was part of the thrill and he was able to look at foot prints etc to see directions and timings for the animals. Ruan was as dedicated to getting us the experience we wanted as if it was his own Mum and Aunt. His knowledge was unbelievable and the information we have learnt in the last few days will stay with us forever. We saw a pride of Lions try to make dinner of a Buffalo. A rare sighting, but we were so confident with Ruan at the helm. I thought I would have fear being so close to all these incredible animals, but not once did I even think about it as I knew were in such safe hands.

All of this is done with respect, care and passion for the land and animals in it. 

Overall it’s one of the best things we have ever done and I will return. 100%.

Words do not so this place justice…

We are a small Canadian family from the east coast.  My hubby and 25 year old daughter went to South Africa in May 2024.  We spent 3 nights in Cape Town before flying to Hoedspruit, where we visited Klaserie Private Game Reserve, and stayed at the beautiful and outstanding Makumu.  It is a small, private and personal lodge with only 6 guest rooms.  We were greeted by name by Thomas and Julia.  They are both guides /rangers and are also your hosts.  They showed us around the lodge, telling us that they want us to feel at home and that we are welcome to help ourselves to drinks (extensive bar with a variety of sprits, mix, wine, beer, ciders, still and sparkling water), snacks, homemade cookies, breads etc!  We were then shown our gorgeous guest rooms.  WOW!  that is the only word that describes the room.  Rustic luxury!  They explained the daily schedule.  Julia knocks on your door every morning at 5:30 am (to ensure you are up), you can go in the main lodge for a quick coffee before starting out on your sunrise game drive at 6:15 am.  You return to the lodge around 9:30 am and at 10 am breakfast / brunch is served.  There is free time from 11-3:15 pm (the pool is simply beautiful, and each guest room has a balcony where we watched elephants, giraffes, zebras, hyenas !!).  At 3:15 pm, tea is served (sweet and salty snacks, iced tea and iced coffee (the iced coffee is to die for!!), at 3:45, there is the sunset game drive, and you return to the lodge around 6:45/7 pm, and supper is served at 7:30 pm.  When you return to the lodge at 7, the lodge as well as your guest room is lit by candlelight.  So peaceful and beautiful.  There are no other lights in your guest room.  you are given a large flashlight, and there are plugs to charge your phone and camera battery, but no lights.  We adored it!!  The food was simply fantastic!  When we were there, Grace was the chef and holy cow... delicious food!!  on the morning game ride, you stop around 7:30 am for coffee, tea, water, juice, cookies (like a shortbread but better!! muffins (the cappuccino muffins are irresistible), fruit.  The breakfast / Brunch starts with yogurt, cereal, fruit, toast, cheese, meats, and a savoury dish- one time it was fish cakes, chicken hand pie, sausage), and then the wait staff (Lindo was awesome) takes your breakfast order (omelette, eggs bacon etc.).  afternoon tea is cupcakes, eclairs, cake and something salty- empanada, mini pizza, wrap etc.  On the sunset game drive you stop around 5:30 and have a drink, wine beer, spirits, and little snacks (chips, corn nuts, tomatoes and cheese etc).  Supper is different each night (ostrich is delicious, salmon, chicken, lamb), followed by desert (the peppermint tart is melt in your mouth).  The game rides are amazing!!  We saw the BIG 5!!  NY was our tracker (not all lodges have one!) and he was simply amazing- it is definitely a gift! he spotted a chameleon in a tree from 200 ft away in the dark!! Julia drives the lovely and comfortable land cruiser (there are hot water bottles on your set for the early morning ride!! pure luxury) and she chats with you telling you all kinds of info about the animals, while searching to to show you every species in the wild. In addition to seeing the Big 5 we saw a pack of 7 Wild Dogs.  They are on the critically endangered species list.  There are only 700 in the world and we saw 7 (one of who was pregnant!!).  We also saw a herd of 25 elephants- including babies!! We met the owner and his partner.  Incredibly friendly and humble.  There are no words to express our gratitude to Makumu and the incredible staff.  This was a life changing experience, made possible by Makumu. We all cried when we left the lodge.

Incredible doesn't begin to describe Makumu!!

All you could possibly want from a Safari.  

Superbly guided Game Drives, beautiful accommodation, top notch levels of service and delicious food.  

From the moment you arrive at "headquarters" within the Klaserie Game reserve and you're passed your Makumu Cap, you become one of the family, or at least that's the way you're made to feel!

Book away and prepare for a stunning visit.


Simply Wonderful

Where to start?  All of our many experiences at Makumu exceeded our expectations in every way.  Upon arrival we were welcomed in to their "home" and they quickly made it our home and made our group of 8 friends feel like family.  

Our guide, Adrian and his tracker Clyde were a marvel, getting us up close to both large and small game.  Their knowledge of their surroundings and its creatures seemingly knows no bounds(note that many other lodges don't have their own tracker!).  

The accommodations are exceptional. The lodge is the owners former home and and it was built thoughtfully and lovingly.  We loved our spacious room, very comfortable bed and the bathtub overlooking the preserve was a special treat.  

The food also exceeded our expectations, excellently prepared with plenty of variety. We also took full advantage of the swimming pool in the afternoons and especially enjoyed watching the elephants, giraffes and zebras gather at the pond in the distance.

Makumu will always hold a special place in all our hearts.  



An experience of a lifetime!

Makumu was so much nicer than I could have imagined. We were warmly greeted and continued to be treated like family by the staff. Our suite was way nicer than any place I have ever stayed and the food and drinks were perfectly timed and delicious. There were only 11 guests so the service was incredible. While there we saw lions, leopards, rhinos, hippos, elephants and zebras to name just a few. It ws a trip of a lifetime.

Best trip ever

For our first Safari experience Makumu didn't disappoint. From the moment your arrive the staff makes you feel at home and like family. It's a small lodge so you get to know everyone quickly.
Food is amazing and they learn your habits and cater to them.
We had beautiful game drives where We saw so much and learned a lot.
Dinner as a group with the staff each night is a definite highlight.
It was an amazing few days! Thank you.

Nat & Mo

An amazing experience!!

Amazing experience. Staff is fantastic, lodging is lovely, food is delicious, safari was outstanding.  Saw animals up close and guides were highly knowledgeable.  Everything we hoped it would be. Highly recommend. 

Makumu Private Game Lodge

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