Just 5-hours drive from Johannesburg Makalali Private Game Lodge is nestled on 26 000 hectares of conservancy and prevails as one of the finest private game lodges in the world. With its thatched spires and earthy walls, ancient mystical ornaments and Pan-African cuisine Makalali offers a truly unique experience.

Located close to the mighty Drakensberg mountain range, west of the Kruger National Park, this ethnic bush retreat lies in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Considered one of the leading pioneers in ecotourism in South Africa, Makalali Private Game Reserve is home to over one thousand wild animals including Africa's "Big Five".

The lodge consists of four exclusive camps situated on the banks of the Makhutswi River; each camp offers a uniquely designed swimming pool, open air boma and an enclosed dining and lounge area.

Makalali offers personalised service and all the modern conveniences you could wish for. Dining at Makalali is a culinary adventure. Guest can expect a combination of regional African cuisine using the multitude of cooking styles left behind by centuries of exploration on this great continent. Our waiters are call Muchinda’s which means a servant to the king. The Makalali team treat and respect our guests like kings and queens (and of course, princesses and princes).

The team looks for any opportunity to enhance our guests' stay. For the staff at Makalali going the extra mile is not an effort, but a habit.

Makalali Private Game Lodge consists of four camps - Tandane, Mkhiwa, Emtomeni and Phiva. Each camp has six luxury suites, a plunge pool, private viewing deck, dining area and boma. All the camps are private, yet within easy access of one another and are all situated on the banks of the Makhutswi River.

Suites have an en-suite bathroom plus an outdoor shower, fireplace and a raised, private, timber viewing deck (sala) set amongst the Jackalberry trees. The sala is an ideal spot for a private luncheons or dinners.

Rooms are individually decorated in African design styles with sculptured metalwork lamp shades, taps and ceramic basins. Mosquito nets surround the king-size beds by night. Available in each room:

• insect repellent
• mosquito nets
• electronic digital safe
• hairdryer
• bathrobes
• ceiling fans
• air-conditioning
• fireplace stocked with logs from the reserve
• shaver plugs at Tandane, Mkhiwa & Emtomeni.
• electrical outlets provide 220 volts, alternating current 50 (Hz)
• insect proof screening on all windows and sliding doors.

Tandane camp: Tandane means "place of love". Makalali’s group entertainment / conference centre is situated at Tandane camp. The centre consists of a unique thatch-covered main building, an open kitchen and entertainment area. It has been designed to accommodate conferences, groups dining together, weddings, gala events, etc. Flame torches create a mystical and fiery African ambience at night.

Mkhiwa camp: Mkhiwa means Sycamore Fig and is named after the large fig tree which stands over the main area creating some welcome shade.

Emtomeni camp: Emtomeni, Mkhiwa’s sister camp, means Jackelberry tree. This camp was created in order to accommodate groups that need more than six rooms at a time. However each camp can still run separately with its own dining area, to create that personal touch.

Phiva camp: Phiva means Waterbuck. However you will find Nyala here which roam the camp and call it their home.

Makalali caters for children of all ages. A child care service, where babysitters will attend to your children during meals and game drives etc, is available on request.

In terms of communal facilities at the Lodge, the following is on offer:

• Babysitting
• Car Hire
• Arts & Crafts Gallery
• Laundry Service
• Private Landrover
• Runway
• Swimming Pool
• Spa Therapy.

Dining at Makalali is a culinary adventure, combining regional African cuisine 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 dinner in the bush or the legendary ‘boma dinner’ under the stars. 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.

Makalali Private Game Lodge is very child friendly. If your children are between the ages of six and 12, they can join our “mini rangers” programme which is hosted by our qualified rangers. At the end of your stay, each child will take away with them a new appreciation of the bush as well as a certificate to remind them of the experience.

Safaris and game drives: Game drives in open landrover’s are conducted twice daily. An experienced tracker accompanies each game vehicle to enhance the guest experience and interaction with the game. Coffee and rusks are provided on the morning game drives and guest can enjoy sundowners on the evening game drives. We also offer birding and walking safaris plus night game drives.

Star gazing: A trained ranger can do a lecture for larger groups or provide a tour of the heaven during a game drive.

Tribal dancing and drumming: We are able to arrange tribal dancing and drumming performed by local dancers.

Other activities and excursions outside of the Private Game Reserve include:

• A day trip to the Kruger National Park
• Specialist birding trips
• Visit to caves
• Mineral springs
• Trout fishing
• Rafting/ Abseiling
• Hot air balloon rides
• Golfing Excursion
• Cheetah Breeding Project
• Cultural Experience
• Moholoholo Animal Rehabilitation Centre
• Panorama/ Escarpment day trip.

Makalali offers a group entertainment / conference centre situated at Tandane camp. The facility is situated within close proximity to all our camps and consists of a thatched conference area, outside veranda, bandstand, public toilet and kitchen. It has been designed to accommodate conferences, groups dining together, weddings, gala events, etc. Flame torches create a mystical and fiery African ambience at night.

Conference equipment such as a slide projector with remote, portable screen, overhead projector, white board, flipchart, Television set and a VCR are available. Any other required equipment can be arranged. A standard conference package includes welcome drinks at check in, refreshments and snacks served during your conference, tea and coffee on hand at all times. If required, Makalali can arrange team building activities for delegates during the course of the conference.

Conference venues can accommodate up to 60 delegates.

Beach and Bush Adventures, one of South Africa's top corporate teambuilding and event organising operators, offers a variety of teambuilding and activity options which can take place onsite at Makalali.

To learn more about what we can do for you and your organisation, please contact us at: bookings@beachandbush.co.za or phone Sean on +27 82 902 5672.

Rate includes 1 nights accommodation, all meals and two game drives per day.
Children's (2-12 years old) rate from R800.00 sharing per night.
Rates valid between 01 January 2010 - 31 December 2010.
Rates are subject to availability.
May not be used in conjunction with any other special or free vouchers.
Terms and conditions apply.