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#1 of 9 lodges in Klaserie Private Game Reserve
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Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
AN UNFORGETTABLE AFRICAN ADVENTURE IN COMPLETE PRIVACY... In the Xitsonga language, the word “Makumu” refers to an intangible explanation of an open space, an uncluttered lookout over distant horizons, or an endless view. The breathtaking views and location of the lodge complement a deeply inspiring sense of space and place, leaving visitors rejuvenated with the ancient spirit of African wilderness. The ‘Big Five’ Klaserie Private Nature Reserve is one of the largest privately owned nature reserves in South Africa, covering some 60 000 hectares and forming part of the greater Kruger National Park. Makumu Private Game Lodge is an intimate oasis in this vast wilderness, surrounded by the harshness, unpredictability and unspoiled appeal of the African bushveld. Six luxurious and beautifully appointed suites, accommodating a maximum of twelve guests, ensure an exclusive blend of absolute comfort, style and privacy.
I wish everyone’s first Safari experience to be as amazing as we had during our stay at Makumu. From the wonderful place itself to the Makumu team going above and beyond to make this stay unforgettable.
Facility: They have everything you would need or dream of and a magnificent elevated endless views at the bush. Able to spot wild animals at a distance from the lounge, your room or the amazing swimming pool.
Room: We had the loveliest room with the bathroom having a bathtub with views on the nature so you can bath and admire the surroundings. Having candle lights at night makes the stay even more magical
Food: Food was perfect. Home made feeling, and dining under the stars around the fire down at the Boma fire pit made it even more amazing. They went all the way to take our dietary restrictions seriously by accommodating my lactose intolerance and finding alternatives at every single meals!
Safari: 2 game rides a day for 3 days was just the perfect amount for us rookies. The rangers and trackers are impressively good and went above and beyond to make sure we could see the whole extent of what the wildlife has to offer in the klaserie réserve while being conscious of preserving the animals habitat.
Service: The experience was just second to none, from every staff in the kitchen to the lodge managers and the owners. Everyone is fully dedicated to make each visitors stay unforgettable. We were even lucky enough to get seen out to the airport by the owners themselves and enjoyed a last beer with them as we said goodbye at the airport.
We will keep fond memories of this journey and will definitely come back in the future!
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Makumu, Marketing Coordinator at Makumu Private Game Lodge
Responded 24 Mar 2020
Thank you so much for your wonderful review - it really makes us so happy to hear how much you enjoyed your stay! We will be sure to pass of your compliments to the rest of our team and can't wait to welcome you back home in the future! Kind regards, The Makumu Team
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We have been on many safaris over the years and have experienced the good and the bad but I have to say Makumu is one of the best. The atmosphere around the lodge is so relaxed and you are made to feel part of a big family here. The lodge itself is nestled on the high ground with incredible views across the bush, animal sightings are frequent without stepping inside a game vehicle. Being situated in the greater Kruger area it feels much more private so any sightings are seen by two vehicles max but usually you are treated to your own private viewing. There was no pressure from the guides to feel you have to see the big five, if you like impala then you can stop and take pictures whenever you like. Our sightings were fantastic a real treat to track and see leopards on at least two occasions, we were also lucky to see an african wlid cat, a genet, and a civet which are usually difficult. other sightings included everyones favourites like lions, elephants, rhino, hyena, buffalo, lots of antelope and the elusive wild dogs. Birdlife was also prolific with lots of migratory species abundant at this time of year. None of these sightings would have been possible if it hadnt been for our dynamic duo of Ruan and Richard. Ruan in my opinion is one of the best guides in the business, he was extremely knowledgeable and engaging with the guests with plenty of detailed information and stories to keep us entertained. He is a credit to Makumu and an asset. Richard has the eyes of an eagle and we were astonished at his skill at spotting not only game but snakes, spiders, birds and lizards. It is well known that a good tracker/guide combination can determine if you have a good safari or not and we've had experience of disappointing safaris because of an uninterested guide or tracker so in this case that pair made it so special for us, thank you. Other people to mention were Shelley (Ruans wife) lovely girl, always had a smiley face welcoming us back from game drives and organising transfers and anything else we needed. Melody was a little diamond too, dont think she ever stopped laughing! All the girls in the communal kitchen were fantastic and the meals they prepared were so tasty and varied. Apologies if i've forgotten anyone you were all so good to us. So anyone reading this review, I hope I've made your mind up, give Makumu a try I promise you'll have a fantastic time!
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Date of stay: February 2020
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Makumu, Marketing Coordinator at Makumu Private Game Lodge
Responded 26 Feb 2020
Thank you so much for your fantastic review! We will be sure to pass on your compliments to the team. We are delighted that you had such a great time with us and can't wait to welcome you back home again! Kind regards, The Makumu Team
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There are not many things in life that took my breath away. One for sure, is staying for three nights at this wonderful lodge in the heart of the Klaserie Nature Reserve. The place is just gorgeous. A wonderful array of villas (those are not just 6 rooms) bundled together in a unique atmosphere which gets even better when all of the 250 oil lamps are lit up at dusk. Everything that matters could be found at Makumu, from a luxurious in-suite bathroom to the astounding terrace which guarantees an endless view of the park and of the animals which happen to pass by. Game rides are just flawless under the wise directions of both the guide and the tracker. We were lucky enough to find most of the wildlife we were looking for and the amount of knowledge we learned is absolutely unparalleled. Every detail is taken care of in subtle, elegant fashion from the refreshening towel given to you while back from a ride to the hearthwarming service during a sundown "aperitivo" in the bush. Food is just what I would expect from a journey into the wild that resembles both the culture and the spirit of this land. Quality is great. The kitchen staff is there for you at all times. Everything you want or need is simply there when you want it and the warm welcome you get form the owners, which are pretty much always there for and with you, as well as the managing staff, is just effortless and unique. There was unfortunately only one sad occurance of our stay at Makumu: we had to come home. But we will be back. For sure. Thank You all, the owners, the managers and all of Makumu Family. It has been great.
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Date of stay: January 2022
Value
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Makumu Private Game Lodge, Marketing at Makumu Private Game Lodge
Responded 19 Jan 2022
Good afternoon and Thank you so much for your lovely review! We are delighted that you had such a lovely time with us. Our goal is to showcase everything the African Bush has to offer and we're happy that you were able to experience this. Remember, you're part of the Makumu Family now and we hope to welcome you back again soon! The Makumu Team
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To keep this brief, everyone at the lodge treats you like part of their close knit family and all of the staff is incredibly welcoming, friendly and hospitable. The rooms are clean, the decor is absolutely amazing and when you return from your evening game drive, the entire proeprty including your room is illuminated with candles, there are no "lights" (apart from a tiny one in your bathroom). It makes for a very unique, beautiful and special experience. Cherié, Adrian and Alistair thank you so much for an unforgettable experience. The owners were also there and they are the friendliest people you'll ever meet.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: November 2021
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Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Makumu Private Game Lodge, Marketing at Makumu Private Game Lodge
Responded 12 Dec 2021
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We are delighted that you had such a lovely time with us. We hope to welcome you back to Makumu again soon! The Makumu Team
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Over many years we have done multiple safaris, from budget to luxury, from National Parks to Sabie Sands, and Makumu is the standout for us.
The staff were amazing, they really made us feel welcome, like family. They joined us for dinner every evening and brunch every morning. Dinner around the fire in the boma was a real highlight.
The main lodge really feels like a luxurious home, it's gorgeous, warm and accommodating. It really embraces the romance of the African bush experience. The rooms were beautiful, the candles and lanterns at night were gorgeous and it was beyond what we expected.
The food was phenomenal and they really listened to and made sure to accommodate our likes and dislikes.
Ruan the main ranger was possibly the best safari guide we have ever had. He was knowledgeable, passionate and really listened to what we wanted to get out of the experience. We saw everything from little spiders to bee eaters and lions at a kill. We did safari drives and a morning walk.
We would return to Makumu in a heartbeat and highly recommend it.
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Date of stay: June 2021
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Makumu Private Game Lodge, Marketing at Makumu Private Game Lodge
Responded 3 Sept 2021
Dear Chad, Linda and Arwen Thank you so much for this wonderful review. We are so happy to hear that you have enjoyed your stay with us and to have made you part of the Makumu family. We will most definitely pass on your compliments to Ruan and we are delighted to see that you have had some amazing sightings during your stay. Our team does look forward to welcoming you all back to the Makumu Family in the very near future. Please keep in touch and stay safe. Warmest Regards The Makumu Team
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Cannot recommend highly enough! Situated about 45min from the nearest public road, Makumu is secluded and truly in the bush. You can choose between two game drives a day,with a highly knowledgeable and professional game ranger (we had Ruan on our trip and we were very impressed!), or spend a leisurely day on the deck,or in the swimming pool,or in the beautiful rooms,all with incredible views!The food was fantastic! The amazing staff ,the attention to detail and the open bar and kitchen truly made it feel like home...except no ordinary home. Best money ever spent!
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Date of stay: April 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Makumu Private Game Lodge, Marketing at Makumu Private Game Lodge
Responded 16 May 2021
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We hope to see you again at Makumu soon! The Makumu Team
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My wife and I stayed at Makumu for three nights and could not recommend it more. Within 24 hours we had seen the big 5, and each game drive did not disappoint. While a lot of other lodges went out with just a driver on their game drives, each time at Makumu we had both a driver and a tracker, which allowed us to find and see much more.
The accommodations were also fantastic. The rooms were large and comfy, and it was great sharing brunch with the other guests and being able to have a drink in the afternoon while watching animals walk by the lodge.
All the staff were extremely hospitable and knowledgeable about wildlife and answered our many questions. The food was delicious and afternoon tea was served prior to the evening drive which was a fun treat to experience.
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Date of stay: April 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Makumu Private Game Lodge, Marketing at Makumu Private Game Lodge
Responded 4 May 2022
Thank you so much for this amazing review. We are so glad that you enjoyed your time with us and had such wonderful sightings, We will make sure to pass on your compliments to the team as well and we do hope to welcome you back to the Makumu Family. If you have any photos that you would like to share, please do. Stay safe and we will see you soon. Kind regards, The Makumu Team
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We are a family of 4 and wanted a luxury safari experience in an open reserve. After much research I picked Makum, and loved everything. The property is stunning. At one time it was the owners house built for his family, but now is an amazing center lodge with villas on each side. We were made to feel so at home immediately. The food was great and the drinks were all included. They even told us to help ourselves at any time to anything in the bar or kithchen. Our game drives were amazing and we saw everything. Ruen and Sam were our game ranger and tracker team and found everything we wanted to see Ruen is so knowledgeable and it is evident he loves what he does. The views from the rooms and main villa are unparalleled in the greater Kruger area. On our last day as we were sipping G & T's at the pool we saw about 20 elephants at the watering hole below....amazing. We stayed during COVID and felt the safety measures were excellent and the staff assured we were safe It really felt like we were in our own small safe luxury bubble out in the bush. It is very rare to find a place that has over 100 perfect 5 star reviews, but I can see why they do, it is deserved! I highly recommend Makumu and will be coming back for sure.
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Date of stay: May 2021
Value
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Room Tip:Best Safari experience.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Makumu Private Game Lodge, Marketing at Makumu Private Game Lodge
Responded 16 May 2021
Thank you so much for your lovely review - we are so glad you picked Makumu for your holiday. We will be sure to pass on your kind words to the rest of our team and are delighted that you had such incredible sightings with us. We are really happy you had a smooth stay with us during these times! We cannot wait to welcome you and your family back to Makumu in the near future! The Makumu Team
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This experience was perfect from the moment we were greeted at hoedspruit airport to the goodbyes when we left The Lodge.
Being picked up in a safari jeep was brilliant- everyone else in their boring white vans and we climbed aboard our jeep with a much appreciated welcome gift and cold drinks. Our safari experience started then. We saw and stopped to take photos of so many animals on our way to the lodge, elephants, giraffes, hyenas etc. we were beginning to wonder how it could get any better but wow - it did. Every drive was an outstanding experience. With the expertise and knowledge of our Ranger Adrian and tracker Richard we were able to find all the big five plus wild dogs (twice) wild cat, hippos, hyenas, water hogs, baboons and some amazing birds including the very rare sighting of an endangered ground hornbill. The information both Adrian and Richard provided about the animals, birds and trees made every drive special. Two of our highlights were accompanying the lions on a hunt at night and spending time watching the endangered wild dogs play. We had time not only to take some stunning photos but also plenty of time to absorb the experience.
The Lodge was stunning beautiful with expansive views of the reserve and amazing African furniture and sculptures. The wonderful, friendly hosts, Cherie and Adrian tell you to treat it as your home and they really mean it. Nothing was too much trouble. The food was excellent at every sitting whether that was breakfast, lunch or dinner and the wine choice complimented the food.
We stayed in the Zulu suite with views over looking the waterhole. The room was vast and again beautiful decorated in the Zulu theme. We loved the fact that there are no electric lights at the Lodge and loved that when you came back from your evening drive all the candles were lit in your room there is however air conditioning and an electrical point which was greatly welcomed.
We could not fault a thing - there are no suggestion we could make on how to improve this perfect lodge or the experiences we were privileged to have. Thank you to all staff at Makuma, especially Keith who made our first coffee of the day, all of you were special and added to our first class adventure.
We intend to return and if you want an eco friendly safari which really care about the animals and their environment you will not find a better place.
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Date of stay: October 2022
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:All rooms are beautiful
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Makumu Private Game Lodge, Marketing at Makumu Private Game Lodge
Responded 17 Nov 2022
We are so delighted to hear that you have had such an amazing and special time at Makumu. Thank you so much for this amazing detailed review and we will definitely give your compliments to the team as well. We cannot wait to welcome you back to the Makumu Family Kind Regards
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Our stay at Makumu was incredible! It was a bucket list trip for our family of 2 adults and 2 teenage boys. When we arrived we were warmly welcomed by our Hosts, Sherie and AD, and everything about the camp was explained. The accommodation was divine- there are no lights in the rooms but it is lit by candlelight and is so pretty. The staff at Makumu were so attentive to our every need. All our food requests were considered and our Hosts were fantastic throughout our whole stay. Each day we went on a morning and afternoon safari...WOW! There are no words to explain how good these were. Our driver and Tracker (AD and Richard) were the best team to be on safari with. We found the Big 5 and heaps more animals. The knowledge of AD and Richard about the animals, animal behavior and anything else related to safaris was second to none. Every question was answered! More importantly, because of their knowledge of animal behaviour we ALWAYS felt safe despite being so close to the animals. Each night we had sun-downers overlooking an amazing sunset and then back to the lodge for a spectacular dinner and drink around the fire. This was our favorite family holiday (and we have traveled a lot).
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: July 2022
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Makumu Private Game Lodge, Marketing at Makumu Private Game Lodge
Responded 11 Aug 2022
Thank you so much for this wonderful review. We are so happy to hear that you have enjoyed your stay with us and to have made you part of the Makumu family. We will most definitely pass on your compliments to Cherie and AD and we are delighted to see that you have had the BIG5 on your drives. Our team does look forward to welcoming you all back to the Makumu Family in the very near future for more sunsets. Please keep in touch and stay safe. Warmest Regards The Makumu Team
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Hi There,
It is an easy drive. Around 5 hours drive. Guests will need to travel past the Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport. Once at the Enkhulu gate, tell the gate guards that they are going into the Klaserie via Incheni gate. They will then see a turn to their Left just before the cattle grid which will take them to the Klaserie. Guests will go to the Incheni Gate, where they will need to pay R260.00 per vehicle.
Then follow the road all the way till the end where they will find Headquarters.
Guests are met by a Makumu representative and transferred to the Lodge in an open safari vehicle.
The roads are in good quality once you are in the park. Google Maps does work. :) Hope to see you soon!
Good morning, Thank you for your question!
As per KR's answer above, we have LED lanterns, solar lanterns and candles in the suites. There are international plug points in each of the suites for charging electronics.
With regards to our bathrooms, our King Suites (larger suites) have an en-suite bathroom with a shower, toilet, double vanity and bathtub with a view. In our Impi Suites (slightly smaller suites), there is also an en-suite bathroom with a toilet, shower and single sink.
There is also an outdoor shower for guests wishing to make use of these.
I hope this answers all your questions!
Thank you for your question!
As the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve is unfenced to the Kruger National Park, we cannot guarantee any sightings. Our rangers will do their utmost best to assist guests in the best possible sightings, however the game roams freely over a very large area.
There are more places to choose from in the Klaserie Private Game Reserve area.
PRICE RANGE
₹89,031 - ₹1,29,011 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
South AfricaKruger National ParkKlaserie Private Game Reserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
6
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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