Makanyane Safari Lodge

A stunning safari lodge in the malaria-free Madikwe park, with superb guides and exquisite suites

The Madikwe Game Reserve, west of Jo’burg on the border with Botswana, was established to bring sustainable tourism - and with it jobs - to a tract of 70,000 hectares of forgotten bushveld. After extensive reintroduction of animals and protection of those already around, it is now one of the best places in southern Africa for game viewing, and the area remains free of malaria.

Several lodges are dotted around the park’s periphery, but few are as special as Makanyane. Named after the African wild dog which roams this part of the veld, it is set in private land, providing exclusive game viewing. Australian architect Bruce Stafford has created an astonishingly beautiful decked-and-thatched lodge, with 8 super stylish guest suites hugging the banks of the Marico River; this is a real chef d’oeuvre of environmentally sensitive afro-chic design. We couldn’t find fault with the lodge, and the standards of game guiding - which, after all, is what you come for - were the highest we came across in South Africa.

Highs

• The food is a match for the setting: you won’t eat better in the bush
• You see masses of wildlife in Madikwe and, if you're really lucky, the elusive black rhino
• Amazing birdlife, too: an extensive species checklist, which includes trees and animals, is provided in your suite
• Exceptionally well managed: you feel cared for all day, and the high staff-to-guest ratio means you get loads of personal, friendly attention
• Health and beauty treatments include massages, facials, pedicures, body wraps and waxing, so you’ll be looking good for those animal encounters

Lows

• The electricity pylons which cut across Makanyane’s 17,000-hectare estate slightly detract from the ‘bush’ experience
• Expect to see vehicles from other lodges, especially at kills: the guides from the different lodges work together when searching out the game. But this ultimately works in your favour
• Pricey, but you get the perfect safari experience