Zululand Safari

Big 5 Safaris take you through well stocked, unspoilt bush veld and endless rivers winding through indigenous forest, a birder’s paradise.

Our top therapists eagerly welcome you to be treated to an indulgent pampering session whilst you unwind in our tranquil spa. Surrounded by sweeping bushveld views, our Spa stands as one of the top health and beauty brands in South Africa which is both eco-friendly and has a holistic approach to all their treatments. Inspired by the wisdom of Africa’s traditional healers and their vibrant heritage, communities and plant life, guests can enjoy an array of natural body, skin and beauty treatments designed to rejuvenate, relax and enhance health and vitality. After your treatment, you can take a leisurely dip in your own private plunge pool and enjoy the magnificence of the surrounding beauty.

Waking to the morning calls of the birds in the riverbed below your suite, the day begins with a select cup of coffee and some traditional rusks before embarking on your early morning safari with your guide.

On return to the lodge, an enticing breakfast awaits you in the dining room. Thereafter you can enjoy a leisurely morning at your own pace or you can take some quality time for yourself and be pampered at our Africology Spa for an hour or two.

At lunch time you can enjoy a light picnic basket lunch around the bird pond, on the main lodge deck or simply relax on your private balcony.

In the afternoon, you will be invited to come and enjoy afternoon tea on the main deck as you overlook the distant Lebombo Mountain Range. Afterwards you will go with your guide to explore some different areas of the reserve on your afternoon drive and will be treated to a magnificent African sunset to remember. On return to the lodge, you will have the opportunity to freshen up before having dinner in our ‘million star’ boma where you will be treated to an exquisite African inspired meal and can pair it with one of our award-winning wines from our cellar.

As the day comes to an end, you can sit around the bonfire and share the exciting stories of the days’ wildlife encounters with the other guests or retire to your suite to enjoy a sherry on your deck and listen as Africa's night chorus unfolds with distant lion roars, hyenas whooping, or baboons barking at lurking Leopards in the river bed below.

As the large orb of the morning sun creeps over the African bush horizon, you will be greeted by our rangers who will treat you to warm fragrant teas and coffee coupled with morning rusks and biscuits. While enjoying your morning cup of coffee, our rangers will inform you about the wildlife they are hoping to see during the day. On returning to the Lodge, you will be treated to an array of fresh fruits, pastries and other delectable morning treats, followed by a selection of hot breakfast dishes.

This drive begins in the late afternoon and lasts until after sunset where you will be whisked away to the African night sounds and encounter our fascinating nightlife. Enjoy sundowners at scenic locations as the brilliant, vibrant colours of the sunset begin to fade into the most beautiful pastels, mingling and blending into every imaginable.

Day 1: Afternoon Wetland Safari Drive

On the day of arrival you can enjoy an afternoon wetland drive where you get a taste of this enchanting pristine park with the immense bird and wildlife, great and small, on our luxury open safari vehicles. You get to enjoy a drink under the magical colours of the sunset skies while absorbing sounds and smells of the night setting in. Sightings could include: giraffe, wildebeest, buffalo, zebra, hyena, waterbuck, serval, porcupine, genet, leopard and elephant.

Day 2: Lake Wetland Boat Safari

After breakfast (09h00) you will enjoy a safari game drive through the western shores to the Makakatana boat where Warwick our skipper eagerly awaits. Enjoy a two hour leisurely cruise on Lake St Luica Estuary, Africa’s largest estuarine system. You will see crocodile and lots of hippo, as well as birdlife (over 530 Species in the area). Afterwards, your guide sets up a picnic lunch in bush before returning to the lodge (15h00).

* You need to spend 2 nights at Makakatana where a full day is available to do this safari.

Day 3: Beach and Eastern Shores Safari

After breakfast (09h00) you will enjoy a leisurely safari game drive through the western shores through to the eastern shores to a pristine beach on the Indian Ocean iSimangaliso coastline where you can enjoy a swim, snorkel and picnic lunch in the highest vegetated sand dunes in Africa. After your sun charged day, you return back to the lodge (15h00) with salt on your skin and windswept hair to be welcomed back for high tea.

Makakatana Bay Lodge has two SOLAR powered eco boats in front of the lodge. Great morning trips are offered to explore Lake St Lucia shoreline for hippo watching and bird watching. This is weather permitting and will be offered to guests as an alternative option to the morning game drive.

Day 4 - If you are spending 4 nights or more at Makakatana, there are a few more activity options that you book.

* Morning Wetland drive, day at leisure, Afternoon Wetland drive or Night drive
* Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game reserve (full day)
* Western Shores morning drive & brunch in the park

Or you can book activities with service providers in St Lucia:
* Specialist birder tour
* Deep sea fishing
* Whale watching
* Horse riding on the beach or in the eastern shores reserve.
*****Prices on request*****