Leopard Mountain Safari Lodge | Hluhluwe
Our fully solar, 5 Star, multiple award-winning, Big 5, family-run safari lodge set within the 58 000 acres Manyoni Private Game Reserve offering peace and tranquility with friendly hospitality. Our beautiful lodge has the most spectacular views in Zululand, from the river meandering below to the distant Lebombo Mountains.
Big 5 safaris take you through well stocked, unspoiled bushveld and endless rivers winding through indigenous forest, a birder’s paradise.
Luxury accommodation in 9 well-appointed suites with a hammock and private plunge pool nestled in the cliff tops overlooking the river below. Our sought-after chef will prepare your tantalizing meals, which can be accompanied by your choice of wine from our multi-award-winning cellar.
Entrust us with those special occasions. Our picture-perfect backdrop lends itself as an intimate setting for a romantic wedding, honeymoon, or just a well-deserved break.
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Luxury 5 Star suites
Let nature serenade your soul at Leopard Mountain
Our fully solar, 5 Star, multiple award-winning, Big 5, family-run safari lodge is set within the magnificent 58 000 acre Manyoni Private Game Reserve.
Luxurious suites overlook breathtaking bushveld and majestic mountains. Unforgettable memories await in this conservation-focused paradise.
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Balcony , Balcony / Deck, Bath Towels, Clothes Press, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En Suite Bathroom, Ensuite, External Shower, Fan, Fridge, Hairdryer, Hand Towels, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Mid Ensuite With Separate Shower/Toilet, Mini Bar (Paid/Free), Mini Bar, Mosquito Nets, Mosquito Netting, Outside Shower, Plunge Pool, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Telephone, Vanity Cabinet, Verandah, Wardrobe
Property Facilities
Accept Credit Cards, Activity Desk, Air conditioner, Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Communal Dining, Eco Friendly, Guided Tours, Internet Access (Complimentary), Internet Access, Outdoor Pool / Pool Deck, Power Generator , Restaurant, Room Service, Secure Parking, Spa, Vegetarian, Wine Tasting
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Balcony , Balcony / Deck, Bath Towels, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En Suite Bathroom, Ensuite, External Shower, Fan, Hairdryer, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Lounge Area, Lounge, Mini Bar, Outside Shower, Plunge Pool, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Verandah, Wardrobe
Available Services
24-hour Security, Airport Shuttle (Available), Credit Card Facilities, Laundry Service (Available), Travel Desk
Activities on Site
Big 5, Bird Watching, Game Drives, Game Viewing Hide, Game Viewing, Game Walks, High Tea, Massages, Night Drives, Rhino Tracking, Safaris, Walks (Guided), Wildlife Tours
Activities Nearby
Adrenaline Activities, Beach, Big 5, Boat Cruises, Cultural Tours, Deep Sea Fishing, Elephant Interaction, Fishing, Game Viewing, General Sightseeing, Golf, Horse Riding, Mountain Biking, Night Drives, Quad Biking, Rhino Tracking, River Cruises, Safaris, Scuba Diving, Snorkelling, Surfing, Turtle Tracking, Walks (Guided)
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.
Leopard Mountain Safari Lodge
As you can expect from a stay at Leopard Mountain, your food experience will be truly magnificent as we provide you with a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ and unforgettable African safari experience. Whether you are dining under the stars in the boma, on the main deck or in the dining room, our meals promise to be impressively delectable. All our breads and pastries are home-baked in our kitchen daily and we are able to cater for private meals and special occasions too.
Your Stay
2 Nights
Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
All Local Brands (Spirits, Wine and Beers) Included
Your Rooms
1x Luxury Suite
Fast Facts
5 Star
Lodge
Spoken Languages: English
No. Rooms: 9
Special Interests: Big 5, Birding, Flora, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife, Wine
Makakatana | iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Set inside the UNESCO-listed iSimangaliso Wetland Park on Lake St Lucia (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa), Makakatana is a family-run lodge welcoming guests for over 25 years. From one easy base, days move at the park’s natural pace—calm, guided, and water-threaded—linking estuary, bush, and ocean without the rush. Guided experiences include sunrise and sunset solar-powered eco-boat safaris; a full-day beach trip crossing Lake St Lucia to the Indian Ocean; a full-day boat trip on our private concession; and morning, afternoon and evening game drives on the Western Shores. On Lake St Lucia, eight suites tucked into dune forest keep you close to still water and birdsong; the lodge blends quietly into its setting with thoughtful hosting, clear guiding and generous, unpretentious cuisine. Birders will find a remarkable stronghold, with 500+ species recorded in the greater park. Ideal for couples, small families and photographers seeking presence over pace.
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Twin Room with a day bed for for 3rd person, preferably child 6yrs +
Standard Room - Forest Setting
Telephone, Aircon, Heating, Fan, Private Decks.
There is a separate Bathroom with indoor shower & Toilet. The indoor shower opens out to an outside Shower & Bath. (Nothing beats an outside bath and shower!)
Minibar, Dressing Table, Tea & Coffee.
King Bed, Standard Room - Has a day bed for 3rd person.
Telephone, Aircon, Heating, Fan, Private Decks, Separate Bathroom with indoor shower & seperate toilet that opens to an outside Shower & Bath,
(Nothing beats an outside bath and shower!)
Minibar, Dressing Table, Tea & Coffee Tray, Insect Proof Screen Doors.
HONEYMOON SUITE - King Bed,
Telephone, Aircon, Heating, Fan, Private Decks, Separate Bathroom with indoor bath & Toilet, Outside Shower, Dressing Area, Minibar, Dressing Table, Tea & Coffee Tray, Insect Proof Screen Doors.
The Family Suites accommodate 2 adults in a King bed in the main room.
There is an inter-leading room for kids that sleeps 2 people on 2 single beds.
A 3rd single bed can be added if required although the rooms were not designed to accommodate more than 4.
There is a large bathroom with an inside shower inter-leading to an outside bath and shower.
Property Facilities
Bar, Malaria Free, Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Vegetarian
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Bath, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, Fan, Fridge, Laundry Service (Available), Lounge Area, Mini Bar, Outside Shower, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Verandah
Available Services
Airport Shuttle (Available), Credit Card Facilities, Laundry Service (Available)
Activities on Site
Bird Watching, Boating, Fine Dining, Game Drives, Game Viewing Hide, Game Viewing, High Tea, Night Drives, Safaris
Activities Nearby
Animal Encounters, Beach, Big 5, Bird Watching, Boat Cruises, Boating, Catch-and-release Fishing, Cultural Tours, Cycling, Deep Sea Fishing, Fishing, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, General Sightseeing, Golf, Horse Riding, River Cruises, Safaris, Tennis Court, Turtle Tracking
Calm first-light cruise from the lodge’s jetty on Lake St Lucia on Solar Powered Eco-Boats. Slow navigation of Makakatana Bay for hippo, crocodile and signature waterbirds. Interpretive guiding with minimal disturbance. Weather dependent.
Late-afternoon lake cruise on our Solar Powered Eco-Boats from the lodge’s jetty. Soft light, active birdlife, and relaxed viewing of hippos and crocodiles along reedbeds. Weather dependent.
Depart lodge by vehicle for a ±30–45 min game-drive transfer to an exclusive pickup in the Narrows within iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Unhurried estuary exploration through hippo pods, croc banks and prime birding stretches; lunch onboard in a sheltered section. Return to lodge via scenic game-drive.
Lake crossing and dune-forest drive to a sheltered bay at our private concession within iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Time at the beach (swim/snorkel when safe), picnic behind the dunes. Return via a Western Shores game-drive routing. Sea-state and conditions apply.
Unhurried first-light drive from the lodge across pans, coastal forest and grassland on the Western Shores of iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Focus on early movement of grazers, predators settling, and active birdlife. Routing adapts to conditions and guest interests.
Warm-light drive from the lodge with flexible routing through coastal forest, grassland and open pans. Good general game and raptors; stops at scenic lookouts. Ends near sunset; timing varies by season.
Departs after dinner (exact time varies by season). A calm, after-dark exploration focused on nocturnal ecology and the soundscape of the wetlands—frogs, nightjars and rustling reeds. This is the best window for leopard and hyena activity. Spotlighting is used with care; routes adapt to wind, moon and conditions.
Curated full-day excursion to South Africa’s oldest proclaimed reserve. Routing planned around current conditions; brunch/comfort stops included. Best for guests prioritising classic Big-Five prospects.
Catch-and-release charters with permitted skippers. Options include estuary and surf sessions; deep-sea launches from St Lucia. Weather/tide and permit dependent; all tackle provided.
Licensed walking guides lead a 2.5–4 hr morning walk in coastal forest and grassland. Track interpretation, safety briefing, and strict spacing protocols throughout.
Regulated night beach patrols to view loggerhead/leatherback activity. Limited permits; strict guidelines apply. Weather/tide dependent.
Boat-based trips from St Lucia during the humpback migration (±2–2.5 hrs at sea). Highly weather/sea-state dependent.
Makakatana Dining options
Our dining areas are only for in-house guests.
We have great spaces for dining.
Guests can eat breakfast and lunch on the main lodge deck. The pool is also a great place for lunches.
Dinners are mainly served around a fire in the boma under the african stars.
If guests are celebrating a special occasion, we are happy to offer private dining in the rooms.
We offer set menus. Dietaries are no problem for our creative chefs.
Of course when you are out on full day safaris, guests delight in the scrumptious picnic lunches.
Your Stay
2 Nights
Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
All Local Brands (excl Spirits) Included
Your Rooms
Fast Facts
4 Star
Lodge
Spoken Languages: Afrikaans, English, Zulu
No. Rooms: 8
Special Interests: Adventure, Beach / Coastal, Birding, Flora, History & Culture, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife, Wine
