Makumu Private Game Lodge | Klaserie Private Game Reserve
ENDLESS VIEWS
Welcome to the Home of Endless Views (Makumu means ‘endless view’ in the Xitsonga language). Makumu Private Game Lodge, located in the ‘Big Five’ Klaserie Private Nature Reserve is an intimate oasis surrounded by the harshness, unpredictability and unspoiled appeal of the African bushveld.
Six luxurious and beautifully appointed suites in three villas, accommodating a maximum of twelve guests, ensure an exclusive blend of absolute comfort, style and privacy. Inspired by the Bushman, Ndebele and Zulu tribes of Africa, the suites are decorated with their own unique character. Each is large and spacious, offering a King Suite and smaller Impi Suite.
Game viewing at Makumu is opportunistic, with no time constraints or schedules. The highly skilled ranger and tracker team offer morning and afternoon game drives, walking, tracking and quiet observation from a hide - all part of the Makumu experience. Makumu Private Game Lodge has also recently introduced 'iThumbela', which loosely translated from the Xitsonga language means ‘ place to hide'. This is a photographic bunker, sunken below ground and overlooking a watering hole, offering guests the opportunity to photograph wildlife coming to the water to cool down or drink, at ground level.
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Rooms
Units
Facilities
Activities and Services
Restaurants
Makumu Private Game LodgeView of the Lodge
Boma ViewOur unique wooden-decked, floating boma
Upstairs Living AreaRelax at the fireplace and enjoy the endless views of the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve
Unique Dining ExperiencesEnjoy a private dinner at the pool, in the lodge or in the privacy of your suite
Game Drives Game viewing at Makumu is opportunistic, with no time constraints nor schedules - the ultimate benefit of exclusivity
King SuiteNdebele Villa
King SuiteBushman Villa
King SuiteZulu Villa
Elephant visitingThe lodge is completely unfenced - this image was taken from the Zulu King Suite Bathroom
HammockStunning sunset from the deck
Massage on the bomaBook a massage for ultimate relaxation in luxurious surroundings
Walking SafariTrack Big Game on Foot with our professional guide
Walking SafariOur ranger and tracker are highly experienced and make for amazing encounters
SundownersAmazing gin and tonics made at the lodge
Beautiful sunset at the river
Leopards in the bushWe have recently had amazing sightings of an 8 month old male leopard cub!
Lodge visitorWarthogs often visit the lodge
GiraffesCredit: Stefan Breuer
Imapla at the watering holeCredit: Morné HamlynTaken from the photographic bunker, iThumbela
Buffalo in the BushCredit: Morné Hamlyn
Lion cubsCredit: Stefan Breuer
Elephants at the watering holeCredit: Stefan Breuer
Wildebeest in the bushCredit: Stefan Breuer
Lions relaxing after a big mealCredit: Stefan Breuer
Hippo in the bushCredit: Stefan Breuer
Leopard in the bush Credit: Morné Hamlyn
Wild DogsCredit: Stefan Breuer
ZebraCredit: Stefan Breuer
Impi SuiteCredit: Barry MorganBushman Villa
Impi SuiteCredit: Barry MorganNdebele Villa
Impi SuiteCredit: Barry MorganZulu Villa
Makumu HideCredit: Mobile Upload - Stefan Breuer
Makumu HideCredit: Mobile Upload - Stefan Breuer
The bow and quiver of arrows will leave you in no doubt as to the theme of this room, from the earth colours of the bed cover to the printed bedding. Luxury suite featuring king bed with bath and shower en-suite.
6m x 6m, en-suite bathroom with bath & shower, walk-in closet, viewing deck with hammock
The bow and quiver of arrows will leave you in no doubt as to the theme of this room, from the earth colours of the bed cover to the printed bedding.
5m x 6m, en-suite bathroom with shower only, viewing deck
Please note: beds can be twin or King as per request
Decorated with a contemporary African theme, in bold yet vibrant earthly colours, our Ndebele King Suite offers warmth, solitude and elegance. Overlooking the dry riverbed our luxury suite with bath and shower. King bed.
6m x 6m, en-suite bathroom with bath & shower, walk-in closet, viewing deck with hammock
Decorated with a contemporary African theme, in bold yet vibrant earthly colours, our Ndebele suite offers warmth, solitude and elegance. Overlooking the dry riverbed, this suite holds beautiful bushveld views.
5m x 6m, en-suite bathroom with shower only, viewing deck
Please note: beds can be twin or King as per request
Decorated in the theme of the Zulu, our King Suite offers spaciousness, elegance, unparalleled intimacy, and seclusion. Overlooking the camp waterhole, the game viewing holds spectacular potential, also offering a large bathroom en-suite.
6m x 6m, en-suite bathroom with bath & shower, walk-in closet, viewing deck with hammock.
Decorated in the theme of the Zulu, our Suites offers spaciousness, elegance, unparalleled intimacy, and seclusion. Overlooking the camp waterhole, the game viewing holds spectacular potential.
5m x 6m, en-suite bathroom with shower only, viewing deck
Please note: beds can be twin or King as per request
The bow and quiver of arrows will leave you in no doubt as to the theme of this room, from the earthy colours of the bed cover to the printed bedding. Leather, eggshell beadwork, bows and arrows were functional fingerprints which defined their simplistic yet inspiring way of life. Very few traditional Bushmen are alive today, but the legacy of these amazing people is still very much felt across the continent and is proudly showcased in our Bushman suites.
The various groups of San people colloquially known as “Bushmen,” are the first known people of Africa and the oldest culture on earth. Drawing from a deep pool of ancestral knowledge and legendary bush craft, the San were master survivalists, hunter-gatherers and herbalists living in a remarkable partnership with the land. With the arrival of the ancestors of Africans, as well as the colonial era, the Bushmen communities were forced into the drier and inhospitable Kalahari region, which would later become their heartland.
Decorated with a contemporary African theme, in bold and vibrant earthly colours, our Ndebele Suites offer warmth, solitude and elegance. It is the southern Ndebele’s typically striking, artistic and colourful flair that inspired these two suites’ décor. These beautiful geometric designs define a Ndebele household, celebrating the matriarch’s warmth, hospitality, personality and individuality within the community.
The Ndebele history began in the 1600’s when tribal leaders decided to branch out from what would become present-day KwaZulu-Natal and forge an independent and culturally autocratic community. Internal politics, however, would divide the clans into the northern (present day Zimbabwe) and southern sects that settled in the vicinity of what is now the Mpumalanga and KZN provincial boundary region.
Decorated in the theme of the Zulu, our Zulu suites offer spaciousness, elegance and seclusion. Warfare and decoration were a central pillar within the Zulu tradition, and typical décor consists of spears and shields, as well as colourful beads. The vitality and energy of Zulu people, typified through dance, storytelling and a strong sense of identity is very much evident in modern times and in our Zulu suites. Overlooking the camp waterhole, the game viewing holds spectacular potential.
The vibrant legacy of the Zulu nation is attributed largely to the legendary figure of King Shaka (1787 – 1828). Shaka’s vision was to amalgamate the various communities scattered around the region of present day KwaZulu-Natal into one autonomous ethnic group. He achieved this largely by force and intimidation, creating the Zulu nation as we know it today. King Shaka remains a pillar of history and legacy within the southern African sub-region.
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Bar, Communal Dining, Eco Friendly, Gym, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Pool, Private Vehicle Available, Restaurant, Secure Parking
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Bath, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Detached Private Bathroom, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Fan, Hair Dryer, Heater, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Mosquito Nets, Outside Shower, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Verandah
Services
Airport Shuttle (Available), Credit Card
Conducted twice daily or as you prefer, in open Land Rovers with an armed ranger and a tracker, normally conducted early morning and late afternoon to search for the more elusive and nocturnal animals by spotlight.
Game viewing opportunities abound. From the early morning birdlife as the sun peeks over the horizon, to our resident warthog family that frequents the lodge lawns during the day as well as the elephant herds that choose to quench their thirst in our swimming pool, there is always the possibility of a sighting.
Pearl-spotted owl, giraffe, hyena, wild dog, zebra, warthog, elephant and vervet monkey are among the frequent visitors — not forgetting a variety of antelope: kudu, impala, waterbuck and nyala.
“On foot, the pulse of Africa comes through your boot. You are an animal among others, chary of the shadowed places, of sudden quiet in the air” – Petere Matthiessen, The Tree Where Man Was Born
Join our highly skilled guides on foot to track big game in the surrounds, from antelope to elephant and experience the ultimate feeling of being one with the African bushveld.
A fresh footprint in the dust, the faint sound of a breaking branch, wet mud rubbed on a tree, the presence of birds or a sudden quiet in the air are all part of the tracking experience. The senses are heightened searching for clues, sounds or smells to indicate an animal is nearby.
Looking for a different photographic perspective? Makumu's ground-level photographic bunker offers the opportunity to be at eye level with the water to take spectacular shots of wildlife visiting the watering hole. Nicknamed iThumbela, loosely translated meaning “place to hide” in the Shangaan language, this is the perfect vantage point for the perfect shot!
Optional additional experiences at Makumu
With our optional extras at Makumu there is something for everyone!
Reptile demonstrations - Learn more about these magnificent creatures from a reptile expert. Stargazing - Enjoy observing or imaging celestial objects in the sky at Makumu. Massage - To take that relaxation to the next level. Get Active - Use of our exercise equipment for those who will miss their daily trip to the gym. Eco Children visit - Visit a local NPO community initiative that Makumu actively supports. Flying Safaris - Enjoy a flying safari with Blyde River Canyon Scenic Flight or Microlights with Leading Edge Flight School
Experience one of our panorama route sightseeing and adventure flights by helicopter.
Spend quiet time in our hide overlooking the watering hole and watch as the wildlife come and go to quench their thirst in the hot African sun. For the more adventurous, the treehouse also provides guests with endless views of the Klaserie as well as the opportunity to spot wildlife from up high!
Dining at Makumu
Makumu is part of the Seven Group and we are lucky to have some amazing chefs in our kitchen. The kitchen is undoubtedly the heart of the home and at Makumu our kitchen is exactly that! A warm and friendly gathering place, our open style invites guests in for a chance to peak in a pot and savour the pre-dinner fragrances while choosing a fabulous wine from our extensive list to compliment the upcoming meal.
Some of the chefs favourites include Ostrich fillet with berry and red wine reduction, venison poitjie and for the sweeter of tooth, white and dark chocolate mousse with chocolate crumb and chilli orange syrup – to mention but a tantalizing few! The greatest reward for any chef is the delight and contentment on the faces of those they serve!
Your Stay
3 Nights
Fully Inclusive - Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities
All Local Brands (excl Spirits) Included
Fast Facts
Lodge
Spoken Languages: Afrikaans, English, Xhosa
No. Rooms: 6
Special Interests: Adventure, Big 5, Birding, Flora, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife
