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
Bed and Breakfast
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
