The Swahili word safari is said to have been popularized by Ernest Hemingway, whose expeditions in East Africa both inspired his writing and reified the notion of the Great White Hunter. The world has seen a few changes since Hemingway's time, of course, not least of which would be the very meaning of a safari.
A luxurious and exclusive safari lodge, Makanyane is situated on private land within the magnificent 75,000 hectare malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve - home to the Big 5 and a myriad of other animal and bird species. Makanyane, which lies hidden in lush riverside forest, offers unforgettable wildlife experiences, exquisite accommodation and cuisine as well as outstanding personal service. Visit Makanyane Safari Lodge to experience the drama and mystery of Africa’s vast natural history, exhilarating wildlife, ancient legends and rich cultural history and to relax and revitalise body and mind.
We chose this lodge mainly due to the fact that it was in Madikwe Game Reserve, which is malaria free. I was a bit skeptical that Madikwe Game Reserve would provide the same level of experience that one would get at Kruger but I am happy to report that it absolutely did.
Madikwe Game Reserve is more than just an incredible malaria-free safari destination, it is an internationally significant conservation initiative.
Indigo Safaris organised the perfect safari to Madikwe. Quick to respond and advise us on great options. They clearly know the area and the lodges very well. We found Indigo Safaris after sending an enquiry through Safari Bookings. Lindie Janse Van Rensburg was our consultant. She made the whole process easy and was always prompt with replies to our questions. Absolute professional. Would highly recommend this tour company. Indigo Safaris was amazing in organising us the perfect safari and seamless transfer from Johannesburg to Madikwe. Lindie was always so quick to respond and advise us so I'd definitely recommend booking through Indigo Safaris.
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It came about at the last minute as the coup in Madagascar cancelled a trip booked previously through another company. The accommodations were excellent, and that was before we got an upgrade in Cape Town, the scenery so varied, and the wildlife stunning. When I started to plan the trip to South Africa, I wanted it to be seamless, adventurous, enjoyable, educational, and delightful, and thanks to you, ALL MY WISHES WERE GRANTED! Please accept my deepest gratitude for understanding my requests and for attending to them so meticulously and appropriately. You kept me informed of your planning and sent me such detailed updates. I never had an anxious moment. Our booking far out weighed our expectations. Our guides where not only very friendly but very informative. We made so many new friends and wanted to bring everyone home to Canada with us lol We are now in the middle of planning our next trip.
Framed by dense bush forests that peter out into distant grassland and a meandering river, Sanctuary Makanyane Safari Lodge offers superb game viewing from the comfort of its intimate eight-suite haven. Since its inception in 1991, the 75,000ha reserve has painstakingly introduced a vast array of wildlife to the reserve who have since flourished in their environment.
There wasn't a single drive that we didn't see something that took our breath away and I can tell you about it and show you pictures but nothing can replicate the feeing.
Consider Madikwe in South Africa. Comprising 185,000 acres of open grassland in the North West Province, Madikwe was settled by Dutch descendants in the late 1800s and subsequently farmed and hunted to the extent that it lost much of its native vegetation and wildlife. In 1991, however, the South African government designated Madikwe a reserve, thereby initiating an unprecedented reclamation program. Ten thousand head of game, including the endangered wild dog and cheetah as well as the "big five" (elephants, leopards, buffalo, rhinoceroses and lions), were brought in from other parts of the continent, and the government is in the process of eradicating all plant life but the native bushveld. Malaria-free and an easy 50-minute flight from Johannesburg, Madikwe lures big-game hunters of the point-and-click variety: There are now 12 safari lodges inside the park.
The species that populate Madikwe include lion, leopard, black rhino and white rhino as well as large herds of elephant and buffalo. The rare African wild dog (in the Tswana language, "Makanyane"), cheetah, spotted and brown hyena, giraffe, zebra and numerous antelope species also roam the reserve. Over 340 bird species also make their home in Madikwe which sprawls across richly varied eco-zones, from rocky peaks, across open grasslands, to verdant valleys, each zone with its own distinctive inhabitants.
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Madikwe Game Reserve Map
The Lodge
In 1996 a pair of London-based lawyers named Susan Harper and David Whittome spent their honeymoon in South Africa, and over the next three years they made many return trips in search of the perfect spot on which to build a retreat of their own. They finally settled on 4,500 acres of lush forest above Madikwe's Marico River. The river and a natural watering hole afforded an unusual concentration of wildlife, and the couple had in mind a lodge as exceptional as its site. It would be the only facility in the park to sit on private property (no jeeps jockeying for position around a kill), and it would remain unfenced (no barriers between photographic predators and their prey).
The Makanyane Safari Lodge, named for the bat-eared wild dog, has a look befitting its natural advantages. Harper and Whittome hired architect Bruce Stafford to design an eight-suite compound that all but disappeared into the landscape. "Bruce was asked to create a space that was very comfortable but part of the bush, as opposed to withdrawn from it, so that anyone staying here would really get an experience of being in the wild," says Garth Kew, Makanyane's general manager. "The concept for the lodge was that from a distance it would look like a native village, with a series of thatched roofs, rather than one big expanse."
Located on the edge of a ravine, Makanyane’s dramatic main lodge overlooks a stream-filled waterhole shaded by a dense canopy of trees. Enormous ancient Leadwood trees in the lounge and the dining room support the sweeping thatch roof. The spacious lounge area has two rock fireplaces and opens out onto a wide wooden deck hanging over the ravine and waterhole below. On this wooden deck is the well stocked bar with its sweeping roof. The gracious dining room also opens onto the vast deck area, perfect for enjoying a meal under the trees while watching game drink below. Upstairs is the air-conditioned den with a viewing deck, the elevated position providing panoramic views of the grasslands. Sweeping plains roll out towards the horizon, surrounded by a breathtaking skyline.
The main lodge was a indoor/outdoor space that featured a large deck and a swimming pool overlooking the African bush. There was a large ravine between the lodge and the bush that made the entire lodge feel almost like a treehouse.
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Sited around a preexisting anthill, the lodge is approached via a short suspension bridge over a ravine. Its conical thatched roofs and stone chimneys hint at the rustic influence inside: old leadwood tree trunks supporting the roofs, fireplaces of dry-stacked stone, concrete floors studded with river pebbles. Glass doors open to a broad deck where acacia trees shade an outdoor dining room and bar overlooking the ravine.
Close to the main lodge is the boma, an open air dining area enclosed by bush, reeds and trees. The boma is the perfect place to enjoy dinner next to a blazing fire. Sit back and enjoy the view out over the Marico River, the stars blinking through the canopy of leaves above you. Not far from the main lodge, an isolated viewing deck stands on the edge of the plains. In this tranquil, tree shaded place, you can enjoy a quiet drink, while watching elephants stride through herds of waterbuck, zebra and impala grazing in these breathtaking grasslands.
The heated, secluded swimming pool is the ideal place to soak up the African sun, while enjoying the idyllic scenery.
Suites
Sanctuary Makanyane Safari Lodge is comprised of eight tastefully furnished Suites that include indoor/outdoor showers, underfloor heating in the bathroom, a freestanding bath, a fireplace and a private viewing deck.
The eight suites are no less closely tied to the environment, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls, indoor-outdoor baths and private lounges enclosed by nothing more than sticks.
Each suite is made from local stone, wood and thatch and is encased in wrap-around glass walls, affording breathtaking views of the wilderness.
A stroll along the shady path winding through the riverine forest will bring you to your romantic and secluded suite. As in the main lodge, rich African textures abound, walls of natural rock and dried tree trunks merge with rough teak doors and contrast with the overhanging thatch. The glass walled bedroom suites allow uninterrupted views of the river and the surrounding bush. The open-fronted lounge with its private sundeck is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of the bush. The spectacular bathrooms have under-floor heating as well as indoor and outdoor showers. The wide, folding doors can be opened to allow the sounds and scents of the surrounding bush to join you in the luxurious freestanding bathtub. The understated luxury of your suite flawlessly compliments your untamed surroundings. The suites have fireplaces, overhead fans and are fully air-conditioned and heated. The rooms also have a telephone, hot beverage making facilities, mini safe and a bar fridge.
The rooms feature large glass windows facing a river, allowing you to see animals walk right past your door. There was an outdoor patio with two lounge chairs that overlooked the river.
If all the natural elements suggest something austere, look a little more closely. "Our brief was that you must feel like you're in the wild but surrounded by luxury," says Jenny Seddon, of Paragon Interiors, who decorated the lodge in association with interior designer Tessa Proudfoot. The rooms are simply furnished so as not to detract from anything going on outside, but they also are lavishly comfortable: Rush matting warms up the concrete floors; fluffy cushions and mohair throws soften the teakwood and twig furniture; beds are draped in organza and smothered with pillows of winter grass and raffia. Cultural references are subtle but ample-a few Zulu spears here, some goat-hair blankets from Mali there. A sprinkling of organic touches like wooden bowls filled with river rocks and grass. "Susan didn't want a typical African look,' " explains Seddon. "There are no zebra skins lying on the floor."
And as I mentioned earlier, daily laundry service is included. Yes, this is Africa and yes, there are going to be a variety of bugs in your room no matter what you do. The room also had river rocks embedded in the floor, presumably just for looks. Which is what allows me to tell you definitively that these floor to ceiling windows can withstand the weight of a grown man falling in to them.
Dining
Makanyane prides itself on the exceptional quality of its food and wines, adding another memorable dimension to your stay with us. Meals are skilfully and imaginatively prepared by our executive chef, Mauritz Greeff, and his excellent team. Mauritz blends European and African flavours to create unique menus, using fresh local produce to create delicious and memorable dining experiences. Delicious cuisine is complimented by superb South African wines from our extensive cellar. As well as offering classic wines such as Kanonkop’s Paul Sauer and Klein Constantia’s Vin de Constance, we have gone to great lengths to search out excellent quality, value and range in the wine list that it offers to its guests.
As I mentioned, all your food and drink is included during your stay. Lunch was also a buffet & table service option with dinner consisting of a couple different choices for a 4 course meal. Speaking of champagne, the mini bar is fully stocked with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks that are all included in your nightly rate.
When it comes to dining, the lodge offers a selection of truly mouth-watering menus that are inspired by local and international flavours, whilst an award-winning wine list completes your decadent dining experience.
There are also more orthodox wildlife-viewing options. Typically guests rise early for a morning game drive, then return to Makanyane for a hearty breakfast. After unwinding by the pool or at the gym and spa tucked away in the trees, there's another game drive (or game walk, for more intimate encounters) in the late afternoon. Back at the lodge, dinner is prepared by a five-star chef who emphasizes South African fare and local specialties like impala and warthog. The dining possibilities are as varied as the gaming options: Meals may be taken inside the lodge or out on the deck or in the comfort of one's lounge. More adventurous guests choose to eat out in the bush in the boma, an open-air venue protected by twigs and thorn trees, lest something out there be hungry too.
Dining at Makanyane Safari Lodge
Activities
To experience the vibrant bush life around you, allow yourself to be led through Madikwe’s 75,000-hectare environment, either on foot or in an open vehicle. Watch the wildlife, oblivious to your presence, from one of our bush hides overlooking a waterhole or facing plains that stretch to the horizon.
Guests can enjoy game drives, nature walks and specialised activities such as birding and tree safaris.
Game drives were by far the best part of my Sanctuary Makanyane experience. Game drives are pretty straightforward. I realize that this might sound boring in writing but believe me, it was a blast. Our guide Dillon had been doing game drives at Madikwe for 19 years and seemed to know everything that anyone would ever care to know about the animals, Madikwe, and all things South Africa.
Makanyane Safari Lodge
Here’s a fun fact for you, according to our guide Dillon the elephant is by far the most dangerous animal that a human can encounter while on safari. Apparently elephants can be quite temperamental and will occasionally charge a vehicle when they are having a bad day. Like the elephants, we saw dozens of giraffes during our stay in Madikwe.
At Makanyane you can shower outside and listen to the call of the crested francolin. You can observe a pack of hyenas from the sala, or covered outside area, of your lounge. You can watch the wildlife from a deck in the savanna, or from a bush hide above a watering hole, or from the infinity-edge pool outside the lodge. "The pool overlooks the deep ravine where all sorts of game come down to drink and swim," says Kew. "You can lie in the pool and sip your martini and watch the elephants while they're drinking. In fact, we were doing that this afternoon."
Rustic hides have been placed in certain idyllic locations on Makanyane’s private and exclusive land. One of these hides overlooks a waterhole hidden deep in the bush, a favourite place for animals and birds to drink. Another looks over the vast plains, providing observers with an ever-changing view of animals moving across the breathtaking landscape.
Those reluctant to surrender to the luxury of their suite can continue their African experience by sleeping out under a velvet canopy pierced with uncountable stars. To allow guests to experience the ambience of the bush at night, beds will be made up on the upper deck of a hide hidden deep in the bush, next to a waterhole.
Additional Facilities
The main guest areas include a sparkling infinity pool, perfect for cooling off after a successful day of adventures, a fitness centre and a spa, which offers spectacularly soothing treatments.
The well equipped gym and bush spa is just the place to work up an appetite, or to simply pamper yourself. Tucked away in the forest, this air-conditioned facility has all that you need for a gentle workout or more strenuous exercise.
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