Makongo Hills is a home away from home, offering affordable accommodation for 10, suited to couples, small groups -excluse-use, or families. We are a fully catered lodge and meals are prepared with a proudly local flavor. We are one of the few lodges able to design personal itineraries for our guests. We are passionate about conservation and sustainability and are off the grid. We are particularly involved in projects to protect rhino and upliftment and upskilling our local community (Mkuze Valley Wilderness Reserve is 50% Community owned). With the seclusion, remoteness & size of our reserve (1 of only 2 lodges on 15k hectares), comes the true peace & quietness of the bush. Animal sightings are enjoyed with unobstructed viewings; no jostling with other game vehicles for the best vantage point. Our location: northern Zululand KZN, just ¾ hr drive from Pongola. From Johannesburg - 6hrs drive From Durban – 5hrs drive
Me and another 5 friends recently stayed at Makongo Hills for 3 full days and nights and had the most amazing time. Not only is the lodge located on top of a stunning hill but it is well kept and managed by the most caring and attentive personnel.
The staff really does make the best of efforts to make their guests enjoy their game drives to their full extent, striving to meet tailor-made demands, and putting all their energy into us thereafter feeling at home. The meals were delicious, diverse and traditional.
You arrive as a guest but surely leave with a sense of having been at home with the rest of the crew as your short-term family!!
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Date of stay: January 2023
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Office Makongo Hills, Marketing at Makongo Hills
Responded 22 Jan 2023
Thank you for taking the time to write this very kind review. We always work hard at creating a special adventure for each of our guests and are delighted with your response. We hope to see you again soon. The Makongo Hills Team
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Even before we arrived we received excellent care from Kaylene who followed our trip to make sure we reach the Game Reserve safely. Our bungalow had everything we needed and beautiful views. The food was homely and delicious. We loved that they are making a concerted effort to be environmentally friendly. I do not have enough words to explain how much we enjoyed our game drives with Brett. He is very knowledgeable and was happy to stay at particular sightings as long as we wanted. We spent many hours watching a lioness and her 3 month old cubs and also a young male lion. We had many really special sightings. I wish Kaylene and Brett every success with the plans for the game reserve and hope to be back again
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Date of stay: July 2023
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were a group of 7 who spent 4 nights at Makongo Hills over the new year period. ]
Our stay was nothing short of sensational. We, as a group absolutely loved it! Accommodation was extremely comfortable, clean, organised & well thought out. The group raved every day about the comfort of the beds! Small touches like a mini torch accessible when you don't want to switch your lamps on is very clever. As all groups, we differed in our dietary needs. Kaylene & her team met our expectations with brilliance. All different concerns were thought of, and planned around to make every member of our party delighted. Every meal was very well thought out & delicious!
Brett, our guide was incredible. His knowledge and passion for the bush was exceptional. No question was left unanswered. We had some intense rain during our stay but we still managed to get some incredible wildlife viewings, as well as learn about some wonderful bush trivia!
Brett, Kaylene & her staff were superb hosts. They made every guest feel at home, and would go above & beyond to meet any request big or small.
We will most definitely be back again!
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Date of stay: December 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Office Makongo Hills, Marketing at Makongo Hills
Responded 22 Jan 2023
Thank you for your amazing review. We look forward to seeing you again
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We spent 3 nights at Makongo Hills in February this year and I would not hesitate to go back. We have been privilaged to spend time in the bush previously, but the bush experience at Makongo Hills really blew us away. This is an intimate lodge, offering a very personal experience - it is not commercialised, which meant we got to literally spend as much time as we wanted vieing game. Our elephant and lion sightings were incredible and we were also extremely lucky to see our first honey badger. The managment team at Makongo Hills are incredibly knowledgeable and offer a truly unique experience. Everything was amazing and exceded our expections - another highlight was our boma fire at night and spectacular star gazing. Highly recommended for family groups, friends and couples, especially if you are looking to really connect with nature.
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Date of stay: February 2023
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from VAR Safaris, Marketing at Makongo Hills
Responded 17 Apr 2023
We are so very happy you had such wonderful sightings. We look forward to welcoming you back to Makongo Hills.
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This was one of the best family safaris and trips we ever experienced. I’ve been to many of the top lodges in South Africa - think sabi sands - and this was by far and away the most enthralling and authentic experience of the bush we ever had. From lunch surrounded by giraffes, to leopard and lion sightings each day and not to mention the wonderful fire fly party at night, our guide Brett had a deep passion for the bush, was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, and the simple home cooked meals were absolutely outstanding. Value for money is off the charts and I can’t recommend this experience enough
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Date of stay: October 2023
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Makongo Hills, Marketing at Makongo Hills
Responded 16 Oct 2023
We are so happy you had a good stay. An authentic bush experience is exactly what we aspire to share. We look forward to seeing you again, the Makongo Hills Team
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This was one amazing weekend, loaded with unforgettable memories! Makongo Hills treated us like royalty, with the yummy food, the long game drives, the effort and their professional manner in getting things done. Brett has the best knowledge and he has taught me a lot about wild life in just two day. Kaylene added a home touch in everything she did. This was my engagement weekend and OH MY!! I will never forget this experience. The time and effort they put not just in to their “job” but into their passion will draw you back. Me and Jason, my fiancé will try and go there every year on our engagement day. Loved this place so much!!
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Date of stay: December 2022
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Room Tip:Take your camera to capture every moment.
Wear sunscreen.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from VAR Safaris, Marketing at Makongo Hills
Responded 26 Mar 2023
Congratulations to you both. We are absolutely delighted you had a wonderful experience. We look forward to seeing you again. From the Makongo Hills Team
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Every element of our stay was excellent. The focus is on providing an authentic bush experience. The lodge has 4 rooms, with a 5th (3rd rondavel) approaching completion, so it is a very personal experience. The game drives were excellent, Brett is experienced, knowledgeable, and passionate, and was happy to tailor each drive on the fly. Try to stay for at least three nights.
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Makongo Hills is an ideal setting for a family getaway in an authentic setting. The staff were friendly and helpful and we appreciated the small touches-especially the basket of mozzie repellent! My daughter thoroughly enjoyed the game walks, where we enjoyed learning about the plant life, looking at spoors and seeing the giraffe up close. The food and accommodation were superb, and we will be back!
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: March 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from VAR Safaris, Marketing at Makongo Hills
Responded 02 Oct 2022
Nichola it was an absolute pleasure hosting you and your family, and we look forward to your return.
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Makongo Hills is perfectly situated with incredible views over the Mkuze Valley Wilderness in KZN. Coming from Durban it was not a difficult drive up the N2 following the directions given. What a wonderful surprise to find a beautiful lodge surrounded by mountains with welcoming hosts and staff who took care of our every need. Our game drives provided excellent sightings of numerous animals including fabulous time spent with elephant herds and lions drinking at the water hole. Our incredibly knowledgeable guide, Brett, even pointed out old carcasses hanging in the trees where leopards had previously made their kills. The birdlife was fantastic and terrain of the reserve was just quite special, and unlike anything else in KZN.
We feasted on delicious food for all meals and the chef, Alice, made the best fresh bread! The setting of the lodge made for spectacular evenings around the fire listening the distant calls of Hyena - and awakening to truly magnificent sunrises before departing on morning drives. Thanks to Brett, Kaylene and the rest of the staff for a memorable time!
We really couldn't ask for more for a weekend away. Thank you!
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Date of stay: November 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Office Makongo Hills, Marketing at Makongo Hills
Responded 08 Dec 2022
We are so happy it proved to be such a wonderful destination for you. We hope to see you again. from the Makongo Hills Team
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Absolutely magnificent 3 days. Best game drives we've ever had with an extremely knowledgeable Brett and second to none hosting by Kaylene and her staff. Nothing was too much trouble and we were seriously spoiled for experience and comfort. A group (herd?) of 50+ kudu were a lifer whilst the scenery was magnificent.
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Date of stay: November 2022
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Book now - you will not regret it
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Office Makongo Hills, Marketing at Makongo Hills
Responded 08 Dec 2022
We look forward to welcoming you back for many more special moments with us.
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There are more places to choose from in the Mkuze area.
PRICE RANGE
R 5,681 - R 6,316 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
South AfricaKwaZulu-NatalMkuze
NUMBER OF ROOMS
5
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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